Patiala/Fatehgarh Sahib, December 11:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday ordered to issue showcase notice against contractor and withholding his payments after detecting irregularities in the construction of Reetkheri Link Road in Patiala district.

The Chief Minister who conducted surprise inspection of the under construction road was miffed over non compliance of stipulated weight parameters in the construction of the road after sampling of road was done. He asked the officers to showcase the contractor constructing the road and hold his payments with immediate effect. Bhagwant Singh Mann also inspected under construction Patiala Sirhind Road in Patiala district and asked the officers to get the samples of the road checked from laboratory adding he also checked Rurki to Reona plan road in Fatehgarh Sahib district.

The Chief Minister said that the motive of checking these under construction roads is to check the quality of roads being constructed across the state. He said that since a huge sum of amount is being spent by the state government so this drive has been started to ensure that high quality roads are constructed in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he will continue this surprise check in coming days too as he is duty bound to ensure that public money is utilised in a proper manner.

The Chief Minister said that the random checking has been done to ensure that the roads are constructed properly with the best material by optimum utilisation of the resources. He said that all the concerned departments have been asked to ensure proper coordination so that all the work in terms of laying of sewerage lines, drinking water pipes, fibre and others are done well before the construction of roads. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this will ensure minimum damage to the newly constructed roads across the state thereby ensuring the judicious use of the public money.

Making a fervent appeal to people, the Chief Minister urged them to personally monitor the ongoing work on the construction of roads as it is their property. He said that the general public should oversee this work and bring any sort of irregularity, if any, in the notice of the state government. Bhagwant Singh Mann assured severest of severe action against the erring contractors, undertaking the work.

The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that the state government has embarked on the biggest road construction work taken up in the history of the state targeting to construct 44,920 KMs of roads with a total cost of Rs 16,209 Crore. He said that by the end of next year, the state government will build a total of 44,920 KMs of roads across all villages, towns and cities of Punjab at a total cost of Rs 16,209 Crore. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these roads will all be with the five years maintenance clause ensuring highest quality standards along with the world class road safety features.

The Chief Minister said that the move is aimed to provide better mobility and boost rural infrastructure in the state adding that the state government has already undertaken construction of 19,373 KMs of Rural Link Roads with a total cost of Rs 4092 crore. He said that as the state government toiled hard on this project, as the unprecedented devastation caused by the floods this year had eroded the connectivity and mobility in affected areas. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the ongoing road projects envisaged with a path breaking five years maintenance clause in the contract to ensure longevity and quality along with world class safety standards like luminous lane and edge markings, signages and others.

The Chief Minister said that always committed to serve the people of Punjab, the state  Government has undertaken an extensive exercise involving multiple agencies to include PMB, PWD, Urban Local Bodies and Public representatives. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that henceforth the state government carried out an extremely detailed survey of all roads in Punjab, shortlisted those needing repairs, widening or upgradation. He said that now the state government has targeted to construct 44,920 KMs of roads with a total cost of Rs 16,209 crore by the end of next year.

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Chief Minister’s Flying Squad is continuously monitoring the quality of roads, and after receiving several complaints about the use of substandard material, contracts of some contractors have been cancelled. The Chief Minister cautioned that if any contractor is found involved in poor-quality work or if any employee is part of it, strict action will be taken against them. He said that the state government is committed to ensure optimum utilization of the taxpayers money and no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause.

Chandigarh: Panjab University, Chandigarh, has announced admissions to its Centre for IAS and Other Competitive Examinations, unveiling a structured crash-course programme aimed at helping aspirants excel in the Civil Services Examination conducted by the UPSC. With competitive exams becoming increasingly challenging each year, the Centre aims to equip students with focused preparation, expert guidance and an environment that nurtures discipline and strategic thinking.

According to the Centre’s Honorary Director, Prof. Jyoti Rattan, admissions for the IAS Preliminary Batch 2026 will be conducted through an entrance test scheduled for December 19. Interested candidates may submit their applications by December 15, up to 5 pm. Classes for the new batch will commence on January 5, 2026, and the course will run for approximately four months.

The fee structure includes ₹26,000 plus 18% GST for general category candidates and ₹13,000 plus 18% GST for SC/ST candidates. The programme promises comprehensive coverage of the UPSC Preliminary syllabus, guided by a distinguished faculty drawn from Panjab University and other reputed institutions.

