Chandigarh, January 18:

The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is fully committed to eradicating the social evil of child begging from the state. In line with this commitment, the government has intensified strict, result-oriented action against those forcing children into begging. This was stated by Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur.

Sharing further details, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur said that during a special statewide drive conducted over the past two days, raids were carried out at identified hotspots across all districts. As a result, 31 children found begging were rescued. After verification of documents, four children were handed over to their parents on the spot by the Child Welfare Committee, while 27 children were temporarily shifted to child care homes, where further verification and appropriate action will be undertaken as per rules.

The Cabinet Minister informed that under Project JIWANJYOT 2.0, the Punjab Government has so far rescued a total of 1,023 children from child begging. Among them, 38 children have been provided benefits under the Sponsorship Scheme, 349 children have been enrolled in schools, nine children have been linked with Anganwadi centres, and 13 children have been provided healthcare facilities under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. Children residing in child care homes are being provided education, nutrition, healthcare and other essential services to ensure a safe, dignified and secure future.

Dr Baljit Kaur said that due to these sustained efforts, a continuous decline in incidents of child begging has been observed across the state. She reiterated that the Punjab Government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against child begging and that enforcement drives will be further intensified in the coming days.

The Minister categorically warned that any individual found forcing children into begging will face strict legal action as per the law. She also appealed to the public not to encourage child begging by giving alms. If any child is seen begging on roads or public places, citizens are urged to immediately inform Child Helpline 1098, the district Child Welfare Committee, or the concerned authorities, so that timely intervention can ensure a safe and dignified future for every child.

MAJITHA (AMRITSAR), 18th January 2026:

At a public function in Majithia on Sunday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann delivered a clear message on faith, governance and the future of the constituency while laying the foundation stone for 23 rural link roads worth ₹11.32 crore. The Chief Minister said it would have given him heartfelt happiness if the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) President, Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, considered himself as a soldier of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji, but expressed concern that he instead calls himself a soldier of Sukhbir Singh Badal.

In the same address, the Chief Minister announced that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Talbir Singh Gill will be the party’s candidate from Majitha for the 2027 Assembly elections, asserting that the people will not allow any attempt to push Punjab back into beadbi (sacrilege) and goondagardi, and that development, dignity and respect for Sri Akal Takht Sahib will remain paramount.

Addressing a public gathering after laying the foundation stone of 23 new rural link roads in Majitha, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Earlier, this area lived under constant fear. A self-proclaimed ‘jarnail’ of the region used false cases as a weapon against ordinary people. With deep connections in both Congress and Akali governments, he unleashed a reign of terror, and people were afraid to speak.” He said that this fear has now completely vanished, as the will of the people is prevailing and such politics has been decisively rejected.

The Chief Minister said that people have charted a new path by rejecting the politics of intimidation pursued by the Majithia and Badal families. He said, “This very Majitha area was once controlled by people who hosted General Dyer for dinner on the same day as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919. Such acts of betrayal can never be forgotten. The people of Punjab will never forgive those whose hands were stained with the blood of innocent masses.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann warned that bringing the Akali Dal back to power would mean dragging Punjab back into a dark era. “It will mean the return of ‘Beadbi’ (sacrilege) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, firing on innocent protestors and atrocities against the common man,” he said.

He added that it was due to the misdeeds of the Akalis and the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) that the state government was compelled to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the missing 328 saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. “Our only objective is to trace the missing saroops. We have no intention of interfering in religious institutions,” he said.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said it was unfortunate that instead of focusing on his primary responsibilities, the SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Mann was busy making arrangements for political rallies. “Instead of calling himself a soldier of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji, he proudly calls himself a soldier of Sukhbir Singh Badal. What good can be expected from such a person, who takes pride in serving someone who ruined Punjab with his every move,” he noted.

The Chief Minister reiterated the supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and said, “Sri Akal Takht Sahib is above all of us. That is why I did not attend the function of the President of India and chose instead to appear before the Takht.” He said that unlike his government, the Akalis have repeatedly undermined the authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. “Jathedars have been appointed and removed at their whims, dealing a severe blow to the sanctity of these institutions,” he said, while also remarking that Congress leaders have lost their political balance after facing continuous defeats.

