Chandigarh, July 17

With tensions easing and a sustained ceasefire between India and Pakistan for over a month, the Global Sikh Council (GSC), a unified body of national Sikh organizations worldwide, has fervently appealed to the Government of India to immediately reopen the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor which has remained shut since May 7, 2025 following the Pahalgam attack and subsequent border unrest. 

            In a statement issued today, GSC President Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur and Secretary Harjeet Singh Grewal expressed deep concern over India’s unilateral and indefinite suspension of pilgrimages, despite Pakistan keeping its side of the corridor operational. This abrupt closure has left thousands of Sikh devotees, both from India and abroad, disheartened as they are unable to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan – one of the holiest Sikh shrines, marking the final resting place of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

            In a written appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the GSC emphasized that the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor was established as a historic gesture of faith, peace, and international goodwill. Dr. Kaur stressed that religious access must not be held hostage to political tensions, especially when normalcy had already been restored between the two nations.

            “The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is not merely a physical passage, it is a spiritual lifeline for the Sikh qaum worldwide. With hostilities subsided and peace has prevailed, there is no justifiable reason to keep this sacred pathway closed any longer,” they said.

            The GSC has urgently called upon the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs to take swift action and resume the cross-border pilgrimage facility. “Shri Kartarpur Sahib transcends politics, it is a matter of spiritual rights and religious freedom. Its continued closure due to political or administrative reasons is unjustified and deeply wounds the sentiments of the global Sikh Sangat,” they added.

            The Global Sikh Council firmly believes that reopening the corridor would not only uphold religious freedom but also strengthen goodwill and promote international peace. The Council has also appealed to Sikh organizations, the Punjab government, Members of Parliament, and civil society to unite in demanding the immediate reopening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, ensuring that devotees could once again start to pay their respects at this sacred shrine.

Chandigarh, July 16- Haryana Co-operation Minister, Dr. Arvind Sharma said that without the prosperity of farmers, the dream of a Viksit Bharat cannot be fulfilled, and in this journey, NABARD has played a very important role. Haryana is leading in agricultural innovation, crop diversification, and processing-based farming. NABARD is supporting and is playing an important role in overall rural development in the state.  He said NABARD’s support has helped bring digitalisation, transparency, and community focus to the cooperative sector in Haryana. Its contribution spans many areas—from computerisation of PACS, digitalisation of KCC, strengthening FPOs, SHGs, and JLGs, to technical training for cooperative institutions.

Co-operation Minister, Dr. Arvind Sharma was addressing an event on the occasion of NABARD’s 44th Foundation Day in Chandigarh.

He said that the state government is committed to make the cooperative sector digital, transparent and public-centric and in this direction, NABARD is working as a driving force. He said that under the guidance of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi and the leadership of Union Cooperation Minister, Sh. Amit Shah, cooperative institutions are no longer limited to just loans, seeds, and fertilisers. Today, they are also providing over 25 types of services, including Jan Aushadhi Kendras, gas stations, and Common Service Centres.

Dr. Sharma shared that under Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini’s leadership, Haryana has set a target to establish 500 CM-PACS. Out of these, 161 have already been formed. These centres are helping provide services like small warehouses, distribution of food grains under the public distribution system, and more, which are not only benefiting farmers but also creating local employment and ensuring transparency.

The cooperative movement in Haryana is now entering a new era with the goal of reaching every village. Inspired by the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat by 2047’ and the mission of “PACS in every village,” the government is transforming primary agricultural credit societies into multipurpose organisations where farmers can get everything—from seeds, fertilisers, loans, storage, and marketing—under one roof, he added.

Dr. Sharma said that the Haryana government under the leadership of Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini is taking concrete initiatives towards building a self-reliant state and a strong agriculture-based economy through the new cooperative policy.

With NABARD’s support, efforts are being made to develop small warehouses, provide financial aid, and promote technological innovations so that farmers are supported throughout the entire cycle from production to marketing. 

