CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, April 1:

          In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Counter Intelligence (CI) Amritsar has averted a possible terror attack in the state with the arrest of an operative linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency and recovered one hand grenade from his possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Tuesday.

          The arrested accused has been identified as Jaiveer Tyagi alias Jawed, a native of Village Baroli in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh (UP) and currently residing in Ludhiana.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that CI Amritsar teams has received an input revealing about the Abroad-based individual identified as Sehlam, who is working for Pak-ISI agency, along with his cousin identified as Jaiveer Tyagi has been hatching a conspiracy to target the government infrastructure through terror attacks in various cities to disturb peace and harmony of the state.

          The input further revealed that Jaiveer Tyagi has also retrieved the consignment of hand grenade from the area of Amritsar and is waiting for his other accomplices near Tara Wala Pul in Amritsar to commit a major crime, he said, while adding that acting swiftly on credible inputs, police teams from CI Amritsar launched an intelligence led operation and apprehended accused Jaiveer Tyagi after recovering one hand grenade from his possession.

          The DGP said that further investigations revealed that arrested accused Jaiveer had been residing in Ludhiana for the last 14-15 years and was in contact with Sehlam through encrypted messaging apps. Probe has also revealed that on Sehlam’s instructions, accused Jaiveer had procured the grenade, he said, while adding that further investigations are on to establish forward and backward linkages in this case.

          A case has been registered under section 25 of the Arms Act, sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act, and sections 61(2) and 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Amritsar.

Chandigarh, April 1

Chairperson of the Punjab State Women Commission Ms. Raj Lali Gill welcomed the court’s verdict sentencing Pastor Bajinder to life imprisonment till death in the Zirakpur rape case, calling it a significant step toward justice for women. 

In a press release, the Chairperson said that this judgment sends a strong message that crimes against women will not be tolerated and the law will ensure justice.” The Commission had earlier taken suo motu cognizance of the matter.

Ms. Gill also urged other survivors of similar crimes in Punjab to come forward, assuring them of full support. “The Punjab State Women Commission is committed to providing all necessary legal, emotional and rehabilitative assistance to victims of sexual violence. If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out to us. Justice and safety for women remain our top priority”, she added.

CHANDIGARH, April 1:

          Continuing the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 32nd day, Punjab Police on Tuesday conducted a cordon and search operation (CASO) at all the Railway Stations across the state.

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

          Special Director General of Police (Special DGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla, who was personally monitoring this state-level operation, said that all the CPs/SSPs were asked to ensure heavy deployment of police force under the supervision of Superintendent of Police (SP) rank officers to make this operation successful.

          He said that around 1925 people were checked during the operation conducted at around 147 railway stations in the state. Six suspicious persons were also rounded up for questioning during the operation, he added.

          Apart from this, Police teams have continued its drive against drugs and conducted raids at 490 locations on Tuesday leading to the arrest of 40 drug smugglers after registration of 28 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 4690 within 32 days.

          The Special DGP said that the raids have resulted in recovery of 320.5 grams heroin, 500 grams opium, 1422 intoxicant tablets/pills and Rs 7978 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.

          He informed that over 255 Police teams, comprising over 1500 police personnel, under the supervision of 107 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state and checked as many as 546 suspicious persons during the day long operation.

          He said that Punjab Police has devised a comprehensive strategy and such operations will be continued till the scourge of drugs eradicated from the state.

          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 four persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment.

Malerkotla, March 31:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday said that the state government will oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill moved by the BJP led NDA government tooth and nail.

Interacting with the media persons after participating in festival of Eid, the Chief Minister said that the Muslim brethren are opposing this bill vehemently and the Aam Aadmi party is solidly with the community in this hour. He said that the party will oppose the bill strongly both in the Parliament and Vidhan Sabha to safeguard the interests of the Muslim community. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed to ensure the well being of every strata of society and no stone will be left unturned for it.

Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that the state government is committed for making the optimum utilization of the groundwater in Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said after assuming charge the AAP government has revived 15947 water courses in the state due to which water has reached at the tail ends even in remotest villages. He said that this is acting as a catalyst in saving the groundwater on one hand and ensuring canal water to the farmers for their irrigational needs.

Buoyed over the prayers being offered in local Eid Gah for wiping out the menace of drugs from the state, the Chief Minister said that it is heartening to learn that people are supporting the Yudh Nasheyan Virudh in a big way. He said that this is the need of hour as the crusade against drugs can be won only through active support and cooperation of people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that active public participation is much needed for winning the war against drugs and making Punjab a drug free state.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is working zealously to facilitate the people and in one such initiative a complete facelift is being given to all the roads in the state. He said that these Roads act as a catalyst in commuting besides smooth transportation of the goods and services to people. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these roads give impetus to the economic growth of the state and facilitate the people residing in the state.

Meanwhile, addressing a massive gathering here after offering prayers at the local Eid Gah, the Chief Minister, in a major Eid bonanza to the Muslim brethren of the state, announced development works worth Rs 200 crore for the holistic development of the historic town of Malerkotla. Bhagwant Singh Mann congratulated the people on this sacred festival which symbolizes universal brotherhood, peace and amity. He said that this festival marks the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan, which re-affirms the spirit of charity and generosity and highlights the feelings of empathy.