Making a major announcement from Majitha, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann declared that AAP leader Talbir Singh Gill will be the AAP’s candidate from Majitha in the 2027 Assembly elections. “The time has come for the people of Majitha to move beyond submitting demand letters and start taking decisions themselves,” Bhagwant Singh Mann said, asserting that AAP represents a new politics where people are not petitioners before power but partners in governance. He said that Majitha will now send a representative who believes in decision-making, development and accountability, not intimidation and entitlement.

Highlighting the pro-people initiatives of his government, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “After assuming office in March 2022, our first decision was to provide free electricity to 90 percent of households.” He said that farmers are now receiving uninterrupted power supply, sparing them from venturing out on freezing nights to irrigate their fields. “Punjab today is power surplus. With adequate coal supply and fully functional thermal plants, the state is emerging as a frontrunner in the country,” he said.

Taking a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Minister said, “Some leaders treat staying one night in a poor person’s house as a novelty. I am myself a common man and I understand the daily struggles of ordinary people.” He added that the state government is committed to preserving Punjab’s glorious legacy, citing the recent commemoration of the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji, and said that more such initiatives will follow to familiarise students with the state’s rich heritage.

The Chief Minister said that special attention is being paid to the welfare of border residents, whom he described as true patriots. “In a major relief to farmers in the border belt, the Central Government has given in-principle approval to shift the border fence closer to the International Border,” he said, adding that this would allow unhindered cultivation of thousands of acres currently lying beyond the fencing. He said he had raised the issue with the Union Home Minister, pointing out the daily hardships faced by farmers who were forced to cross the fence under BSF escort to reach their own fields along the 532-kilometre India-Pakistan border.

The Chief Minister said that the renewal of 23 rural link roads in the Majitha constituency will be carried out at a cost of ₹11.32 crore. “Projects worth ₹11.32 crore have been initiated for the renovation of link roads in several villages of Majitha constituency. Out of this, ₹9.94 crore will be spent on road renovation and ₹1.38 crore on their maintenance over the next five years. These roads were in a deplorable condition, causing immense inconvenience to commuters and farmers transporting their produce to markets,” he said, expressing confidence that their upgradation would significantly benefit residents of Majitha and surrounding areas.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab government has launched a massive programme to repair and upgrade link roads across the state. “Punjab has nearly 43,000 kilometres of link roads. Along with repairing them, we have taken a historic decision to ensure their maintenance for the next five years,” he said. To ensure quality, he said a CM Flying Squad has been constituted, and an Artificial Intelligence-based survey was conducted before granting approvals, leading to savings of ₹226.89 crore.

“This money was earlier siphoned off by leaders of previous regimes,” the Chief Minister said. “By plugging leakages, we are now using these funds for the development of Punjab and the prosperity of its people.” He added that with initiatives such as Aam Aadmi Clinics, Schools of Eminence and free power, governance in Punjab is now firmly centred on public welfare.

Earlier, PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries. Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, MLA Sarwan Singh Dhunn, senior AAP leader Talbir Singh Gill and other leaders were present on the occasion.

CHANDIGARH, January 18:

          Continuing the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 323rd day, Punjab Police conducted raids at 333 locations on Sunday leading to the arrest of 122 drug smugglers after registration of 97 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 45,259 in 323 days.

          The raids have resulted in recovery of 440 grams heroin, 340 grams opium, 3 kg poppy husk, 1781 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 8106 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.

          Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.

          Over 120 Police teams, comprising over 1000 police personnel, under the supervision of 67 gazetted officers have conducted 333 raids across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 361 suspicious persons during the day-long operation.

          The state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced 35 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

Chandigarh, January 17:*

With the objective of fast tracking potash exploration in the State and addressing India’s heavy reliance on imported Potash, Punjab Government has intensified efforts to strengthen domestic mineral resources critical for agriculture. The high level review meeting was convened to take stock of progress identify future priorities and firm up timelines for exploration across key potash bearing regions of Punjab.

Punjab Mining and Geology Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal chaired the meeting at the Punjab Civil Secretariat here with senior officers of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) which included Deputy Director General (Punjab Himachal and Haryana) Smt. Shrimati Gupta, Directors Smt. Sushree Mishra and Smt. Aprajeeta Bhatacharji and officers of the Department of Mines and Geology Punjab Chief Engineer S. Hardeep Singh Mehndiratta and Assistant Geologist Sh. Paras Mahajan.

