Chandigarh, July 4 – The Haryana Government today announced a significant enhancement to the casual leave policy for its female contractual employees. In an order issued by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, it is stated that female contractual employees, including those deployed through Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam Limited, will now be entitled to two days of additional casual leave per month, subject  to a maximum of 22 days in a calendar year, more than double the previous limit of 10 days.

This new provision is in addition to the existing 10 days of medical leave provided annually. The revision applies to all female contractual employees working under Outsourcing Policy Part-II and those engaged through HKRNL, the notification added.

All administrative secretaries, heads of departments, managing directors/chief administrators/CEOs of boards/corporations/public undertakings, divisional commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and Sub Divisional Officers (Civil), and Registrars of all universities in Haryana have been directed to ensure strict compliance with these new instructions.

Chandigarh, July 4 – Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said natural farming is the need of the hour and Haryana has taken an initiative to promote it. The inclination of farmers towards this farming is also increasing continuously. Natural farming will not only reduce environmental pollution, there will also be availability of good and nutritious food. The use of NPK fertilizers will be increased by reducing the use of chemical fertilizers in farming. He said the transplantation of paddy has almost been completed and now the consumption of DAP and urea fertilizers will increase in the crop. Therefore, the officials should ensure that there is no shortage of fertilizers. Black marketing of urea and DAP fertilizers should be stopped.

The Agriculture Minister was presiding over a review meeting with the officials of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department at his residence here today. The minister directed the officials to keep a record of DAP and urea fertilizers and also make arrangements so that Haryana’s fertilizers do not go to other states.

He said if someone does black marketing of fertilizers, sells fake medicines and seeds, then action should be taken against him. If the dealer is forcibly selling any other product along with fertilizer to the farmers, then action should be taken against him. Officials should keep a record of fertilizer sales every day and try to immediately resolve the problems faced by the farmers.

He said the process of getting crop insurance has started under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. Farmers should be made aware to get their crops insured. If any company is not doing insurance, then a report should also be prepared for this, so that farmers do not face any problem.

Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Sh. Pankaj Agarwal, Director of Agriculture Department Sh. Rajnarayan Kaushik and several other officers were present in the meeting.

Chandigarh, July 4:

To enhance the safety and security of residents in Bapu Dham Colony, Member of Parliament and former Union Minister Shri Manish Tewari today inaugurated 51 CCTV cameras installed through a ₹5 lakh grant from his MPLAD fund.

The inauguration event saw the presence of Chandigarh Congress President H.S. Lucky along with several senior leaders and local representatives.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Tewari emphasized that ensuring the safety and improving the living standards of his constituents remains a top priority. He reiterated his commitment to providing necessary funding for CCTV surveillance and other development works in various parts of the city, based on need.

“There will be no shortage of funds when it comes to the development of Chandigarh,” he assured.

H.S. Lucky thanked Shri Manish Tewari for his consistent efforts and said, “Development is not about words, it’s about work — and MP Tewari has proven that through action.”

Prominent attendees included, Senior Deputy Mayor Jasbir Singh Bunty, Deputy Mayor Taruna Mehta, Rajiv Modgil, Harmel Kesari, Krishan Pradhan, Krishan Kumar Lara, Rajdeep Sidhu DCC President, Suman Lata Vaid, Rano Devi, Mohammad Suleman, Amrit Lal Kala, Yaqi Kalia, Dawood Ahmed, Haji Yamas, Ashu Vaid, Ajay Sharma, Wasim Mir, and Mohammad Imran, among others.

Chandigarh, July 4

The Municipal Corporation Chandigarh has issued a stern warning to all individuals, traders, and commercial establishments found violating the single-use plastic ban in the city. Chandigarh MC Commissioner Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS, while reviewing the enforcement of the ban, directed the concerned officers of MCC for formation of a special task force to trace and dismantle the supply chain of banned plastic carry bags entering Chandigarh.

The Commissioner emphasized that zero tolerance will be shown towards violators, particularly repeat offenders. He warned that strict legal action will be taken, which may include heavy penalties, seizure of goods, and in severe cases, temporary or permanent closure of the establishment.

As part of the Plastic Mukt Chandigarh campaign, rigorous enforcement drives have been conducted since the ban came into effect on June 18, 2025. So far 520 challans have been issued, 123 Kg banned plastic carry bags have been confiscated besides selling 423 kg compostable bags.

The Commissioner said that MCC enforcement teams are inspecting sensitive areas such as Apni Mandis, grocery shops, street vendors, and markets on a daily basis.