A key highlight of the course is the inclusion of special lectures delivered by serving and former civil servants, state service officers and senior bureaucrats, providing aspirants with practical insights into governance, strategy and real-world administrative challenges. Regular tests, discussion forums and performance reviews are integral to the course, helping students identify gaps, build conceptual clarity and sharpen exam-oriented skills.

The Centre also houses a well-equipped library to support extended study and research. Registration can be completed through the Google form provided by the university. Further details are available on the website of the Centre for IAS and Other Competitive Examinations. The students can register for this course by filling up the admission form which is available on the Google form

Panchkula December 11: Civil Surgeon Dr. Mukta Kumar said that the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA) has called for an indefinite strike by government doctors across the state, including Panchkula. Despite the strike, patient care services at Civil Hospital Panchkula such as the OPD, Emergency, and other essential services continued to function as per the routine.

She said that around 3500 OPD patients per day reported in various clinical departments. The patients reported receiving timely consultations and treatment.

Dr Mukta Kumar further said that the emergency services including Medico Legal and Post Mortem services were continued to functioning smoothly. Other critical care services like SNCU, ICU and OT ran without major disruption. The absence of Medical Officers and SMO’s was though reported but around 130 doctors per day were present on duty including Emergency services running 24X7. These doctors on duty were from Mullana Medical College, ESI Hospital, Civil Hospital Consultants, DNB residents etc who supported the clinical work in various departments during the strike.

She said that Civil Hospital Panchkula remained comparatively stable and the healthcare delivery remained largely uninterrupted. The diagnostic and imaging services including CT, MRI, Dialysis, Heart Procedure and Lab testing were also being performed as per the routine.

New Delhi:

Rajya Sabha MP Shri Kartikeya Sharma called on Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today at Parliament, accompanied by his wife, author and academic Dr Aishwarya Pandit Sharma.
During the meeting, Dr Aishwarya Pandit Sharma presented her book Indian Renaissance – The Modi Decade to the Honourable Prime Minister.

Speaking after the interaction, Kartikeya Sharma said that meeting the Honourable Prime Minister is always an enlightening experience.
He added that every interaction brings new learning, deeper insight, and a renewed sense of clarity and commitment towards national service.

The MP stated that the Honourable Prime Minister emphasised accountability in public life, people-centric governance, meaningful engagement with youth, and sustained reforms to improve ease of living.
Kartikeya Sharma said the Prime Minister’s guidance strengthens the resolve to deliver tangible development outcomes on the ground.

Dr Aishwarya Pandit Sharma noted that her book Indian Renaissance – The Modi Decade presents a detailed study of India’s transformational progress under the leadership of the Honourable Prime Minister. She described offering the book to him as a moment of honour and pride.

Kartikeya Sharma expressed gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for his time and guidance, stating that the meeting further reinforces the commitment to work with dedication in the service of the nation.

Chandigarh/New Delhi, 9 December: Chandigarh MP and former Union Minister Manish Tewari raised serious concerns in the Lok Sabha today over the impartiality of the Election Commission and the legality of the ongoing Special Incentive Revision (SIR) process.

He said that India’s democracy rests on 98 crore voters and political parties, with the Election Commission meant to function as an impartial umpire between them. Recalling the historic reform under former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi—granting voting rights to citizens aged 18 and above—Tewari noted that today serious questions are being raised about the Commission’s neutrality.

Tewari demanded amendments to the 2023 law governing the appointment of the Election Commission. He said the Selection Committee must consist of two members from the government, two from the opposition, and the Chief Justice of India to ensure true neutrality. He emphasized that the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and the CJI must be part of this Committee.

On SIR, he pointed out that while the issue is being debated nationwide, the Election Commission has no legal authority to conduct SIR across entire states. Under Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Commission may revise the rolls only for one assembly constituency at a time, not for entire states.

This means that a widespread SIR has no legal basis. The Commission can only correct entries in specific constituencies where errors are found. Large-scale SIR exercises in states like Bihar, Kerala or West Bengal do not align with the law. If SIR is required, the government must specify the deficiencies found in particular areas and place them before Parliament. The matter should also be examined by the courts.

On EVMs, Tewari said democracy runs on trust. Voters stand for hours in heat, rain or cold, and must be confident that their vote is counted correctly. Many citizens fear EVM tampering. When public trust is shaken, democracy suffers.

He reiterated that he had earlier asked the government who holds the EVM source code—the manufacturing company or the Election Commission—but never received a reply. He again demanded clarity on who controls the source code and the motherboard program.

Tewari strongly urged that elections be conducted once again using ballot papers, as public confidence in EVMs has eroded. Alternatively, 100% counting of VVPAT slips must be ensured, even if it takes 2–3 days, to restore voter trust. Several countries have reverted to paper ballots. If genuine reforms are introduced, the truth will reveal itself naturally.

