Chandigarh/Sri Anandpur Sahib, April 23

Punjab Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal today visited Lodhipur, Agampur, Harsabela and Ajauli areas to review the ongoing flood protection works. He took detailed updates from officials regarding the progress of works along the Sutlej riverbank and directed them to ensure timely completion.

The Minister informed that village Lodhipur, located on the left bank of the Sutlej, is being covered under the Lodhipur Flood Protection Project for 2026. The project involves works over a total stretch of 1700 feet, including reconstruction of 300 feet on the Charan Ganga Ravine and 1400 feet of revetment on the Sutlej, along with construction of 13 studs. The project, estimated at around Rs.4.62 crore, will safeguard Lodhipur, Burj and adjoining areas from floods while strengthening protection of agricultural land.

Highlighting the importance of the Agampur bridge, the Cabinet Minister said it serves as a vital link connecting Malwa and Puadh regions with Doaba and Majha. He added that the bridge also holds strong religious significance as it connects Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib with Sri Akal Takht Sahib, thus carrying deep emotional value for the people of the state. Recalling the threat faced by the bridge in 2025, he said timely intervention by the government ensured its safety. Learning from that experience, extensive flood protection works are now being undertaken around the bridge to prevent future damage.

The Minister informed that this year, flood protection works covering a total length of 6570 feet, nearly 2 km, are underway at an estimated cost of Rs.19.72 crore. At Agampur Slice-I and upstream of the bridge, works over 3920 feet are in progress at a cost of Rs.12.05 crore, including 3280 feet of revetment and construction of 31 studs, which will significantly benefit the Agampur and crusher zone areas.

Similarly, at Harsabela, flood protection works over 2650 feet are being carried out at a cost of Rs.7.67 crore, including 2300 feet of revetment and construction of 23 studs. The Minister reiterated that government is committed to flood prevention, assuring that all projects will be completed within stipulated timelines with high quality standards.

He further stated that at Ajauli, construction of 1500 feet of revetment and 14 studs has been approved at an estimated cost of Rs.3.45 crore. This project will play a key role in regulating the flow of the Sutlej and minimizing future flood damage, providing major relief to residents and agricultural land in Ajauli, Dabkhera and Kalittran villages, he added.

Sh. Goyal also stated that strict action will be taken to curb illegal mining through modernization measures. He informed that work is ongoing at 132 points and is expected to be completed by May 30. He added that under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, continuous efforts are being made for public welfare.

Prominent amongst others who were present included SDM Sukhpal Singh (Sri Anandpur Sahib), DSP Jashandeep Singh, Chairman Kamikkar Singh Dhadhi, Chairman Gurpreet Singh Arora, Superintending Engineer Ramandeep Singh Bains, Executive Engineer Sandeep Singh Mangat, SDO Varun (Ropar Drainage Sub Division), SDO Nishant Garg (Sri Chamkaur Sahib Drainage), Executive Engineer Bhavuk Sharma (Sri Anandpur Sahib), SDO Narendra Kumar (Nangal), SDO Dinesh Gupta (Sri Anandpur Sahib), SDO Gurjeet Singh (Nurpur Bedi) and other officials.

CHANDIGARH, 23rd April 2026:

A collaboration between the Punjab Government, under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, and Finland’s University of Turku is beginning to translate into visible changes in classrooms, with teaching practices becoming more interactive and early signs of improved student engagement emerging on the ground.

As part of this initiative, teaching is steadily moving away from rote methods towards more joyful and participatory learning approaches. Anchored in Punjab’s broader Sikhya Kranti, the programme focuses on adapting global expertise to local classroom contexts while building scale through a structured train-the-trainers model, with nearly 300 teachers will have been trained by May to strengthen foundational learning across the state.

During his ongoing official visit to Finland, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann visited the Kukulo-Moikoinen Early Childhood Education and Care Centre. “This initiative is already yielding results by aligning global pedagogical expertise with local classroom realities,” said the Chief Minister.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann added, “The partnership, anchored through the State Council of Educational Research and Training under the Department of School Education, seeks to strengthen teacher development in early childhood and foundational education. It is designed not as a short-term intervention but as a long-term institutional effort to embed child-centred and play-based learning in the state’s education system, alongside inclusive teaching practices.”

