Panchkula, January 9: Deputy Commissioner Sh Satpal Sharma today chaired a meeting of the District Task Force and Vigilance Committee constituted for the prevention of child labour and bonded labour in the district. The meeting was held at the conference room of the Mini Secretariat. During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner directed the task force to conduct regular surprise inspections at locations where child labour is likely to occur, with the objective of making the district completely free from child labour.

The Deputy Commissioner said that his objective is to make Panchkula district completely free from child labour. He emphasized that along with taking strict measures to curb child labour, spreading awareness in society is equally important.

He directed that surprise inspections should be carried out at roadside eateries, brick kilns, industrial units, shops, traffic light points, and other locations where instances of child labour are likely to occur. If children are found employed at any such place, strict action should be taken against the offenders as per the prescribed rules.
In addition, he instructed that awareness programmes should be organized at regular intervals at these locations to sensitize people about the social evil of child labour. The Deputy Commissioner also directed the police department to maintain special vigilance at various traffic points.

While reviewing the action taken by the District Task Force, the Deputy Commissioner directed that a detailed report on the measures taken to prevent child labour be presented at the next meeting. The report should also include details of the locations where raids were conducted by the task force.

He stated that to completely eradicate this social evil, strict action must be taken against those who force children into labour. Along with action under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, public awareness campaigns should be conducted to sensitize people about this illegal practice. He further emphasized that under the Child Labour Act, employing children below the age of 14 years in any form of business or work is strictly prohibited.

During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner also reviewed the steps being taken by the Vigilance Committee constituted to prevent bonded labour in the district and issued necessary directions. He instructed that it must be ensured that no bonded labour exists anywhere in the district.

Present on the occasion were SDM Panchkula, Sh Chanderkant Kataria; SDM Kalka, Sh Sanyam Garg; ACP Sh Vikram Nehra; Assistant Labour Commissioner Smt Anjana; Chairperson of the Child Welfare Council Panchkula, Smt Veena Rani Arora; members Smt Ritu Agarwal and Sh Dinesh Jangra; Tehsildar Sh Suresh Kumar; ASMO Sh Mohit Sharma; Labour Inspectors Sh Tejbir Singh and Sh Krishna Kumar Saini; Sh Rahul Deswal from DLSA; Smt Navjeet Kaur from the DCPO office; and other non-governmental members of the committee.

Chandigarh January 9, 2026:

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Assistant Sub-Inspector Sarabjit Singh posted at Police Station City Phagwara, district Kapurthala red handed while accepting bribe of Rs. 5000/- in lieu of helping in granting the bail to complainant’s parents.

 Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of village Issarwal, district Jalandhar.

He said that the complainant’s parents were booked at Police Station City Phagwara and the accused ASI called the complainant to the court complex, Phagwara, in connection with joining the investigation of his parents. During this meeting, the accused demanded illegal gratification, threatening that in case of non-payment, the complainant’s parents would be sent to jail. The complainant paid Rs. 2,000/- as bribe to the accused on the spot under duress.

Subsequently, the complainant along with his parents visited Police Station City Phagwara, wherein his parents joined the investigation, above accused ASI demanded a further bribe of Rs. 10,000/ for helping in granting the bail to the complainant’s parents. As the complainant expressed inability to pay the entire amount, he paid another Rs. 2,000/- as bribe and was asked to pay the remaining amount later, he added.

He further informed that the accused ASI again called the complainant near the Rawalpindi Police Station and obtained bribe money of Rs. 2,000/- and asked him to pay the remaining amount. Even after the parents of the complainant were granted regular bail. The accused continued to demand the balance of the bribe amount. In this way, the accused had taken Rs. 6000/- as bribe from the complainant in three installments.

The spokesperson added that after a preliminary enquiry on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused was arrested while accepting  bribe money of Rs 5000/- from the complainant in presence of two official witnesses. In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Jalandhar and further investigation into this case is under progress.

CHANDIGARH, 9th January 2026:

Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian on Friday said that the Easy Registry initiative has emerged as a game-changer in Punjab’s property registration system, delivering strong and consistent outcomes across the state.

Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said that from its inception in July 2025 till December 2025, a total of 3,70,967 property documents were registered, marking a major push towards transparent, corruption-free and citizen-friendly land services. “The response to Easy Registry clearly shows that people trust a system that is transparent, time-bound and free from harassment. In just six months, more than 3.70 lakh property documents have been registered, which itself proves the success of these reforms,” he noted.

Sharing month-wise figures, the Revenue Minister said that 64,965 documents were registered in July 2025, followed by 62,001 in August, 55,814 in September and 53,610 in October. He said the momentum strengthened further with 58,200 registrations in November, while December recorded the highest figure with 76,377 documents. “This steady rise in registrations reflects growing public confidence in a simplified and technology-driven property registration framework,” he said.

Explaining the structural reforms, He said that Easy Registry has introduced online pre-scrutiny of documents, significantly reduced procedural delays and improved accessibility at Sub Registrar offices. “Unsigned copies of sale deeds are now scrutinised online within 48 hours, which has effectively closed avenues for harassment and corruption,” said the Minister, adding that all objections raised during scrutiny are monitored by Deputy Commissioners and SDMs to ensure accountability and action against frivolous practices.

The Revenue Minister said that the implementation of the First In First Out principle has ended queue-jumping and favouritism, thereby dismantling the VIP culture in property registration. “Citizens now have the freedom to register documents at any Sub Registrar office within their district. This has broken monopolies and ensured fair and equal access to services for all,” said Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian.

Highlighting the citizen-centric nature of the initiative, Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said that applicants receive automated WhatsApp updates at every stage of the process, including scrutiny, payments and appointment scheduling. He said a direct complaint mechanism has also been put in place to report any demand for bribes, with immediate redressal ensured at the district level.

Detailing additional facilities, Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said that citizens can draft sale deeds through the ‘Draft My Deed’ module, avail services at Sewa Kendra counters established in every Sub Registrar office, or opt for doorstep drafting and registration through helpline 1076. “Online payment of stamp duty and registration fees through 25 banks in a single transaction has further simplified the process and enhanced convenience for people,” he said.

The Minister said that an Integrated Token Management System has also been implemented to prioritise citizens with scheduled appointments and complete documentation. “This has reduced waiting time and ensured uniform service delivery across both urban and rural Punjab,” he said, adding that upgraded servers, trained staff and standardised processes have strengthened public trust and improved revenue collections for the state.

Chandigarh, January 9:

Punjab’s vibrant harvest festival, Lohri, was celebrated with great fervour at Anaj Bhawan in Sector-39 here today. Led by the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, the event saw a gathering of the entire department which came together to mark the beginning of the harvest season.

The festivities kicked off with the lighting of a bonfire, which filled the atmosphere was filled with the sound of traditional music and dance. During the celebration, participants savoured traditional sweets and snacks such as rewri, gajak, and popcorn. The bonfire was lit with great enthusiasm, and the employees sang folk songs and danced around it, seeking blessings for prosperity and happiness.

The Minister said that Lohri is a significant festival in Punjabi culture, marking the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season. It’s a celebration of community bonding, gratitude, and the rich cultural heritage of Punjab. The festival is also associated with the legend of Dulla Bhatti, a folk hero of Punjab who played a stellar role in saving the women.

Earlier, the Minister also chaired a meeting with the District Food Supply Controllers (DFSCs) and appreciated them for ensuring a successful Paddy procurement season despite floods ravaging the State. The Minister also directed the DFSCs to exhort more and more people to get their e-KYC done to continue availing the benefits under the National Food Security Act, 2013.

Among others present on the occasion included the Principal Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Rahul Tewari, Director Varinder Kumar Sharma, Member Punjab State Food Commission Jasvir Singh Sekhon, Additional Directors Food Supply Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar, Ajayveer Singh Sarao and GM Finance Sarvesh Kumar.

CHANDIGARH, January 9:

                   A spokesperson of the Jalandhar Police Commissionerate stated here today that an FIR has been registered on a complaint of Sh Iqbal Singh regarding uploading and circulating edited and doctored video of Ms. Atishi, MLA, LOP, Delhi Vidhan Sabha. Several social media posts containing a short video clip allegedly showing Ms. Atishi, Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly making allegedly derogatory and blasphemous remarks against Gurus with highly inflammatory captions have been uploaded on social media platforms.

