Category Archives: Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Punjab

Barinder Kumar Goyal kick starts development projects worth Rs.70-CR in Shutrana constituency to ensure water supply for drinking and irrigation up to tail-ends

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Chandigarh/Shutrana, January 3

Punjab Water Resources and Water & Soil Conservation Minister Sh. Barinder Goyal, on Friday, inaugurated various development projects costing over Rs.70 crore to ensure water supply for drinking and irrigation up to tail-ends in the Shilutrana constituency.

Sh. Goyal also laid the foundation stones at Shutrana, Sadharanpur and Kalwanu for concrete lining of Rasouli Minor, Karmgarh Link-2 Canal System, Choa Link-2 Canal System, Minor No. 3 and 5, Bishangrah and Atalan Minors. While congratulating local folks on receiving 1.5 times more canal water than before, the Cabinet Minister announced that all works would be completed within two months, benefiting over 75,000 acres during the paddy season. He said that this would help conserve electricity and groundwater by reducing tubewell usage.

Water Resources Minister said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government has successfully preserved depleting groundwater by ensuring water supply to tail-end areas.

“Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann’s promise of providing canal water to every field in Punjab is being fulfilled”, said the Cabinet Minister, criticizing previous dispensations for neglecting the Ghaggar issue. He said that Mann government is making serious efforts in this direction to solve the problem.

The Water Resources Minister urged the public to fulfill their duty towards water conservation as the Punjab government is implementing numerous schemes in light of predictions that groundwater will be further depleted by 2037. He also appealed to all farmers to come forward to save groundwater by taking advantage of government schemes and subsidies for underground pipelines. He also urged people to vacate occupied government land.

Barinder Goyal stated that the union government is not providing any cooperation to Punjab, causing delays in initiating canal water projects, while the Punjab government has launched drinking water supply projects in 85 cities of the state.

While responding to a query about the union government’s lack of response to farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s hunger strike, the Cabinet Minister condemned the Center for betraying farmers and the state of Punjab. The union government is determined to destroy farming and Punjab, he categorically added.

Praising local MLA Kulwant Singh Bazigar, Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal noted his effective representation of constituency issues in the assembly.

MLA Kulwant Singh Bazigar thanked Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, saying that the Punjab government has removed the stigma of backwardness from the Shutrana constituency. He lamented that previous governments had ignored the constituency’s decades-old demands, but now all work is being done on a priority.

Prominent amongst others who were present during the function included ADC (G) Isha Singal, SDM Ashok Kumar, Malkeet Singh Parta, Mahinga Singh Brar, Suresh Sharma, Block President Buta Singh Virk, Ranjit Singh President Truck Union, Madan Lal Goyal, Canal Department (BML) Superintending Engineer Ankit Dheer, Executive Engineer Gundeep Singh Dhaliwal, SDO Swaran Singh, Tehsildar Harsimaranjit Singh along with other prominent figures of the the area.

Chandigarh, Punjab

PUNJAB AIMS TO BOOST LIVESTOCK PRODUCTIVITY WITH ALFALFA CULTIVATION

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To improve livestock productivity and promote agricultural sustainability, the Punjab Government will encourage collaborative initiatives to incorporate alfalfa into the state’s forage system, addressing the challenges related to fodder production, said S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Food Processing, Punjab.

He was addressing the Stakeholder Conference on Sustainable Forage Solutions: Alfalfa– Mechanisation, Production & Marketing organised by Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Limited (PAIC) in collaboration with Namostute Innovators LLP (NSI) and Team Athena here at the CII Northern Region Headquarters.

While emphasising the importance of innovative solutions to tackle fodder scarcity and enhance livestock productivity, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian mentioned that Punjab Agro has cultivated alfalfa forage across 60 acres in Ladhowal (Ludhiana). By promoting its cultivation, the state aims to offer farmers a sustainable and cost-effective feed source, which can result in healthier animals and increased milk production.