“The programme has focused on equipping teachers with research-driven methods while ensuring these approaches are adapted to Punjab’s socio-cultural context,” he stated, adding, “Training sessions have been conducted both in Chandigarh and in the Finnish cities of Turku and Rauma, combining workshops, mentoring, and school visits to expose teachers to classroom innovations in practice. By May 2026, close to 300 teachers would have undergone training across four cohorts to benefit students from across Punjab.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted, “The emphasis has been on making learning joyful and participatory, moving away from rote methods towards active engagement. Teachers have also been encouraged to design context-specific projects, supported by mentors, to implement these ideas within their own classrooms. Feedback from the field suggests improvements in student participation and motivation, along with more inclusive classroom environments.”

He noted, “Teachers have reported greater confidence in experimenting with new methods and adapting lessons to diverse learning needs. A distinguishing feature of the initiative has been its insistence on contextual adaptation rather than direct transplantation of foreign models. Continuous mentoring support from Finnish experts has enabled this transition, ensuring that global best practices are meaningfully integrated into local systems.”

Meanwhile, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also visited University of Turku and Turku Teacher Training School for detailed interactions. “The government now plans to scale the programme through a train-the-trainers approach, creating a cadre of master trainers to expand its reach across the state,” he said, adding, “Digital platforms and blended learning formats are also being developed to support continuous professional development and wider access.”

The Chief Minister stated, “With a structured pathway for expansion and a growing pool of trained educators, the collaboration is being positioned as a cornerstone of Punjab’s broader education reforms. The state remains committed to strengthening public education so that students are better equipped to succeed, and similar initiatives will be pursued to sustain momentum in the sector.”

Chandigarh, April 23, 2026:

As many as 601 law graduates of Panjab University (PU) received their degrees at the 7th Law Convocation held at the Multi-Purpose Auditorium, Sector 25, PU South Campus, on Wednesday.

Hon’ble Mr Justice (Retd.) Dinesh Maheshwari, Chairperson, Law Commission of India, was the chief guest. Hon’ble Mr Justice Sheel Nagu attended as guest of honour. PU Vice Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig, Dean of University Instruction Prof. Yojna Rawat, Registrar Prof. Y.P. Verma, Controller of Examination Prof. Jagat Bhushan, Chairperson, Department of Laws Prof. Vandana Arora, Director, UILS Prof. Shruti Bedi also graced the occasion.

Delivering the Convocation address, Justice Maheshwari described the present era as one of extra ordinary technological upheaval. He said artificial intelligence has entered the legal landscape with force and cannot be ignored, and must not be misunderstood. “AI is a powerful instrument capable of processing vast repositories of case law, drafting documents and identifying patterns that would elude the most diligent human eye. Yet law is not an algorithm. Justice requires wisdom and wisdom requires a distinctly human capacity; the ability to feel the weight of consequence, to perceive the dignity behind a grievance and to exercise judgment in conditions of irreducible uncertainty,” he said. 

“No machine can replicate the moral imagination that a just legal order demands. Use these tools with discernment-as an extension of your capabilities, never as a substitute for your conscience. The day you delegate your judgment to a machine, is the day you cease to be a lawyer in any meaningful sense”, Justice Maheswari further added while talking about Artificial Intelligence and irreplaceable human judgment.

Justice Maheshwari urged students to go beyond classroom learning and engage with social realities. He highlighted constitutional values of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity as guiding principles. He asked graduates to reflect not only on what the law is but what it ought to be, and to contribute to reform and social justice.

Earlier, Prof. Vandana Arora, Chairperson, Department of Laws, and Director, UILS, along with Prof. Shruti Bedi, welcomed the guests. The Convocation was declared closed by PU Registrar Prof. Y.P. Verma.

Chandigarh:

In a significant step towards strengthening patient safety and ensuring a transparent, patient-centric environment, PGIMER Chandigarh has constituted a dedicated Vigilance Team to prevent exploitation of patients and their attendants within the Institute premises.

The decision has been taken in view of the exceptionally high daily footfall of approximately 35,000–40,000 patients and attendants. Recognizing the vulnerabilities associated with such large volumes—particularly among economically weaker and less literate sections—the Institute has intensified on-ground vigilance to curb instances of duping, cheating, touting, and extortion.

Reiterating PGIMER’s firm zero-tolerance policy against any form of exploitation within the campus, Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, stated, “In an institution witnessing such a massive daily footfall, our foremost responsibility is to ensure that every patient and attendant feels safe, respected, and protected. The constitution of this Vigilance Team reflects our zero-tolerance approach towards exploitation in any form. We are particularly committed to safeguarding vulnerable sections so that no one is misled or taken advantage of while seeking care at PGIMER.”

The Vigilance Team has been constituted with the approval of the Competent Authority and will function with immediate effect. It comprises one Security Officer from PGI Security as Team Head, along with five security personnel drawn from PGI Security and Ex-Servicemen Security. The team will function under the supervision of the Senior Administrative Officer (Vigilance).

