Chandigarh/Sangrur, March 14:

Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department Punjab Mr. Kumar Rahul visited Civil Hospital Sangrur and took stock of the health of female patients admitted in the Gynaecology ward. He spoke to the family members of the patients and the doctors present on the spot and while addressing the media, he said that he has interacted with 14 patients and all of them are healthy. He said that due to the administration of normal saline (NS), 3 patients initially had some health problems but the doctors present on the spot treated them well and no patient needed to be referred.

The Principal Secretary said that the use of normal saline related to this batch has been banned in all hospitals in Punjab. He said that the Drug Inspector is taking its samples and sending them to the laboratory for testing, the results of which are likely to come in the next two to three days. He also said that if the samples are found to be unfit, appropriate action will be taken against the concerned supplier/firm.

Principal Secretary Kumar Rahul said that the Punjab government will provide all facilities in Civil Hospital Sangrur.

On this occasion, he was accompanied by ADC Vikas Hira, SDM Sangrur Charanjot Singh Walia, Civil Surgeon Dr. Sanjay Kamra, Deputy Medical Commissioner Dr. Vikas Dhir and Senior Medical Officer Dr. Baljit Singh.

Chandigarh/Gurdaspur, March 14 –

 Under the ‘War on Drugs’ (Yudh Nasheyan Viruddh) being run by the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Gurdaspur Police and BSF have achieved great success during a joint operation. Police and BSF personnel have recovered a large consignment of drugs and arms sent from across the border through drone and recovered 2 kg heroin, 2 pistols, 4 magazines and 66 live rounds.

Giving information in this regard, SSP Gurdaspur Sri Aditya, IPS said that under the Punjab Government’s “War on Drugs” campaign and under the instructions of DGP Sri Gaurav Yadav, IPS, Gurdaspur Police is continuously taking action against drug smugglers. He said that Gurdaspur Police along with BSF, during a joint operation based on intelligence information, recovered a consignment of drugs and weapons sent from across the border through drones from Dorangla area and recovered 2 kg heroin, 2 pistols, 4 magazines and 66 live rounds. He said that a case has been registered in this regard in Dorangla police station under various sections and the backward and forword links of the drug smugglers are being traced.

SSP Gurdaspur Sri Aditya said that under the instructions of the Punjab Government, Gurdaspur Police is continuously taking action against drug smugglers and the district police will not spare any drug smuggler. He said that the Punjab Police, with the cooperation of other security agencies and the people, will win the war against drugs by all means. SSP Gurdaspur has congratulated the Punjab Police and BSF personnel for this successful operation.

Chandigarh, March 15:

The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is continuously working for the holistic development of women and children in the state. As part of this initiative, the government is constructing 1,000 Ultra Modern  Anganwadi centers across Punjab. This was Expressed by Social Security Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur.

Providing further details, Social Security Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that a budget of ₹100 crore has been allocated for the construction of these 1,000 Anganwadi centers. She further informed that the cost of constructing each Anganwadi center would be ₹10 lakh.

Dr. Baljit Kaur also mentioned that apart from constructing the buildings, the allocated funds are being utilized for furnishing these centers. This includes flooring, painting, plumbing, electrification, and woodwork to ensure a fully functional and safe environment for children and women.

She added that the construction work of these Anganwadi centers is being carried out under the Rural Development Department. She further stated that while the construction of 111 Anganwadi centers has been completed, work on the remaining centers is in progress.

Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that to ensure timely completion and adherence to high-quality standards, a district-level committee has been formed for regular monitoring of these projects. This committee is actively overseeing the progress of the construction work.

The Punjab Government remains committed to strengthening the infrastructure of Anganwadi centers, which will significantly improve nutrition and early childhood care services across the state.

CHANDIGARH, March 15:

          In yet another major breakthrough in the ongoing Nanded murder case, Punjab Police’s State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), SAS Nagar has arrested three more operatives of Pakistan based Babbar Khalsa International ( BKI) terrorist Harvinder Singh alias Rinda backed by Pakistan’s ISI, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.

          Those arrested have been identified as Jagjit Singh alias Jaggi and Shubham Khelbude, both residents of Nanded in Maharashtra and Gurdeep Singh alias Deepa, a resident of Raipur in Ropar. Police teams have also recovered two weapons including one 12 bore pump-action gun with 15 cartridges and one .32 bore pistol with eight cartridges.

