Chandigarh, April 12:

 Punjab Public Works Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO conducted a thorough head-wise review of PWD (B&R) works to finalize the work program for the fiscal year 2025-26.

 The high-level meeting was attended by Secretary Public Works Sh. Ravi Bhagat along with Chief Engineers and other senior officials of the department. During the review meeting, S. Harbhajan Singh ETO stressed for due diligence in deploying funds as per requirement of works to ensure balanced development throughout the state.

 He directed officials to incorporate inputs from local MLAs through the offices of Deputy Commissioners so that priority works identified by elected representatives of the people could be considered in the annual planning. “Transparency is paramount in our functioning.

All representatives must be kept informed about ongoing projects in their constituencies to maintain and ensure quality of the works,” said the Cabinet Minister, adding that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government is committed to inclusive development that reaches every corner of Punjab.

 The PWD Minister instructed department officials to expedite necessary approvals and ensure timely completion of all sanctioned works while maintaining the highest quality standards. He reiterated state government’s firm stance of zero tolerance toward poor quality work and corruption in public projects.

 “We are committed to delivering infrastructure projects that meet the highest standards of quality and durability,” asserted the Cabinet Minister. S. Harbhajan Singh ETO said that there will be absolutely no compromise on quality ad any corrupt practices will be dealt with severely as we are very much committed to provide transparent and accountable governance.

CHANDIGARH/JALANDHAR, April 12:

          In yet another major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Jalandhar Commissionerate Police, with the support of Central Agencies and Delhi Police, has successfully arrested Uttar Pradesh (UP)-based Saidul Ameen— the prime accused involved in the grenade attack at BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia’s residence, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.

          As per the information, an explosion occurred at the residence of Senior BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia located in Central Town Jalandhar on the intervening night of April 7. Preliminary investigations had revealed a larger conspiracy orchestrated by Pakistan’s ISI to disrupt communal harmony in Punjab.

          The development came close on the heels of the arrest of two local associates identified as Satish alias Kaka alias Lucky of Bhargo Camp in Jalandhar and Harry of Garha Road in Jalandhar, who provided logistical support to accused Saidul Ameen. The plot was masterminded by Zeeshan Akhtar, a close associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and Pakistan-based ISI-sponsored gangster Shahzad Bhatti, while, role of Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) is also being probed.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav accompanied by Commissioner of Police (CP) Jalandhar Dhanpreet Kaur, while addressing a press conference in Jalandhar, said that accused Saidul Ameen, a resident of Amroha in UP, was apprehended from Delhi after an intensive multi-state manhunt. “This arrest is a testament to the seamless coordination between Punjab Police, Central Agencies, and Delhi Police in dismantling terror networks,” he said.

          The DGP said that the ongoing probe has also revealed the financial link to the executors of the grenade attack under which role of Haryana-based accused identified as Abhijot, who was arrested by the Haryana Police on Friday after exchange of fire in Kurukshetra, has also come under the light. Jalandhar Commissionerate Police will bring him on production warrant for further investigations, he added.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that further investigations are ongoing to uncover handlers, financial backers, and potential foreign connections linked to the attack.

          A case FIR no. 27 dated 8/4/2025 has already been registered under sections 109, 324(3) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act has been registered at Police Station Division number 3 in Jalandhar.

Chandigarh, April 12:

In a prompt action, first information report (FIR) has been registered against both parties involved in a clash that occurred at the Civil Hospital, in Dera Bassi, informed Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh here on Saturday.

 Upon learning about the clash, Dr Balbir Singh said that he immediately contacted the concerned Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of SAS Nagar, directing them to take appropriate action against both parties involved in clash.

He said that all hospitals are considered peace zones and any violation of hospital protocols or damage to public property will be met with strict action, regardless of any political affiliation. Violence against any medical personnel and damage to hospital property is a non-bailable offence, he added.

While urging the people to continue seeking medical treatment at Government Health Facilities, the Health Minister assured them that doctors and staff are dedicated to providing services to people. However, he categorically said that any violation of hospital protocols will not be tolerated at any cost.

He said that police have initiated an investigation into the matter and are currently reviewing CCTV footage and gathering statements from witnesses.

Chandigarh April 12 –

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, on Saturday, arrested Inspector Abhinav Chauhan, posted as SHO Police station Mamdot, District Ferozepur, red-handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs. 25,000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the aforementioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by from Surinder Singh.

