CHANDIGARH/MOHALI, March 13:

          Asserting that Mohali is rapidly emerging as a major technology and startup hub under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Cabinet Minister for Industries & Commerce, Investment Promotion, Power and Local Government Sanjeev Arora on Friday envisioned a transformative future for Mohali, stating that the city is rapidly on its way to becoming the “Silicon Valley”.

          Addressing a high-powered session titled “Brand Mohali” on the first day of the Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2026 at Plaksha University, the Minister emphasised that Mohali is no longer just a satellite town but a global technology and start-up destination.

          Minister Sanjeev Arora announced that the Punjab government is establishing a dedicated start-up hub at Kalkat Bhavan, modeled after the world-renowned Pangyo Techno Valley in South Korea. “Just as South Korea has its Silicon Valley, Punjab will soon have its own in Mohali. Our Chief Minister has already granted permission for this project, which will serve as a nerve centre for innovation,” said the Minister.

          Highlighting the competitive edge of the new Industrial Policy, the Minister informed the gathering that power reforms have been a cornerstone of the state’s strategy. “We have moved IT companies and data centres from commercial to industrial power rates. Consequently, IT firms in Mohali will now receive the cheapest power in the entire country,” he stated.

          He further detailed the lucrative worker subsidies, offering ₹5,000 per worker per month for IT firms and ₹7,000 for Global Capability Centres (GCCs), with significantly lowered eligibility barriers to encourage small and medium enterprises.

          During the session, which saw participation from leaders in the hospitality, IT, education and medical sectors, Sanjeev Arora addressed the growing infrastructure needs.

          He noted the recent auction of the Mohali Convention Centre and the opening of an Infosys Centre as milestones in the city’s urban expansion. “Mohali is emerging as a destination not just for business, but for destination weddings and international conferences, given its proximity to the hills and the international airport,” he added.

          Touching upon the IT talent pool, Sanjeev Arora remarked that Punjabis constitute a massive portion of the workforce in global tech hubs like Silicon Valley. “By investing in Mohali, companies can hire the top 1% of Punjabi talent who prefer to stay close to their roots and culture, ensuring a much lower attrition rate compared to other tech hubs,” the Minister said.

          On the healthcare front, the Minister congratulated the expansion of local medical facilities, including a ₹900 crore investment in hospital infrastructure, while urging private players to focus on “affordable healthcare” for the common man.

          Regarding air connectivity, the Minister shared insights from recent discussions with Air India and Air India Express leadership, noting that while aircraft shortages are a global challenge, the state is pushing for more international slots to match Mohali’s growth trajectory.

          Earlier, Principal Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department Vikas Garg highlighted that over the past one year, more than Rs 10,000 crores worth of land has been auctioned in the Mohali. Further, plans are in place to acquire 7,000 acres land in the city for full development infrastructure of Mohali, he said, while stating, “Our focus is to bring Mohali on map of Asia.”

          The session featured prominent panelists including Chief Development Officer of ITC Hotels Limited Bhaskar Baruah, Founding Vice Chancellor Plaksha University Dr Rudra Pratap, Regional COO of Fortis Healthcare Ashish Bhatia, Co-Founder and CEO of Netsmartz Manipal Dhariwal and Founter TT Consultants, Xlscout Jitin Talwar, while, MDP of Boston Consulting Group was Moderator of the session. Vice Chairperson of the Punjab Development Commission Seema Bansal was also present on the occasion.

Chandigarh:

The Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, Gulab Chand Kataria, today reaffirmed the importance of citizen-centric planning in shaping the cities of the future. Addressing the Urban Innovation Summit, he emphasized that urban development should focus on enhancing the well-being, convenience and overall quality of life of citizens through balanced, sustainable and inclusive planning.

The Administrator noted that well-planned cities can become vibrant, inclusive and livable spaces where residents enjoy easy access to essential services, community facilities and a healthy environment. He underlined that thoughtful planning, strong infrastructure and sustainable policies play a key role in building future-ready cities that create opportunities and improve everyday life.

 Highlighting the importance of innovation and collaboration in urban governance, Shri Kataria described the summit as a valuable platform that brings together policymakers, industry leaders and urban planners to exchange ideas and develop solutions for smart, sustainable and inclusive urban development.

