CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, November 8:

          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, Amritsar Rural Police arrested two accused persons involved in the brutal murder of Italy-based Malkit Singh at Raja Sansi in Amritsar and recovered five sophisticated weapons from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.

          Those arrested have been identified as Bikramjit Singh alias Bikram, a resident of Dhariwal village in Amritsar and Karanbir Singh, a resident of village Saisra Kalan in Amritsar. The recovered weapons include one foreign-made .30 caliber PX5 pistol, one .30 caliber pistol, one foreign-made .45 caliber pistol, one .32 caliber pistol and one revolver along with 20 live cartridges from their possession.

          As per the information, two unidentified persons opened fire at victim Malkit Singh, when the latter was sowing wheat in his fields at Dhariwal village along with his father on November 1, 2025 at around 7pm. Due to severe injuries, Malkit Singh succumbed to his wounds in the hospital.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the arrested accused Bikramjit Singh is associated with the terrorist organisation Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and has a criminal history with cases registered under the Explosives Act, Attempt to Murder, and Arms Act. He was also involved in the 2018 grenade attack on a religious place at Raja Sansi, he said.

          The DGP said that preliminary investigation has revealed that, on the directions of his foreign-handlers, accused Bikramjit had procured illegal weapons from across the border to carry out sensational crimes in Punjab.

          Sharing operational details, DIG Border Range Sandeep Goel said that acting on reliable inputs, police teams from Amritsar Rural under the overall supervision of SSP Maninder Singh has arrested accused Bikramjit from near Gurdwara Sahib at village Dhariwal. On the disclosure of Bikram, accused Karanbir was arrested from Adda near Kukranwala, he said. The Police teams were led by DSP Gurinder Nagra

          The DIG said that with arrest of these two operatives of KLF, Punjab Police has thwarted sensational crimes in the state.

          SSP Maninder Singh said that further investigation is underway to establish forward and backward linkages in this case to expose the full nexus. More arrests and recoveries are likely in coming days, he added.

          In this regard, a case FIR no. 177 dated 2/11/2025 had been registered under sections 103(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act at Police Station Raja Sansi in Amritsar Rural.

Chandigarh:

Chandigarh Literary Society (CLS) has announced the longlist for the inaugural CLF Literati Awards 2025, instituted to honour outstanding works of fiction and non-fiction in English and Hindi. Chairperson, CLS, Dr. Sumita Misra (IAS)  informed that the CLF Literati Book Awards aim to celebrate creativity, originality, and the cultural impact of contemporary writing in India. The longlist features an impressive line-up of celebrated authors and emerging voices whose works reflect the depth and diversity of Indian literary expression.

“Literature shapes how we see our world and ourselves,” said Dr. Sumita Misra, who is also the Festival Director of the upcoming CLF – Literati 2025(Chandigarh LitFest). “Through the CLF Literati Awards, we aim to honour stories and ideas that enrich our collective imagination and uphold the spirit of creative excellence.”

The awards are part of the 13th edition of the CLF– Literati 2025(Chandigarh LitFest), to be held on November 22–23 at Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh. “We received 350+ entries from all leading publishers all over India,” added Dr Sumita Misra.

A distinguished jury will evaluate the long-listed titles to select the shortlist and ultimately the winners, who will be felicitated at the festival with a cash award, citation, and trophy.

