CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR/JALANDHAR/LUDHIANA, August 11:

          In order to ensure peaceful celebrations of forthcoming Independence Day-2025 as mandated by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Monday briefed the police force regarding the current security scenario and reviewed counter-terror strategies, besides, issuing operational directives on inter-district coordination, high-visibility nakas, and round-the-clock surveillance to prevent any law and order breach in the border state.

          The DGP Punjab was on a whirlwind tour to chair Law and Order Review Meetings and outreach sessions with the officers of Commissionerates— Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana, and Police Ranges— Border, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Ropar. He also reviewed the ongoing anti-drugs campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ and action against gangsters and organised crime.

          Reaffirming the zero-tolerance stance against the drug menace, DGP Gaurav Yadav has directed district police chiefs to ensure strict, transparent, and uncompromising enforcement of the NDPS Act. While appreciating the progress of Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign, he directed the district officers to further intensify the anti-drug campaign to wipe out the drugs from the state.

 He also asked officers to conduct financial investigations vis section 68-F of the NDPS Act, and against Hawala operators to dismantle the entire ecosystem of drug trafficking.

          While taking stock of security arrangements ahead of forthcoming Independence Day, DGP Gaurav Yadav has also given instructions to all the CPs/SSPs to maintain peace and harmony by ensuring police presence at all important places, intensify domination operations and other preventive and detective measures.

          The DGP said that as part of the heightened security, police personnel will conduct regular patrols and checks, particularly at night, to prevent any potential threats or disruptions. He           also directed CPs/SSPs to increase the Police checkpoints in their respective jurisdictions, besides, ensuring visible domination in high footfall areas, snatching hotspots and other sensitive points.

          Meanwhile, as part of the outreach, the DGP Punjab also engaged directly with officers across all ranks including station house officers (SHOs), encouraging an open discussion and exchange of valuable field insights to strengthen inter-district coordination and dismantle drug supply chains.

          Commissioner of Police (CP) Jalandhar Range Dhanpreet Kaur, CP Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, CP Ludhiana Swapan Sharma, DIG Jalandhar Range Naveen Singla, DIG Ropar Range Harcharan Singh Bhullar, DIG Border Range Nanak Singh, SSP Amritsar Rural Maninder Singh, SSP Gurdaspur Aditiya, SSP Batala Suhail Qasim Mir, SSP Jalandhar Rural Harvinder Singh Virk, SSP Kapurthala Gaurav Toora, SSP Hoshiarpur Sandeep Malik, SSP Pathankot Diljinder Singh Dhillon, SSP SBS Nagar Mehtab Singh, SSP Khanna Dr Jyoti Yadav, SSP Jagraon Ankur Gupta, SSP Rupnagar Gulneet Singh Khurana, SSP SAS Nagar Harmandeep Hans and SSP Fatehgarh Sahib Shubham Aggarwal were among other officers/officials who attended the meetings.

Chandigarh, August 11-

Punjab Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian on Monday said that Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government has always been a government of the farmers—placing their interests at the forefront from day one.

The Cabinet Minister said that Whether it was waiving off farm loans, fighting for better prices for crops, improving irrigation facilities, or providing relief in electricity bills—every step has been taken with the welfare of farmers in mind. He said that in line with this vision, the Land Pooling Policy 2025 was also introduced. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that the objective was to make farmers active stakeholders in development, significantly increase the value of their land, and connect them with modern infrastructure and facilities.

However, the Cabinet Minister said that Punjab government believes that real development is only achieved when farmers are happy and satisfied. He said that if there is disagreement among farmers regarding any policy, imposing it forcefully goes against public interest and democratic principles. Therefore, Hardeep Singh Mundian said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the government has taken a major and historic decision to withdraw the Land Pooling Policy, giving the highest importance to farmers’ voices.

Cabinet Minister said that this move proves that for the Punjab government, farmers are not just voters—they are family. He said that when a family member is unhappy, listening to them and changing course is the true mark of service and sensitive leadership. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that government has shown that it doesn’t believe in stubbornness, but in trust and participatory governance.