Punjab Agro has partnered with Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University to help farmers get right nutrition information. Alfalfa forage cultivation offers numerous benefits, including high nutritional value and improved livestock health. Additionally, it enhances soil health by fixing nitrogen and features a deep root system that allows it to access moisture from deeper soil layers. This resilience makes alfalfa more adaptable to drought conditions, ensuring a reliable forage supply even during dry periods, he added.

While reiterating the state’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and feed solutions, Additional Managing Director of PAIC, Mr. Jagnoor Singh Grewal, emphasised alfalfa farming as a high-nutrition forage crop that complements silage to ensure year-round fodder availability for livestock. Alfalfa is recognised for its high nutritional value, making it an ideal forage crop for livestock such as horses, cattle, sheep, and goats. As a three-year crop that can be cut six to eight times a year, alfalfa can improve the overall health of the farming system. It helps break pest and disease cycles and enhances the yields of subsequent crops.

Dr. Daniel H. Putnam, Alfalfa & Forage Extension Specialist from the University of California, Davis, delivered a keynote address on global best practices in alfalfa cultivation. The event also witnessed active participation from a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including representatives from dairy farms, stud farms, goat farms, piggery units, and poultry farms. Leading players in the dairy and agri-food industries, such as Nestlé, Amul, Milkfed, ITC, Unilever, and Bani Milk, also attended the conference. Academicians, Scientist and Senior researchers from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University played a pivotal role in the discussions from crop agronomy and animal nutrition perspective.

Chandigarh

PUNJAB POLICE BUSTS CROSS-BORDER DRUG AND WEAPON SMUGGLING CARTEL; KINGPIN AMONG 12 HELD

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Chandigarh

In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state, Amritsar Commissionerate Police has busted a cross-border drug and weapon smuggling cartel with the arrest of 12 persons, including kingpin identified as Manjeet Singh alias Bhola of village Jhanjoti in Ajnala, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Friday.

          Other 11 arrested persons have been identified as Aniket Verma of Cheharta, Jobanpreet Singh alias Joban of Cheharta, Babli of Naraingarh in Cheharta, Harpreet Singh alias Happy of Guru Ki Wadali, Amritpal Singh Alias Ansh of Naraingarh in Cheharta, Reshma of Kartar Nagar in Cheharta, Harshpreet Singh alias Harman alias Hamma of village Thanda in Amritsar, Mandeep Singh alias Kaushal alias Joshi of village Fatehpur of Amritsar, Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi of village Fatehpur, Lovepreet Singh alias Jashan of village Fatehpur and Akashdeep Singh alias Arsh of Cheharta.

          Police teams have recovered 2.19 Kg Heroin, three sophisticated pistols including two automatic and Rs 2.60 lakh drug money from their possession, besides, impounding their Toyota Fortuner car.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that accused Manjeet alias Bhola, who is a key player, was in direct contact with Pakistan-based smugglers/handlers and was receiving consignments of drugs and weapons from across the border. Probe revealed that consignments were being dropped at Ramdas and Ajnala border sectors with the help of drones, he added.

          The DGP said that further investigations are on to establish forward and backward linkages in this case.

          Sharing more details, Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, while addressing a press conference, said that following a reliable input that accused Aniket has been into the drug smuggling business, police teams have successfully apprehended him. The arrest of Aniket has unearthed the entire network and led to the arrest of kingpin Manjeet alias Bhola and his all the accomplices from different locations, he said, while adding that five of the accused persons have been arrested from Jammu and Kashmir with the help of J&K Police.

          The CP said that investigations have also revealed that accused Manjeet alias Bhola was using the house of arrested woman accused Babli, who is an Anganwari worker, to store the consignments and was using his accomplices to distribute further. Further investigations are ongoing to uncover the entire network and more arrests and recoveries are likely in coming days.