Elaborating on the structure and operational framework, Mr.Pankaj Rai, Deputy Director (Administration), added, “This Vigilance mechanism has been carefully designed to function with discretion, efficiency, and accountability. Through plain-clothes deployment and surprise as well as intelligence-based inspections, the team will ensure prompt identification and action against malpractices. It reinforces our commitment to maintaining institutional integrity and delivering patient-centric services at all levels.”

Designed for proactive and discreet enforcement, the team will operate in plain clothes (civil dress) to facilitate effective surveillance. It will conduct random, surprise, and intelligence-based inspections across high-footfall and sensitive areas, including OPD complexes, Emergency and Trauma zones, registration counters, diagnostic and laboratory service points, pharmacy outlets, parking areas, entry and exit gates, waiting halls, and other public utility spaces.

The Vigilance Team is mandated to detect, prevent, and take immediate action against any form of malpractice, including unauthorized facilitation, overcharging, and misleading practices targeting patients and attendants. It is empowered to identify and apprehend suspicious individuals and hand them over to Security or Police authorities as per due procedure, while ensuring that genuine patients are not inconvenienced.  The initiative also underscores accountability and continuous improvement.

This order has been issued in the larger public interest to uphold the integrity of institutional services and to protect patients and attendants from any form of exploitation within the PGIMER campus.

Chandigarh: Max Hospital, Mohali has been re-empanelled with the state government to extend comprehensive healthcare services to its beneficiaries, including employees, pensioners, and their dependents.

Through this empanelment, eligible beneficiaries can access a wide spectrum of medical services at the hospital.

The re-empanelment is expected to benefit patients from Himachal by providing them with advanced treatment options closer to their region, reducing the need for long-distance travel.

Chandigarh:

The Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh, conducted a nutrition awareness session on “Healthy Meal Preparation Recipes” on 22nd April 2026 at the Anganwadi Centre and Health Post, Kheri, for the beneficiaries of Kheri Village under the Poshan Pakhwada initiative.

In line with the theme of Poshan Pakhwada, the session highlighted the importance of balanced diets for optimal growth, early childhood development, and overall well-being. Practical guidance on preparing nutritious meals using locally available, affordable ingredients was provided.

Anganwadi workers and mothers actively participated. The programme was supported by field workers and the Chetna Committee, and key queries on meal planning and healthy cooking practices were addressed.

The event was organized by the Public Health Nutrition Team, PGIMER, Chandigarh.

Chandigarh: 

Chandigarh Business Council (CBC), a non-political representative body of traders, entrepreneurs, and industrial stakeholders, has submitted a detailed memorandum to Mr. H. Rajesh Prasad (IAS), Chief Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, highlighting key challenges faced by the business community and seeking urgent policy interventions.

The delegation was represented by Ajay Gupta – President, Jagdish Arora – Chairman, Neeraj Bajaj – Chief Patron, Sanjay Pahwa – General Secretary, and Chander Verma – Immediate Past President.

Welcoming the Chief Secretary’s leadership, CBC expressed optimism for a progressive and collaborative approach to strengthening Chandigarh’s business ecosystem. The Council highlighted that traders and industrial stakeholders are facing issues such as outdated building bylaws, restrictions on need-based structural changes in SCFs, SCOs, and industrial units, high misuse penalties, and restrictive land policies—factors that are driving businesses towards neighboring regions like Mohali and Panchkula.

CBC proposed key reforms including allowing need-based structural relaxations (such as minor modifications, mezzanine floors, and BOX-type adjustments in inner markets of Sectors 7 to 30), enabling share-wise property transfers, and introducing a time-bound conversion of leasehold properties to freehold. The Council also emphasized the need for industrial policy reforms, including expansion of MSME activities, increased FAR, and development of Industrial Area Phase-3.

Further, CBC urged rationalization of excessive penalties, implementation of a transparent compliance framework, introduction of a single-window clearance system, and rollout of a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for pending tax and legacy cases along with simplification of GST processes. The formation of a dedicated Trade Facilitation Board was also recommended for effective grievance redressal.

Responding to the concerns, Mr. H. Rajesh Prasad, IAS, Chief Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, stated, “The Administration is committed to fostering a business-friendly environment in Chandigarh. The concerns raised by the business community are important, and we will examine them carefully to ensure practical and timely solutions.” He further assured that the Administration will take up these key issues of the business community on priority.

CBC reiterated that Chandigarh’s business sector remains a vital contributor to economic growth and emphasized that timely reforms are essential to sustain competitiveness and prevent migration of enterprises.