          This development follows the earlier arrests of Jagdish Singh alias Jagga, Shubhdeep Singh alias Shubh, and Sachindeep Singh alias Sachin in connection with the Nanded murder case. With these latest arrests, the total number of individuals apprehended in the case has risen to six in this case.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigation has revealed that arrested accused Jagjit alias Jaggi played a critical role in facilitating logistics, safe houses, and coordination for the shooters involved in the Nanded murder case, masterminded by Rinda from across the border. Investigations have also uncovered the role of jailed gangster Dilpreet alias Baba, an old associate of Rinda, who arranged safe shelters in Punjab for the accused, he said.

          He said that the arrested operative Jagjeet alias Jaggi is wanted in cases related to murder, attempt to murder, threat and intimidating for extortion, while Shubham is wanted in threat and extortion related cases in Nanded, Maharashtra and came to Punjab evading their arrest. Accused Jaggi and Shubam were actively involved in coordinating various illegal activities, including the procurement of weapons, collection of extortion money,  logistics support, and shelter for their other operatives in Nanded all on directions of Harvinder alias Rinda, he said.

          The DGP said that the third arrested individual Gurdeep alias Deepa was arrested for providing shelter and logistical support to the fugitives Jaggi and Shubam. Accused Gurdeep Deepa also played a crucial role in enabling the escape and continued activities of the accused, he added.

          Sharing more details, AIG SSOC SAS Nagar Dr Simrat Kaur said following a reliable input, team of SSOC SAS Nagar launched an intelligence-led operation and arrested Shubham Khelbude along with Gurdeep alias Deepa from Sri Anandpur Sahib where he was taking shelter at a sand crusher owned by the latter. Further swift action on the leads obtained from the interrogation of arrested accused paved way for the arrest of third accused Jagjeet alias Jaggi from district Tarn tarn late night on the same day, she added.

          She said that during the operation the police recovered a .32-bore pistol from Shubham and a Pump Action Gun from Gurdeep, which were intended for use in furthering illegal operations in Punjab and other regions.

          The AIG said that further investigations are on and more arrests are expected in coming days.

          In this regard, a case FIR no 1 dated 21.02.2025 has already been registered under section 25(1) B of the Arms act and sections 249 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station SSOC, SAS Nagar.

Chandigarh, March 15

In a significant move aimed at revolutionizing urban development in Punjab, the Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema unveiled an ambitious project to develop world-class streets across the state’s cities. This groundbreaking initiative marks a historic first for Punjab, with its initial phase targeting three major cities—Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar. Together, these cities will witness the transformation of 42 kilometres of prominent streets into meticulously designed urban spaces by spending more than Rs 140 crore.

Revealing this while addressing a press conference here at Punjab Bhawan, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema expressed confidence in the project’s potential, stating that based on the outcomes and public feedback, it would be extended to all cities in Punjab. He said that the four core activities have been outlined under this project that would redefine the city’s streetscape. He said that the roads will undergo comprehensive redesigns to address traffic bottlenecks, ensure uniform road width, and enhance drainage systems to prevent recurring damage.

“The initiative also includes the construction of universally accessible, resilient, and visually appealing footpaths complemented by landscaping to curb dust pollution. Services such as streetlights, bus stands, and water-supply lines will be realigned to improve aesthetics and functionality. Uniquely, the project includes a robust maintenance plan where the contractors developing the roads will ensure their upkeep for the next ten years, promoting accountability and long-term quality”, said the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.

Disclosing further, the Finance Minister said this initiative would roll out in three distinct phases. The first phase focuses on design, engaging top urban planners and international experts to draft detailed layouts over a four-month period. The second phase involves an eight-month construction period, during which leading construction agencies will bring these designs to life in accordance with international standards. The final phase ensures a decade-long maintenance commitment from the construction agencies, coupled with regular mechanized cleaning using advanced equipment.

