Chandigarh:

The Sirsa MP and former Union Minister Kumari Selja has expressed serious concern over the neglect of the historic Chili Lake in Fatehabad and has sent a detailed letter to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Kumari Selja has demanded immediate action for the revival, beautification, and long-term conservation of Chili Lake. 

In her letter, Kumari Selja wrote that Chili Lake is not only important from an environmental perspective but is also an integral part of Fatehabad’s cultural and historical identity. Kumari Selja said that according to media reports and complaints from local residents, the reconstruction work of the lake has been incomplete for a long time, which has caused widespread public resentment. Kumari Selja said that once developed, Chili Lake could be turned into an attractive tourist destination, which would generate employment and boost economic activity. She said that although crores of rupees were sanctioned for the lake during DISHA meetings, no satisfactory results are visible on the ground. 

Kumari Selja has demanded from the Chief Minister that the ongoing works be investigated, the budget be audited, and accountability be fixed for the responsible officials. She also suggested that a comprehensive master plan for the lake’s revival and beautification should be created with the participation of experts, social organizations, and local residents. Selja expressed hope that with the Chief Minister’s intervention, Chili Lake can be revitalized and developed into a major tourism and cultural site.

:-The District-level Congress Protest in Sirsa under the “Vote Chor–Gaddi Chhod” Campaign.

Under the Congress Party’s “Vote Chor–Gaddi Chhod” (Vote Thief–Vacate the Chair) campaign, a district-level protest will be held on 21 November 2025 (Friday) at the Sirsa Mini Secretariat. The program will begin at 10:00 AM. Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee President and former Minister Rao Narendra Singh will participate in the protest. Additionally, Sirsa MP and AICC General Secretary Kumari Selja will also take part in the demonstration. The Congress Party has appealed to workers and supporters to attend in large numbers to strengthen the public movement against the state government.

Chandigarh, November 20: The 15th Finance Commission of the Central government has released grants worth ₹332 crore to Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishads in rural areas of Punjab, aimed at funding various development and sanitation projects. These allocations are part of the regular, formula-based allocations of the Central government, and not any specific scheme of the Punjab state government. Reacting to this, Paramjit Singh Kainth, vice president of the Scheduled Caste Morcha of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Punjab, accused Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema of “fraud” and “outright lies” about the source of these funds and said that state government ministers are misleading the public by describing these funds as their government’s achievements.

Kainth clarified that these funds are provided directly to Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishads in the ratio of 70:20:10 by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government. He stressed that the use of these funds is monitored through a digitalised, transparent system.

BJP leader Kainth accused the Punjab government of politicising the poor financial situation and funds provided by the central government, calling such behaviour “reprehensible”. These ₹332 crore funds are specifically for promoting rural development, sanitation and infrastructure in Punjab.

Jammu/Pathankot/Chandigarh, November 20:

The Nagar Kirtan commemorating the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji received a spirited Khalsai welcome from the sangat in Jammu before the procession advanced towards next destination at Pathankot. Devotees accompanied the Nagar Kirtan barefoot for long stretches both during last night’s reception and at the time of its onward journey today, infusing the city with a deeply spiritual atmosphere. A dedicated stopover was arranged for the Nagar Kirtan at Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Chand Nagar, Jammu.

Sikh youth showcased the martial art Gatka skills as the procession departed from Jammu while the local sangat showered flowers upon the palanquin of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. A large group of devotees also joined the procession heading towards Sri Anandpur Sahib to pay homage during the main events.

As the procession passed through Jammu city, various gurdwaras extended a warm welcome. Singh Sabha Gurdwara Akali Kaur Singh Nagar in Digiana greeted the Nagar Kirtan with full devotion. Rajinder Singh Wazir, Rajinder Singh Raina, Narinder Singh Wazir, Sandeep Singh along with a sizeable gathering were present. At Sri Sant Mela Singh Ji Dastkari Ashram, devotees welcomed the Nagar Kirtan alongside Mahant Manjit Singh. The sangat of Singh Sabha Gurdwara Digiana Camp along with President Charanjeet Singh, Manjeet Singh, Suraj Singh also extended a hearty welcome.

At Dogyal and Amar, Kashmiri Sikh Sangat including Sarpanch Vikram Singh, Swarn Singh, Simranjeet Singh, Surjit Singh, Jagdeep Singh, Darbari Singh and others arranged a special kahwa langar. At Mata Vaishno Devi Bypass, the sangat of Kunjuwani welcomed the religious procession, while the sangat of Sarore area also offered greetings and organised langar.

Besides this, at Vijaypur in Samba district, former Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet Minister S. Manjeet Singh, Giani Harpal Singh, Jasvir Singh, Harnam Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Gurdeep Singh along with the local Sikh sangat welcomed the Nagar Kirtan and arranged langar. Likewise, the sangat at Bari Brahmana Adda in Samba also extended a warm reception to the Nagar Kirtan.