The Cabinet Minister said that behind this decision lies a clear message that every farmer in Punjab can rest assured that their land, their rights, and the fruits of their hard work are completely protected. He said that policy will not be implemented without farmers’ consent and involvement adding that this is not merely the withdrawal of a policy—it is a renewed commitment to strengthen the bond of trust, respect, and partnership with the farmers. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that once again, the Bhagwant Mann government has proven that the true identity of Punjab lies in its soil, its labor, and its pride adding that the prosperity of the farmers is the prosperity of Punjab—and that is the government’s highest goal.

Chandigarh, 11 August 2025:

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing crusade against corruption in the state, has been able to apprehend 10 officials red handed while accepting bribes in 8 different trap cases during the month of July.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the VB has put up its best efforts to eradicate corruption amongst public servants and others in every sphere during the period.

He informed that the Bureau had submitted challans pertaining to 28 vigilance cases in various competent courts in the last month. Apart from this, 6 vigilance enquiries have also been registered to thoroughly probe the corruption cases. He added that 8 criminal cases were also registered against 13 accused which include 9 government employees.

Giving more details, he added that different competent courts had decided five bribery cases filed and contested by the Bureau during the last month, in which seven persons were convicted and sentenced ranging from two years to five years imprisonment and fine from Rs. 10,000- to 1,00,000.

Chandigarh, August 10 – Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said the identity of any country lies in its national flag. He stated that while many countries across the world have faced war situations, India, through skilful diplomacy, has not only evacuated its own citizens from war-torn countries but has also provided a safe passage to citizens of other countries, who used the Indian Tricolour as a symbol of safety to leave those regions. He added that under the policies and firm leadership of former Prime Minister Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the nation grew stronger, and under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, the country has progressed in every direction.

The Agriculture Minister was speaking after flagging off the Tiranga Yatra from village Uncha Chandna in the Saraswati block of Yamunanagar district with the rousing slogan of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” He said the Tiranga Yatra is organized every year to honour and remember the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence. This year’s Tiranga Yatra commenced from village Uncha Chandna and concluded at village Topra Kalan.

Chandigarh, August 10 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said protecting nature and environment is not merely a government initiative but the responsibility of every citizen. Amidst continuous development, we must not forget that the basis of life lies in nature and trees. Issues like climate change, irregular rainfall and rising temperatures can only be addressed through large-scale tree plantation and their protection, which is essential for securing our future. The Haryana Government has set ambitious targets in this regard, including planting 2.10 crore saplings across the state under various campaigns, to be achieved with collective efforts.

The Chief Minister was addressing the 76th State-Level Van Mahotsav organized at Seonsar in Kurukshetra district today. Earlier, he laid the foundation stone of the Saraswati Wetland Reservoir, Saraswati Flora & Biodiversity Conservation Park, and Saraswati Jungle Safari. He also released the ‘Triphala’ booklet. On this occasion, the Chief Minister planted saplings to give a message of environmental protection. During the ceremony, he also unveiled the Haryana Wildlife Map, Kurukshetra Wildlife Map, and five books prepared by the Forest Department.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the 76th State-Level Van Mahotsav is not just an event, but a symbol of gratitude towards nature, responsibility and a resolve to ensure a happy future for generations to come. This is the third event in the series of this year’s State-Level Van Mahotsav celebrations. Various programmes are also being held at the district level across the state, with active participation from local people and students.

He said Van Mahotsav means a festival of forests, a tribute to nature, and an expansion of greenery. It reminds us that trees are not just a source of wood but the foundation of life. He said while we are moving ahead rapidly in the race for modernity, Van Mahotsav reminds us not to exploit nature but to learn to coexist with it. Recognizing the importance of trees, the government has launched several plantation drives, which have yielded positive results. Many plans have been formulated to increase forest cover.