The meeting reviewed the status of completed exploration blocks ongoing drilling activities during Field Season 2025-26 and proposed reconnaissance and preliminary exploration programmes for Field Season 2026-27 with special focus on Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts where significant potash potential has been identified.

Briefing the Minister, the GSI informed that G4 stage exploration has been completed in Qabarwala Block and Shergarh-Dalmirkhera Block, with geological memorandums already handed over to the State Government. Following State consent, an amalgamated Shergarh-Sherawala-Ramsara-Dalmirkhera block has been put to auction for Composite Licence in the sixth tranche by the Ministry of Mines, with results awaited. It was further shared that drilling is underway in Rajpura-Rajawali Block and Gidranwali-Azimgarh Block at six sites, of which five have been completed and final reports are expected by April after chemical analysis.

For the upcoming Field Season 2026-27, GSI proposed reconnaissance surveys in Kera-Khera Block and Saiyadwala Block of Fazilka district, along with preliminary exploration in Kandhwala-Ramsra Block, covering fifteen drilling sites.

Responding to the Minister’s query on full basin coverage, the officers of the GSI informed that the entire evaporite basin of Punjab is being surveyed through geophysical methods and an area of about fifty square kilometre has already been identified for detailed exploration, for which Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited will submit a project to the Ministry.

Appreciating the sustained and scientific efforts, Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal directed that all ongoing drilling and mapping work during Field Season 2025-26 be expedited and proposed blocks for 2026-27 be completed strictly on schedule. He also directed monthly review meetings between the Department of Mines and Geology Punjab and GSI to ensure close monitoring and timely handover of additional promising blocks, besides planning future feasibility studies for mining.

Highlighting the larger public interest, the Minister said, “Potash is a critical input for agriculture and today India imports nearly 99 percent of its requirement. Any success in potash exploration and future production in Punjab will directly benefit our farmers, strengthen national food security and give a major push to the State and national economy. Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government is fully committed to supporting every scientific effort that helps the country move towards self-reliance in this vital mineral.”

Chandigarh/Malerkotla, January 17

The sacrifices of the Namdhari sect for the cause of India’s freedom, protection of faith and upholding of human values will remain etched in golden letters in the annals of Indian history, said Punjab Cabinet Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian, while addressing the state level martyrdom function organised at the Namdhari Shaheedi Memorial, Malerkotla, in memory of 66 Namdhari martyrs.

The Cabinet Minister said that the Namdhari sect stands as a living example of simplicity, truthfulness, humility and sacrifice. He said the path shown by Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji gave a new direction to the country’s freedom movement. He added that history bears testimony to the fact that the spark of awareness against British rule rose from this sacred land of Malerkotla.

He said, the valour and sacrifice of the 66 Namdhari martyr Singhs were not limited to any one religious sect but formed the foundation of the national struggle for independence. These sacrifices continue to serve as a source of inspiration for the present generation to move forward on the path of truth, integrity and service to the nation.

The Cabinet Minister said that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government will fulfil every directive and service entrusted to it with humility and commitment. He urged the sangat to follow the path shown by the Gurus and the Namdhari sect and to contribute meaningfully towards rebuilding a Rangla Punjab.

The function was organised under the patronage of Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji, during which MLA Amargarh Prof. Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra and Namdhari Surinder Singh also addressed the gathering. The sangat paid floral tributes to the 66 Namdhari martyrs and took pledge to follow the path shown by them.

Prominent amongst others who were present included MLA Dr. Jameel Ur Rahman, MLA Samrala Jagtar Singh Dialpura, Deputy Commissioner Viraj S. Tirkey, SSP Gagan Ajit Singh, ADC Navreet Kaur Sekhon, SP Satpal Sharma and SDM Gurmeet Kumar Bansal.

NEW DELHI, 17th January 2026:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday announced a major relief for farmers in Punjab’s border belt after the Central Government agreed in principle to shift the Border Security Fence closer to the International Border, a move that will clear the way for unhindered cultivation of thousands of acres of farmland currently trapped beyond the fencing.

Calling on Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, the Chief Minister said farmers have long been forced to cross the fence with identity cards and under BSF escort to reach their own fields, facing daily hardship and uncertainty along the 532 km India Pakistan border where fencing lies deep inside Punjab’s territory. He said the Home Minister informed him during the meeting that the issue is under active consideration and that the fencing will be shifted towards the border, bringing Punjab’s land back on the accessible side without compromising national security.