CLF Literati Book Awards 2025 – Longlist

In the English Non-Fiction category, the longlisted authors include Ajay Bisaria for Anger Management: The Troubled Diplomatic Relationship between India and Pakistan (Aleph Book Company); Alka Pande for Devi and Her Avatars (Rupa Publications India); Amitabh Kant for How India Scaled Mt G20 (Rupa Publications India); Amitav Ghosh for Wild Fictions: Essays (HarperCollins Publishers India); Amrita Shah for The Other Mohan in Britain’s Indian Ocean Empire: A Personal Journey into History (HarperCollins Publishers India); Devdutt Pattanaik for Ahimsa: 100 Reflections on the Harappan Civilization (HarperCollins Publishers India); Gopalkrishna Gandhi for The Undying Light: A Personal History of Independent India (Aleph Book Company); Ira Mukhoty for The Lion and the Lily: The Rise & Fall of Awadh (Aleph Book Company); Najma Heptulla for In Pursuit of Democracy: Beyond Party Lines (Rupa Publications India); Peter Heehs for The Mother: A Life of Sri Aurobindo’s Spiritual Collaborator (HarperCollins Publishers India); Pushpesh Pant for From the King’s Table to Street Food: A Food History of Delhi (Speaking Tiger Books); Ramachandra Guha for Speaking with Nature: The Origins of Indian Environmentalism (HarperCollins Publishers India); Ruskin Bond for Another Day in Landour: Looking Out from My Window (HarperCollins Publishers India); Shashi Tharoor for A Wonderland of Word: Around the Word in 101 Essays (Aleph Book Company); and Stephen Alter for The Cobra’s Gaze: Exploring India’s Wild Heritage (Aleph Book Company).

In the English Fiction category, the longlist features Amarjit Sidhu (A River Runs Back, Speaking Tiger Books); Amitabha Bagchi (Unknown City: A Novel, HarperCollins Publishers India); Anita Desai (Rosarita, Pan Macmillan India); Annie Zaidi (The Comeback: A Novel, Aleph Book Company); Anuradha Marwah (Aunties of Vasant Kunj, Rupa Publications); Ashwin Sanghi (The Ayodhya Alliance: Bharat Collection 8, HarperCollins Publishers India); Bhaichand Patel (Across the River, Speaking Tiger Books); Farrukh Dhondy (Deccan Queen Take Two, Om Books International); Hamish Morjaria (The Curse of Muziris, Pan Macmillan India); Jeet Thayil (The Elsewhereans: A Documentary Novel, HarperCollins Publishers India); Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri (Swallowing the Sun: A Novel, Aleph Book Company); Manjul Bajaj (Once Upon A Summer, HarperCollins Publishers India); Rashmi Narzary (Whistles of the Siphoong: Tales from the Bodo Heartland, Om Books International); Shabir Ahmad Mir (The Last Knot, Pan Macmillan India), and Stephen Alter (The Greatest Game: Being the Further Adventures of Kimball O’Hara, Aleph Book Company).

The Hindi Fiction/Non-Fiction longlist includes Anju Ranjan (Sheetal Dhoop, Vijaya Books); Anurag Anant (Muhavare Ki Maut, Lokbharti Prakashan); Balram (Shubh Din, Rajkamal Prakashan Pvt. Ltd.); Geetashree (Kaamnaon Ki Munder Par, Rajkamal Prakashan Pvt. Ltd.); Kaifi Hashmi (Shea Butter, Lokbharti Prakashan); Manoj Kumar Pandey (Pratiroop, Rajkamal Prakashan Pvt. Ltd.); Padmaja (Main Koi Aur, Rajkamal Prakashan Pvt. Ltd.); Renu Behl (Raat Ka Chautha Pahar, Educational Publishing House); Kailash Wankhede (Ujla Andhera, Rajkamal Prakashan Pvt. Ltd.), and Yatish Kumar (Borsi Bhar Aanch, Radhakrishna Prakashan Pvt. Ltd.).

PFA:

Photo of Dr Sumita Misra

Creatives of Longlists  

Chandigarh, November 8: Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister, Sh. Anil Vij said that to further improve sanitation facilities in Ambala Cantonment, two Manhole Cleaning Grab Machines have been purchased at a cost of Rs.18.50 lakh for effective cleaning of sewer manholes, especially in narrow lanes where large vehicles cannot access.

Earlier today, Minister Anil Vij flagged off both the newly procured machines from his residence in Ambala Cantt, sending it out for field operation to support the city’s sanitation efforts. Senior officers of the Public Health Engineering Department were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on this occasion, Sh. Vij said that “Two vehicles have been deployed for cleaning sewer lines in narrow streets. These machines will prove extremely useful in areas where larger cleaning vehicles cannot enter. Earlier, cleaning manholes in congested areas used to be a challenge, but now, with the introduction of these compact machines, the process will become faster, safer, and more efficient.”

