CHANDIGARH, April 6:

          As the decisive ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign launched under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann enters its 76th day, Punjab Police on Monday conducted 322 raids at the at identified and mapped locations linked to associates of gangsters across the state.

          As per the information, the “Gangstran Te Vaar”— a decisive war to make Punjab a gangster-free state was launched by the Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on January 20, 2026. Police teams from all the districts in coordination with Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab has been conducting special operations across the state.

          On Day 76, Police teams arrested 133 individuals after recovering two weapons, taking the total arrests to 19,248 since the launch of the campaign.

 Apart from this, preventive action has been taken against 43 persons, whereas, 46 persons were verified and released after questioning. Police teams have also arrested two proclaimed offenders (POs) during the operation.

          People can anonymously report information related to wanted criminals and gangsters, and also share tips on crime and criminal activity, through the Anti Gangster Helpline number 93946-93946.

          Meanwhile, Police teams have continued its drive against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” for 401st day with 101 drug smugglers arrested on Monday and recovered 265 grams heroin, 2 kg opium, 581 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 10.54 lakhs drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 57,321 in just 401 days. As part of De-addiction, the Punjab Police has convinced 17 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

PATIALA; 6 April 2026:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday flagged off 250 new PRTC buses in Patiala, describing the move as a major step towards strengthening public transport, generating employment, and accelerating overall development across Punjab. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann outlined his government’s dual focus on infrastructure expansion and people-centric governance.

Sharing details of the transport expansion, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Today in Patiala, 250 new buses were flagged off and added to the PRTC fleet. This is not merely an improvement in transport facilities, but a significant step towards providing people with better, safer and more comfortable travel. This will strengthen public transport and also create new employment opportunities for the youth. In the coming days, more than 300 additional buses will be inducted into the PRTC fleet. The government is consistently making such efforts to enhance public convenience and move Punjab forward on the path of progress.”

Emphasising the scale of the expansion, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that 254 ordinary buses and 100 mini buses will be added to the fleet of PRTC by the end of May 2026.” He also noted that tenders have already been floated for 309 more buses, further strengthening the state’s transport network.

Highlighting the employment potential, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “This will pave the way for creating employment opportunities for 681 persons,” adding, “Around 110 ordinary buses were earlier added to the PRTC fleet in 2024, which had provided employment to 165 persons.” He further added, “Tender for induction of 309 more buses has also been floated, which will provide employment to 928 persons.”

Underlining the improved financial health of the corporation, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “PRTC has registered a 53% increase in gross revenue, rising from ₹607.09 crore in the financial year 2021–22 to ₹927.83 crore in 2024–25.” He added, “In the current financial year 2025–26, PRTC is expected to cross ₹950 crore in gross revenue, reflecting nearly 57% growth.”

Reaffirming the AAP Government’s commitment to welfare, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Since 2022, PRTC has provided free travel facility to 34.63 crore women commuters of Punjab at a cost of ₹1574 crore.” He further added, “Under the Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra scheme, PRTC has provided free HVAC bus travel facility worth ₹2.21 crore, enabling 9,529 passengers to visit religious places within and outside Punjab.”

Linking transport expansion with broader development, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “With the expansion of the bus fleet, people in both urban and rural areas will be able to travel safely and comfortably.” He added that Punjab is rapidly moving on the path of development and the government is accelerating efforts to bridge the gaps of decades.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Our government is undertaking multi-dimensional development to restore Punjab to its former glory as a Rangla Punjab.”

Detailing development works in the region, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Since assuming office, our government has spent approximately ₹400 crore on development works across various departments in the Patiala Rural constituency, transforming its overall landscape.” He further noted that crores of rupees have been continuously invested since 2022 to strengthen infrastructure and public services.

On agriculture, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “To make farming profitable again, which had become a loss-making occupation, our government has spent ₹60 crore through the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department on multiple initiatives.”