Shri Kataria further observed that modern cities must focus on the happiness, well-being and convenience of citizens to ensure that development remains people-oriented. Emphasizing citizen-focused governance, the he highlighted the importance of accessible civic facilities, vibrant community spaces and people-friendly urban design that promote social interaction and strengthen community life, making cities more livable for residents while also enhancing their appeal as welcoming and vibrant destinations for tourists.

The summit was jointly organised by the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh and Elets Technomedia, and witnessed participation from over 150 delegates and more than 30 speakers, including policymakers, urban planners, technology leaders and governance experts from across the country. The programme commenced with a Nukkad Natak by the Municipal Corporation highlighting civic awareness and citizen participation, followed by the ceremonial lamp lighting and the National Song.

Welcoming the delegates, Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh, said that cities today are engines of economic growth and innovation. He noted that India’s urban population is expected to reach nearly 600 million by 2030 and contribute close to 70 percent of the country’s GDP. He added that the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh is actively integrating digital technologies in civic administration and has already implemented the first phase of smart parking systems, while the second phase is expected to roll out soon.

In his address, Sh. Saurabh Joshi, Mayor of Chandigarh, emphasised that as India moves towards becoming a developed nation, cities must evolve into smarter, greener and more inclusive spaces. He stated that future cities should remain citizen-centric, environmentally responsible and technologically empowered, and highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, industry and citizens in shaping sustainable urban ecosystems.

The summit featured several policy dialogues, industry presentations and panel discussions focusing on digital governance, cybersecurity, sustainable infrastructure and innovations in urban services such as water management, waste processing and sanitation. Experts from government departments, academia and the technology sector shared insights on building resilient infrastructure, leveraging data-driven governance and promoting sustainable urban growth.

The Urban Innovation Summit 2026 concluded with a shared commitment among policymakers, civic authorities and industry leaders to strengthen innovation, sustainability and citizen-centric governance in order to build smarter, resilient and future-ready cities across India.

At the summit, Gulab Chand Kataria also highlighted the importance of innovation and collaboration in shaping future-ready cities and described the gathering as an important platform for policymakers, industry leaders and urban planners to develop solutions for smart, sustainable and inclusive urban development.

New Delhi/Chandigarh, March 13
Former Union Minister and Member of Parliament from Chandigarh Manish Tewari today raised vital issue of healthcare in Chandigarh in the Lok Sabha. With entire focus on the state of healthcare in the Union Territory of Chandigarh, Tewari vide his unstarred question number 3521, sought clarity from the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare on several pressing matters.

Tewari began by asking about the sanctioned strength of doctors in Chandigarh’s Health Department – cadre-wise and post-wise. “The date on which new posts of doctors were last created in Chandigarh and the number and categories of such posts, along with details of the relevant orders issued”, he asked the Minister.

The Chandigarh MP then pressed for details on vacancies, emphasizing the need for specialty-wise information –Medicine, Surgery, Anesthesia, Radiology, Pediatrics – so that the true picture of shortages could be understood. From there, he turned to the question of new posts, inquiring when the regular recruitment to doctors’ posts was last conducted, along with the number of posts filled and the specialties covered.

Tewari also asked about how many doctors are currently serving in Chandigarh on deputation, broken down State and Union Territory-wise. Finally, he asked whether the deputations are guided by specialty-specific requirements along with the details of the policy or criteria governing such deputation.

Meanwhile, responding to the questions put forward by Tewari, the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav instead of giving Chandigarh-specific figures, emphasized that Public Health and Hospitals are state subjects. He shifted responsibility to the Union Territory administration, saying that the primary duty to create posts and fill vacancies lies with the State/UT.

“The Minister did not answer the specific questions raised – no numbers, no dates, no specialty-wise breakdown, no recruitment details and no deputation figures. This is a classic case of a diplomatic ducking”, said Tewari, adding that the Minister avoided committing to hard data by framing the answer in general policy terms.

While Tewari asserted that his intervention was about transparency and accountability in Chandigarh’s healthcare staffing, the Minister’s reply sidestepped the specifics, offering instead a generic policy narrative. “In parliamentary practice, this is often seen as a way to avoid admitting gaps or shortages publicly. So while the reply may be formally valid, it does not satisfy the intent of the question – it’s more of a diplomatic evasion than a substantive answer.”