Chandigarh, December 9:-* In a firm enforcement action, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh has issued two challans of ₹13,401 each after two tippers of administration were caught red-handed dumping construction and demolition (C&D) waste mixed with litter on the Dadumajra administration land. The malba had reportedly been transported from Sector 25. The concerned team immediately alerted the police, and strict action has been initiated against the violators.

MC Commissioner Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS, has taken serious note of the incident and issued a stern warning to all contractors, drivers, helpers, and field staff involved in waste transportation. The Commissioner stated that under no circumstances will illegal dumping, mixing of waste streams, or misuse of municipal vehicles be tolerated. He directed that all C&D waste must be transported only to designated recycling and processing facilities, and any deviation will attract heavy challans, suspension, and possible legal action.

He further emphasized that municipal employees and outsourced workers must uphold the highest standards of discipline and accountability, and any lapse directly undermines the city’s cleanliness efforts. The Commissioner has instructed supervisory officers to strengthen monitoring, install GPS-based surveillance on vehicles, and ensure strict compliance with waste management protocols.

Chandigarh / 9th, December.

The General Secretary of All India Congress Committee, former Union Minister and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja Reacting strongly to the allegations of appeasement made by the Prime Minister in the Lok Sabha against Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India. Kumari Selja said that the statement is contrary to historical facts and is misleading. The MP urged the Prime Minister to respect the dignity of Parliament and present a fact-based discourse.

In a statement released to the media, MP Kumari Selja said that such remarks appear to be an attempt to undermine the immense contribution made by Pandit Nehru in nation-building. She said that Nehru played an exceptional and decisive role in strengthening India’s democratic institutions, constitutional framework, and national unity. Terming the Prime Minister’s allegations baseless, Selja said that history stands witness to the fact that top leaders of the BJP themselves have praised Jinnah. The statement made in Karachi in 2005 and the positive references about Jinnah in a book published in 2009 stand as evidence.

Kumari Selja said that the Congress has always placed national interest, national symbols, and cultural consciousness above everything else. Kumari Selja reminded that on 24 January 1950, it was the first government of independent India when Pandit Nehru was Prime Minister that decided to grant the status of National Song to ‘Vande Mataram. Selja said that when leaders within the BJP who praise Jinnah continue to hold important positions, levelling allegations against the Congress on issues of nationalism appears to be driven by political malice. Kumari Selja again urged the Prime Minister to uphold the dignity of Parliament and present fact-based discussions.

:-The birthday wishes extended by Kumari Selja to Sonia Gandhi.

MP Kumari Selja extended heartfelt birthday wishes to Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party and an inspiration for democratic values. She said that Sonia Gandhi’s commitment to the Constitution, social justice, and public service has always been inspiring. Kumari Selja prayed for Sonia Gandhi’s good health, long life, and continued energy in the service of the nation.

Chandigarh, December 9 – Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi today visited the Budhanpur Play School and the Anganwadi centres located in Ramgarh and Barwala, and reviewed the facilities available for children. He also interacted with the Anganwadi workers and helpers.

Women and Child Development Department’s Commissioner and Secretary Sh. Shekhar Vidyarthi and Director of the Department Dr. Priyanka Soni were also present on the occasion.

The Chief Secretary inspected Bal Vatika-1 being run for children aged three to four years and Bal Vatika-2 for children aged four to five years at Budhanpur Play School, and took detailed information regarding children’s education, nutrition and play activities. He was informed that children are imparted education through play-based learning. Various daily activities focusing on language development, social, cultural, creative and intellectual aspects are conducted to ensure their holistic development. Nutritious food is also provided to children to ensure good health.

During the visit, the Chief Secretary also reviewed Bal Vatika-3 and the Anganwadi centre being run for students of Classes 5 and 6, and interacted with the children. The children were delighted to have the Chief Secretary among them and even recited poems.

Thereafter, Sh. Anurag Rastogi inspected the Anganwadi centres at Ramgarh and Barwala and reviewed the basic and other facilities available there. While interacting with the Anganwadi workers and helpers, he said that along with taking care of children, they should also assess their talent and help talented children progress further according to their interests. The Chief Secretary was also informed that information related to the opening of Anganwadi centres, children’s activities and nutrition is uploaded on the ‘Poshan Tracker’ app, which can be viewed through dashboards at the state, district and block levels.