Notably, upon its late-night arrival in Jammu, special religious congregation was organised at Manda for the reception of the Nagar Kirtan. The District Gurdwara Management Committee Jammu led the collective arrangements. The preparations were jointly supported by Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Guru Nanak Nagar Jammu, Gurdwara Yadgar Sri Bala Pritam Ji Trikuta Nagar Jammu, Gurdwara Yadgar Chhevin Patshahi Talab Tillo Jammu, Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Bakshi Nagar Jammu, Gurdwara Yadgar Sri Guru Angad Patshah Ji Preet Nagar Jammu, Gurdwara Kalghidhar Sahib Rehari Jammu, Gurdwara Yadgar Sant Sundar Singh Ji Tapo Sthan Akhnoor and Surinder Singh Kala, President of Vegetable and Fruit Association Narwal Mandi.

RTO Jammu Jasveer Singh, Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji President Ranjit Singh Tohra, Sant Tejwant Singh Dannewale, General Secretary Master Ranbir Singh, Jagpal Singh (Treasurer), Taranjeet Singh (Dharam Prachar Committee Incharge), Balwinder Singh, Surjit Singh (General Secretary) and others were present on this occasion.

Chandigarh, 20 November 2025:

Aiming to build a robust, responsive and forward-looking industrial ecosystem and making the Punjab industrial hub under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble National Convenor of AAP Sh. Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Punjab S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, Cabinet Minister Shri Sanjeev Arora informed that Trident Group whose market cap 18k crore and turnover 10k crore is going to invest Rs. 2000/- Crore in Punjab. In this regard, he revealed that Rs. 1500/- crore will be invested in Barnala to expand Terry Towel production and modernisation in paper manufacturing and Rs. 500/- crore in Mohali for setting up a corporate office and capacity building centre. Mainly, 2000 semi skilled rural women will get employment through this investment.

Addressing the press conference, he added that Punjab Government progressive policy interventions and ease of doing business reforms are making the state choicest place for investors. This reflects Punjab Government commitment towards industrial friendly policies which are gaining momentum day by day.

Chairman Trident Group and Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha Padma Shri Rajinder Gupta said that we are going to expand Yarn Business and augment our existing textile capabilities to cater to increasing domestic and export demand. Furthermore, he added that modernisation of paper manufacturing is being done by upgrading technology and infrastructure to ensure eco-friendly and efficient production processes.

 We are also scaling up production to reinforce our position as a leading exporter and manufacturer in Terry Towels and setting up a dedicated Capacity Building centre to enhance skill development and technical proficiency among local youth and workforce. Establishing a state-of-the-art corporate office in Mohali to facilitate business operations and attract talent, he said.

Pertinently, Trident Group manufacturing locations are Sanghera & Dhaula in district Barnala, Punjab and Budhni district Sehore in Madhya Pradesh. Notably, 10K families are directly working in this group and supporting 30K families through indirect way.

Chandigarh 20 November 2025:

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan administered the oath of office to newly elected  MLA Harmeet Singh Sandhu of AAP from Tarn Taran constituency of Punjab at Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat. He said that Harmeet Singh Sandhu will leave no stone unturned to fulfill the legitimate demands of his constituency persons.

Harmeet Singh Sandhu  took the pledge that he will bear true faith and allegiance to the constitution of India as established by law. He will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India and faithfully discharge the duties entrusted to him. He will leave no stone unturned for the welfare of his constituency.

Speaker extended his best wishes to MLA Harmeet Singh Sandhu who won the bye-election of Tarn Taran constituency recently.

MLA Harmeet Singh Sandhu expressed the gratitude of Guru Sahib Ji and said he will remain grateful to his constituency persons. He will not let his constituents down and will live up to their expectations.

Chandigarh, November 20

Announcing a significant decision aimed at bolstering the Homeopathic Department by approving the proposal for the revival and recruitment of various technical and administrative positions, Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday said that the Finance Department has approved the revival and subsequent recruitment for a total of 115 posts across different cadres within the department. He said that this move is designed to enhance the department’s capacity to deliver quality healthcare services across the state.

Revealing this in press communiqué issued here, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the recruitment for 115 posts includes 42 posts for Homeopathic Medical Officer (HMO), 72 posts for Dispenser (Homeopathic), and 1 post for and  Clerk. He said that the recruitment process for these 115 posts will be implemented in a phased manner, spread over two years.

The Finance Minister, who is also chairman of of cabinet subcommittee formed to address the employees issues, said that this issue was discussed at length during the meeting with the Homeopathic Medical Officers Association. He said that the Homeopathic department highlighted its operational constraints, noting that despite managing the Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital and various dispensaries at 100 percent capacity, it had only 22 permanent posts filled in the past. He said that the revival is deemed crucial for the continued efficient functioning and expansion of homeopathic services.

“This initiative marks a decisive step by the Punjab Government towards strengthening its public healthcare infrastructure and creating essential employment opportunities”, he added.

CHANDIGARH: Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, AAP RS MP and LPU Founder-Chancellor, announced a Rs. 25 lakh Entrepreneurship Competition at the 68th Association of Schools for the Indian School Certificate (ASISC) Conference, offering Rs. 5 lakh and mentorship to each of the top five student teams.

Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest of the Conference which drew over 1800 principals and senior educators from across India, he underscored the urgent need to nurture an entrepreneurial mindset.