Roads in Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar have been carefully selected for this transformation. Amritsar will see upgradation on a total of 17.5 KMs long 7 stretches including Majitha Road (from Four S Chowk to Guru Nanak Hospital) 3km, Court Road (Rialto Chowk to Queens Road) 1km, Shubham Road outside Hall Gate (circular road that connects all gates) 7km, Amritsar cantonment road (Cantt chowk to Kachehri chowk to Rattan Singh chowk) 1.5 km, Race course road (Dasonda Singh road to Lawrence road to cooper road) 3km, Golbagh Road (from Hathi gate chowk to Bhagwan Parshuram chowk to wrestling stadium to Hall Gate) 1.5 km and GT Road (from Bhandari to Hall Gate) 0.5 km.

Ludhiana’s project will span 12.4 kilometres, including roads such as Old GT Road (Sherpur chowk to Jagraon Bridge) – 6.5 km, Chaura Bazaar – Starting from clock tower – 1.7 km, and Ghumar Mandi road (from Fountain chowk to Aarti Cinema) – 4.2 km.

Jalandhar’s streets, such as HMV Road (from Maqsudan Chowk to Jail Chowk) – 3.4km, Adarsh Nagar Road and Tanda Road (Jail Chowk to Pathankot Road via old city) – 1.4km, Pathankot Road (from old sabzi mandi chowk in the inner city to Pathankot Chowk) – 2.3km, Model Town main road (Guru Amardas chowk to Model Town T-junction chowk and Chunmunn chowk to Model Town T-junction chowk, Model Town T-junction to Shivani park exit) – 2km, and Nakodar-Jalandhar Road (from Wadala chowk to Nakodar Chowk) 3.2km, will also undergo significant upgrades over 12.3 kilometers.

Highlighting the stark contrast between the meticulously planned urban infrastructure witnessed by Punjabi visiting abroad and the current state of Punjab’s streets, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that despite having some of the best engineers and architects in the world, Punjab has lagged in providing comparable streets due to a lack of vision and intent of political interest of previous SAD-BJP and Congress led previous state governments.

The Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that this initiative of Aam Admi Party (AAP) led Punjab Government will set a precedent for urban development in India, transforming not just the physical landscapes of cities but also the way citizens experience urban life. With its focus on excellence, innovation, and sustainability, this project is poised to bring a much-needed overhaul to Punjab’s urban infrastructure, elevating it to world-class standards, he added.

Mohali, March 13, 2025: To raise awareness about kidney-related ailments, Fortis Hospital Mohali marked World Kidney Day by organising a special session with Sahaayak, a support group for dialysis patients. Dr. Amit Sharma, Senior Consultant, Nephrology, Fortis Hospital Mohali, also highlighted the importance of early detection in preventing kidney disease.

Observed annually on the second Thursday of March, this year’s World Kidney Day theme revolves around “Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health.” The event aimed to educate patients and caregivers about medical, dietary, and psychological aspects of maintaining quality kidney health.

Around 35 dialysis patients, accompanied by their families, attended the session. Dr. Sharma hosted the interactive discussion, including a quiz competition, to engage participants in learning about kidney health. He emphasized that increasing public awareness about risk factors, early symptoms, and timely medical intervention can help reduce chronic kidney diseases (CKD) prevalence.

“CKD affects nearly 10% of the global population, with 80% of cases occurring in low and lower-middle-income countries. A significant 35% of these cases are reported in India and China alone. The increasing incidence of CKD is attributed to factors like aging, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, along with environmental threats such as air pollution and toxins. Therefore, regular and early diagnosis of kidney are crucial in preventing kidney diseases,” said Dr. Sharma.

Who is at Risk?

Individuals at higher risk for CKD include those with diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity, a family history of kidney disease, recurrent kidney stones, congenital kidney anomalies, exposure to toxins, and certain infections (Hepatitis B, C, HIV and parasites).

How to Maintain Kidney Health?

Adopting the 8 golden rules can help: healthy diet, hydration, physical activity, blood pressure control, blood sugar monitoring, avoiding smoking, limiting Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) use, and targeted kidney function testing for high-risk individuals.

Importance of Early Detection

A person can lose up to 80-90% of kidney function before experiencing symptoms. Regular urine tests, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) tests, blood pressure monitoring, and blood sugar tests are crucial for at-risk individuals.

Early detection can slow disease progression, reduce complications and mortality, improve quality of life, and lower healthcare costs. Fortis Hospital Mohali remains committed to promoting kidney health through awareness and education.