Commissioner Kumar reiterated that single-use plastic items, including bags, straws, and disposable cutlery, are strictly prohibited due to their harmful impact on the environment and public health. He urged citizens and businesses to adopt sustainable alternatives such as cloth and compostable bags.

The Commissioner appeals to the public to cooperate in making Chandigarh plastic-free. MCC will not hesitate to take stringent action against those undermining the city’s environmental efforts, he said.

Chandigarh, July 4, 2025: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has arrested Baljit Singh, Junior Engineer (JE), posted at the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), Sub-station, Kandhala Jattan in Hoshiarpur district red-handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 15000.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the VB stated that the case was registered based on a complaint filed by a resident of village Sikri, in Hoshiarpur district.

“The complainant has approached the VB alleging that the aforementioned JE has demanded Rs 20000 in lieu of installing a new transformer in his village to rectify the power supply load. Upon the complainant’s request, the JE agreed to accept Rs 15000 bribe”, he said.

The spokesperson further added that following verification of the complaint, a vigilance team from Jalandhar range laid a trap during which the above said accused has been caught red-handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 15000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses.

In this regard a case under Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the said JE at VB Police Station, Jalandhar Range. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow, and further investigation into this case was under progress, he added.

CHANDIGARH, July 4:

          With the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state completed 125 days, Punjab Police on Friday arrested 101 drug smugglers and recovered 2.3 kg heroin, 520 grams opium and Rs 8270 drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 20,410 in just 125 days.

          The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state.

          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.

          Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 180 Police teams, comprising over 1200 police personnel, under the supervision of 79 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 392 locations across the state leading to the registration of 79 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 417 suspicious persons during the day-long operation, he added.

          The Special DGP said that with 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 49 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

Chandigarh, July 4, 2025 –

 In a continuous crackdown on corruption, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Friday arrested Deepak Setia, an Accountant posted at the Municipal Council, Dhanoula in District Barnala) while he was accepting a bribe of Rs. 11,000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the arrest has been made following a complaint made a contractor and resident of Dhanoula town. 

He further added that the complainant has approached the VB alleging that the accused had demanded a bribe of Rs 11000 in exchange for facilitating the clearance of his pending payment cheque worth Rs. 2,21,402.

The spokesperson informed that after verification of this complaint, the VB team laid a trap and caught Deepak Setia red-handed while accepting the bribe of Rs 11000 from the complainant in the presence of government witnesses. The bribe amount was recovered on the spot.

In this regard a case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act against the said accused at VB police station Patiala range. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and further investigation into this case was under process, he said.

*”This arrest underscores our zero-tolerance policy against corruption. We are committed to rooting out malpractice at all levels and ensuring accountability in public service,”* said a senior Vigilance official. Further investigation in the matter is underway. 

The Vigilance Bureau has urged citizens to report any instances of corruption through its helpline, assuring strict action against offenders.

Chandigarh, July 4:

Promoting entrepreneurship culture among the youth in the state, the Punjab Government is all set to host a first Business Blasters Expo at IIT Ropar, where students from government schools in classes 11th and 12th will showcase their innovative ventures and participate in thrilling Shark Tank-style pitch sessions before a distinguished panel of renowned investors, entrepreneurs and incubators, announced S. Harjot Singh Bains, Minister of School Education, Punjab.

Addressing a press conference here at Punjab Bhawan, on Friday evening, S. Harjot Singh Bains said that the expo would enable funding, incubation and industry partnerships for scalable student ventures, besides inspiring stakeholders to support school-based entrepreneurship.

The Education Minister stated that around 40 teams will showcase their products at the expo tomorrow (Saturday). Teams of 11th and 12th grade students of government schools developed 18,492 business ideas.

The state government has provided Rs 16000 seed funding each to over 7000 teams to develop and launch their business ideas under the guidance of teachers and expert mentors. The main objective of the expo is to identify market opportunities for the students and engage them with real customers to earn revenue and profit.

The Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s Business Blaster initiative empowered students with practical, team-based learning, fostering essential skills in communication, problem-solving and financial management through real-world business experiences, he added.

S. Harjot Singh Bains said that many ventures developed by the students are already generating revenue and expanding operations.

Meanwhile, he also introduced four teams to the media while showing their innovative products during the press conference. A team of Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Roopnagar made product “Creative Girls”- a resin-based coasters, keychains and candle moulds. The team has already sold over 250 units sold.

Similarly, Government Senior Secondary School, Pathankot team made an “e-Motion Bike”— a Rechargeable electric bicycle. The energy efficient bike designed for urban last-mile mobility.