He further informed that the complainant has approached the VB and alleged the accused had demanded a bribe of Rs one lakh for the settlement of the civil dispute. The spokesperson further added that after a preliminary verification of this complaint the VB team from Flying Squad -1, Punjab, laid a trap during which the said accused has been arrested while he was accepting a first instalment of bribe of Rs 25000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. In this regard a  Case has been registered at police station, VB Flying Squad-1 Punjab at Mohali m against the aforesaid accused. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow. Further investigation into this case was under progress, he said.

Chandigarh/Pathankot, April 12:

A plan was prepared to declare all the wildlife sanctuaries in the country as eco sensitive zones. The plan was formulated as part of an eco sensitive strategy by the Wildlife Board of India in 2002. According to the plan, these were eco sensitive areas and there would be no construction within the radius of 100 Metre around these sanctuaries. Any construction whatsoever was to be done outside the 100 Metre radius. The practice was initiated in the entire country.

This was disclosed by the Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister, Punjab, Lal Chand Kataruchak today during an interaction with the mediapersons.

Divulging more, the Minister said that the Punjab Government in the year 2013 readied detailed plan with regard to the 13 wildlife sanctuaries of the State and sent the same to the Government of India which declared these 13 wildlife sanctuaries as the eco sensitive zones. Hence, on this basis, any construction activity was forbidden within 100 Metre radius of these sanctuaries. But the Government of India didn’t declare the Sukhna Lake, the 14th spot which shares its borders with Haryana and Punjab, to be included in the above said category.

The Minister further said that it is already decided in case of Sukhna Lake from legal point of view that no construction can take place within 10 Km radius, neither any business activity nor any other kind can happen inside the said radius.

But recently, the Supreme Court directed that talks should be initiated with the local people inhabiting the above said area of lake. As a result, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann formed a five Member committee which conducted various meetings and listened to the grievances of the people. Accordingly, a report was sent to the Hon’ble Supreme Court and a demand was placed that an eco sensitive zone be declared in this area.

The Minister further said that the memorandum prepared as per the directions of the Chief Minister, was approved by the Cabinet. This would give a lot of respite to the people and this memorandum would also be sent to the Government of India.

Chandigarh, April 11:

Taking a significant decision to digitize employee attendance, the Punjab Transport Department has implemented an online attendance system from today onwards. All employees will now be required to mark their online attendance twice daily.

Punjab Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that previously, attendance was recorded manually in registers. He said that complete training has been provided to all employees working in the Transport Department and SDM offices including regular, outsourced, contractual staff and lab attendants, to ensure a smooth transition to the online attendance system.

The Cabinet Minister informed that instructions have been issued for all employees to mark their attendance on the M-Seva App, adding that starting today, employees across various concerned offices and regional offices have begun using the app for attendance tracking.

S. Bhullar further said that the online system was launched after creating M-Seva login credentials for all employees and providing them with detailed user guides.

The Transport Minister said that employees cannot mark their attendance from home as the system incorporates geo-fencing along with latitude and longitude tracking software. This technology automatically records the employee’s location when marking attendance.

S. Bhullar added that if an employee needs to work outside the office, he must verify his location through a mobile device. “This initiative will not only enhance the department’s operational efficiency but also help address public concerns and complaints more effectively and swiftly,” he added.

Chandigarh/Hoshiarpur, April 11:

Under Punjab Sikhia Kranti, Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh on Friday inaugurated works at four schools completed at a cost of Rs. 1.20 crore while stating that the state government has equipped its schools with ultra modern facilities, upgraded infrastructure to facilitate students and teachers.

Dedicating the works worth Rs. 60 lakh at Government Senior Secondary School, Ajram,  Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh said that the State Government would make all out efforts for all round development of students as well as ensuring their bright future so that they could compete at national and international level. The Minister said that Punjab Government had put the education sector in its foremost priorities thus giving a new facelift to schools across the state during the last three years. Nowadays, the government schools have modern classrooms, strengthened infrastructure, requisite and free of cost facilities, which would be immensely beneficial for students. 

In another function, the Minister also inaugurated works worth Rs. 11.2 lakh at Government Primary School, Ajram village, Rs. 38.43 lakh at Government Senior Secondary School Dhadde Fateh Singh and Rs. 10.5 lakh works at Government Primary School Hardokhanpur. In his address, Dr. Ravjot Singh said that the Punjab government has set aside 12 percent amount of the total budget i.e. Rs. 17975 crore, for the education sector, which would further bolster the ongoing reforms.  The  Minister inaugurated three new classrooms and laboratories of Physics, Chemistry and Biology at Government Senior Secondary School Dhadde Fateh Singh. Similarly, three science laboratories, school boundary walls and classrooms were inaugurated at Government Senior Secondary School, Ajram. A new room was inaugurated at the school in Hardokhanpur.