Box

Meanwhile, in a moment that cut through the usual diplomatic evasions, Tewari laid bare the startling reality of Chandigarh’s health infrastructure. “I am given to understand by informed people that the break-up of the total number of doctors in Chandigarh stands at 164 Medical Officers (MO), 28 Senior Medical Officers (SMO) and approximately 29 Dental SMOs – totaling around 221 doctors out of which 180 are serving on deputation. Strip those away and the city is left with barely 41 doctors locally or otherwise deployed”, he said. Mincing no words Tewari added, “Perhaps the reason why the Chandigarh Administration and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare did not want to disclose the Health Infrastructure personnel profile of Chandigarh.

Chandigarh:

Aam Aadmi Party’s National Media In-charge Anurag Dhanda launched a sharp attack on the BJP governments at the Centre and in Haryana over the growing LPG gas shortage in the state. He said that due to the government’s negligence, a serious cooking gas crisis has emerged across the state, causing immense hardship for the common people.

Anurag Dhanda said that in many cities and towns of the state, long queues are forming outside gas agencies from early morning. People are forced to wait for several hours and still have to return empty-handed. In districts such as Panipat, Karnal, Hisar and nearby areas, the situation has become so severe that people are unable to get cylinders even after standing in line for 7 to 9 hours. At several places, gas agencies are shutting their shutters after stock runs out, forcing people to return disappointed.

He said that according to reports, gas deliveries in several districts have dropped significantly compared to normal days. In some places, 300–350 cylinders at a single agency are getting exhausted within minutes, while hundreds of people remain in line. Dhanda said that work has stopped in 220 LPG-based factories in Panipat. Domestic gas deliveries have reportedly dropped by nearly 80 percent. From small tea vendors to dhaba and hotel owners, many are being forced to shut down their businesses. Not only domestic consumers but also hotels, dhabas, tea stalls and small traders are severely affected.

Anurag Dhanda further said that in many parts of the state the situation has become so difficult that people are being forced to return to wood-fired stoves or other alternatives. Due to the gas shortage, small businesses are on the verge of closure. There are also reports of black marketing of cylinders in several areas, where people are being charged between ₹2000 and ₹3000 for a single cylinder. This clearly reflects the failure of the government.

He said that in many villages of Haryana, women are spending the entire day visiting gas agencies in search of cylinders. Elderly people and labourers are forced to leave their work and stand in queues. It is extremely unfortunate that in a country where the government constantly promotes the “Ujjwala Yojana,” poor and middle-class households are now struggling to even cook food.

Anurag Dhanda said that the BJP government only indulges in propaganda and slogan-based politics, while the ground reality is completely different. If the government had proper planning and management, such a gas crisis would never have arisen in Haryana. He added that the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi has shown that with honest intentions and efficient administration, people do not have to face such hardships.

He demanded that the central and state governments immediately increase gas supply, take strict action against black marketing, and ensure adequate stock at gas agencies across all districts. He also said that the Aam Aadmi Party stands with the people of Haryana and will continue to strongly raise this issue until relief is provided to the public.

Chandigarh, March 12

The Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has brought laurels to the institution by securing several prestigious awards at recent national and international scientific events.

During the Annual Research Day of PGIMER held on March 7, 2026, Dr. Ashok Yadav was awarded the Second Prize, while Dr. Sheetal Sharma secured the Third Prize in the Best Paper Award category for their research presentations.
Further recognition came at the ANRF-sponsored International Conference on “Antimicrobial Resistance & Biotechnology for Global Health,” organized by the Faculty of Applied Science and Biotechnology at Shoolini University, Solan (Himachal Pradesh), on March 9–10, 2026. At the conference, Dr. Jyoti Kundu and Dr. Sheemona Chowdhary were honoured with the Women Scientist Award in the categories of Clinical, Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Environmental Sciences, respectively.In addition, Ms. Sumanpreet Kaur received the Early Research Career Award for her promising research contributions. Ms. Parul Yadav, an M.Sc. student, and Mr. Vishal, a Ph.D. scholar, were awarded Best Poster Awards for their research presentations.
These achievements highlight the strong scientific contributions and innovative research being carried out by the faculty members and students of the department. The department congratulated all the awardees for their accomplishments and for bringing pride and recognition to the institute.

Chandigarh, March 11:

 The India International Disputes Week concluded today at the Chandigarh Judicial Academy with jurists, arbitration practitioners and policy experts deliberating on the future of arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in India.