He further explained that each Manhole Cleaning Grab Machine is equipped with a hydraulic bucket system that lifts sludge and waste from the manhole directly into a fixed bucket mounted on the machine — ensuring that the entire cleaning process is carried out mechanically, without manual intervention. Also present during the flag-off occasion were Executive Engineer Harbhajan Singh from the Public Health Department and other officials.

Chandigarh, November 8 – The Haryana Government is introducing new provisions to encourage farmers to cultivate horticultural crops. Under this initiative, farmers are being motivated to engage in the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and spices.

A spokesperson of the Horticulture Department shared detailed information about the scheme, stating that it includes activities such as establishing new fruit orchards, cultivating vegetables through an integrated model, growing fruit crops, spices, and aromatic plants.

The spokesperson informed that farmers will be provided subsidies as follows: ₹24,500 to ₹1,40,000 per acre for establishing new orchards, ₹15,000 per acre for vegetable cultivation under the integrated model, ₹25,500 per acre for Scheduled Caste farmers, ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 per acre for spice cultivation, ₹8,000 to ₹40,000 per acre for flower cultivation, and ₹8,000 per acre for aromatic plant cultivation. The subsidy amount will be directly transferred to the farmer’s bank account. The maximum limit for subsidy assistance is up to 5 acres.

Farmers interested in availing the benefits of these schemes, including information about the application process and area limits for subsidy, can register themselves on the Meri Fasal-Mera Byora and Hortnet portals (hortnet.hortharyana.gov.in). In addition, applicants must have the required documents such as the application form with personal details, Family ID, complete bank account information, and Scheduled Caste certificate (if applicable).

Chandigarh, November 8 – Haryana’s Minister of Public Works (Building and Roads) and Public Health Engineering, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa, participated in a Traders’ Conference organized in Barwala, Hisar, under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat – Sankalp Abhiyan’ on Saturday. During the event, traders and entrepreneurs took a pledge to realize the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and assured their contribution toward building a self-reliant India.

Upon his arrival, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa was warmly welcomed by the traders. In his address, Sh. Gangwa said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, India’s economy is progressing rapidly, with the trading community playing a vital role in it. He added that the country is moving swiftly on the path of self-reliance. The Haryana Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, is fully committed to taking Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative to every household.

Cabinet Minister Sh. Ranbir Singh Gangwa said that the COVID-19 pandemic inspired the nation with a new vision of self-reliance. He added that while the entire world was grappling with the pandemic, India not only ensured the safety of its citizens but also became self-sufficient in producing essential items like PPE kits, masks, sanitizers, and ventilators.

The Minister urged traders to prioritize local products and play an active role in employment generation.

Chandigarh, November 8 – On the occasion of 350th martyrdom anniversary of ‘Hind Ki Chadar’ Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, a sacred yatra commenced today from the holy land of Rori in Sirsa. In the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, an Ardas was performed at the historic Gurusar Rori Sahib Gurdwara. During the ceremony, the Chief Minister offered prayers before the holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji for the peace, prosperity, and well-being of the State.

In his address on this occasion, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was not only a saviour of the Sikh community or India but of human rights in the entire world. He said this yatra is an effort to spread Guru Ji’s message of penance, sacrifice, and his supreme martyrdom in defence of faith and righteousness to every corner of society.

He informed that to commemorate the 350th martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, four sacred yatras will be organized across Haryana, covering the entire State. These yatras will conclude in Kurukshetra on November 24, where an All-Faith Conference will also be held. The following day, on November 25, a grand congregation (Mahasamagam) will be organized in Kurukshetra, in which Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi will participate as the Chief Guest.

Deep Connection of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji with Haryana

The Chief Minister stated that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji shared a profound connection with the sacred land of Haryana. In 1665, the headquarters of Sikhism was shifted to Dharmatan, pargana Jind, in the region of Bangar Desh (now Haryana). This decision was taken because the area was directly connected to Lohgarh in the south. During the same year, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib travelled from Bangar Desh to Lohgarh, passing through Jind, Kaithal, Cheeka, Karah, Siana Saidan, and then Pehowa, where he met the local Sikh sangat. From there, Guru Sahib proceeded to the village of Barna in Kurukshetra district, where Masand Bhai Sudha welcomed him. He also visited Thanesar, Ladwa, and Yamunanagar regions during his travels.