Highlighting improvements in healthcare, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “₹7.91 crore has been spent over the past four years on three projects through the Health and Family Welfare Department, while an additional ₹14.54 crore is currently being spent on expanding healthcare services.”

On education, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “With the aim of providing world-class school education to Punjab’s children, the government has spent ₹825.22 crore on eight projects through the School Education Department between 2022 and 2026, with additional projects worth ₹80.92 crore currently underway.”

Focusing on infrastructure, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “₹6.71 crore has been spent on 17 works through the Public Works Department, while ₹21.02 crore is being spent on 11 ongoing works and ₹23.03 crore will be spent on 21 additional projects.”

On rural infrastructure, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted, “₹12.98 crore has been spent through the Punjab Mandi Board on eight works, including repairs, new construction, and mandi infrastructure expansion, while additional works are ongoing and planned.”

Highlighting flood prevention measures, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “₹1.27 crore has been spent since 2022 on river cleaning and flood control works, with more projects underway and planned.”

On urban and sewerage infrastructure, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann noted, “₹1.34 crore has been spent on two works through the Sewerage Board, while two major projects worth ₹366 crore are currently underway to strengthen infrastructure.”

Detailing urban development, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann added, “₹42.16 crore has been spent over the past four years on 114 works across wards through the Municipal Corporation, with several projects ongoing and more in the pipeline.”

On water conservation, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “₹1.24 crore has been spent on underground pipelines and water preservation works through the Soil Conservation Department, with ongoing and upcoming projects further strengthening efforts.”

He further highlighted investments across departments including Rural Development, Patiala Development Authority, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited, Panchayati Raj, and Water Supply and Sanitation, noting that extensive works are underway and planned to strengthen infrastructure and improve quality of life.

Seeking continued public support, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted, “To continue these development works at the same pace, we require the support and cooperation of all of you.” He added, “I am confident that just as you supported our party wholeheartedly in the previous elections, you will continue to stand with us in the 2027 elections as well.”

Chandigarh/Udaipur, April 6, 2026:
The Governing Body meeting of the North Zone Cultural Centre was held today in Udaipur under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Governor of Punjab and Chairman of the Centre, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria. Representatives and nominated members from Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh participated in the meeting. The Additional Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, also joined the meeting online and shared her suggestions.
Several important decisions were taken to promote cultural exchange. It was decided to prepare a detailed plan for organizing Kashmir and Ladakh festivals in Chandigarh, Punjab festival in Rajasthan, and Rajasthan festival in Kashmir.
Approval was granted for the construction of an auditorium under the Tagore Cultural Complex scheme at Kalagram, Chandigarh. Approximately 40% of the cost (around ₹5.6 crore) will be provided by the Chandigarh Administration. All members welcomed and appreciated this decision.
Additionally, annual awards for folk artists and young artists from member states were approved. A total prize amount of ₹12 lakh is provided from the personal funds of the Chairman and Governor, making it a unique initiative of the Centre.
The expenditure of ₹14.56 crore for the year 2024–25 was approved, while a program budget of ₹15 crore for 2025–26 was proposed. An establishment expenditure of ₹5.10 crore was also approved.
Discussions were held on the ₹4 crore renovation of the Centre’s Patiala office, and emphasis was laid on expediting the construction of a boundary wall on the allotted land. Instructions were also issued to initiate the tender process at the earliest for a multi-purpose hall at Kalagram, to be built at a cost of ₹2.54 crore.
The meeting expressed satisfaction that the North Zone Cultural Centre was entrusted with the responsibility of being the nodal agency for the cultural program held at Kartavya Path on Republic Day. The Centre successfully executed the program with efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The performance, featuring around 2,700 artists, received a Special Jury Award. Notably, the event was completed at a cost of ₹15 crore against the approved budget of ₹22.5 crore.
In his address, Hon’ble Chairman Shri Kataria emphasized the need for cultural exchange among states to preserve the country’s rich cultural heritage. He also stressed the importance of developing a robust system to identify talent at a young age and provide them opportunities to showcase their skills.
The meeting also appreciated various events organized by the Centre, including the National Craft Mela (Chandigarh), Gita Jayanti (Kurukshetra), Patiala Music Festival, Harivallabh Music Festival (Jalandhar), Sindhu Darshan (Ladakh), Bharat Parv (Red Fort), Lokarang (Jaipur), and other cultural programs. The members also appreciated the monthly theatre evenings and efforts to revive the Teej festival in rural Punjab.
At the end of the meeting, all members lauded the Centre’s activities and expressed their gratitude to the Chairman. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks.