On this occasion, Joint Directors of the Women and Child Development Department Smt. Rajbala Kataria and Smt. Poonam Raman, Programme Officer Smt. Kamlesh Rana, District Programme Officer Dr. Savita Nehra and Project Officer Smt. Aaru Vashisht were also present.

Chandigarh, December 9: Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, while addressing an interactive session held today at PM Shri Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Barwala, gave girl students the core mantra of competing with oneself, helping others, and always following the path of truth and integrity in life.

During the nearly one-hour session, the Chief Secretary answered questions from the students and guided them on how to move forward in life. He said that students should work hard, have faith in themselves, and contribute to nation-building by becoming responsible citizens. On this occasion, Director, Secondary Education, Sh. Jitender Kumar was also present.

Sharing experiences from his own academic life, the Chief Secretary said that students should never be afraid of struggle. He stated that he himself reached this position only through struggle. Referring to the famous quote, “Winners don’t do different things, they do things differently,” he advised students to try to perform every task in the best possible manner. He further suggested developing the habit of addressing the most serious problem first and facing challenges with courage.

Emphasizing self-competition, the Chief Secretary advised students to strive to give their best performance without being influenced by others. If they feel any shortcomings, they should work to overcome them. He said that whenever someone needs help, it should always be extended, as helping others generates positive energy that supports personal growth.

While stressing that truth and good intentions should form the foundation of life, Sh. Rastogi said it is extremely important for students to maintain the trust of their teachers and fellow students. He urged students to build such strong character that their credibility remains intact wherever they go. He also advised them to make sports a part of their daily routine, stating that only a healthy and fit body enables effective learning.

Describing willpower as the key to success, the Chief Secretary said that without willpower, no one else can help a person move ahead in life. He encouraged students to choose role models who continuously motivate and inspire them.

Speaking on the importance of teachers, Sh. Anurag Rastogi said that teachers play a vital role in students’ success. The more respect students give to their teachers, the greater knowledge they gain. Teachers not only impart academic knowledge but also help students choose careers based on their interests and abilities.

The programme was attended by District Education Officer Smt. Sandhya Malik, Block Education Officer Sh. Joginder Lather, Principal of PM Shri Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Barwala, Smt. Sunita, Principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Barwala, Smt. Suman Sharma, along with other school staff.

Chandigarh, December 9 – The High Powered Purchase Committee (HPPC) meeting, chaired by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, on Tuesday approved the procurement of critical materials and services worth approximately Rs 3,300 crore. Proposals from various departments were discussed in detail during the meeting, and negotiations with bidders led to savings of about Rs 127 crore, further strengthening the state government’s financial management.

Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Vipul Goyal, Cooperation Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana, Public Works Minister Ranbir Gangwa, Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Shruti Chaudhary, and Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Rajesh Nagar were also present at the meeting.

The committee approved the procurement of 41 BS-VI standard trucks for the police department to further enhance law and order capabilities. Additionally, several significant proposals related to energy and power distribution were approved, including the purchase of approximately 27,000 16 kVA distribution transformers and the repair of damaged 25, 63, and 100 kVA transformers with aluminum windings.

The committee also approved a key proposal related to energy production, authorizing the supply of 3.55 lakh metric tons of agro-residue-based torrefied biomass pellets to Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited’s thermal power plants for a period of one year. More than 50 percent of the raw material will comprise paddy crop residue. In addition, the committee cleared an annual rate contract for the Department of New and Renewable Energy to supply and install 20,000 solar street lights across the state.

Another major decision included the approval of a proposal to procure modern IT equipment for the State Network Management Center as well as District and Block Network Management Centers. This initiative aims to enhance digital infrastructure, enabling high-speed network connectivity for various government departments through advanced technologies. The upgrade will make Haryana’s e-governance systems more efficient, secure and responsive.

In addition, the committee approved an annual contract for the purchase of approximately 5,000 LED/TV sets for government schools to support the smooth functioning of the digital education system and promote digital learning. Approval was also granted for the selection of a system integrator for 391 ATL and robotics laboratories across the state. These labs will focus on astronomy, tinkering, and robotics, aiming to foster innovation and scientific temper among students.

Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Rajesh Khullar, Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary (Education) Vineet Garg, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Arun Kumar Gupta, Director General of Police O.P. Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (Cooperation) Vijendra Kumar, Principal Secretary (Energy) Shyamal Mishra, Commissioner and Secretary (Finance) Mohammad Shayin, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. Saket Kumar, Director General (Supplies and Disposal) Pankaj, along with administrative secretaries of the concerned departments were also present.