The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great fortune for the people of Haryana that the sacred footsteps of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji graced this land several times. During his visits, he imparted divine knowledge to the sangat and inspired them to uphold righteousness and protect faith. The places where he visited have been preserved in the form of Gurughars (Gurdwaras), which continue to spread the light of his teachings for centuries. Today, more than 30 such sites have become revered pilgrimage destinations, where devotees visit throughout the year to seek spiritual upliftment.

An Inspirational Occasion for Youth

In his address to the youth, the Chief Minister said that the 350th martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji holds special significance as it reminds the younger generation that the foundation of modern India rests on countless sacrifices, penance, and renunciation. He said that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, the government is committed to giving India’s spiritual journey and heritage global recognition. Over the past 11 years, the respect accorded to Sikh heritage, great saints, and historical sites has become an integral part of India’s national policy. From the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji to the 350th martyrdom commemoration of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, India has been advancing rapidly on the path of progress.

Government Committed Towards Preserving Sikh Heritage

Highlighting the efforts of the government, the Chief Minister said that the Haryana Government has made provisions to provide government jobs to one member each of 121 Sikh families in the State who lost their loved ones during the 1984 riots. He said that in December 2022, the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee was established, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the Sikh community and granting them autonomy in religious affairs.

He informed that the upcoming medical college in Yamunanagar will be named “Hind Ki Chadar Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh Medical College.” Similarly, the college in Assandh has been named after Baba Fateh Singh Ji, the younger son of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who is remembered as “Sarbans Dani” (the one who sacrificed his entire family).

He added that at Lakhnaur Sahib, the Mata Gujri VLDA College has been established, and on October 27, the foundation stone for the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Memorial was laid at Lohgarh in Yamunanagar. He also mentioned that the “Swarn Jayanti Guru Darshan Yatra Yojana” has been launched to provide financial assistance to pilgrims from Haryana visiting holy Sikh shrines such as Sri Hazur Sahib, Sri Nankana Sahib, Sri Hemkunt Sahib, and Sri Patna Sahib.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included President of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee Sardar Jagdish Singh Jhinda, Jathedar Sri Baljit Singh Daduwal, Sardar Kuldeep Singh Rori, Sardar Angrez Singh, Sh. Jagdish Singh Chopra, Sardar Charanjit Singh Rori, Sardar Darshan Singh Sarpanch, Sh. Sahajender Singh, Sh. Jarnail Singh, Sh. Major Singh, and Sh. Rajender Singh Desujodha.

Chandigarh, November 8 – Haryana Revenue & Disaster Management Minister, Sh. Vipul Goel today stated that all registry offices across the state are functioning smoothly, and no paperless registry services have been suspended. The Paperless Registry System, launched statewide on November 1, 2025, is operating efficiently, ensuring uninterrupted citizen services for property registration.

Reacting to reports that appeared in a section of the press claiming that registry services had been halted, Sh. Vipul Goel strongly refuted such reports. He stated that these reports were misleading and emphasized that the new paperless system was introduced to make registration more convenient, transparent, and time-bound. Under the new provisions, the department has been allotted five working days to verify documents submitted by applicants.

Giving more information in this regard, Financial Commissioner, Revenue and Disaster Management, Dr. Sumita Misra stated that since the system’s launch, the department has received a total of 2,778 applications under the Paperless Registry System. Of these, 927 documents have already been successfully registered, demonstrating the system’s smooth functionality and timely processing. Additionally, 495 applications have been assigned specific appointment dates for registration, with execution to be completed as per scheduled timelines.

Meanwhile, 327 applications were rejected due to incomplete or incorrect documentation. The remaining applications are currently under verification at various offices, and their registration will be finalized promptly once verification is completed within the timeline of 5 days. This data reflects the department’s active efforts to maintain transparency, efficiency, and speed in implementing the new digital registration process across the state, Dr. Misra added.

Before implementing the Paperless Registry System statewide, the department conducted a pilot phase to identify and resolve technical or procedural issues. After successful trials, the system was extended across Haryana. Dr. Misra acknowledged that, as with any new system, initial challenges may arise, but added that the department has established comprehensive grievance redressal mechanisms to handle public complaints and feedback.