Chandigarh, March 12:

Social Security, Women, and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur has stated that financial assistance amounting to ₹437.15 crore has been provided for the welfare of persons with disabilities in the state.

Providing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur mentioned that approximately 2.71 lakh beneficiaries have been covered under this scheme, receiving financial assistance from the department totaling ₹437.15 crore.

She further highlighted that the Punjab government has allocated a budget of ₹461.50 crore for the welfare of persons with disabilities in the current financial year.

Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur reiterated that the government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to assisting the poor and needy. She urged officials to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive financial assistance on time. Additionally, she warned that any officer or employee found negligent in implementing government schemes would not be spared.

Dr. Baljit Kaur also appealed to officials to implement social security schemes with complete transparency, ensuring that maximum people benefit from them.

Chandigarh, March 12:

In a decisive move to put a full stop on the sale and purchase of the uncertified seeds in the state, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian has directed the Agriculture Department to develop an online portal for tracking and tracing of paddy seeds within a month.

The portal will mandate registered seed producers to log detailed information about every transaction involving paddy seeds including seed purchases, sales, and quantities to maintain digital record, ensuring transparency and accountability within the seed supply chain.

S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, along with Additional Chief Secretary Agriculture Mr. Anurag Verma and VC Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, held a high-level meeting with the sheller owners and officials of Agriculture and Food & Civil Supplies departments at his office here, on Wednesday.

“This initiative is a testament to our commitment to safeguarding the interests of our farmers and ensuring the quality of Punjab’s agricultural produce,” said the Agriculture Minister, while directing the Agriculture department officials to ensure the availability of the PAU recommended quality paddy seeds to the farmers of the state and strict monitoring should be ensured the seed supply chain.

The Agriculture Minister categorically said that no one will be allowed to exploit our farmers by selling substandard and uncertified paddy seeds, which lead to lower crop yields and financial losses for them. These uncertified seeds often lack the genetic vigour and disease resistance of certified varieties, resulting in stunted growth, reduced grain production, and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases, besides creating a problem for the state sheller industry while milling the paddy into rice. This impacts the overall rice production and market value of the state’s agricultural output.

          S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that the new online portal will create a more transparent and accountable seed supply chain, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and prosperous agricultural future for Punjab. By eliminating the sale of uncertified seeds, the state aims to improve crop yields, enhance agricultural productivity, and boost consumer confidence in the quality of our rice.

          The Director Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Mr Varinder Kumar Sharma, Special Secretary Agriculture Ms. Baldeep Kaur, Director Agriculture Jaswant Singh and other officials of the department were also present in the meeting.

Box: PAU recommended paddy seed varieties

          The Agriculture Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian urged the state farmers to purchase the varieties of Paddy recommended by PAU Ludhiana, while asking them to get a proper receipt and bills of the seeds and other agri inputs. He said that PAU has recommended 11 varieties of paddy include PR 131, PR 130, PR 129, PR 128, HKR 47, PR 127, PR 126, PR 122, PR 121, PR 114 and PR 113.

Sri Muktsar Sahib/Chandigarh March 12:

As part of the Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign launched by the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the government is continuing its action against drug smugglers. Under this series, a building constructed illegally by a person in Madrasa village of Sri Muktsar Sahib district was demolished today. Giving information in this regard, SSP Dr. Akhil Chaudhary said that the building was constructed illegally by Sarabjit Singh, a person from Madrasa village under Lakhewali police station. In this regard, instructions were received from the competent authority to make security arrangements during its demolition. After which action was taken and this building was demolished.

He said that this building was constructed by Sarabjit Singh and 5 cases of drug smuggling have already been registered against him and his family. SSP Dr. Akhil Chaudhary said that as per the instructions of the Punjab government, extensive operations are being carried out in the district under the Mission War on Drugs. He said that whoever builds property by selling drugs will be attached and if anyone builds any building on government property, it will be destroyed. He also appealed to the people on this occasion that if anyone sells drugs, then they should fearlessly inform the police about it. Strict action will be taken against the culprits while keeping the identity of the informer confidential. On this occasion, Mr. Kanwalpreet Singh Chahal SP (H), SDM Baljit Kaur, Iqbal Singh DSP Malout, SI Darshan Singh SHO Lakhewali, Ins. Davinder Singh SHO Kabarwala were also present.