Delivering the keynote address, Arun Chawla, Director General of the Indian Council of Arbitration, emphasised that credible dispute resolution systems are central to investor confidence and economic growth. He noted that as cross-border commerce expands, strengthening institutional arbitration and responsibly integrating technology will be key to building trust in India’s dispute resolution ecosystem.

A panel on the evolution of ADR practices in India featured Naresh Markanda, Shashwat Bajpai, Deepak Jindal, Animesh Anand Bordoloi, Neeraj Kochar, Harishankar K Sathiyapalan, and Col Narinder Singh, moderated by Jonathan Rodrigues. Speakers discussed the growing importance of mediation, arbitration and institutional mechanisms in addressing commercial disputes and improving access to efficient dispute resolution.

Another panel examined institutional arbitration versus ad hoc arbitration, featuring Sanjeev Sharma, Devna Arora, Devathas Satianathan, A J Jawad, Siddhesh Pradhan, Ulla Glaesser, Navin Kumar Singh, and Sahil Narang, moderated by Shruti Sabharwal. Panelists highlighted that institutional arbitration offers greater procedural clarity, cost transparency and oversight, which strengthens the enforceability of arbitral awards.

In the session titled “Anatomy of Enforceable Awards,” S. J. Vazifdar and Kshitij Sharma discussed the importance of carefully reasoned arbitral awards and procedural discipline to minimise challenges at the enforcement stage.

Earlier, J R Midha shared insights on improving arbitration efficiency through streamlined procedures. He emphasised structured pleadings, identification of admitted and disputed facts at the outset, use of interrogatories and video-recorded cross-examinations to reduce delays and ensure that arbitrations are completed within the statutory timeline.

Delivering the valedictory address, Dinesh Maheshwari highlighted that arbitration has evolved into a dynamic institution of dispute resolution and stressed the importance of strengthening institutional frameworks, legal scholarship and global collaboration to position India as a credible arbitration hub.

In his concluding remarks, Ashwani Kumar Mishra said the week-long event had brought together diverse perspectives from across jurisdictions and emphasised that the ultimate objective of dispute resolution mechanisms is to promote peace and certainty in society. He also lauded the participation of young lawyers and students and appreciated the efforts of the organising team, expressing confidence that initiatives such as the Chandigarh International Arbitration Centre would evolve into institutions of excellence for dispute resolution.

CHANDIGARH, 11th March 2026:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday said the opposition abandoned the Budget debate because it could not defend its opposition to giving ₹1,000 to women, asserting that parties which kept people poor for decades are now uncomfortable with the empowerment of ordinary families under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.

Describing the fifth annual budget of the Punjab Government as the “Budget of the martyrs’ dreams,” the Chief Minister said the budget is aimed at fulfilling the aspirations of freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh and Udham Singh, while reaffirming that the Punjab Government has delivered on all its election guarantees within four years and is now preparing its agenda for the 2027 Assembly elections. He also said the opposition already knows that a government led by Bhagwant Singh Mann will return to power in 2027, which is why it chose to run away from the debate instead of facing the truth before the people.

Concluding the debate on the Budget for the financial year 2026–27 presented by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “For the first time in the history of Punjab, a government has fulfilled all its election guarantees within four years. The manifestos of traditional parties were merely formalities. With the support of the people, we will continue serving them with the same spirit in 2027. For the first time, a government treated its budget as a sacred document and fulfilled every promise made to the people.”

Congratulating Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema for presenting a people-friendly budget, the Chief Minister said that the budget focuses on providing facilities to those whose progress is often hindered by financial constraints. “The budget includes providing benefits of the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satkar Yojna to 97% of women, providing free ration to 40 lakh families under the ‘Meri Rasoi’ scheme, and offering cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh,” noted CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

He added that earlier budgets were limited to paving streets and drains, whereas the present government is focusing on providing world-class education to children, quality healthcare services, and building medical colleges.

The Chief Minister said that to provide quality healthcare facilities to people and enable youth to fulfil their dream of becoming doctors while staying in Punjab, seven medical colleges are being established in the state. “These colleges will be built in Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Sangrur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Lehragaga, Malerkotla and Ludhiana, which will add 600 MBBS seats,” stated CM Bhagwant Singh Mann. He further noted that 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have recorded five crore OPD visits, reflecting people’s trust in the healthcare services.