Chief General Manager, NABARD Haryana, Smt. Nivedita Tiwari, said that over the past four decades, NABARD has significantly contributed to agricultural finance, strengthening cooperatives, building rural infrastructure, improving financial inclusion, managing natural resources, and promoting rural skills and entrepreneurship. It has also nurtured organisations like FPOs, SHGs, JLGs, and non-farm producer organisations.

Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India, Sh. Vivek Srivastava, Convener, SLBC Haryana, Sh. Lalit Taneja, and other officers and employees of NABARD also remained present. 

Chandigarh, July 16

Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said that both the Central and State governments are committed to farmers’ welfare and efforts are being made to ensure that farmers do not face any shortage of fertilisers.

Sh. Shyam Singh Rana was interacting with the media in Yamunanagar today.

He said that he regularly interacts with farmers and wherever there is a need for fertilisers, he immediately directs administrative officers to make the supply available. At present, there is no shortage of fertilisers in the state.

Sh. Rana said that DAP fertiliser is imported from abroad and is being delivered daily via train to various districts of Haryana, along with urea fertilizer. In view of the demand, societies and private dealers are also required to keep a stock of fertilisers so that farmers can easily access them when needed.

He further said that on July 16, a train carrying DAP arrived in Rohtak, and from there, fertiliser is being distributed to Jhajjar, Palwal, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Mewat. Similarly, on July 17, fertiliser will reach Hisar and be supplied to Fatehabad, Bhiwani, and Sirsa, and on July 18, it will be sent to Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Yamunanagar, Ambala, and Kurukshetra.

Haryana’s Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister said that earlier the government used to allocate 40 percent of the fertiliser stock to society while 60 percent went to private fertilizer agencies. However, the government has now increased the society share to 50 percent so that farmers in villages can get fertiliser nearby without having to travel far.

He also said that if a farmer purchases fertiliser from a society and returns the payment within six months, no interest will be charged on that amount.

While responding to a question regarding black marketing of fertilisers, Sh.Rana said the government keeps a close watch, and strict action is taken against anyone found involved in such practices. Fertiliser sales will soon be available online, allowing farmers to order fertilisers from anywhere. The fertiliser will be provided based on the land details submitted by the farmer on the portal, he added. 

Mohali, July 16:

In a major push to harness the renewable energy, the Punjab Mandi Board plans to install solar power plants in grain markets across Jalandhar, Patiala, Ferozepur and Ludhiana at a cost of Rs. 24.5 crore and this eco-friendly initiative is expected to save approximately Rs. 3.5 crore in annual electricity expenses, informed Harchand Singh Barsat,  Chairman, Punjab Mandi Board.

S. Barsat, along with senior officials of the Punjab  Mandi Board, reviewed the development works being carried out at grain markets, fruit and vegetable markets, Market Committees and e-NAM. The Chairman further stated that the Punjab Mandi Board would plant over 50,000 saplings in Mandis across the state. This initiative underscores the Board’s commitment to enhancing green cover and promoting environmental sustainability in and around mandis across Punjab.

The Chairman directed officials to complete the renovation of the Guest House located at Talwandi Sabo at the earliest so that it can be operated on the lines of the Kisan Bhawan, Chandigarh. Additionally, officials were instructed to take immediate action to allocate the vacant houses in the Board’s residential colonies. Under the modernisation of vegetable mandis, he said that boom barriers were installed at the vegetable mandi in Sanaur (Patiala). This led to an increase in market fees. Given the project’s success, a decision has been made to implement this in other mandis across state.

S. Barsat directed officials to immediately remove encroachments on the premises of the mandis in the state, while emphasising on the need to maintain cleanliness at vegetable mandis. He instructed officials to ensure daily disposal of waste generated in the mandis, besides making efforts to generate income from this bio-waste.

Highlighting the Board’s achievements, the Chairman said that the Board has earned Rs 373 crore in revenue from e-auctions of 842 plots this year so far. He further informed about a successful initiative where cover sheds in the state’s mandis were opened for public use during the off-season. This move received an overwhelming response and generated Rs 1 crore in revenue, which showcases the Board’s efforts to optimise the use of existing infrastructure in mandis.