          In this regard, a case FIR no. 226 dated 24.12.2024 has been registered under sections 21(B), (C)/27-A and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Chheharta in Amritsar.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana ACB Arrests Superintending Officer(ASI incharge) for Accepting Bribe

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Chandigarh, January 3

The Gurugram team of the Haryana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) today arrested Rajesh Kumar, a Superintending Officer(ASI Incharge) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, posted at the CGO Complex office in Faridabad, while accepting a bribe of Rs. 20,000. The accused had demanded the bribe from the complainant in exchange for filing a notice for the second phase of the inspection schedule of the annual survey of service sector industries and processing his return. A case has been registered against the accused in the Faridabad ACB and he has been arrested.

A government spokesperson said that the ACB Gurugram team had received a complaint in this regard. The complainant stated that the accused had issued two notices dated 16.12.2024 and 30.12.2024, requiring him to submit a return for the second phase of the inspection schedule under the annual survey of service sector industries. The accused had threatened the complainant that if he did not give him a bribe, he would be fined under the Statistics Collection Act. A plan was made to catch the accused while investigating the matter, and today, on January 3, 2025, the ACB team arrested the accused from the CGO Complex in Faridabad while accepting a bribe of Rs. 20,000. A thorough investigation is being carried out into the matter, keeping all aspects in mind. The entire action was carried out with complete transparency in the presence of witnesses. A case has been registered against the accused in the Faridabad ACB.

Appealing to the general public, the spokesperson of the Bureau said that if any Government officer or employee demands a bribe in lieu of performing government work, they should immediately inform the Haryana Anti-Corruption Bureau on the toll-free number -1800-180-2022 or 1064. Apart from this, you can also contact on WhatsApp number 9417891064.

Chandigarh

Central Detective Training Institute, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India, Sector 36A, Chandigarh, organizes a specialized drone training program for police personnel

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The Central Detective Training Institute, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India, Sector 36A, Chandigarh, organized a specialized drone training program for police personnel from Chandigarh,Himachal Pradesh, Punjab,Haryana, Delhi and other states.The objective of this program was to familiarize law enforcement officers with the practical applications of drone technology and how it can enhance their operational effectiveness in policing.

One of the highlights of the training was a lecture delivered by Mr. Sunny Kumar, the Director of the Chandigarh Institute of Drones. The lecture aimed to provide the police personnel with a deep understanding of drone technology, its uses in law enforcement, and its potential benefits for public safety.

Key Takeaways from Mr. Sunny Kumar’s Lecture:

Understanding Drone Technology: Mr. Kumar introduced the participants to the basic functioning of drones, explaining their various components, flight mechanics, and capabilities. He provided a thorough overview of how drones are operated, their range, flight duration, and different types of drones suitable for law enforcement activities.

Applications in Law Enforcement: The lecture highlighted several ways in which drones could be effectively utilized by police forces. These included surveillance and monitoring of public spaces, crowd control during events, search and rescue operations, and crime scene investigation. Drones can also assist in tracking suspects, monitoring traffic violations, and gathering real-time intelligence during emergencies or large-scale operations.

Operational Benefits: Mr. Kumar discussed the significant advantages drones bring to law enforcement. These benefits include enhancing situational awareness, reducing response times, minimizing risks to personnel, and providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional surveillance methods like helicopters. Drones also offer the ability to cover large areas quickly, which is particularly useful in difficult terrain or densely populated areas.

Safety Procedures and Legal Considerations: To ensure safe and lawful drone operations, Mr. Kumar emphasized the importance of adhering to safety protocols and legal guidelines. This included proper training for drone operators, understanding the no-fly zones, obtaining necessary permissions for drone flights, and ensuring compliance with national aviation regulations. He also touched upon privacy concerns and the need to balance effective policing with respect for citizens’ rights.

Integration into Daily Policing: The lecture concluded with strategies for integrating drones into daily police operations. This included establishing protocols for drone deployment, ensuring officers are adequately trained, and fostering collaboration between different law enforcement agencies to maximize drone usage across various sectors.