He said Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi had also launched a unique campaign, “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, on June 5, 2024, on World Environment Day at Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi. In the first phase of this campaign, a target of planting 1.60 crore saplings in Haryana was set, but the state exceeded the target by planting 1.87 crore saplings. This year, on June 5, the second phase of “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” began, with a target of 2.10 crore saplings. Since October 2014, about 18 crore saplings have been planted in the state.

The government has also started special schemes to promote urban forestry so that greenery can be increased in cities. In addition, strict measures have been taken to prevent illegal felling of trees and to protect wildlife. The Forest Department has been instructed to be more proactive in this direction. To make society more sensitive towards forests and wildlife, facilities such as jeep safaris and children’s study tours have been arranged at Kalesar. The ‘Green Aravalli Action Plan’ has also been launched in South Haryana. This joint project of the Central and State Governments will be implemented in the Aravalli hills of four states, including Haryana, covering 29 districts, five of which are in Haryana.

The state government has also launched the Pran Vayu Devta Pension Scheme to express gratitude towards trees older than 75 years. Under this scheme, an annual pension of Rs 3,000 per tree is given for their maintenance. So far, Rs 1 crore has been deposited in the accounts of caretakers of 3,800 such trees.

For the conservation and promotion of medicinal plants, herbal parks have been developed in various districts. An international-level medicinal forest has been developed in the Morni area. Besides, oxy-vans have also been established in districts.

The Chief Minister appealed to gram panchayats, municipal bodies, and social organizations to turn tree plantation into a mass movement. Students in schools and colleges should be made aware of environmental issues, encouraged to plant trees, and take care of them. Children must be connected to nature from an early age so that they grow up understanding its importance.

He expressed confidence that together, we can build a society where nature and humans coexist, and where development and environmental protection go hand in hand. It is our moral responsibility to leave behind a healthy and green future for the coming generations.

Opposition earlier blamed EVMs, now running a new agenda of ‘vote theft’

The Chief Minister said under Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s leadership, India has progressed rapidly over the past 11 years, but the opposition always criticizes the government’s work. He said it is concerning that the opposition’s role today is only to find faults. Taking a jibe, he said the party which ruled the country for 55 years and was shown the door by the people for failing to meet their expectations, used to blame Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) earlier, but now, it has come up with a new agenda of ‘vote chori’. Someone should tell them that votes were not stolen, rather, the people rejected them because of their wrongdoings.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that through Operation Sindoor, our brave soldiers destroyed terrorist camps running in Pakistan. Unfortunately, the opposition even questioned the bravery of our soldiers, which is regrettable. He said the Prime Minister is continuously working to take India forward and has resolved to make India a developed nation by 2047.

Van Mahotsav is not just a day for plantation, but opportunity to connect culture, nature and tourism: Naveen Jindal

On the occasion, MP Sh. Naveen Jindal said today is not just a day for plantation, but an opportunity to connect our culture, nature, and tourism together. Trees are not only a symbol of greenery, but also the foundation of life. They provide pure air, conserve water sources, protect biodiversity, and help increase farmers’ income.

He said the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign launched by Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has been strongly promoted in Haryana by Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, with enthusiastic public participation. Continuing this initiative, the Chief Minister today laid the foundation stone of the Saraswati Wetland Reservoir, Saraswati Biodiversity Conservation Park, and Saraswati Forest Nature Education Resort at Seonsar. Upon completion, this area will become an ideal model for environmental protection and tourism.

The MP urged the Chief Minister to develop this area as a wildlife sanctuary so that people can experience wildlife and natural beauty here. He appealed to the youth to plant trees and take care of them, and also administered a pledge to all citizens to plant at least five trees every year.

Former Minister Sh. Subhash Sudha, Vice Chairman of Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board Sh. Dhooman Singh Kirmach, Chief Minister’s OSD Sh. Bharat Bhushan Bharti, and other dignitaries were present on this occasion.

Chandigarh, August 10 – Haryana’s Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Sh. Rajesh Jogpal, IAS, has been honoured with the ‘Community and Social Impact Award’ for his outstanding contribution to innovative governance in urban sustainability. The award was presented yesterday in New Delhi during the 2nd Sustainable Agriculture Summit & Awards-2025.