Government Senior Secondary School, Bathinda team made “Herbal Shine”: Chemical-free herbal shampoo using traditional ingredients. The team has already sold 80 units and received a positive customer feedback.

While, Government Senior Secondary School, Ferozepur team created “Defend-X Stick”

Self-defence stick with LED, shock points and concealed blade. The product is devised targeting women, senior citizens, etc as their potential buyers. Government Sr. Sec. School, Moga teams developed BB Choco Dreams:  Handmade, preservative-free chocolates. The teams has already earned profit of over Rs 4,000.

S. Bains emphasised that India can grow only if there is business and economic growth, and Punjab Govt is cultivating entrepreneurship mindset right from the schools.

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, July 4:

          In a major intelligence-led operation amidst the ongoing anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Amritsar Commissionerate Police has busted two separate modules—international narco-arms module and an inter-state narco-hawala syndicate— with the arrest of nine accused persons and recovered 1.15 kg heroin, five sophisticated pistols and Rs 9.7 lakhs drug money from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Friday.

          Those arrested have been identified as Jaspreet Singh Chauhan alias Kalu (26) of village Sokha Bhaini in Barnala, Harpreet Singh alias Happy (25) of Village Bholoke in Gurdaspur, Tejbir Singh alias Teji (21) of village Basti Lal Singh in Tarn Taran, Danish alias Gaggu (19) of Dashmesh Nagar in Amritsar, Saloni (19) of Kot Khalsa in Amritsar, Jobanpreet Singh alias Joban (28) of village Meharbanpura in Amritsar, Kulwinder Singh (28) of village Kakka in Ludhiana, Abdul Rehman (45) and Pardeep Pintu (44), both residents of Karnataka. 

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that two separate first information reports (FIRs) have been registered at Police Stations Sadar and Islamabad in Amritsar. Further investigation is underway to trace forward and backward linkages to unearth the whole smuggling module, he said.

          Sharing details of the first operation, Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that in an intelligence led operation, police teams have arrested three individuals— Jaspreet, Harpreet and Tejbir— involved in narco-arms module and recovered five sophisticated pistols— including three 9MM Glocks and two .30 bore Chinese pistols— along with cartridges from their possession.

          He said that preliminary investigations have revealed that two of the arrested accused— Jaspreet and Harpreet— had recently returned from Malaysia and were in touch with their handlers in Malaysia and Pakistan. They came to Amritsar area along with their friend Tejbir and on instructions of their handlers and picked up weapon and drugs consignment, he said, while adding that weapons were meant to further deliver to criminal elements to carry out crimes.

          In this regard, a case FIR no. 106 dated 02.07.2025 has been registered under section 21C of the NDPS Act and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Sadar in Amritsar.

          In another operation, the CP said that police teams have arrested six accused involved in a narco-hawala network with links to Delhi, Karnataka, and Dubai, and recovered ₹9.7 lakh drug money and 150 grams heroin from their possession.

          He said that the arrested accused were part of an organised hawala syndicate being operated by Abdul Rehman and Pardeep Pintu, who routed drug proceeds to Dubai through illegal channels. Further investigation is on and more arrests and recoveries are likely in coming days, he added.

          A case FIR No. 191 dated 27.06.2025 under sections 21-B, 29 and 27-A of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Islamabad in Amritsar.

CHANDIGARH/FARIDKOT, July 4:

          In a firm demonstration of Punjab Government’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Crime Against Women (CAW) Faridkot Rajanpal has been placed under suspension for attempting to bribe the office of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Faridkot.

          As per the information, few days back, the SSP Faridkot had received a complaint against the DSP Rajanpal, wherein, the aggrieved party had accused him of taking money, for settling a matrimonial dispute and demanded action against the DSP.

          Divulging details, an official spokesperson of the Punjab Police said that accused DSP Rajanpal has attempted to offer a bribe of ₹1 lakh to the SSP’s office to settle the complaint filed against him.

          Taking swift and stern action, the Spokesperson said that Faridkot Police has registered a criminal case against the accused DSP and arrested him. Strict departmental proceedings will be initiated against the accused officer as per Punjab Civil Services rules, he added.

          “The Punjab Government is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and accountability within the police force. Any officer found indulging in corrupt practices will face stringent legal and disciplinary action,” said the spokesperson.

          In this regards, a case FIR No. 289 dated 04-07-2025 has been registered under sections 7 and 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act at Police Station City Faridkot.