Sunny Kumar’s lecture provided invaluable insights into the growing role of drone technology in modern law enforcement. The training session equipped the police personnel from Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively incorporate drones into their policing strategies. With an emphasis on both operational efficiency and legal compliance, this program is expected to enhance the police forces’ ability to ensure public safety and improve their overall operational effectiveness.

This drone training initiative marks an important step toward modernizing policing methods in the region, offering law enforcement agencies a powerful tool to tackle challenges more efficiently and safely.

Chandigarh, Punjab

CM SLAMS MODI GOVERNMENT FOR ANTI-FARMING STANCE

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Slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi Union government for anti-farmers stance, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday unequivocally said that the state government will vehemently oppose any move of centre to once again pass anti-farmers draconian law through back door.

Interacting with the media here at his official residence, the Chief Minister said that from the last few  months farmers agitation is going at Shambhu and Khanori borders. He said that during last January and February farmers groups had detailed parleys with the centre government in which the state government acted as a bridge. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the demands of the farmers are primarily concerned with the Union government and Punjab has no role to play in it.

However, the Chief Minister said that it is unfortunate that after forming the government at centre, the Modi led government has not bothered to show any concern about the farmers. He said that now the union government is trying to bring back the black laws through the back door. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that all the demands of the farmers are related to the Union government but unfortunately the Modi government is apathetic towards it.

The Chief Minister said that the fast by farmers leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal is going on but the union government is giving cold shoulder to it whereas the state government has deployed more than 50 Doctors to take care of the health of farmers leader. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had himself called Dallewal and urged him to end his fast but the Union government has not made any effort to assuage the sentiments of food growers. He said that the Union government wants Dallewal and farmers should be lifted from the protest site irrespective of the fact that they are not creating any law and order problem.

The Chief Minister said that he was surprised that the Union government is shying away from talking with the farmers and trying to put the onus on the state government. He said that instead of making any effort to redress the grievances of the farmers, the Union government is trying to fix the responsibility of the farmers. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that ironically rather than solving problems of farmers the Union government is again ready to implement the draconian laws.

The Chief Minister said that the state government will not support this move which is against the interests of Punjab and its farmers. He said that the state government is already implementing the orders of the Supreme Court to save precious lives of the farmers. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is a paradoxical situation that the issues of farmers are concerned with the centre, Haryana is using force on farmers and Punjab is being made accountable for that.

The Chief Minister urged the farmers leader Dallewal to end his fast as his life was too important for the country and food growers. He said that the Union government is not making any efforts to even initiate dialogue with the farmers despite the enormous contribution of farmers of Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the centre should shun his haughty and apathetic approach and open talks with all the stakeholders.

The Chief Minister said that the centre has failed to provide DAP fertilizers to the farmers and rice from the state have not yet been lifted. However, he said that instead of solving these problems, the union government is creating a rift in the state, especially between farmers and the government which is intolerable. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his government is giving highest SAP to sugarcane cultivators, efforts are being made to lift the water level in the state and others adding that more efforts are being made to make agriculture a profitable venture.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab neither needs air ambulance nor extra force to tackle farmers agitation but centre should open dialogue with all the stakeholders especially with farmers. He said that hard earned peace of the state should be maintained by all means adding that the centre should not stoop too low just to take advantage in Delhi assembly polls. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the union government is running away from solving this issue by holding parleys with the farmers.

The Chief Minister said that he is daily flagging off this issue with the union government but they are not heeding to any demand of the farmers. He said that agriculture is a state subject but the union government is trying to thrust its decision on the state which is unjustified. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is a fact that the Modi government is habitual of using force to get its decision implemented adding that Modi has time to act as global leader but he doesn’t want to solve problems faced by the countrymen.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Officials urged to work diligently and honestly in public service

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Punjab’s Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, has instructed senior officials of the department to focus specifically on the cleaning of village ponds. He emphasized that a special campaign should be launched to revamp the ponds in all villages.