Speaking to the gathering, Dr. Mittal said that Entrepreneurship today is a mindset, not a profession. It must begin in classrooms, as confidence, curiosity and the freedom to try.

Additionally, he announced the rollout of a free Entrepreneurial Skills Builder App developed by Masters’ Union in collaboration with Tetr College of Business and VP Outgrow for ASISC-affiliated schools, enabling students to assess their strengths, track their innovations over time.

Reflecting on the day’s commitments, he added, “Our children must be equipped not just to take jobs, but to create them. With this app, seed funding and dedicated career guidance, we want every student to discover their strengths and convert ideas into meaningful solutions.”

Delegates expressed appreciation for the initiatives and noted that these will significantly strengthen the future readiness of school students across the country.

Chandigarh, November 20, 2025: HS Oberoi, one of India’s most respected dairy technologists and a globally recognised authority on cheese, ghee, and butter, has passed away, at 83, his family confirmed. His cremation took place in Chandigarh on Thursday.

Widely hailed as the man who “gave birth to cheese in India,” Oberoi dedicated six decades to reshaping the country’s dairy processing landscape.

His early and defining contributions came from Punjab, where he began his career with Punjab Milkfed. He served in Hoshiarpur as GM, Punjab Milkfed and was also MD at Ludhiana in 1983. He  again served as MD, Milkfed at Patiala  from 1985-89 . He played a key role in strengthening the cooperative dairy movement and setting new benchmarks for product quality and processing excellence. His work with Milkfed is still remembered for advancing Punjab’s reputation as a leader in dairy innovation.

After Milkfed, he worked with Milkfood in Patiala and Modern Dairies. He contributed a lot to the white revolution in Punjab. After serving in Punjab, Oberoi went on to contribute to some of India’s most iconic dairy and food brands. He played a pioneering role in the development of ‘Go Cheese’, now among the country’s most recognised cheese brands. Colleagues fondly remember him as a visionary who transformed India’s dairy processing environment, especially during the period when cheese was still a nascent category in the country.

Oberoi shared a warm bond with Amul’s Managing Director RS Sodhi, who frequently sought his advice during new product launches. Industry observers often note that two Sikhs — HS Oberoi and RS Sodhi — together contributed to more than half of India’s modern dairy development, shaping the sector for future generations.

His unmatched technical expertise enabled breakthrough advancements across ghee, butter, cheese, paneer, and milk powder production, making him a valued figure behind several major food companies.

Over an illustrious career, Oberoi contributed to the manufacturing of milk powder for Nestlé, butter for Britannia, cheese for Jubilant Foods and Pizza Hut, and paneer for KFC, among several other collaborations that helped shape India’s modern dairy ecosystem.

Known for his integrity, he often helped dairy plants establish new lines and products without ever accepting financial compensation. Despite multiple offers from international companies, he chose to dedicate his life’s work to India.

His contributions also reached the global stage. He once appeared on the front page of a leading Danish newspaper during his participation in the International Dairy Conference in Denmark—an honour that brought pride to India’s dairy community.

HS Oberoi is survived by a large community of students, colleagues and admirers who credit him with inspiring, mentoring, and uplifting the field of dairy technology in India. His life remains a testament to dedication, patriotism, and his belief that great work is done not for money, but for purpose.

Chandigarh:

In a major step toward sustainable waste management and clean energy generation, the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a state-of-the-art Segregated Organic Municipal Solid Waste (SOMSW)-based Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant at Daddumajra under the Design–Build– Finance–Operate (DBFO) model.

The MoU, signed at the Municipal Corporation Office, marks a significant push toward scientific waste processing, reducing landfill burden, and promoting renewable energy in the city. The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from both organizations, including Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS, Commissioner, Sh. Himanshu Gupta, Joint Commissioner, Sh. C.B. Ojha, Chief Engineer; and Dr. Inderdeep Kaur, Medical Officer of Health from MC Chandigarh as well as Dr. Ajit Thakur, Executive Director, Sh. Alok Kumar, General Manager and Sh. Sachin Swami, Manager from IOCL.

 The agreement was formalized by Sh. C.B. Ojha, Chief Engineer on behalf of MCC and Dr. Ajit Thakur on behalf of IOCL.

Under the collaboration, MC Chandigarh will supply 200 TPD of segregated organic waste and 30 TPD of cow dung, while IOCL will design, construct, finance, and operate the CBG plant. Additionally, MCC will provide 10 acres of land at the Daddumajra Dumping Ground on a nominal lease. The project also includes 33% green belt development, adherence to CPCB norms, and acceptance of up to 10% mixed unsegregated waste.

 Officials of both entities emphasized that the plant will strengthen Chandigarh’s environmental goals by improving waste processing capacity, reducing landfill emissions, and lowering dependence on fossil fuels, contributing significantly to the city’s long-term vision for sustainable development.

Chandigarh, 20 November 2025:

The Sixteenth Punjab Legislative Assembly has been summoned by the Governor of Punjab to meet for its 10th (Special) Session on Monday, the 24th November, 2025 at 1.00 P.M., at Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial, Sri Anandpur Sahib, District Roopnagar.