Alongside the border issue, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also raised a series of long pending concerns, including Punjab’s objections to the proposed Seeds Bill 2025, the unresolved Sutlej Yamuna Link dispute (SYL), slow movement of foodgrains by the FCI, freezing of Arthia Commission, non payment of Rural Development Fund (RDF) and Mandi Fund, and the dilution of Punjab’s role in Chandigarh’s administration, seeking prompt and time bound resolution of these matters.

Raising serious objections to the proposed Seeds Bill 2025, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab is an agrarian state and one of the largest grain producing states of the country, yet the draft Seed Bill does not assure representation of the state as per schedule under the relevant section. The zone based system introduced in the Bill does not guarantee Punjab’s representation in the Central Seed Committee, unlike the existing system, thereby limiting the state’s voice in decisions that directly affect the seed sector.”

The Punjab CM added, “The proposed Bill also curtails the existing powers of the State Seed Committee, as there is no role envisaged for the state level committee in seed registration, and the draft is silent on a robust compensation framework for farmers who suffer losses when registered seed fails to perform as claimed.”

The Chief Minister further pointed out that seed varieties tested and released in foreign countries have been allowed for import and sale in Punjab and other states without compulsory multi location testing under state specific agro climatic conditions, posing serious risks to farmers. He conveyed that agriculture is Punjab’s lifeline, where farmers grow crops, sell part of the produce and retain seeds for the next season, and forcing farmers to depend entirely on companies for seeds is neither practical nor in farmers’ interest. He urged that the Bill should not be brought before Parliament in its present form, and was assured by the Union Home Minister that the concerns would be examined.

Reiterating Punjab’s long standing position on river waters, the Chief Minister said, “Punjab has no surplus water to share with any other state. There has been a substantial reduction in the availability of Satlej, Ravi and Beas waters, and therefore construction of the Satlej Yamuna Link canal is not viable.”

He noted that out of 34.34 Mean Annual Flow (MAF) of water from these rivers, Punjab was allocated only 14.22 MAF, about 40 percent, while the remaining 60 percent was allocated to Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan, even though none of these rivers actually flow through those states. “This is a gross injustice with Punjab, and there is absolutely no question of constructing this canal as it is totally against the interests of the state and its people,” he asserted, adding that Punjab’s stand before the Supreme Court remains firm that there is no water to spare.

Highlighting the problem of foodgrain movement and storage, the Chief Minister said, “For the last five months, FCI has been moving only about 4 to 5 Lakh Metric Tonnes of wheat and 5 to 6 LMT of rice from Punjab. Against 95 LMT of pending rice of Kharif Marketing Season 2025-26 to be delivered, only 20 LMT of storage space is currently available.”

He stressed that to ensure timely delivery of custom milled rice of KMS 2025-26 and availability of space for wheat during RMS 2026-27 commencing from April 1, 2026, a minimum monthly movement of 20 LMT of foodgrains, 10 LMT each of wheat and rice, is required. He also urged deployment of special trains to clear stocks, noting that Punjab contributes around 125 LMT of wheat to the national pool and proper storage is essential for national food security.

On the issue of Arthia Commission, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Arthia Commission has been frozen since the 2019-20 procurement season, contrary to the provisions of The Punjab Agriculture Produce and Marketing Act 1961, and is currently capped at ₹46 per quintal for wheat and ₹45.88 per quintal for paddy.”

He pointed out that the commission at silos has been reduced to half of that in regular mandis and that the committee constituted in January 2024 to revise the commission has not taken a decision so far. “Arthias are not agents, they provide essential services, and they deserve their rightful share. Delay in revising the commission can disrupt the smooth procurement process, and the rates should be finalised at the earliest,” he said.

Flagging the non-payment of statutory dues, the Chief Minister said, “Despite clear statutory provisions under the relevant Punjab Acts, RDF has not been reimbursed to the state government. Even after amending the Punjab Rural Development Act in compliance with Government of India instructions, RDF has not been released since KMS 2021-22.”

He pointed out that ₹9030.91 crore of RDF and ₹2267.83 crore of Market Fees are pending, severely impacting rural infrastructure development including roads and mandis. “RDF is not a charity. It is Punjab’s rightful share, and we are demanding our due,” he said, adding that the Union Home Minister assured him that a priority meeting would be convened to consider release of the first instalment.