While chairing a review meeting with senior officials, ADCs, DDPOS, BDPOS, and officers from various wings of the department at the Panchayat Bhavan, Sond directed that, in the first phase, a list of 25% of villages from each constituency requiring immediate cleaning of ponds should be prepared in consultation with the area’s representatives. He stated that work should begin promptly in these villages and be completed before the monsoon season.

Sond mentioned that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann envisions transforming Punjab into a “Rangla Punjab” and achieving this requires comprehensive rural development. He stressed that Punjab’s villages should be developed as model villages and directed that the benefits of all government schemes and programs should reach the grassroots level to ensure the maximum development of rural areas.

On this occasion, the minister also issued instructions to organize special camps in villages to create job cards under MGNREGA. He suggested that these camps should be commence from religious places in the villages to maximize public participation.

It is noteworthy that under the MGNREGA scheme, over 11 lakh job cards are currently operational. During the financial year 2024-25, approximately Rs. 1,000 crore has been spent, generating more than 2.15 crore person-days of employment and benefiting an average of 7 lakh rural families.

In addition, the minister directed that panchayat lands should be leased transparently to ensure that the revenue generated is used for the development of villages. He highlighted that since the formation of the current government, a campaign to remove illegal encroachments from panchayat lands has been initiated, and over 12,800 acres of panchayat land, worth more than ₹3,080 crore, have been reclaimed so far. Officials informed that leasing approximately 6,000 acres of this reclaimed land has generated ₹10.76 crore in annual revenue for the year 2024-25. Sond instructed that the remaining land should also be leased transparently.

On this occasion, the minister urged all officials to work diligently and honestly in public service and directed that ongoing projects should be completed within set timelines. He emphasized achieving all targets by March 31, 2025, to mark the next financial year as a landmark year for transforming Punjab’s villages. He also issued guidelines for planting more trees in villages, noting that over 95 lakh saplings have been planted this year by the department.

Additionally, the minister directed expediting the construction of sports grounds in villages and accelerating the work under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin). He also urged field officers to focus on solid and liquid waste management to enhance the appearance and sanitation of villages.

The meeting was attended by Administrative Secretary Dilraj Singh, Director Parmjit Singh, JDC Dr. Shena Aggarwal, senior officials from the headquarters, ADCs (Development), DDPOs, BDPOs, and officers from various wings across Punjab.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Vigilance Bureau registers corruption case against Senior Assistant for committing irregularities, plot scam in Improvement Trust

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The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its campaign against corruption, has registered a corruption case against Sanjeev Kalia, Senior Assistant, Improvement Trust, Jalandhar, (now posted at Hoshiarpur) for committing irregularities and purchasing a plot in the Improvement Trust, Jalandhar on wife’s name by misusing his position.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the VB said during the investigation of complaint number 75/2022, it was found that without receiving the non-construction fee of Rs. 14,35,350 from Devinderpal Kaur for plot number 828 in the Trust colony, the said Sanjeev Kalia, despite not being a dealing hand, had misused his position and wrote a letter dated 21.04.2010 to the halqa Patwari to report about the Khasra numbers of the said vacant plot. Later, the Patwari sent this report to the Superintendent (Sale), but Sanjeev Kalia again bypassed the Superintendent and directly got transferred the said plot in the name of Devinderpal Kaur from the then Chairman without receiving the non-construction fee of Rs. 14,35,350. Apart from this, the Trust in a letter dated 13/10/2016 issued a No Objection Certificate (NDC) in the name of plot owner Davinderpal Kaur, whereas she (Davinderpal Kaur) had died on 12/01/2015, due to which this NDC could not be issued.

He further revealed that during the probe, as per the statement given by Jatinder Singh, Executive Officer (EO), the NDC issued on 13.10.2016 does not have his signature, but the Trust has clarified through its official letter dated 11.10.2024 that this NDC was signed by Jatinder Singh, EO and the signature is similar to the signatures of this Officer put on the other files.