Chandigarh:

A team of PGIMER doctors led by Prof. Dhandapani SS and Prof. Hemant Bhagat has published, for the first time in the world literature, on the molecular footprint of keyhole brain surgery compared with that of traditional neurosurgery in Neurosurgical Review, a reputed international journal.

According to press statement, Minimally invasive keyhole surgery is an evolving concept in Neurosurgery that aims to achieve a smaller opening in the skull to reach the target area with minimal collateral injury to nearby structures. It is used in a wide variety of diseases, including aneurysms and tumors. Though it is cosmetically better, with less post-operative pain and other side effects, there has never been solid evidence before this study on whether it is truly minimally invasive in terms of its biochemical footprint.

The PGIMER team of doctors, Dhandapani, Prasant, Tejasvi, Mukilan, Apinderpreet, Navneet, Vivek, Sushant, Chandrashekhar, Hemant, and SK Gupta have published a study in Neurosurgical Review on the comparison of levels of CRP, an inflammatory biomarker, and Caspase-3, an indicator of apoptosis, from before treatment to after treatment across various modalities, and shown keyhole surgery to have less inflammatory reaction than open neurosurgery. This is very relevant, as it shows why keyhole brain surgery can offer significant long-term benefits, such as reduced risk of post-operative seizures and cognitive deficits.

Chandigarh: Maat-Pita Godham Trust, Mohali is organizing Global Shravana Awards Ceremony, 2025 on April 10.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, the Trust’s founding trustee Gochar Gyan Das said Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini would be the chief guest at the awards ceremony and Rajya Sabha MP, Rekha Sharma will be the very special guest on the occasion.

Former Haryana speaker Gyan Chand Gupta, Political Secretary to Haryana CM Tarun Bhandari, Panchkula BJP District President Ajay Mittal and BJP leader from Dera Bassi S Gurdarshan Singh Saini will be special guests.

The Global Shravana Awards will be given in the categories of  India, Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi and Maharashtra.

Chandigarh, April 5 – Haryana Minister of State for Sports, Sh. Gaurav Gautam said that the community centre being developed in the name of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya will serve as an inspiration for the region. He said that the State Government is continuously working for the holistic development of Palwal district.

The Minister was addressing people after laying the foundation stone for the construction of a boundary wall, track and park at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Community Centre complex in village Kushlipur (Ward No. 10), Palwal.

He said that the main hall of the building will be constructed at a cost of approximately Rs. 2.50 crore, while Rs. 1 crore will be spent on the boundary wall, track, park and other beautification works. These facilities will provide better amenities to residents and create a conducive environment for youth to engage in sports activities. He added that the facility will remain open to all sections of society, including all communities, and will serve as a venue for social, cultural and community programmes.

Reiterating the government’s commitment, the Minister said that continuous efforts are being made for the overall development of Palwal district. To promote sports, stadiums, modern tracks and sports nurseries are being established in the district, enabling youth to hone their talent. He added that, for the first time, sports nurseries have been established on a large scale, providing opportunities to rural athletes to progress.

Minister inaugurates water and sewerage project

The Sports Minister also inaugurated a water supply and sewerage line project at Palwal. He said that under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme, sewerage infrastructure across the city will be strengthened at a cost of approximately Rs. 332 crore, while under the Ranney Well project, the rainwater supply network will be enhanced at a cost of about Rs. 522 crore.