Taking note of the criticism of the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satkar Yojna by opposition leaders, the Chief Minister said that wealthy leaders of traditional parties are deliberately insulting poor people. “Traditional parties never worked for the welfare of the poor, due to which many families still struggle with poverty and find it difficult to arrange two meals a day,” stated CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

He added that these leaders are uncomfortable with the economic empowerment of the poor and pointed out that while they educate their own children in convent schools in the hills, they want poor families to remain deprived of quality education.

The Chief Minister said that after the Punjab Government started Schools of Eminence, children from underprivileged families are now clearing examinations such as JEE, JEE Mains and NEET. “The Meri Rasoi scheme will ensure nutritious food for 40 lakh families, especially their children,” added CM Bhagwant Singh Mann. He explained that under the scheme each family will receive a kit containing 2 kg sugar, 2 kg pulses, 1 litre mustard oil, 200 grams turmeric and 1 kg salt.

Highlighting employment generation, the Chief Minister said that the creation of 10,000 posts in the Punjab Police will provide opportunities for youth and further strengthen the force. “The Punjab Government has already provided around 64,000 government jobs to youth so far,” stated CM Bhagwant Singh Mann. He also said that the Sardar Bahadur Amin Chand Armed Forces Preparatory Institute in Hoshiarpur has been completed and admissions will begin this year, enabling youth to prepare for service in the armed forces.

Referring to efforts to ensure canal water reaches tail-end areas and reduce dependence on groundwater, the Chief Minister said that recent data reflects encouraging results. “According to data presented in the Rajya Sabha by the Central Ground Water Board, groundwater levels have increased in 57% of observation wells in Punjab, with the rise mostly ranging between 0 to 4 meters,” stated CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

He further said that to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, a Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur World-Class University is being established at Sri Anandpur Sahib as a tribute to the great Guru. The Chief Minister added that the 650th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj will be celebrated on a large scale and ₹100 crore has been allocated in the budget for this purpose.

Criticising the opposition for constantly opposing welfare initiatives, the Chief Minister said that opposition parties had earlier claimed that free electricity could not be provided, yet the Punjab Government successfully fulfilled the promise. “They also claimed that Bhagwant Singh Mann would not remain Chief Minister even for a year, yet I have been serving as Chief Minister for four years,” noted CM Bhagwant Singh Mann. He asserted that he will continue to serve as Chief Minister even after the 2027 elections.

Reiterating his stand on Punjab’s rights, the Chief Minister said that neighbouring states often call Punjab their “elder brother” but simultaneously attempt to exploit its resources. “Himachal Pradesh sometimes calls Punjab its elder brother while demanding a share in Chandigarh and royalty on water, while Haryana raises the demand for the SYL canal,” stated CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

He added that because of the firm stand taken by the Punjab Government, for the first time Haryana has not allocated funds for the construction of the SYL canal in its budget.

Taking a dig at the absence of opposition members during the debate, the Chief Minister said that opposition leaders have never been serious about the issues of their constituencies and predicted that they will also disappear from the political map in 2027. “The Congress party is suffering from internal factionalism and cannot return to power,” stated CM Bhagwant Singh Mann. He added that the party’s condition has deteriorated to such an extent that it now wants to contest Assembly elections without declaring a Chief Ministerial face.

Holding the Shiromani Akali Dal responsible for damaging Punjab’s generations, the Chief Minister said that the party pushed youth into the quagmire of drugs and the path of gangsterism, which ruined entire generations. “Zomato was formed much later, but during the Akali government drugs were transported in government vehicles,” stated CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

The Chief Minister further remarked that the Shiromani Akali Dal, which finished third in the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections, is day dreaming about forming the government in Punjab. “The Punjab Government is fully committed to the well-being of Punjab and the prosperity of its people, and no stone will be left unturned to achieve this goal,” affirmed CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, adding that the government will continue safeguarding the interests of the people of Punjab and take every possible step for their welfare.

CHANDIGARH, 11 March 2026:

The Punjab Assembly on Wednesday passed the State Budget for the Financial Year 2026–27 presented by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema after a comprehensive three day debate. Concluding the discussion in the House, the Finance Minister presented a detailed summary of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s work over the past four years and responded to the queries and suggestions raised by various MLAs during the debate.