Chandigarh/SAS Nagar, July 16:

In a major push to harness the renewable energy, the Punjab Mandi Board plans to install solar power plants in grain markets across Jalandhar, Patiala, Ferozepur and Ludhiana at a cost of Rs. 24.5 crore and this eco-friendly initiative is expected to save approximately Rs. 3.5 crore in annual electricity expenses, informed Harchand Singh Barsat,  Chairman, Punjab Mandi Board.

S. Barsat, along with senior officials of the Punjab  Mandi Board, reviewed the development works being carried out at grain markets, fruit and vegetable markets, Market Committees and e-NAM.

The Chairman further stated that the Punjab Mandi Board would plant over 50,000 saplings in Mandis across the state. This initiative underscores the Board’s commitment to enhancing green cover and promoting environmental sustainability in and around mandis across Punjab.

The Chairman directed officials to complete the renovation of the Guest House located at Talwandi Sabo at the earliest so that it can be operated on the lines of the Kisan Bhawan, Chandigarh. Additionally, officials were instructed to take immediate action to allocate the vacant houses in the Board’s residential colonies.

Under the modernisation of vegetable mandis, he said that boom barriers were installed at the vegetable mandi in Sanaur (Patiala). This led to an increase in market fees. Given the project’s success, a decision has been made to implement this in other mandis across state.

S. Barsat directed officials to immediately remove encroachments on the premises of the mandis in the state, while emphasising on the need to maintain cleanliness at vegetable mandis. He instructed officials to ensure daily disposal of waste generated in the mandis, besides making efforts to generate income from this bio-waste.

Highlighting the Board’s achievements, the Chairman said that the Board has earned Rs 373 crore in revenue from e-auctions of 842 plots this year so far. He further informed about a successful initiative where cover sheds in the state’s mandis were opened for public use during the off-season. This move received an overwhelming response and generated Rs 1 crore in revenue, which showcases the Board’s efforts to optimise the use of existing infrastructure in mandis.

Chandigarh, July 16:

The Punjab Animal Husbandry Department has achieved a remarkable milestone with the Semen Station in Rupnagar obtaining International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) certification. This certification highlights the department’s commitment to quality standards in animal husbandry services.

Sharing this achievement today, Punjab Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian stated that two semen banks of Punjab have achieved ISO certification. The Semen Station, Rupnagar has produced 1.06 lakh semen straws in the first three months of FY 2025-26, with a target of producing 5.20 lakh semen straws for the year.

While congratulating the department officials for this feat, S. Khudian said that modernising the department would help livestock farmers boost their income through agri-allied businesses like dairy and animal farming.

S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian informed that the Semen Station at Nabha has been certified ISO 9001:2015 by the Government of India and has been granted Grade A status. The Nabha semen station has produced 3,11,000 semen straws in the first three months of FY 2025-26. For the year, the target is set to produce 16.39 lakh semen straws, which is higher than in previous year.

The Animal Husbandry Minister stated that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government has been making all out efforts to enhance the income of livestock farmers by delivering good breed semen straws to every corner of the state. Usage of these straws ensures production of good breed calves and helps increase milk production to record levels, he added.

Chandigarh, July 16 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the State Government fully respects and honours the orders of the Supreme Court regarding the Anangpur village in Faridabad district. The Chief Minister said this while talking to media persons after meeting Union Minister of State Sh. Krishan Pal Gurjar, former Minister and Ballabhgarh MLA Sh. Mool Chand Sharma, NIT Faridabad MLA Satish Fagna, Badkhal MLA Dhanesh Adlakha and dignitaries of Anangpur village at the PWD Rest House in Gurugram.

During this, the Chief Minister listened carefully to all the public representatives and assured them that the Haryana Government respects public sentiments. Also, the Haryana Government believes in the balance between environment and development. Accordingly, the matter will be presented before the Coordination Committee, which will in turn submit a formal request to the Supreme Court for consideration.