Prominent amongst those present on the occasions included District Education Officer Lalita Arora, Principal Jagdeep Kaur, Principal Dharminder Sharma, Principal Gurpreet Singh, Sarpanch Bidhi Chand, NRI Kuldeep Singh, Gurjap Singh, Joginder Singh, Acchar Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Kulwinder Singh, Principal Kulwant Singh, Dr. Armanpreet Singh, Amandeep Sharma, Avtar Singh, Principal Harjinder Singh, Paramjit Singh Kaluwahar, Balbir Singh, Sanjeev Kumar, Sarpanch Amandeep Singh, Principal Ravinder Kaur, Panch Vikramjit, Mukesh Kumar, Amandeep Dhami, Raja Kalia, Madan Kalia, Head Master Surinder Singh, Ravbir Singh, Ravinder Kaur, Jaswinder Singh, Madan Sharma etc. were present.

Chandigarh, April 11:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann will have a direct dialogue with the farmers of the state during first of its kind ‘Sarkar-Kisan Milni’ slated to take place at Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana on April 12 to save the precious groundwater of the state by promotion of less water guzzling varieties of paddy.

The Kisan Milni will be held at PAU on Saturday in which more than 1100 farmers are likely to take part. Several stalls will be installed during the Sarkar Kisan Milni to make the farmers aware about several initiatives being taken by the state government. The special Sarkar Kisan Milni will focus on making the farmers aware about cultivation of paddy before the starting of paddy season.

During the Milni the farmers will be apprised about the innovative and less water guzzling techniques of paddy transplant and the focus will be on motivating the farmers to use only the high yielding varieties of paddy approved by the PAU. The farmers will also be informed that in order to avoid complications to the farmers in selling their paddy harvest due to high moisture content in October, the state government has decided to advance the paddy cultivation season from June 1. For this zone wise cultivation of the paddy crop will be ensured in the state and necessary planning and arrangements are already being made by the Punjab government for this motive.

The state has been divided into zones to implement this sowing mechanism in an effective manner and the dates of paddy cultivation in a phased manner will be announced soon so that farmers can take benefit from it. The state government will rope in renowned agriculture experts to benefit the farmers during this Milni. The Milni will focus on saving the precious groundwater of the state on one hand and enhancing the income of the farmers on the other.

Chandigarh, April 11:

The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has decided to promulgate an Ordinance to provide adequate representation to members of SC community for contractual engagement as law officers in the state.

A decision to this effect was taken the Council of Ministers in a meeting held here 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 Cabinet gave nod to promulgate an ordinance to amend Punjab Law Officers Engagement Act 2017. This step is aimed to relax income criteria for contractual engagement of Law officers belonging to SC Community in the state by reducing the existing desired annual income slab by 50%. The purpose of relaxation in income criteria is to provide adequate representation to members of SC community for contractual engagement as law officers in AG Office, Punjab.

OTR POLICY FOR ALLOTTEES OF IMPROVEMENT TRUST OKAYED

In another significant decision, the Cabinet has also accorded its approval to One Time Relaxation (OTR) policy regarding Non Construction fee and outstanding allotment amount for allottees of Improvement Trusts of the state. This decision will give a major relief to the allottees as the penal interest will be waived off.

GIVES CONSENT FOR REORGANISATION OF BLOCKS

To maintain geographical and administrative contiguity, efficiency, cost optimisation and legislative synergy, the Cabinet also gave green signal for reorganisation and rationalisation of the existing blocks in the state. The realignment of blocks is necessitated in order to ensure better administration of these blocks in the larger public interest. Pertinently, there are 154 blocks in the state currently and due to some ambiguities, several problems were being faced to run administration smoothly in these blocks.

RETIREMENT AGE OF DOCTORS AND PROFESSORS IN MEDICAL COLLEGES ENHANCED

In another significant decision, the Cabinet also gave consent to enhance retirement age of Doctors and Professors serving in Medical Colleges under Medical education and research department from existing 62 years to 65 years. This will help in imparting quality education in the Medical Colleges continuously thereby immensely benefitting the students in these colleges.

GREEN SIGNAL TO NEED BASED HIRING OF SPECIALISED DOCTORS AFTER SUPERANNUATION

The Cabinet also gave consent to hire the Specialists doctors retiring from the service to cope up with the shortage of doctors in government hospitals. These doctors will be hired annually on need based basis in the larger public interest.