Raising administrative concerns, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stressed that maintaining the long standing 60:40 ratio of Punjab and Haryana officers in the Union Territory of Chandigarh is the need of the hour. He expressed concern over IAS and PCS officers being excluded from key positions and the opening of crucial departments such as Excise, Education, Finance and Health to other cadres, which dilutes Punjab’s role in the UT administration. He said the Union Home Minister assured him that the existing ratio would be maintained.

The Chief Minister also took up the issue of appointing a Punjab cadre officer as General Manager, FCI Punjab, saying that Punjab cadre officers possess critical familiarity with procurement, mandis, storage and movement of foodgrains. He pointed out that historically, regular appointments to this post have been from the Punjab cadre, with officers from other cadres holding only temporary charge, and urged that this convention be followed in the interest of efficiency and national food security.

On border areas, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Along the 532 km India Pakistan border, fencing is located deep inside Punjab’s territory. As per international norms, construction should be beyond 150 meters of the Zero Line, but in several areas of Punjab, the Border Security Fence is located two to three kilometres inside.”

He said that thousands of acres of agricultural land lie beyond the fence, forcing farmers to show identity cards and cultivate their fields under BSF escort every day. “If the fence is realigned closer to the International Border, large tracts of Indian land will come this side of the fence, allowing farmers to cultivate without fear and daily restrictions, without compromising national security,” he said, adding that the Union Home Minister informed him that the issue is under active consideration and that similar realignment has already been tried in Pathankot.

CHANDIGARH, January 17:

          In a relentless pursuit to eradicate the drug menace from Punjab as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police on Saturday conducted a statewide Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at identified drug Hotspots— the points of sale of drugs and psychotropic substances— across the state as part of the Yudh Nashian Virudh, marking the 322nd day of the intensified anti-drug campaign.

          The CASO was conducted simultaneously from 11 am to 2 pm in all 28 Police districts of the state on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, and Spl DGP/ADGP/IGP/DIG rank officers from Punjab Police Headquarters, Chandigarh were deputed various districts to personally supervise the operation.

          During the daylong operation, police teams have conducted raids at 831 drug hotspots across the state leading to registration of 200  first information reports (FIRs) and arrest of 227 drug smugglers. Police teams have also recovered 745 grams heroin, 1.2 kg opium, 550 grams Ganja, 4935 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 8750 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.

          Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla, who visited Mohali to personally oversee the operation at drug hotspots, said that the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign launched on March 1, 2025, has resulted in arrest of 45,028 drug smugglers after registration of 31,370 first information reports (FIRs) across the state and led to recovery of 1961 kg heroin, 607 kg opium, 27.5 quintals poppy husk, 47.57 lakh intoxicant tablets/capsules, 28 kg ICE and Rs 15.4 crores drug money from the possession of drug smugglers.

          Apart from arresting over 45000 drug smugglers, the Special DGP said that the Punjab Police has also facilitated the admission of more than 90,000 affected individuals into de-addiction or OOAT centres across the state as part of the prevention. Pertinently, the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state.

          He informed that the ‘Safe Punjab’ Anti-Drug WhatsApp Chatbot— 97791-00200— launched by the Punjab Government has received an overwhelming response with over 11,591 first information reports (FIRs) registered following the tips from general public. He also exhorted more people to make maximum use of Safe Punjab helpline, which allows to citizens to report drug related activities anonymously.

          Meanwhile, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.

Chandigarh, 16 January 2026:

In order to curb the menace of adulteration across the Punjab,

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S Kultar Singh Sandhwan said we are going to run awareness campaign in schools through seminars and functions by showing quality checking of sub standard or adulterated products such as milk, cheese, ghee and milk products. He added that this campaign will be commenced from Kotkapura district Faridkot.

He informed that common people will also be  invited to see the way of checking of adulterated products so that they can check the quality of products at their own level. He wants the support of Punjabis in this  campaign so that Punjab Government can help in maintaining good health to the people of Punjab.

He highlighted that Punjab Government will leave no stone unturned to eradicate the menace of adulteration. Our government motive is crystal clear that we want to provide quality education and good health to the people of Punjab. Adulteration is serious risk for people of Punjab. Speaker desired that we want to see our Punjab healthier and happiest.

He stressed that strict action will be taken against those who found involved in adulteration and no one will be spared inspite of personal relations and kinship.