Dr. Misra stated that the department has implemented several key improvements based on public feedback and suggestions from officials and citizens. Errors in land data for some villages have been corrected where duplicate entries existed. In areas falling under municipal limits, there is no change in NOC requirements, and the earlier process remains applicable. The data for licensed colonies has been streamlined and is now available for urban and semi-urban areas, while rural colonies will be reviewed in consultation with the Town and Country Planning Department.

For matters related to the Housing Board and HSVP, khewat-khatoni details are not required; instead, registrations are being processed using Property IDs provided by municipal bodies. For licensed colonies, the system automatically displays relevant data once the correct license number is entered. The department has also removed khewat-khasra columns from old city area records, allowing citizens to book appointments from the next working day. Additionally, licensed colony data has been linked with Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), enabling easier coordination and faster approvals.

Director, Consolidation of Land Holdings & Land Records, Sh. Yash Pal informed that the character limit for Partnership or Collaboration Deeds has been increased from 500 to 10,000 characters, allowing complete entry of terms and conditions. The document upload limit on the portal has been enhanced from 10 MB to 40 MB for user convenience. A new “Revert with Objection” feature will be introduced from November 12, allowing applicants to re-upload corrected documents without paying additional fees, unless incorrect information was initially entered.

Minor discrepancies in names will not cause applications to be rejected. The General Power of Attorney (GPA) option continues to remain available and has been simplified further, with citizens able to book appointments from Monday, Sh. Yash Pal added.

Regarding the cultivator column, Sh. Yash Pal clarified that ownership cannot be changed based on this field, though past registrations made in such a manner are under review, and new rules will be issued shortly. The department also confirmed that location data in rural areas is accurate, but citizens can report any anomalies through the helpdesk for correction.

Dr. Misra reaffirmed that the Paperless Registry System marks a major step toward digital governance, transparency, and accountability in Haryana. She emphasized that the department remains committed to continuously improving the system and welcomes constructive suggestions from citizens and institutions alike to ensure that the registration process remains efficient, reliable, and citizen-friendly.

Chandigarh, November 8 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the life of Hind Ki Chadar, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, is a source of inspiration for the entire humanity. He said in the 17th century, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s supreme sacrifice against injustice, oppression, and tyranny stands as one of the highest ideals not only in Sikh history but in the history of human civilization.

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini was addressing a National Seminar on “Life and Philosophy of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji” at Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa, as the Chief Guest today. Earlier, the Chief Minister also visited an exhibition of paintings created by students based on the lives of the Gurus.

The Chief Minister announced that on the martyrdom day of Hind Ki Chadar Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, a Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Study Chair will be established at Chaudhary Devi Lal University, where students will be able to conduct research on his life and teachings.

He informed that programmes commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji began on November 1 and will continue until November 25, with the main event to be organized in Kurukshetra. The Chief Minister said that four religious processions (yatras) will be taken out, the first of which was flagged off today from Rori in Sirsa district.

Welcoming saints, scholars, and researchers from across the country, the Chief Minister said that it is our privilege to reflect upon the life and message of such a great soul who taught that religion is not merely about protecting one’s own faith, but about upholding the moral conscience of the entire world.

The Chief Minister said that even as humanity steps into the technological era, the ideals of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji continue to guide India. In the 21st century, India’s true strength lies not in technology, but in its moral values, spiritual resolve, and courage. He said when the youth face challenges such as intense competition and mental pressure, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and his four martyred disciples serve as beacons of light for the new generation.

He further stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, India today is working to guide humanity in accordance with the teachings of Guru Maharaj Ji. He added that the Modi government is advancing the principle of “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” which is a true reflection of the spirit of the Guru tradition.

Haryana Government Committed to Preserve Sikh Heritage

The Chief Minister said that the State Government is continuously working to preserve and promote Sikh history and heritage. He informed that one member each from 121 Sikh families in Haryana who lost their kin in the 1984 riots has been provided government employment. In December 2022, the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee was established, fulfilling a long-pending demand and granting autonomy to the Sikh community. He added that 70 kanals of land have been transferred to Gurdwara Sri Chilla Sahib in Sirsa.

