Chandigarh 9 May 2025:

 Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that Punjabis always stand shoulder to shoulder with the Indian soldiers.  History manifested that bravery shown by the Punjabis during the previous Indo-Pak wars  was unparalleled.

He further said that the enemies still felt fear of the stories of valor shown by the Indian Army during the past wars. He prayed for peace and tranquility in this time of Indo-Pak tension and also prayed for the prosperity of the Indian  soldiers. Punjabis should be given due respect and dignity which they deserve for their sacrifices and bravery for the country.

Chandigarh, May 9:

          As per the guidelines issued by the National Legal Services Authority, New Delhi, the National Lok Adalats scheduled to be held across Punjab on May 10, 2025, have been postponed due to security concerns.

          In this regard, a spokesperson of the Punjab State Legal Services Authority stated that the new date for organizing these National Lok Adalats will be announced once the situation in the state becomes conducive.

Chandigarh, May 9:

In order to ensure that the residents of the state do not face any inconvenience during the ongoing war like situation in the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has directed the Ministers of his Cabinet to be permanently stationed in the border areas.

During the Cabinet, the Chief Minister asked the Ministers of the border areas to be permanently stationed at their respective towns to oversee the relief operations. Likewise, he said that the other Ministers should also visit these towns on rotation basis so that people can be assured help in case of emergency. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Ministers will visit Fire Stations, Hospitals, Ration depots and other places so that people in these areas do not face any type of problem.

The Chief Minister said that the Ministers from border areas will supervise the rescue operations and give necessary directions to the officers. Likewise, he said that the Ministers will visit the villages of the border areas to listen to the problems of the villagers and ensure their redressal. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is the need of the hour to ensure that people do not face any problem in this hour of crisis.

The Chief Minister said that keeping in view the escalating tension at the border the state government was duty-bound to ensure relief to people. Striking an emotional chord with the residents of border region, he said that the entire country was thankful to them for braving all odds while living in this part of the state. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that brave people of the region have to confront number of problems during their day to day life.

The Chief Minister said due to frequent threat of war this region lagged behind in development but then also the brave residents of this region had contributed immensely in socio-economic progress of the country. He said that not only the state but the entire country was indebted to these people for their exemplary courage and patriotism. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government was duty-bound to extend a helping hand to these people, in wake of escalation of tension between India and Pakistan.

The Chief Minister said that it was duty of state government to visit the people in border areas of the state in this hour of crisis to share the agony faced by them. Assuring fulsome support and cooperation to the people, he assured them that the state government will take every step to safeguard their interests at every cost. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the residents of border region are true patriots and the state government is committed to safeguard their interests in this hour of crisis.

The Chief Minister said that there is no shortage of anything so panic situation amongst the people should be avoided. He said that any person creating artificial shortage should be dealt with strictly so that people do not face any problem. Bhagwant Singh Mann along with Ministers senior Secretary rank officers will also be deployed to the border regions.

Chandigarh, May 9

In view of the situation at India-Pakistan border, as per the commitment of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann with the people to not let them face any problem, a State Control Room has been set up by the Punjab Government in which a Nodal Officer from each department has been included. Apart from this, the responsibility of monitoring and coordinating essential services in all the districts, a senior IAS officer has been deputed in each district.

It was disclosed by the Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, after holding a meeting with all administrative Secretaries, DGP and all the Deputy Commissioners, Police Commissioners and SSPs. The administrative Secretaries, deputed in all districts, have been handed over the task to regularly monitor health services, food and civil supplies, electricity, water supply, roads, transport, education besides ensuring better coordination between civil and military in their respective districts. They will also continuously monitor other issues and will be in touch with the administration of the concerned districts.

Mr. Sinha further said that 15 IAS/PCS have been deputed to monitor the State Control Room. Officers have been deployed who will lead this control room on a rotational basis along with a nodal officer from each department. The Chief Secretary also reviewed the current situation of all the departments. The Home Department has been made the nodal department of the state. In any situation, the department will contact the concerned agencies of the Union Government.

The Chief Secretary further said that the Food and Civil Supplies Department has been directed to ensure no shortage of essential commodities nor should anyone hoard it. He gave strict instructions that legal action should be taken against those hoarding the essential commodities. During the meeting, the requirements were ascertained from all the districts and Finance Commissioner Revenue was directed to release advance funds immediately as per the demand. The Chief Secretary also said that all the officers have been asked to cancel their leave and remain posted at their respective stations.

