Arniwala (Fazilka), August 1:

In a path breaking initiative Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and National Convener of AAP Arvind Kejriwal on Friday unveiled the anti-drug curriculum to be introduced in Schools under “War Against Drugs” with an aim to make 8 lakh students aware against the menace of drugs.

Addressing the gathering, the National Convener of AAP said that this marks the beginning of a new chapter in Punjab’s battle against drugs from the border district of Punjab. He said that Punjab’s war against drugs has now reached a crucial stage and as part of the third phase of the state government’s campaign “Yudh Nashean De Virudh” (War Against Drugs), a special syllabus is being introduced in all government schools for students from classes 9 to 12. Arvind Kejriwal said that through this syllabus, 8 lakh students from these classes will be made aware of the dangers of drug abuse and encouraged to stay away from narcotic substances.

The National Convener of AAP said that this anti-drug program will involve 3,658 schools and renowned scientists will also take part in raising awareness among students. Arvind Kejriwal said that the curriculum will include 35-minute sessions, to be conducted fortnightly over 27 weeks and will include documentaries, quizzes, posters, and interactive activities. He said that these sessions will focus on major themes such as busting myths about drugs, strategies to say no to drugs, and resisting peer pressure.

The National Convener of AAP said that the state government has already launched the “War Against Drugs” campaign and under this initiative, more than 15,000 drug traffickers have been sent to jail, properties have been seized, and over 1,000 kilograms of heroin have been recovered. Arvind Kejriwal said that properties acquired by drug smugglers through the illegal drug trade are being demolished. He said that the most notorious and feared drug lord has been put behind the bars by an honest government in the state.

The National Convener of AAP said that ironically all the political parties have come in the support of this drug lord which has exposed their ugly face. He said that these political parties have remained mum on the plight of the state due to drugs but are supporting the kingpin of drugs. Arvind Kejriwal said that Nasha Virodhi Yatra has reached more than 10,000 villages and wards of the state adding that the desired results are coming.

The National Convener of AAP said that it is the responsibility of every youth to support this unique and noble initiative of the state government. He said that the youth should resist the peer pressure of tasting the drugs for the first time as it can be fatal for them. Arvind Kejriwal said that it is the high time that everyone should come forward and join the crusade against drugs adding that efforts are also being made for the rehabilitation of individuals who have quit drug use, so they can stand on their feet again and lead lives of dignity and respect.

 The National Convener of AAP said that it is unfortunate that no state or country has remained untouched by the menace of drugs. He envisioned that this path breaking initiative will be replicated in other states too for wiping out the menace of drugs. Arvind Kejriwal said that Punjab’s misfortune lies in its geographical location along an international border, which made it a drug route for smugglers.

The National Convener of AAP exhorted the people of Punjab to unite and pledge to make our society drug-free. He also said that the state government has strictly implemented a zero-tolerance policy against drug traffickers. Arvind Kejriwal said that the smugglers, who celebrate with luxuries at home while poisoning society, are the real enemies of our people and the state government will not spare them at any cost.

In his address, Chief Minister said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government complete facelift of government schools has taken place. He said that students are leaving the private schools and joining government schools, which shows people’s trust in them. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that such events should not have taken place but it is unfortunate that such conditions have emerged in Punjab due to which these events have been necessitated.

The Chief Minister said that the blot of drugs have been put on the face of the state by the previous governments. He said that after assuming charge of the state it took us time to formulate a strategy adding that the state government started de-addiction centers to ensure treatment for those giving up drugs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is also working to skill them and enable them to live life with dignity and pride.

The Chief Minister said that crusade against drugs has been ongoing for the past 150 days and hundreds of panchayats have passed resolutions pledging that they will never support drug traffickers.  He said that this war against drugs has now transformed into a mass movement adding that as a part of it the state government has introduced anti-drug education into the school syllabus. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that students will be made aware of the symptoms and dangers of drug addiction as the first use of drugs marks the beginning of a ruined life.

The Chief Minister said that the state government doesn’t do vote-bank politics adding that School children don’t even vote but still, we want to make them aware against this curse. On the contrary, he said that the previous regimes ruined the youth by selling and patronizing the drug trade adding that these leaders used to party and buy lands in the hills. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the kids of these leaders went to school escorted by armed guards adding that the state government has taken decisive action against these leaders.