Chandigarh, July 16- In a significant step towards promoting amicable dispute resolution and reducing the burden on Courts, National Legal Services Authority, New Delhi in association with the Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee, Supreme Court of India has launched the Special Mediation Drive- Mediation ‘For the Nation’ under the guidance of Chief Justice of India, Sh. Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, and  Judge, Supreme Court of India and Executive Chairman, National Legal Services Authority and Chairman, Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee. Sh. Justice Surya Kant. This nation-wide campaign is a 90 Days’ Mediation Drive from July 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025 which aims at resolving a large number of pending cases through Mediation.

This pioneering initiative will be implemented across all Taluka Courts, District Courts and High Courts throughout the country. The campaign, spearheaded by the Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee (MCPC) of the Supreme Court, aims to encourage litigants to opt for mediation as a time-efficient, cost-effective and peaceful method of settling disputes.

The campaign is being actively supported and coordinated by all High Courts and State Legal Services Authorities which are undertaking a range of awareness activities including the publication of pamphlets, display of banners, organization of awareness drives and facilitation of pre-litigation and pending case referrals to mediation. Citizens are being encouraged to come forward and resolve their disputes amicably through Mediation during this 90-day period, thereby contributing to the cause of speedy justice and social harmony.

For more information and assistance, litigants may contact the nearest District Legal Services Authority/Taluka Legal Services Committee or visit the Mediation Centre in their respective ADR Centres/Court Complexes. For any kind of legal assistance, litigants may call at NALSA Helpline Number 15100.

Chandigarh, July 16 – Haryana Government is spearheading major advancements in land administration, including a large-scale mapping program, boundary demarcation with Uttar Pradesh, and the implementation of a fully paperless property registration system.

Chairing a comprehensive review meeting with all Deputy Commissioners, Financial Commissioner Revenue (FCR), Dr. Sumita Misra emphasized the timely execution of all critical projects. She directed officers to ensure the completion of Tatima updation work-the digitization and verification of land parcel maps by August 2025.

Dr. Misra noted that the state is also on course to erect 1,221 boundary pillars between Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, in line with the directives of the Survey of India. These efforts are focused in districts including Panipat, Sonipat, Faridabad, Palwal, and Karnal. Maps based on SoI surveys have been shared with the respective districts, and funds have been released to execute the work effectively.

Highlighting the importance of digitized land records, the FCR reviewed the progress of establishing Modern Revenue Record Rooms (MRRRs) in districts. She directed that all document verification of the digitised records be completed by August 15.

Importantly, she announced that registration services in Haryana will soon become entirely paperless on the lines of Passport Seva Kendra system. This step aims to enhance transparency, reduce delays, and improve the citizen experience.

Dr. Misra informed that new software has been developed which allows simultaneous mutation at the time of ownership registration. This integration is expected to drastically reduce the pendency of mutation cases. Dr. Misra said that under the new digital initiatives, a dedicated portal would be made and be operational by August 2025. This Revenue Court Case Management System will improve overall accountability, reduce pendency, and make land-related services faster and more accessible to the public. She added that with this new initiative the monitoring will be more transparent at the headquarter as well as district level.

The FCR also disclosed that demarcation processes across the state will soon be conducted through advanced rovers and directed all Deputy Commissioners to ensure staff training and procurement of equipment in advance. Dr. Misra further urged DCs to submit pending verification reports for Phase-II of the Agriculture Census 2021–22, particularly from the 16 districts yet to comply with Government of India mandates.

Dr. Misra revealed that disciplinary proceedings are being initiated against 38 erring revenue officers, including 6 District Revenue Officers (DROs), 23 Tehsildars, and 9 Naib Tehsildars. She further emphasized DCs for timely reporting and accountability to ensure that all officers adhere to the guidelines and complete their tasks efficiently.

The meeting was attended by Director, Consolidation of Land Holdings & Land Records, Sh. Yashpal, Special Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Sh. Rahul Hooda, Special Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Sh. Kamlesh Kumar Bhadoo besides other officers from Revenue and Disaster Management Department.