The senior IAS deputed in all the districts comprise DK Tiwari at Moga, Tejveer Singh at Sangrur, Jaspreet Talwar at Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Dilip Kumar at Bathinda, Rahul Bhandari at Malerkotla, VK Meena at Mansa, Rakhi Gupta Bhandari at Hoshiarpur, Vikas Garg at Faridkot, Sumer Singh Gurjar at Barnala, Neel Kanth. S. Avhad at Pathankot, Rahul Tiwari at Sri Muktsar Sahib, Alaknanda Dayal at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Kumar Rahul at Rupnagar, Gurkirat Kripal Singh at Gurdaspur, Priyank Bharti at Ludhiana, VN Zade to Fatehgarh Sahib, Kamal Kishore Yadav to Amritsar, Ajit Balaji Joshi at Ferozepur, Manvesh Singh Sidhu at Fazilka, Daljit Singh Mangat at Tarn Tarn, Dilraj Singh at Jalandhar, Abhinav at Kapurthala and Mohammad Tayyab has been deputed at Patiala.

Chandigarh, May 9:

The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday took slew of important decisions pertaining to the development, security and well being of the people of state.

Decisions to this effect was taken in meeting of Cabinet held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister here at his official residence today.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said that the Cabinet gave approval for installing V-Kavach jammer procurement in 13 high security jails of the state. These 5G enabled hi-end jammers will be installed in the jails for better security purpose. The jammers have been already successfully tested and all the jails of the state will be covered by it gradually.

Likewise, the Cabinet also gave nod for transferring 135 acre land of Housing department land at Faridkot to industries department. The land originally belonged to cooperative sugar mill and was transferred to Housing department under the OUVGL scheme. Examining the huge potential of land for industrial use, the land will be transferred to industry department for development into industrial zone.

In order to make NRIs an equal partner in development of the state, the Cabinet also approved the Creation of Rangla Punjab Fund  in which NRI or anyone can generously contribute for giving fillip to infrastructure growth. This fund will be managed by the Finance department and will be used for accelerating growth in education, health, industry and other sectors. NRIs or other citizens who want to contribute for the development of the state can contribute in this fund.

In another major decision aimed at preserving the rich culture of the state, the Cabinet also gave consent for bringing an ordinance to start Bullock cart races in the state. The ordinance is aimed at ensuring that the rich culture of state is preserved by organising these games which was an integral part of Punjabi culture. Special thrust will be laid on ensuring that no torture of bullock carts takes place during the race for which special clause will be put in the ordinance.  

In order to give major thrust to crop diversification in the state for saving the ground water, the Cabinet also gave nod to launch pilot project of Kharif maize in three regions of the state. The pilot  project will be launched in three regions Gurdaspur-Pathankot, Bathinda, Jalandhar-Kapurthala over an area of 12,000 hectare. The state government will evolve a foolproof mechanism to ensure the marketing of this crop to benefit the farmers of the state.

In order to explore new vistas in the sector of Mining, the Cabinet also gave green signal for Setting up an ultra modren centre of excellence for Mining at IIT Ropar. The centre of excellence will be mandated with assessing the area covered under mining and extent of exploitation being done in sector. The centre will be helpful in evolving ways and means to check illegal mining in the state through use of Artificial intelligence.

The Cabinet also gave approval to cover 2053 employees of the state whose joining process has started before January 1, 2004 under the Old Pension Scheme.

The Cabinet also gave its consent to regularise the services of around 900 officials of the forest department.

Chandigarh, Kalanaur/Gurdaspur, May 9:

In view of the tense situation between India and Pakistan, the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs and the Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh today visited Government hospital Kalanaur and Fire brigade office, Gurdaspur to take stock of the arrangements being made to tackle emergency situations. Afterwards, both the ministers held a meeting with the District Administration to review the preparations made by the latter.

The ministers were accompanied by the Executive President AAP- MLA Amansher Singh Sherri Kalsi, MLA Gurdeep Singh Randhawa, Chairman Raman Behl, President District Urban Shamsher Singh, DC Dalwinderjit Singh, SSP Batala Sohail Qasim Mir, SSP Gurdaspur Aditya, ADC Dr. Harjinder Singh Bedi, SDM Dinanagar Jaspinder Singh and others.

During the visit to the Govt. Hospital Kalanaur, the SMO Kalanaur apprised the ministers that 38 bed facility is available at CHC Kalanaur with all the emergency facilities too. Apart from this, at Dera Baba Nanak 50 bed facility has been ensured along with all the necessary amenities such as blood in requisite quantity in the blood banks.

During a meeting at the District Administrative Complex with the District Administration, the Deputy Commissioner brought to the notice of both the ministers that the District Administration has complied with all the instructions issued by the Punjab Government and the blackout continues during the night time. Besides, the mock drill is also being conducted to deal with any untoward emergency.

On the occasion, Mr. Kataruchak said that the Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stands shoulder to shoulder with the people. He further added that in this war against terrorism, the entire country stands united and is proud of our army and brave soldiers. The minister also saluted the spirit of resilience and bravery exhibited by the inhabitants of the border areas.

In his address, Dr. Ravjot Singh said that the State Government is fully prepared and ready to face any eventuality and the whole government machinery has been put on alert. He also divulged that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is personally keeping tabs on the situation. He asked the people not to worry as the government stands by them in this critical hour.