The Chief Minister said that when Majithia was caught, Congress, Akali Dal, and BJP all came out in his support adding that some of these leaders used to say they would drag Majithia by his collar, but now they’re backing him. He said that Punjab was looted and ruined by these leaders for their lust of minting the money illegally as drug packets were supplied in official cars of Ministers. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that drug traffickers were considered close friends of the rulers due to which drugs spread their tentacles in the state.

The Chief Minister said that the state government will strongly continue the legal fight against Majithia till he gets exemplary punishment for his sins. He said that Sukhbir Badal only knows his relatives’ names and he is not aware of the basic topography of Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that people elected Badals umpteen times but these people never cared about the masses or the state.

The Chief Minister said that to keep the youth of the state away from the temptation of drugs, the Punjab government is constructing playgrounds and gyms in every village. He also said that a WhatsApp number – 9779100200 has been issued for people to report information about drug trafficking adding that the identity of the informants is kept strictly confidential. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that efforts are also being made for the rehabilitation of individuals who have quit drug use, so they can stand on their feet again and lead lives of dignity and respect.

In his address senior AAP leader, Manish Sisodia said that Punjab has always been a leader in every field and now school children from state will lead the nation in saying no to drugs. He said that after government schools, the syllabus will also be introduced in the private schools adding that basic infrastructure of Punjab’s schools has been strengthened and state now holds the top position in the country in the field of education. Manish Sisodia warned the drug traffickers to stop the heinous crime immediately or be ready to face strict consequences.

 Addressing the gathering, Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that the Education sector is witnessing revolutionary changes during the current regime. He said that the scourge of drugs spread its tentacles in the state during the Akali-BJP regime. Harjot Singh Bains said that the AAP government led by Chief Minister has launched a massive crackdown against the menace of drugs and the introduction of syllabus against drug menace will help in complete elimination of drugs from state.

On the occasion Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, Secretary Education Anindita Mitra and others were also present.

Abohar, August 1 :

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal visited the residence of renowned city-based businessman, the late Sanjay Verma, on Friday to express their condolences to the bereaved family.

Bhagwant Singh Mann and Arvind Kejriwal met Sanjay Verma’s brother, Jagat Verma, and offered their sympathies. They stated that while this is an irreparable loss for the family, it is also a significant loss for society, which has lost a determined and enterprising individual. Both leaders prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the family to bear this profound loss.

Both the leaders noted that the Verma family had carved a niche  for itself through hard work, dedication, and commitment thereby further bringing global recognition to Abohar town. They assured the family that the Punjab government stands firmly with them during this hour of grief and crisis. Bhagwant Singh Mann and Arvind Kejriwal reiterated the state government’s zero-tolerance policy towards heinous crimes and affirmed that exemplary punishment would be ensured for those responsible for such brutal acts.

They further stated that the Punjab Police had already neutralized two gangsters involved in the murder through a police encounter. The Chief Minister assured the family that full justice would be delivered and that not a single perpetrator of this heinous act would be spared.

He also emphasized that ensuring the safety of all the Punjabis in general and this family in particular is the top priority of the state government, and every possible effort is being made in this regard.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Verma’s brother, Jagat Verma, expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for the swift and decisive action taken by the Punjab Police in the case. He also thanked both the leaders for standing with the family in this hour of crisis and ensuring justice to them by stern action against the criminals.

On the occasion senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia and others were present.

CHANDIGARH, August 1:

 On the directions of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, a State-Level Review Meeting of the Department of Cooperation was convened today under the chairmanship of Shri Girish Dayalan, IAS, Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Punjab. The meeting was attended by Chief Auditor Cooperative Societies, Joint Registrars, Deputy Registrars, and senior officials from across the State. The Registrar underscored the need for time-bound, target-oriented functioning and individual accountability for field-level outcomes. It was also announced that such review meetings would henceforth be held on the 1st of every month without fail.