The Chief Minister expressed hope that this sacred occasion will further strengthen the bonds of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood, which are reflected in noble human values as propagated by our great Gurus, Saints and Seers since time immemorial. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this auspicious festival strengthens mutual goodwill and inspires each one of us to follow the path of love, friendship, harmony and amity. He called upon the people to celebrate this joyous festival collectively by rising above parochial considerations of caste, color and creed with great enthusiasm and religious fervor.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister further said that the state government is duty bound to develop the historic town of Malerkotla and it will be spruced up as ‘Model district’. He said that Punjabis in general and Sikhs in particular can never repay the noble gesture made by the Nawab of Malerkotla by raising voice against the execution of ‘Chotta Sahibzadas’ at Sirhind. Thus, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that no stone will be left unturned to ensure a comprehensive and all-round development of this city for which a roadmap has been already prepared.

The Chief Minister further said that the district will be equipped with the ultra modern infrastructure and basic civic amenities for which the efforts were on foot. He said that the state government is committed to strengthen the ethos of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated that the social bonding in the state is so strong that any seed could grow on the fertile land of Punjab but the seed of hatred will never germinate here at any cost.

Announcing major projects for Malerkotla residents, the Chief Minister said that a 100 seat medical college will be soon constructed at Malerkotla which will emerge the district as a hub of medical education. He said that along with the Medical college a super specialty 200 bedded hospital will also come up at Malerkotla to provide quality healthcare services to people. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the existing girls’ college in Malerkotla will be upgraded to improve educational facilities. 

The Chief Minister further said that funds have been released for the construction of a new District Administrative Complex and Tehsil Complex in Malerkotla along with another Tehsil Complex in Amargarh. Likewise, he said that a new bus stand, link roads, sanitation facilities, and playgrounds will be developed in Malerkotla and nearby villages. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Jarg-Rauni and Khanna Road will be strengthened and constructed for better road connectivity to the people.

The Chief Minister said that Mini Bus Service will be started for Rural Areas and permits of Mini buses will be given to unemployed youth thereby creating job opportunities and improving rural transport.  He said that the government will continue its campaign against illegal properties, corruption in the Revenue department and menace of drugs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Rs 200 crore has been allocated for Malerkotla’s progress as the state government is committed to inclusive growth and prosperity of the district.

Chandigarh, March 31:

Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that the state government has disbursed Rs. 27.79 crore to 20,229 farmers, who adopted the water-saving Direct Sowing Rice (DSR) technique during the 2024 Kharif season.

He shared that paddy was directly sown on 2.53 lakh acres in 2024, a 47 percent increase compared to the 1.72 lakh acres cultivated in the 2023 Kharif season. Notably, Rs. 4.34 crore was released to over 9,500 farmers in the first phase during the first week of March 2025 and now, all the remaining amount has been transferred into the bank accounts of the beneficiary farmers.

To promote sustainable agriculture and reduce water consumption, the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government has been actively encouraging farmers to adopt Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), he added.

The Agriculture Minister said that the state government provides an incentive of Rs. 1,500 per acre to farmers who directly sow rice seeds into the field, eliminating the need for transplanting seedlings and significantly conserving water. This initiative aims to address the depletion of groundwater and support the state’s agricultural sustainability. The initiative aligns with the state government’s commitment to water conservation and environmental protection.

Chandigarh, March 31:

With the starting of new academic session in all the schools from April 1, the Punjab Government today announced that all government, semi-government and aided schools across the state will be operational from 8am to 2pm.

Sharing this information today, the Director SCERT, Punjab Ms. Amaninder Kaur Brar said that a letter has already been issued in this regard directing all the District Education Officers to ensure compliance of new timing in all the Primary, Middle, High and Senior Secondary Schools in the state.

Chandigarh, March 31:

Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian today assured farmers of smooth and hassle-free arrangements in all Mandis for wheat procurement commencing from Tuesday onwards. The Minister said that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government has made extensive arrangements across 1865 mandis and procurement centers throughout Punjab to ensure that farmers face no difficulties during the procurement season.

“Our government is fully committed to providing farmers with a hassle-free procurement experience, said S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, adding that we have established robust systems across all procurement centers with adequate arrangements for electricity, shed and clean drinking water.

He further said that Mann government is dedicated to safeguarding farmers’ interests and ensuring that they receive timely payment for their produce.

The Cabinet Minister urged farmers to complete land mapping through their arhtiyaas before bringing their wheat crop to mandis to avoid procedural delays. “Properly dried wheat will facilitate prompt cleaning and timely procurement, streamlining the entire process,” he added.

S. Khudian said that landowners can verify their land mapping details on the Mandi Board portal “emandikaran-pb.in.”

He further said that to get comprehensive healthcare support, the J-form holder farmers can now register for the Ayushman Health Scheme by contacting their concerned Market Committee. For any queries or additional information regarding the procurement process, farmers can contact their respective Market Committee Secretary or visit the Punjab Mandi Board portal, he added.

Chandigarh, March 30:

Mr. Maninderjit Singh Bedi today assumed charge as the Advocate General of Punjab at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Punjab Government has appointed Mr. Bedi to this prestigious position earlier in the day.

Mr. Bedi was previously serving as the Additional Advocate General of Punjab. A law graduate from Punjabi University, Patiala, Mr. Bedi has also previously held the position of Administrator General and Official Trustee of the Government of Punjab.

Upon taking charge, Mr. Bedi expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann for entrusting him with this important responsibility. He affirmed his commitment to serve the position with dedication, saying that his priority would be to effectively represent the state in legal matters to protect Punjab’s rights and interests.