 The spokesperson further stated that investigations have been conducted in a scientific manner and the video clip containing Ms. Atishi’s audio was downloaded from social media platform of Sh Kapil Mishra (https://x.com/kapilmishra_ind/status/2008811019158847790?s=48) and forwarded to the Director, Forensic Science Laboratory, Punjab, SAS Nagar for forensic examination.

 Vide Forensic Report dated 09-01-2026, it has emerged that the word “Guru” has not been uttered by Ms. Atishi in her audio as contained in the video clips being circulated on social media. Furthermore, there has been deliberate doctoring of the video to attribute words in the captions that were never spoken by Ms. Atishi.

Chandigarh, January 9:

Chairman of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission, S Jasvir Singh Garhi, has taken suo motu notice of a news report regarding the problem of sewage not being properly drained in the residential area inhabited by members of the Scheduled Castes community in village Nagar, falling under the Phillaur constituency. Following this, he has summoned the District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO), Jalandhar.

Giving this information, S. Jasvir Singh Garhi, Chairman of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission, said that the matter came to his attention through a newspaper report. He informed that in this regard, District Development and Panchayat Officer Jalandhar, Gurdarshan Singh Kundal, has been summoned on January 14, 2026.

Chandigarh, January 9

At a time when much of the country continues to debate the drug crisis only after it reaches the streets, Punjab under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has chosen a more courageous and forward-looking path. The state government has taken the fight against substance abuse to where it can really be stopped at the roots, inside schools, by empowering those who shape young minds every single day.

As part of the Punjab Government’s flagship Yudh Nashean Virudh movement, a large-scale, systematic capacity-building programme is quietly transforming how schools respond to mental health challenges and substance-use risks. Through the Department of Health & and Family Welfare, Department of School Education, and Dr B R Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Mohali, the Bhagwant Singh Mann Government has launched structured training and sensitisation workshops for Heads of Schools across the state, recognising that prevention begins long before addiction takes hold  .

This initiative rests on a clear understanding that mental health is not a peripheral issue but the foundation of a child’s emotional, academic and social development. With evidence showing that nearly half of all mental health conditions emerge before the age of 14, the Punjab Government has acknowledged schools as the most critical early-warning system. Anxiety, academic pressure, aggression, bullying and early substance experimentation have all surfaced as growing concerns among adolescents in the state. Instead of ignoring these signals, the Mann Government has chosen early intervention over late-stage reaction.

The programme places school principals at the centre of this transformation. Heads of Schools shape institutional culture, guide teachers and respond first when students show signs of distress. Yet for decades, school leadership across India has operated with limited exposure to mental health frameworks or substance-use prevention strategies. Punjab is correcting this gap decisively. By equipping principals with practical tools to prevent substance experimentation, build referral pathways and create stigma-free environments, the government is turning schools into safe spaces of support rather than silent observers.

The scale of the effort reflects the seriousness of intent. In the second phase of Yudh Nashean Virudh, principals from over 6,000 schools will be trained, with special focus on nearly 4,000 senior secondary and high schools across all 23 districts of Punjab. The first phase alone covers 1,463 Heads of Schools in nine districts, with workshops conducted between January 7 and 9, 2026, with a special emphasis on frontier districts that remain the frontline for our war against drugs. These sessions are anchored by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences, Mohali. The facilitators conducting the workshops were trained through a structured Training of Trainers programme by experts from the School Initiative for Mental Health Advocacy, a field-action project of TISS, Mumbai.

Importantly, the initiative is not symbolic. It is backed by insights from Punjab’s Data Intelligence and Technical Support Unit (DITSU), Punjab’s technical backbone leading a comprehensive response against substance abuse, and is meticulously coordinated through District Nodal Officers appointed by the School Education Department under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). This institutional framework ensures assured funding under NAPDDR, clear accountability, and district-level coordination, making the campaign data-driven, outcome-oriented, and focused on sustained impact rather than short-lived optics.