The summit, organised by Sustainability Matters and IndiAgri, in partnership with Grey Matters Communications, brought together agricultural leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across the country to deliberate on the future of climate-smart farming.

This year’s theme, “Agriculture 2047: Climate-Ready Farming, Future-Ready India,” reflects the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat 2047 mission, aiming to build a climate-resilient, sustainable, and future-oriented agricultural system.

The award was presented by Sh. Ram Nath Thakur, Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India; Dr. Ramdas Athawale, Minister of State, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India; and Sh. Parvesh Sahib Singh, Minister, Public Works Department, Irrigation & Flood Control, Government of Delhi.

Upon receiving the award, Sh. Rajesh Jogpal said this recognition is an acknowledgment of the collective efforts of the Haryana’s Cooperative Movement, which is advancing urban sustainability through innovation, public participation, and governance reforms. He said it inspires them to continue working towards climate-resilient and inclusive development. He also stated that the state government aims to further strengthen cooperatives to provide better opportunities for people to become self-reliant.

Chandigarh, August 10 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the government is working to implement plans to preserve Pehowa’s cultural heritage and develop it as a grand and attractive tourist destination. Among these heritage sites, the Brahma Sarovar is a symbol of our culture, and it is the government’s responsibility to preserve it.

An important aspect is that Brahm Sarovar and the surrounding pilgrimage site, spread over about 102 acres, attract migratory birds from across the country and abroad during certain seasons, highlighting its significance. To preserve this, the government is undertaking the renovation and conservation of pilgrimage sites so that future generations can witness this cultural heritage.

The Chief Minister was speaking at a programme held at Brahma Sarovar in village Thana, Kurukshetra, on Sunday. Earlier, he inspected the Brahma Sarovar pilgrimage site and planted a sapling in the premises of the government school. On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced a grant of ₹21 lakh for the village’s development and assured the sarpanch that the demands mentioned in the memorandum would be fulfilled.

The Chief Minister said under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, the state government is rapidly carrying out development works. Today, due to the construction of national highways, travel from one corner of the state to another can be completed in 3 to 4 hours, and there is no district left unconnected by a national highway.

He further said the government has enacted a law to transfer up to 500 square yards of panchayat land, occupied for houses by residents for the last 20 years, in their names at the 2004 collector rate. This has also resolved many court cases in villages. The levy imposed on farmers since the British era has been completely abolished, and the government has waived ₹133 crore worth of such levies. Haryana is the first state in the country where all crops of farmers are purchased at MSP, and even vegetable crops are procured under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana.

MP Sh. Naveen Jindal said under the leadership of the Chief Minister, development works are being carried out not only in Kurukshetra but across Haryana, based on the policy of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ and ‘Haryana Ek, Haryanvi Ek’. The Chief Minister has given numerous projects to Seonsar and Thana villages of the Pehowa constituency, which in the coming time will give Pehowa pilgrimage town a new identity as a world-renowned tourist destination.

On this occasion, former Minister of State Sh. Subhash Sudha, CM’s OSD Sh. Bharat Bhushan Bharti, former MLA Kulwant Bazigar, and other dignitaries were present.

Chandigarh, August 10 – Haryana Principal Accountant General (A&E) has released the details of the General Provident Fund (GPF) for the year 2024-25 for Haryana Government employees and All India Service officers (AIS).

As per the circular issued by the Principal Accountant General, employees can download their GPF details from the website www.aghry.nic.in and the HRMS Employee Portal www.intrahry.gov.in. Apart from this, the Accountant General Office has given the facility to the employees to download the annual GPF statements through digilocker from the year 2023-24.

According to the circular, DDO’s of all departments can also access employees’ GPF statements using the ‘DDO code’. In case of any difficulty, employees can contact the helpline number 0172-3503960.