A major initiative introduced during the meeting was the adoption of loss-making or underperforming cooperative societies by field officers. Under this new framework, all Inspectors will be assigned a society near their place of posting to adopt and support the 800 odd societies without a Secretary. In addition, each Joint Registrar will adopt at least one society, Deputy Registrars two, and Assistant Registrars three. Officers will be expected to ensure regular engagement, handholding, and performance monitoring of their adopted societies. This move aims to bring in direct ownership and create visible improvement on the ground.

Reviewing the status of PACS computerisation, the Registrar issued clear instructions to fast-track the project through daily monitoring. Five Additional Registrars have been given district-wise supervisory charge, while Additional Registrar (Headquarters) will oversee coordination and submit weekly progress reports. The appointment of district-level nodal officers has been made mandatory, and any resistance or obstruction in the computerisation process will attract strict disciplinary consequences. The Registrar reiterated that full digital transition of cooperative societies is critical to ensuring transparency, efficiency, and financial discipline.

The meeting also focused on strengthening audit accountability. All field officers have been directed to ensure 100 percent compliance of audit observations within stipulated timelines. It was categorically stated that post-facto “Special Reports” to justify audit lapses would no longer be accepted. Officers who had previously issued clean reports where fraud was later discovered would be held liable for disciplinary action.

A comprehensive review mechanism was also put in place for quasi-judicial proceedings and court cases. It was directed that all certified copies of orders must be issued within seven days of pronouncement, and weekly review of pending matters be undertaken by Deputy Registrars. Any orders passed with mala fide intent or jurisdictional overreach would be examined at the administrative level, and appropriate disciplinary action taken.

The Registrar also highlighted the issue of staffing gaps in PACS and directed the rationalisation of secretary postings, with clear weekly schedules and proposed support for travel reimbursements. Fertilizer indents too are to be made based on real-time data on PACS membership and landholding, with defunct societies formally linked to functional ones to ensure fair allocation. All DRs have been tasked with submitting complete district-level data within a week.

As part of wider governance reforms, the Registrar reiterated the mandatory use of eOffice and official punjab.gov.in email accounts for all correspondence. Physical dispatches are to be discouraged. All field officers have also been directed to hold monthly meetings with cooperative societies under their jurisdiction and submit properly recorded proceedings to the headquarters.

In light of the International Year of Cooperatives, the Registrar underscored the need for proactive and field-based engagement by all officers to ensure that cooperative societies not only survive but thrive, contributing significantly to rural development and economic empowerment.

The next State-Level Review Meeting will be held on September 2, 2025.

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, August 1:

          In a major intelligence-led operation amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Counter Intelligence (CI) Amritsar has busted a cross-border illegal arms smuggling module with links to Pakistan and arrested five of its operatives and recovered six sophisticated pistols from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Friday.

          Those arrested have been identified as Jagroop Singh of Dhun in Tarn Taran, Navdeep Singh of Patti Lahian Di in Tarn Taran, Arshdeep Singh of Shaliwal in Amritsar, Gurlal Singh of Rajoke in Tarn Taran and Joban Singh of Patti Mana Ki in Tarn Taran. According to information, arrested accused Jagroop Singh and Navdeep Singh are habitual criminals and have criminal background with cases pertaining to Arms Act and NDPS act registered against them.

          The recovered weapons include four 9MM Glock pistols and two .30 bore pistols along with magazines and live cartridges.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigations have revealed that the arrested accused persons were acting upon the directions of Pakistan-based smuggler identified as Rana, who has been sending consignments of illegal weapons from across the border. The arrested accused were further supplying the arms to criminals and gangsters in Punjab disturb peace and harmony of the border state, he said.

          The DGP said that teams of CI Amritsar received specific intelligence about retrieval of weapon consignments from Indo-Pak border areas falling under the jurisdiction of districts Tarn Taran and Amritsar. Acting swiftly, police teams have intercepted above five persons from near Bus Stop Panjwar, situated on Amritsar-Bhikhiwind Road, when they were waiting for gangsters, to whom the consignment was to be delivered further and recovered illegal weapons from their possession, he said.

          He said that further investigations are underway to uncover the network’s backward and forward linkages.

          A case FIR No. 42 dated 01-08-2025 under sections 25, 25(1)(A) and 25(1)(B) of the Arms Act and section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered at Police Station State Special Operation Cell, Amritsar.