He further said that the upcoming medical college in Yamunanagar will be named “Hind Ki Chadar Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh Ji Medical College.” The college in Assandh has been named “Baba Fateh Singh Ji College.” The “Mata Gujri VLDA College” has been established at Lakhnaur Sahib, and the foundation stone of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Memorial has been laid at Lohgarh in Yamunanagar.

To facilitate pilgrimages to historic Sikh shrines such as Sri Hazur Sahib, Sri Nankana Sahib, Sri Hemkunt Sahib, and Sri Patna Sahib, the State Government has launched the “Swarn Jayanti Guru Darshan Yatra Yojana.”

The Chief Minister said that the honour and recognition accorded to Sikh heritage and the historic sites of the Gurus over the past 11 years have become an integral part of national policy. From the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji to the 350th martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, India has made remarkable progress.

He said that we must not only remember the teachings of Guru Sahib but also imbibe them in our lives. He prayed that by the grace of Guru Sahib, peace, harmony, and spiritual strength may prevail in the lives of all humankind.

On this occasion, Chaudhary Devi Lal University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Vijay Kumar, Chief Minister’s OSD Dr. Prabhleen Singh, OSD Sh. Raj Nehru, Prof. Jagdeep Singh, Prof. Kuldeep Singh Agnihotri, along with many scholars and dignitaries, were present.

Chandigarh, November 7

Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda has said that the Election Commission failed to fulfill its responsibility impartially, and BJP formed the government through vote theft. He said revelations made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have made it clear that the BJP and the Commission have jointly disrespected the mandate.
Responding to questions from reporters at his Chandigarh residence, Hooda said the voter list was so flawed that, in addition to the Brazilian model, 223 votes were registered for a single woman at one booth. The photographs of 122,000 voters were found to be fake.
“When the media itself investigated after Rahul Gandhi’s revelations, all the allegations were found to be true. Votes were registered for 501 people in a 300-yard house owned by a BJP leader, even though only seven people live there. Showing photographs, Rahul Gandhi explained that some people have registered their votes in both Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, and they are close to the BJP,” he stated.
Hooda said irregularities detected in the voter list have shaken public confidence in the Election Commission. “Therefore, the Congress party has resolved to protect democracy and will take every possible step to do so,” he said.
He said that after the voting on October 5, 2024, the Election Commission reported a total voter turnout of 61.19 percent in Haryana. “On the 6th, this figure was increased to 65.65 percent, and on the 7th, the figure was revised again to 65.9 percent. Will the Election Commission answer how the vote count was increasing automatically for three consecutive days? How did the counting of votes cast through EVMs take such a long time in this era of fast internet and telecom revolution,” he questioned.
“That is why, as soon as the election results were announced, we immediately went to the Election Commission and filed a complaint. We have repeatedly appealed for elections to be held using ballot papers, as everyone saw that Congress was winning 73 seats in the postal ballot count, but was reduced to 37 seats in the EVM count. The results of the last five elections show that the party that wins the postal ballot count forms the government,” the stated.

Hooda said today Congress is not just talking about Haryana, but about the entire country, the Constitution, and democracy. “If the Election Commission does not act impartially, people’s democratic rights will be nullified. However, Congress will not allow the people’s democratic rights to be violated. Therefore, protests will be held across the state against vote theft. The party is preparing a blueprint for this,” he stated.
Speaking on the issue of law and order, the former Chief Minister said crime is at its peak in Haryana today. “More than 60 gangs of criminals are active, committing crimes like murder, robbery, extortion, loot, and kidnapping. The police, who are supposed to protect the people, are themselves not safe,” he said.
“Today, another police officer was killed. Prior to this, an ADGP and ASI-level officer committed suicide. It’s been a month since that case, but the investigation hasn’t revealed anything. Meaning, the case has been put on hold in the name of investigation,” he pointed out.
“From day one, we demanded a CBI investigation into the ADGP and ASI case under the supervision of a sitting judge, but the government refused to accept the demand. The government’s intentions were revealed that day itself,” he stated.
Hooda said that a report published today revealed that Haryana is the worst in terms of response to the government-issued women’s helpline number. Only 5% of calls made by women were responded to, he said.
He said that the BJP’s plan to provide ₹2,100 to women has also been exposed. “During the elections, a promise was made to give ₹2100 to all women, but later conditions were imposed which excluded most women from the beneficiary category,” he said.
“At the time of the elections, the government declared 80% of Haryana’s population as BPL and issued ration cards for them, but as soon as they came to power, their ration cards are being cancelled again.