The presence of Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia at the Mohali training centre underscores the priority attached to this effort. It signals a governance model that treats mental health, education and drug prevention as interconnected challenges requiring sustained leadership attention, not isolated departmental responses.

Punjab, like several other states, has faced challenges related to drugs and substance abuse, an issue that is widely acknowledged. Under the Bhagwant Singh Mann Government, the narrative is shifting. By investing in school leadership, destigmatising mental health, and building resilient institutions at the grassroots, Punjab is demonstrating what genuine preventive governance looks like. This is not just a campaign against drugs. It is a long-term investment in children, schools and the future of the state, setting a benchmark other states would do well to follow.

Chandigarh/ SAS NAGAR, 9th January 2026:

Under the ongoing ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign, the Punjab Government has decided to strike at the roots of drug abuse by focusing on education and prevention, with a comprehensive school-centric action plan aimed at safeguarding young minds. The initiative, being implemented under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, positions schools and educators as the first line of defence in the long-term fight against drugs.

Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, accompanied by former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and architect of Delhi’s education revolution Manish Sisodia, interacted with principals and teachers during an ongoing Capacity Building Training Programme under ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ at the School of Eminence in Phase 3B1, Mohali, where the leaders reviewed the progress of the programme and outlined the road ahead.

Explaining the government’s approach, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that while strict action is being taken against drug smugglers, the real and lasting victory would come from protecting children before they fall prey to addiction. “Education and prevention are our most powerful weapons in this decisive war on drugs. Guarding young minds through awareness, values and discipline is the only sustainable way to eliminate this menace from Punjab,” he said.

The Education Minister announced that from the coming academic session, senior secondary classes across Punjab will be sensitised about the ill effects of drug abuse through a specially designed curriculum. “This structured intervention would ensure that students receive age-appropriate, factual and value-based education on the dangers of drugs, enabling them to make informed and responsible choices,” he added.

Minister Harjot Singh Bains further informed that the Punjab Government will introduce a daily meditation period as a pilot project starting from Mohali district. “A meditation session of around 30 minutes will be held at the beginning of the school day to strengthen students’ mental discipline, emotional balance and moral values. This will help children build inner resilience against negative influences,” he said.

Stressing the role of teachers and school leadership, the Education Minister said that the capacity building of principals and educators was a crucial step. “This training marks a powerful beginning. We are equipping our educators to identify early warning signs, intervene responsibly and guide children away from drugs. Our mission is to protect every child and to prepare them to become torchbearers in this fight,” he stated.

Minister Harjot Singh Bains also revealed that every school has been equipped with a Complaint-cum-Suggestion Box to allow students to confidentially share information, without revealing their identity, about drug peddlers or any corrupt practices shielding them. “All inputs received would be analysed at a centralised level and acted upon swiftly and independently to ensure accountability and effective action,” he added.

Meanwhile, former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia shared a few snippets on X and wrote: “The Punjab Government, under Phase 2 of the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign, is providing training to principals of all schools across the state. This training is focused on creating and sustaining a strong anti-drug environment within schools and on strengthening the mindset of every child so that they can firmly say a clear ‘no’ to drugs, without giving in to any pressure, provocation, or temptation.”

“The objective is to ensure that this resolve becomes a permanent part of their character and stays with them throughout their lives. These training programmes are being conducted across different districts, with psychologists and educationists engaging directly with principals to guide and train them,” he wrote.

Manish Sisodia further stated, “Today, I had the opportunity to participate in one such training programme in Mohali district along with Punjab’s Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains. It was reassuring to see that the government is not only creating ‘pind de pehredaar’ but is also preparing ‘dimaag ke pehredaar’ to eradicate drug abuse from its roots and secure the future of the coming generations.”

During the interaction, teachers shared several innovative ideas on monitoring students more closely and guiding them in a positive direction. These suggestions were appreciated by both Harjot Singh Bains and Manish Sisodia, who encouraged educators to take ownership of the anti-drug mission within their schools.

Punjab School Education Board Chairman Dr Amarpal Singh was also present on the occasion. Earlier, girl students of the School of Eminence presented a Giddha performance with motivational lyrics, conveying a strong message on keeping society and Punjab free from the drug menace, reinforcing the spirit of ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’.