Chandigarh, July 30:

A high-level delegation from the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) conducted a review visit to the Punjab Transparency and Accountability Commission (Pb-Trac), marking a significant step toward strengthening India’s Right to Service (RTS) implementation framework. The strategic engagement, led by Dr. Surendrakumar Bagde, IAS, Director General of NCGG under the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Government of India, underlined the commitment to advancing citizen-centric governance models.

The coveted meeting brought together senior administrative leaders including Sh. V.K. Janjua, Retd. IAS, Chief Commissioner of Pb-Trac, Dr. Nayan Jassal, PCS, Secretary of Pb-Trac and Ms. Shivani, Governance Fellow with the Commission. This high-level interaction facilitated substantive discussions on transformative governance practices and institutional strengthening mechanisms.

The dialogue centered on three critical governance pillars such as systematic reduction of service delivery pendency, enhancement of grievance redressal mechanisms and development of integrated digital platforms for robust monitoring andu evaluation. These initiatives showcases Punjab’s progressive approach to administrative modernization and citizen service optimization.

Dr. Bagde stressed the transformative potential of systematic monitoring frameworks in achieving superior governance outcomes, particularly highlighting their demonstrable impact on minimizing service delivery bottlenecks.

The NCGG Director General specifically commended Punjab’s data-driven methodology and proactive stance toward comprehensive public service reform initiatives.

Sh. V.K. Janjua articulated the state government’s dedication to transparency and accountability principles, detailing Punjab’s innovative IT-enabled initiatives that are revolutionizing citizen service accessibility and institutional responsiveness. These technological interventions shows paradigm shift toward efficient, transparent and accountable governance structures.

This visit constitutes a vital component of NCGG’s extensive outreach program to State RTS Commissions across India, designed to consolidate citizen-centric governance practices and accelerate administrative reforms implementation.

The engagement reinforces the collaborative framework between central and state institutions, promoting knowledge sharing and best practice dissemination to enhance India’s overall governance ecosystem.

CHANDIGARH, July 30:

          Continuing the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 151st day, Punjab Police conducted raids at 312 locations on Wednesday leading to the arrest of 81 drug smugglers after registration of 61 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 23,942 in 151 days.

          The raids have resulted in recovery of 337 grams heroin, 154 kg poppy husk and Rs 7490 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.

          The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state.

          Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.

          Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 150 Police teams, comprising over 900 police personnel, under the supervision of 68 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 343 suspicious persons during the day-long operation, he added.

          The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced 88 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

CHANDIGARH, July 30:

          In a stern response to the tragic incident at a Jalandhar Civil Hospital, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Wednesday announced the suspension of three doctors including Medical Superintendent and Senior Medical Officer, while, dismissal of house surgeon for gross negligence that led to the loss of patient lives due to disruption in oxygen supply.

          Those suspended are Medical Superintendent Raj Kumar, Senior Medical Officer (SMO) Surjeet Singh, Consultant Anesthesia Dr Sonakshi (on-duty doctor). “All the three doctors have been placed under suspension. Detailed inquiry is being conducted and they are likely to be dismissed from the service and lose all benefits of the service,” said the Health Minister, while reaffirming that exemplary punishment will be given for this ‘unpardonable’ administrative failure.

          The House Surgeon, Dr Shaminder Singh, has been dismissed outright for gross dereliction of duty.

          As per the information, a sudden disruption in oxygen supply caused by a technical fault in the hospital’s oxygen plant resulted in death of three critically ill patients at Jalandhar Civil Hospital on Sunday evening.

          Addressing the media, Dr Balbir Singh said that the preliminary investigation has revealed that the incident occurred due to administrative failure, despite the availability of adequate infrastructure, manpower, and multiple oxygen supply sources at the facility.

          The hospital had a functional pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen plant with dual compressors, a manifold system with 18-20 cylinders, and a liquid medical oxygen plant—ensuring four backup sources, he said, while adding that, however, irresponsible handling by the duty staff resulted in the fatal drop in oxygen pressure. 