The Council expressed confidence that under the Chief Secretary’s leadership, these long-pending concerns will be addressed with urgency and a forward-looking approach.

Chandigarh, April 22 – Haryana State Election Commissioner, Devinder Singh Kalyan chaired a meeting with representatives of political parties regarding the upcoming elections and said that all necessary preparations have been completed by the State Election Commission.

He expressed confidence that, with collective cooperation, the electoral process will be conducted in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful manner. Guidelines issued by the Commission were also shared on the occasion.

Emphasis on Adherence to the Model Code of Conduct

Emphasising strict adherence to the Model Code of Conduct, he informed that it has come into force from April 13, 2026, following the announcement of the election schedule and will remain effective till the completion of the elections. Representatives of all political parties were urged to fully comply with its provisions and cooperate in the electoral process. The Code of Conduct mandates refraining from seeking votes on the basis of caste or religion, making misleading allegations, or damaging campaign material of other parties.

Highlighting collective responsibility for peaceful elections, the State Election Commissioner said that offering inducements, intimidation of voters, or campaigning near polling stations must be strictly avoided. It was also agreed to adhere to the rules of refraining from public meetings 48 hours prior to polling and not carrying out campaigning within a 100-metre radius of polling stations.

He further said that maintaining peace and order during rallies and processions is a shared responsibility of all political parties. Representatives were also urged to avoid provocative demonstrations, effigy burning, or any activity that could damage public property and instead promote a positive environment.

Focus on Transparency, Accountability, and Awareness

Referring to the Haryana Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1989, the State Election Commissioner said that it is everyone’s duty to maintain the dignity of public property. He appealed to all stakeholders to ensure that public property is not defaced through posters, banners or other means. Relevant provisions of the Act were also explained.

The Commissioner also elaborated on the requirement for candidates to submit affidavits disclosing criminal cases and to publicise the same through newspapers and electronic media, with copies to be submitted to the concerned Deputy Commissioner. Similarly, political parties were also informed about the process for publishing the necessary information regarding such candidates on their websites and other media.

He further said that expenditure limits for candidates have been prescribed and strict compliance will be ensured. All candidates must maintain detailed accounts of election expenditure in the prescribed format, and action will be taken as per the rules for violating expenditure rules.

Special vigilance is also being maintained regarding paid news in social media and newspapers. Political parties were advised to use social media responsibly and refrain from spreading misleading or unlawful content.

The State Election Commissioner appealed to all political parties, candidates and concerned officers to contribute towards ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections through mutual cooperation, trust and positive participation.

Secretary, State Election Commission, Haryana, Gaurav Kumar, along with senior representatives of various political parties, were present during the meeting.

Chandigarh, April 22

Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij has taken cognizance of reports of large-scale irregularities in vehicle registrations in all four Sub-Divisional (Civil) offices of Ambala district and has directed the concerned officers that a thorough investigation of all Sub-Divisional (Civil) offices and Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across the state be conducted by the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.

In this regard, the Transport Minister has issued necessary instructions to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department and the Additional Chief Secretary of the Transport Department. Sh. Vij clarified that such irregularities may not be limited to Ambala alone but could exist in other Sub-Divisional offices and RTOs across the state, making a state-wide probe necessary. It is noteworthy that cases have emerged in Ambala where vehicle registrations were carried out through SDM offices using incomplete addresses in Tamil Nadu and other states. These cases are currently under investigation.

Apart from this, the Minister has also taken a strict stance on vehicles transporting dust, sand and other loose construction materials without proper covering. He has directed that all such trucks and transport vehicles must be properly covered with tarpaulin or other suitable means. Orders have been issued to all District Transport Officers-cum-Secretaries and Regional Transport Authorities in the state in this regard. Violators will be fined under the Motor Vehicles Act and Pollution Control guidelines. Additionally, transporters and drivers are to be made aware of these regulations.

Meanwhile, Vij has also directed officials to ensure strict compliance with the Stage Carriage Scheme-2016, notified on February 17, 2017. He said that numerous complaints have been received regarding violations of the scheme by private stage carriage operators. He emphasized that as per the scheme, permit holders are required to provide travel facilities to students, concessional pass holders, and free-pass holders in their buses, without any subsidy from the government. No laxity in this matter will be tolerated.

Furthermore, strict instructions have been issued to curb the unauthorized entry of heavy vehicles into city areas. The Minister noted that such vehicles often divert into congested areas, markets, and sectors to save time and fuel, leading to traffic congestion, damage to public property, and increased risk of accidents.