In addition to this irregularity, during the investigation it was also found that a 9 marla 147 sq ft land owned by Sohan Dei wife of Bhagwan Das was acquired by the Improvement Trust under the ‘110 Scheme’ Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, Jalandhar in the year 1976 but no plot was allotted to Sohan Dei in return as per the policy of Trust. The aforementioned Sanjeev Kalia, being posted at the Trust, was aware that plot number 276 adjacent to his residential house in the trust’s 94.5 acre scheme Guru Gobind Singh Avenue is vacant, which could be allotted in the name of someone else under the Locally Displaced Persons (LDP) quota scheme. Therefore, he approached Sohan Dei through his acquaintances and gave him only Rs. 6,50,000 and appointed Deepak son of Sohan Lal, a resident of Satowali, Police Station Adampur, district Jalandhar as the power of attorney for Sohan Dei and got it registered in his name with Power of Attorney No. 275 dated 10.10.2011. After this, the said plot was allotted to wife of Sanjeev Kalia on the basis of Deepak’s power of attorney through letter No. 1202 dated 28.10.2011. The reserve price of this plot as per the said special quota under LDP was Rs. 31883 only and he deposited the same in the bank account of the Trust. After getting the registration of this plot in the name of Sohan Dei on dated 22.12.2011, the NDC of plot number 276 was obtained through letter number 3965 dated 05.03.2012.

The spokesperson further added that for this purpose, Sanjeev Kalia, by showing that he had paid Rs. 7,00,000 in cash to the said Deepak, on 03.02.2012 had appeared in person to got registered this plot in the name of his wife Upma Kalia at Rs. 21,74,000 as per the collector rate.

He added that it was also found that Sanjeev Kalia did not took approval from his department for purchasing the said plot and neither did he informed the department later. In this regard a case has been registered against the said accused under sections 420, 409 of the IPC and 13(1)A including 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act at Police Station Vigilance Bureau, Range Jalandhar. The accused Sanjeev Kalia would be arrested soon. Further investigation of this case is underway.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Budo Kai Do Mixed Martial Arts Federation of India felicitates winners of 6th National Sikh Games 2024

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Chandigarh, January 2, 2025

Under the leadership of Sharanjit Singh, President, Budo Kai Do Mixed Martial Arts Federation of India, a program was organized to conduct workshops for the players and felicitate the winners of 6th National Sikh Games 2024. Giving information during a press conference at Chandigarh Press Club, Sector 27, Chandigarh, Sharanjit Singh, President, Budo Kai Do Mixed Martial Arts Federation of India said that a special workshop was organized for the players in Chandigarh, in which martial arts enthusiasts participated.

He said that on this occasion, world renowned martial artist Soke Joachim Peters, Black Belt 10th Dan, who is President of W.B.K.F. The German mayor and former colonel, conducted a workshop and interactive session with the players.This special training lasted from 27 December to 2 January 2025, in which the players of the federation honed their techniques under the guidance of Soke Joachim Peters and were greatly inspired by his experience and expertise. On this occasion, world-renowned martial artist Soke Joachim Peters said that such training camps should be organized for children fond of martial arts. He said that he enjoyed training the players of Budo Kai Do Mixed Martial Arts Federation of India. He expressed his desire to come here again for such a training workshop.

In this workshop, the players of Budo Kai Do Mixed Martial Arts Federation of India honed their techniques under his guidance. The players were extremely inspired by his experience and expertise.

He said that the winners of the 6th National Sikh Games 2024 were also felicitated during the event. He said that the 6th National Sikh Games 2024 were dedicated to the four Sahibzadas.