          “The negligence was purely administrative. The hospital has 49 internal medical officers, 46 DNB doctors, 14 house surgeons, and 17 medical officers—enough to ensure one doctor per bed. Yet, lives were lost due to sheer dereliction of duty,” said Dr Balbir Singh, while emphasising that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal, has always prioritised healthcare and eduction in the state and there is no dearth of funds for healthcare and education.

           Meanwhile, the Health Minister has also issued strict directives to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply and power backup in all critical care units, including ICUs, Operation Theatres (OTs), and emergency wards across all government health facilities in the state. “All government hospitals should have 24×7 oxygen availability, functional UPS systems with 30 minutes back-up, and fully operational generator sets for critical equipment. There will be no excuse for such lapses,” he added.

CHANDIGARH, July 30:

          In a pathbreaking initiative to combat the escalating burden of cancer, the Government of Punjab, in close technical collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) India, has launched a comprehensive and people-centred Cancer Care Pilot Project in the districts of Bathinda, SAS Nagar (Mohali), and Gurdaspur. This transformative project was jointly unveiled by Punjab’s Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr Balbir Singh, and WHO Representative to India, Dr. Roderico H. Ofrin, marking a significant milestone in the state’s commitment to strengthening cancer care and ensuring access to early, equitable, and quality treatment for all.

          This pioneering initiative is designed to enhance early detection, timely diagnosis, and prompt treatment of oral, breast, and cervical cancers — three of the most prevalent and preventable cancers in India — through a decentralised, systems-based approach. It aligns strategically with the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), and aims to seamlessly integrate cancer care into all levels of Punjab’s public health system — right from Ayushman Arogya Kendras at the grassroots, to advanced tertiary care hospitals. This synergy is aimed at reversing the current trend, where over 60% of cancer cases in Punjab are diagnosed at advanced stages, leaving limited scope for effective intervention.

          Addressing the gathering, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh emphasised, “Cancer does not mean death — it is very much curable if diagnosed in time. Early detection is the keystone of cancer care. This initiative is a reflection of our belief in health as a fundamental right, and our resolve to build a resilient and inclusive health system for all. We are leading by example and showing how innovation, backed by strong partnerships, can deliver life-saving outcomes.” He further called attention to unhealthy lifestyles and poor dietary habits as critical contributors to rising cancer incidences, advising citizens to adopt a healthier routine that includes at least an hour of daily physical activity and nutritious, home-cooked food.

          Dr Roderico H. Ofrin, WHO Representative to India, applauded Punjab’s bold public health vision and efforts toward prevention and control of NCDs. He further stated that Mission Umeed with its comprehensive action plan stands out as leader in comprehensive cancer care in the country. He further stated that sustaining these investments and efforts, Punjab is well on track to achieving the NCD targets of the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3) by 2030. He concluded saying, “WHO is proud to be a partner in this important initiative, and will continue offering its full technical support to make this model a replicable success across India”.

          The cancer care pilot adopts a robust three-tier referral model, and encompasses a wide range of interventions: from universal screening of individuals aged 30 and above, capacity-building of frontline workers and clinical staff, integration of follow-up and referral systems, digital monitoring via the NP-NCD portal, to intensive community engagement and awareness campaigns led by ASHAs, Community Health Officers (CHOs), and local governance structures.

          This project builds upon Punjab’s strong collaboration with WHO India in areas such as the India Hypertension Control Initiative and now expands that partnership to address the pressing challenge of cancer. Beyond enhancing early detection and treatment adherence, the pilot aims to reduce the burden on tertiary hospitals, fortify community-level health systems, and establish a scalable model that could shape national and global strategies in cancer prevention and care.

          Earlier, Dr Balbir Singh also released updated Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs), providing a critical roadmap for healthcare providers and policymakers to deliver consistent, high-quality cancer care across the state.STGs have been prepared by technical experts from AIIMS Delhi, PGI, Homi Bhabha, Govt Medical Colleges and expert specialists from all over the State.

          On this occasion Principal Secretary Health Kumar Rahul, Special Secretary Health-cum-MD NHM Ghanshyam Thori, Director Health and Family Welfare Dr Hitinder Kaur, SPO NP-NCD Dr Gagandeep Singh Grover, Medical Officer Dr Ashu, Dr. Abhishek Kunwar National Professional Officer (NCD) WHO – India, Dr. Ashish Bhat National NCD Officer WHO – India, Dr. Abhishek Khanna National Professional Officer (Health Promotions & SDH) WHO – India,  were also present.