Chandigarh, August 10: Chandigarh MP and former Union Minister Manish Tewari yesterday felicitated members of the Indian team for their remarkable performance at the 20th Asian Roller Skating Championship held in Jecheon, South Korea.

It is noteworthy that the Indian team had delivered an excellent performance in both rink and inline hockey events during the championship.

While honouring the talented players at his residence in Chandigarh, MP Tewari said that these players have brought glory to the country and especially to Chandigarh on the global stage. He emphasised that such achievements are the result of years of hard work and dedication. He added that these sportspersons are a source of inspiration for youngsters striving to excel in various sports. On the occasion, the MP also congratulated the coaches, association representatives, and the players’ parents, stating that this is a proud moment for Chandigarh.

Among those present were Harpreet Singh, General Secretary of CRSA and Coach of Team India, and Sanam Mahajan, Joint Secretary of CRSA and Manager of Team India. The gold medal-winning senior women’s roller hockey team comprised Manika Mahajan, Yashika Sharma, Vinati, Himanshi Kaushal, and Anshika Sharma.

The silver medal-winning senior men’s team included Gursharan Singh Aujla, Angadbir Singh, Jujhar Singh, and Naman Gosai.

Similarly, the gold medal-winning Under-19 boys’ team was led by captain Adhiraj Shaunk and included Damanpreet Singh, Daksh, Mayank, Dhruv Rathi, Ritesh Kamboj, Sarthak, and Ansh Sharma.

The bronze medal-winning junior boys’ team featured Jobanpreet Singh, Abheuday Thakur, Parspreet Singh, and Sanidhya Tewari.

Chandigarh, August 10

In a major boost to citizen engagement and tax transparency, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday announced the remarkable success of the state’s flagship “Bill Liao Inam Pao” scheme. Launched to encourage responsible consumer behaviour and strengthen tax compliance, the initiative has witnessed enthusiastic public participation, with a total of 1,76,832 bills uploaded on the ‘Mera Bill app’ from its launch in September 2023 to July 2025. This surge in engagement has resulted in 5644 winners receiving prizes amounting to ₹3,35,80,215.

In a press communique issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema revealed that the scheme’s focus on encouraging citizens to demand bills has had a profound impact on tax enforcement. He said that penalties worth ₹9,07,06,102 have been levied against entities found guilty of irregularities in bill issuance. “Of this, ₹7,30,92,230 has already been recovered, marking a significant step forward in ensuring fiscal accountability”, said Finance Minister Cheema while adding that the scheme has further expanded the tax base by facilitating 135 new registrations.

The Finance Minister also shared details of the latest lucky draw for July 2025, held on August 7 at the department’s head office in Patiala. The draw, which involved 6,345 bills uploaded on the ‘Mera Bill’ app in July 2025, resulted in 257 winners being selected and collectively receiving ₹15,30,015 in prize money. He emphasised that the department promptly transfers the prize amount to winners’ bank accounts upon receipt of the necessary details, including account numbers. Urging winners to submit their information at the earliest, the Finance Minister reiterated the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led Punjab government’s commitment to transparency and efficiency.

Encouraging continued public participation, Finance Minister Cheema appealed to the people of Punjab to actively engage with the “Bill Liao Inam Pao” scheme by demanding bills for their purchases. He underscored that every bill uploaded not only offers a chance to win but also contributes meaningfully to the state’s efforts in curbing tax evasion and promoting a culture of compliance.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema clarified that bills pertaining to petroleum products (including crude oil, petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel, and natural gas), liquor, out-of-state purchases, and B2B transactions are excluded from the scheme’s eligibility criteria. He stressed that only bills for purchases made in the preceding month are considered for the draw, thereby ensuring the scheme’s fairness and operational effectiveness.

The Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the success of this initiative stands as a testament to the power of citizen-driven governance and reflects the AAP-led Punjab Government’s resolve to build a more accountable and participatory fiscal ecosystem. He said that the scheme’s dual impact is not only rewarding vigilant consumers but also tightening the state’s tax enforcement mechanisms.