On this occasion, medal winners Ekamveer Singh, Kush Agnihotri, Harnek Singh, Kartik Malik, Jeet Singh, Garvita Kaushal and Neha were felicitated. On this occasion, Kush Agnihotri was also given a cheque of Rs 2,00,000 for his exceptional achievements. On this occasion, coaches Ravinder Pal Sharma, Harpreet Kaur, Manish Sharma, Madan Lal, Mohan Lal and Manjeet Sharma congratulated and wished all the winning players.

The Federation President congratulated all the players for their outstanding achievements and performance.

This event proved to be another important step for the Budo Kai Do Mixed Martial Arts Federation of India, which is committed to promoting martial arts and encouraging talent across the country.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Vigilance Bureau nabs 173 persons red handed taking bribes in 134 traps during 2024 : Varinder Kumar

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Aiming to weed out corruption from the society, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) adopted a multi-facet approach to corner the bribe seekers and to generate awareness among the public with a resolute stand to curb this social malady. During the period the VB has apprehended 173 persons red handed taking bribes in different cases.

Disclosing this here today, VB Chief Director-cum-Special DGP Varinder Kumar, said the VB has been able to nab 139 officials of different departments and 34 private persons while accepting bribes in 134 trap cases during the year 2024. Adopting a zero tolerance policy towards all forms of corruption, the Bureau had nabbed 10 gazetted officers (GOs) and 129 non-gazetted officials (NGOs) from January 1 to December 31, 2024.

VB Chief revealed that during the year, apart from other departments, 53 personnel of Punjab Police, 33 of Revenue Department, 9 of Power, 3 of Panchayats and Rural Development, 8 of Health department, 18 of Local Bodies department, 3 of Food & Civil Supply department were nabbed red handed while taking bribes in separate cases. In addition to this, the VB has apprehended two employees each of Forest department, Labour, Finance and Transport department in graft cases.

Giving more details about the performance of the Bureau he added that the VB had registered 124 criminal cases against the accused in which include 29 GOs, 117 NGOs and 117 private persons. Apart from this, 60 Vigilance Enquiries had also been registered to probe corruption complaints against 26 GOs, 27 NGOs and 7 private persons. Besides, 3 cases of disproportionate assets were also registered against 3 NGOs.

In addition, 1 Gazetted officer and 1 Non Gazetted Officer has been dismissed from their services by their respective administrative departments due to conviction by the competent courts while deciding the VB cases. He further revealed that the Bureau had been able to conclude 71 Vigilance Enquiries during the year. .

Sharing details, DGP VB said various competent courts have sentenced 50 accused in 41 cases filed and contested by the Bureau under prevention of corruption act which includes 3 GOs, 31 NGOs and 16 private persons and awarded imprisonments ranging from one year to seven years. The courts have also imposed fines varying from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 5,00,000 in these cases which amount to a total sum of Rs. 22,42,000, he added.

The VB has effectively implemented awareness campaigns during Vigilance Awareness Week in which seminars and public meetings were held in urban as well as in rural areas to weed corruption from the society and integrity pledges was also administered to all the officers and employees of the bureau,” he added.

He further informed that prominent persons have been booked/arrested in corruption cases during the last year included I.A.S officer Vinay Biblani, P.C.S officer Harpreet Singh Assistant Labour Commissioner Hoshiarpur, A.C.P Nirdesh Kaur Ludhiana, executive engineers Ranbir Singh and Rajinder Singh, DCFA Pankaj Garg, C.T.P. Pankaj Bawa, Jarnail Singh Bajwa, of Bajwa Developers Mohali and Medical Officer Dr. Narinder Pal Singh. In addition this, Gurmukh Singh, Sarbjit Singh and Kulwinder Singh all BDPOs, posted at Ludhiana, Ferozpur and Mohali respectively, Baldev Raj DFSO, Tehsildar Sukhchain Singh and Lakhwinder Singh, Deepak Kumar Singal of Deepak Builders, Arvinder Singh Chief Engineer, Paramjit Singh and Sarbraj Kumar both Executive Engineers were also arrested/booked during the year.