Chandigarh/Panchkula, July 29 – Haryana’s Energy, Transport, and Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij, while commenting on the ongoing debate in the Lok Sabha regarding Operation Sindoor, said that “The opposition is not happy with India’s achievements and victory in Operation Sindoor, which is why they are lamenting in the Lok Sabha.”

Sh Vij was responding to questions asked by media personnel in Panchkula today. Notably, Sh. Vij had come to Sector 6 Civil Hospital in Panchkula for an eye check-up.

In response to questions regarding the opposition’s concerns about Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha, he said that “The whole country is witnessing that a 20-20 cricket match is underway in the Lok Sabha over Operation Sindoor. On India’s side are the BJP and its allies batting, while on Pakistan’s side are the Congress and its allies.”

*“Our army destroyed terrorist bases” -Vij*

Sh. Vij said that “The entire country knows that our army fought bravely, with advanced technology, precise targeting, and gave a befitting reply to Pakistan. Our forces destroyed terrorist hideouts, airbases and their air defense systems.”

*”Our army has made it clear that there was no mediation in the India-Pakistan ceasefire” -Vij*

He added that “Congress and the opposition are unable to digest the success of our army, which is why they keep raising these issues repeatedly and claiming that the India-Pakistan ceasefire was mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump. However, our army has clearly stated that there was no third-party mediation in the ceasefire. Our Prime Minister has also said there was no mediation. Even Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister has confirmed that there was no mediation.”

Taking a jibe at the opposition, Vij asked that “If the opposition does not trust our army or our Prime Minister, do they at least trust Pakistan, their ‘friend’, and its Deputy Prime Minister who also confirmed there was no mediation?”

Sh.Vij said that he heard Dipender Singh Hooda’s statement where he claimed that U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned the ceasefire 32 times. Vij sarcastically remarked that “The opposition has no other work; they just keep counting how many times Trump has said it—once, twice, thrice…”

*”It is good that Congress is adopting children orphaned in the Pahalgam attack”- Vij*

When asked about Congress adopting children orphaned in the Pahalgam attack, he said that “It is a good thing that Congress is adopting these children. However, in the past, whatever they adopted, they never followed up or cared for them once they were in power.”

Chandigarh, July 29

Punjab Finance Minister Cum Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee for the Resolution of Employee Issues, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, today convened productive meetings with three employee unions to discuss their demands and expedite solutions.

The meetings, held at the Finance Minister’s office in the Punjab Civil Secretariat, included representatives from the Unemployed PSTET Pass Art and Craft Sangharsh Union Punjab, the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board Employees Contract Workers and Labour Union, and the PWD Field and Workshop Workers Union Punjab.

During the discussion with the Unemployed PSTET Pass Art and Craft Sangharsh Union, Finance Minister Cheema issued directives to the Education Department. He directed the department to arrange a joint meeting with all relevant unions, including the Unemployed PSTET Pass Art and Craft Sangharsh Union, to develop a proposal under a Common Minimum Program. “This resulting proposal will then be presented to the cabinet sub-committee in the next meeting for a suitable resolution”, he added.

The Finance Minister also attentively heard the concerns of the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board Employees Contract Workers and Labour Union, and the PWD Field and Workshop Workers Union Punjab. He reiterated the Punjab government’s commitment to addressing their legitimate demands and assured them that necessary solutions would be found promptly.

Today’s meetings witnessed the presence of key representatives including President Rakesh Kumar, Vice President Kirandeep Kaur, and Cashier Harbans Singh from the Unemployed PSTET Pass Art and Craft Sangharsh Union, General Secretary Phuman Singh, Kishore Chand Gaj, and Sukhchain Singh from the PWD Field and Workshop Workers Union Punjab, and President Sher Singh Khanna, Treasurer Gurvinder Singh Dhaliwal, and Assistant Treasurer Pradeep Singh Chhahar from the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board Employees Contract Workers and Labour Union.