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “Guided by AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s anti corruption principles and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s vision, the Punjab government’s zero tolerance policy toward theft has led to record breaking revenue growth. Excise revenue increased from ₹20,000 crore to ₹53,000 crore, while GST collections doubled from ₹61,000 crore to ₹1,21,000 crore. Additionally, stamp registration revenue rose significantly from ₹12,000 crore to ₹30,000 crore. This financial turnaround has been made possible through strict vigilance and honest governance.”

Referring to employment generation and the AAP government’s guarantees, Harpal Singh Cheema said, “When our government took its first Cabinet decision in 2022, we had promised to provide 30,000 government jobs. Today we have far exceeded that promise by delivering more than 63,000 government jobs to the youth of Punjab. This historic recruitment drive has helped curb the state’s brain drain and has created a positive environment for the younger generation.”

Responding to opposition concerns on state debt, he continued, “Eighty five percent of the state’s current funds are being utilised to service the massive debt inherited from previous governments. Despite this burden, our government has successfully reduced the debt to GDP ratio from 48 percent to 45 percent and cleared inherited liabilities worth ₹21,860 crore. At the same time, the state has strictly adhered to the limits set under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act and has not resorted to excessive borrowing. Short term cash management has been handled efficiently through the Sinking Fund and Guarantee Redemption mechanisms, enabling the state to secure lower interest rates.”

Speaking about welfare measures, the Finance Minister added, “The government has successfully rolled out the ₹1,500 financial assistance for women, fulfilling all five major guarantees promised to the people of Punjab. Not a single rupee of sugarcane dues owed by the state government is pending. The outstanding ₹27 crore belongs to a private mill in Phagwara and its properties have already been attached to ensure farmers receive their rightful payments.”

Responding to a suggestion from MLA Rana Inder Pratap regarding a One Time Settlement for farmers, Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is actively pursuing the amalgamation of loss making banks with the Reserve Bank of India to facilitate such a settlement.”

Replying to questions raised by MLA Barindermeet Singh Pahra regarding MLA Local Area Development funds, he stated, “The MLA Local Area Development funds have been doubled from ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore per MLA, enabling elected representatives to bring forward comprehensive development proposals. There are certain guidelines for utilising these funds and MLAs should ensure that these guidelines are followed.”

Addressing infrastructure demands raised by MLA Nachhattar Pal and other newly elected members, the Punjab Minister added, “The budget has prioritised critical infrastructure projects. An allocation of ₹130 crore has been made for the construction of new bridges and roads across the state. The Home Affairs budget has been increased by seven percent to ₹11,577 crore. Capital outlay for constructing new police stations and police lines has also increased significantly from ₹297 crore to ₹480 crore.”

Addressing concerns raised by MLA Rana Inder Pratap regarding funding for the health insurance scheme, Harpal Singh Cheema said, “₹2,000 crore has been earmarked for the Health Insurance Scheme and if required this allocation can be increased later in the year.”

Welcoming suggestions from MLA Sukhwinder Sukhi regarding salaries of personal assistants and drivers, he added, “The House committee should forward its recommendations for the review of the Chief Minister.”

Speaking about employee welfare and pensions, the Punjab Finance Minister continued, “The government has cleared 100 percent of pending Dearness Allowance arrears for pensioners above 75 and 85 years of age for the period from January 2016 to June 2021. Funds have also been allocated to release the remaining arrears for current employees and pensioners starting from April 1.”

On the Old Pension Scheme, he said, “An expert committee led by the Chief Secretary is carefully studying the fiscal impact of the Old Pension Scheme to take a secure long term decision. The committee is also examining the financial challenges faced by states such as Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh after implementing similar policies. ₹100 crore has been allocated to celebrate the 650th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas at Khuralgarh. Ten acres of land have also been purchased near Dera Ballan for establishing the Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Bani Adhyayan Center and its foundation will soon be laid by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.”

Speaking about future initiatives, the Punjab Minister added, “Funds have also been designated for establishing a new World University to commemorate the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Guru Tegh Bahadur and work on the project will begin on a war footing.”

Concluding the discussion on the budget, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema reiterated the government’s commitment to development and said, “Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has promised to deliver water to the last field and the government remains fully committed to taking Punjab to new heights of prosperity ahead of 2027.”

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