This means that the BJP has betrayed the public at every step,” he added.
Speaking on the issue of farmers, Hooda said scams are continuously taking place in the name of paddy procurement. “The investigation report of the last scam that was exposed has not yet been released, and another scam has been exposed in Karnal. This scam is not limited to Karnal, but is happening throughout Haryana, as no farmer is receiving the MSP for their crops,” he stated.
He said the BJP government is neither providing MSP to farmers, nor compensation, nor fertilizer. Farmers are being made to stand in lines to receive fertilizer and are being labeled criminals. “This is an insult to the food providers,” he stated.

Chandigarh, November 7:

Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sibin C today held a video conference with district officials to review the final phase of preparations for the Tarn Taran bye-election, scheduled for November 11. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Rahul, SSP Dr. Ravjot Grewal, and Returning Officer Gurmeet Singh.

During the meeting, the CEO instructed officials to remain on high alert during the crucial 72, 48, and 24 hours before polling and until the completion of the entire election process. He directed that any complaints related to the distribution of cash, liquor, or freebies to influence voters be dealt with strictly and promptly. Sibin C further emphasized that after the conclusion of the election campaign at 6 PM on November 9, no outsiders associated with political parties should remain within the constituency.

The CEO also ordered that 100% live webcasting of polling stations be ensured for real-time monitoring. He instructed officials to make adequate arrangements at polling booths, strong rooms, and counting hall to ensure a smooth and secure polling experience for both voters and election staff. Any violations of the Model Code of Conduct must be addressed swiftly as per the guidelines of the Election Commission, he added.

Sibin C directed police authorities to maintain round-the-clock surveillance through CCTV monitoring and patrolling teams at checkpoints to curb the illegal movement of liquor, cash, drugs, or other prohibited materials.

The Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer and SSP apprised the CEO that all necessary arrangements for the bye-election had been completed and that the election would be conducted in full compliance with the Commission’s guidelines and rules.

The District Election Officer informed that a total of 222 polling booths have been set up at 114 locations across the constituency, 60 in urban areas and 162 in rural areas. Of these, 100 polling stations have been identified as vulnerable, where special security measures as per deployment plan approved by Observers of ECI will be enforced. Additionally, 9 model polling stations, 3 women-managed polling booths, 1 booth for persons with disabilities, and 1 booth for young voters have been established. All polling stations are equipped with CCTV cameras and covered under 100% live webcasting. All the All Polling locations to have Central Armed Police Force deployment.

The SSP informed that as per the Election Commission’s instructions, a “dry day” has been declared from 6 PM on November 9 to 6 PM on November 11. Police and Excise Department teams have been deployed to keep strict vigil on any illegal liquor movement. To strengthen security arrangements, 768 personnel from CAPF and 876 from Punjab Police have been deployed. All 114 Polling locations to have 480 Central Armed Police Force deployment.

Six inter-district checkpoints have been set up along the borders of Tarn Taran constituency to prevent illegal activities and monitor anti-social elements.

Moreover, 22 patrolling parties will carry out intensive patrolling in areas of all polling locations specially the vulnerable and critical to deal with any kind of emergency situation during the 72 hours preceding the election.

The Tarn Taran constituency has a total of 1,92,838 voters, including 1,00,933 male, 91,897 female, and 8 third-gender voters. The total number of service voters is 1,357, while there are 1,657 voters above 85 years of age, 306 NRI voters, and 1,488 voters with disabilities. The constituency also includes 3,333 young voters aged between 18 and 19 years.

The review meeting was also attended by Additional CEO Amandeep Bansal, Joint CEO Sakatar Singh Bal, and other senior officials from the CEO office and the Tarn Taran district administration.