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A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Participants in Tiranga Yatra in Ambala Cantonment danced, sang, and swayed to patriotic tunes: Anil Vij

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Chandigarh, August 13 – Haryana’s Energy, Transport & Labour Minister, Sh. Anil Vij said that when the spirit of patriotism fully takes root and roars within the people, even the greatest enemies of the nation flee in fear. He said that as the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, his party has decided to organize Tiranga Yatra in every city and state to drape the country in the colours of the national flag. In this series of programs, a large number of people participated in the Tiranga Yatra held today in Ambala Cantonment, where they danced, sang, and swayed to patriotic tunes.

While speaking to Media Persons after the massive Tiranga Yatra organised in Ambala Cantonment on the occasion of Independence Day, Sh. Vij said that under his leadership, the Bharatiya Janata Party took out the Yatra with great enthusiasm. Sh. Vij was seen immersed in patriotic fervour, holding the Tricolour in his hand, dancing to patriotic songs, and infusing the atmosphere with energy by waving the flag and raising slogans of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Mataram’.

*The entire city was awash in the colours of the Tricolour, with tremendous enthusiasm among the people for the Yatra*

The Tiranga Yatra began from Aggarwal Dharamshala in Ambala Cantonment and saw participation from thousands of workers as well as citizens. The city was draped in the colours of the national flag, and excitement among the people was palpable. Throughout the route, the Yatra was greeted with grand welcomes. The procession, starting from Aggarwal Dharamshala, passed through Railway Road, Sadar Bazar, Sabzi Mandi, Pul Chameli, Kesra Bazar, Kabadi Bazar, and Government College before returning to its starting point.

*Ambala Cantonment overflowed with patriotic spirit during the Tiranga Yatra*

Everywhere the Yatra passed, people danced and swayed to patriotic songs. Flowers were showered on the march at various points along the route. Residents and shopkeepers welcomed the procession by throwing flowers from the rooftops of their homes and shops. During the program, Sh. Vij greeted the participants and extended Independence Day wishes to all.

Prominent attendees included State Organization General Secretary Phanidranath Sharma, Municipal Council Chairperson Swarn Kaur, Vice-Chairman Lalata Prasad, BJP leaders Jasbir Singh Jassi, Dimple Gupta, Aarti Sehgal, Surender Bindra, Ajay Baveja, Ravi Buddhiraja, Harsh Bindra, Pravesh Sharma, Vikas Bahgal, Sanjeev Soni, B.S. Bindra, Ashish Aggarwal, Madan Lal Sharma, Ram Babu Yadav, Bharat Kochhar, Fakir Chand Saini, Billu Rana, Balkesh Vats, Subhash Sharma, Ramesh Saini, Randhir Singh, Sudarshan Singh Sehgal, Shyam Sunder Arora, Balit Nagpal among others.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Spreading confusion on EVM by Congress is wrong – CM Sh Nayab Singh Saini

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Chandigarh, August 13

Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that Congress won 10 seats in the state by margins ranging from 100 to 1,000 votes. If there were any faults in the EVMs, Congress would not have won these seats. He emphasized that the public should not be misled on this issue. The Chief Minister added that Congress members should explain this to their leader Sh Rahul Gandhi and get him treated, as “there is no cure for lies.”

The Chief Minister was interacting with the media persons after the Tiranga Yatra in Kurukshetra on Wednesday. The Development and Panchayats Minister Sh Krishan Lal Panwar, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Sh Shyam Singh Rana, and Chairman Sh Dharam Veer Mirzapur were also present on the occasion.

Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that whenever election results are announced whether in the state or across the country, Congress routinely blames the EVMs. He added that during this election, Congress leaders repeatedly claimed that if Narendra Modi became Prime Minister for a third term, the Constitution would be in danger. Rahul Gandhi and other leaders of the INDIA alliance campaigned using the Constitution as a symbol, but the people of the country rejected their false narratives. Instead, they elected Sh Narendra Modi as Prime Minister for the third consecutive term. In Haryana too, the BJP formed the government for the third time in a row.

He said that Congress has no real issues left and is now frustrated. The party ruled the country for 55 years, but today, seeing the rapid development under BJP rule, Congress leaders have lost their mental balance. Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi has ended Congress’s corrupt practices and worked for the welfare of the poor. He provided Ayushman cards, built toilets in every home, ensured ration reaches the needy, and gave gas cylinders to poor families under the Ujjwala Yojana. Congress is unhappy with the BJP government’s efforts to uplift the poor. Instead of supporting progress, they continue to mislead people with false statements. But now, the people of both the country and the state have understood Congress’s lies.

The Chief Minister said that the country was divided due to the ambitions of those driven by political greed. The people of India endured the pain of Partition just a day before independence. During that time, countless families were torn apart, and many daughters and children lost their lives. For the first time since independence, Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi truly acknowledged the suffering of those affected by Partition. He stated that we must remember the lakhs of people who endured this tragedy. As a result, he took the initiative to observe August 14 as Vibhajan Vibhishika Diwas.

Dehradun

Holistic Education and Industry Linkages: Key to Viksit Bharat @ 2047: Prof Devinder Singh

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Srinagar Garhwal: At the inaugural session of a faculty development program, Prof. Devinder Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Dr. B.R.A. National Law University, Sonipat, called for a fundamental shift in the education system to achieve the vision of a “Viksit Bharat.” He emphasized the urgent need for a holistic and student-centric education system that moves beyond traditional methods.
In his address, Prof. Singh advocated for a clear policy to swiftly integrate underutilized qualified human resources into the formal education system at the earliest.

He stressed that this would be crucial for contributions to building a “Vishwa Guru Viksit Bharat.” Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of strengthening academia-industry linkages to ensure that educational curricula are aligned with the needs of the industry, thereby better preparing graduates for the workforce. He was stating this at the inaugural session of short-term Faculty Development Program (FDP) on the “Role of Higher Education in Viksit Bharat” today organized by Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC) of H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand. In this program more than 100 higher education faculty participants from 17 different states will be trained for a week.
In his message, the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of H.N.B. Garhwal University, Prof Prakash Singh, lauded the MMTTC team for its continuous efforts in organizing such programs. Dr. Rahul Kunwar Singh, the Officiating Director of the MMTTC, welcomed the attendees and highlighted the evolving role of higher education. He noted that universities and colleges are now responsible for developing “responsible, ethical, and globally competent individuals who will lead Bharat towards inclusive and sustainable growth,” going beyond merely producing employable graduates.
The session’s proceedings included an overview of the program by Dr. Hiranmoy Roy, the Course Coordinator. The coordination of the session was handled by Dr. Kavita Bhatt, the Program Executive, while Dr. Amar Jeet Singh, an Assistant Director, introduced the guests. The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Somesh Thapliyal, also an Assistant Director of the Centre.

Chandigarh, Punjab

CM AND ARVIND KEJRIWAL FLAG OFF BAAJ AKH- ANTI DRONE SYSTEM TO CHECK SMUGGLING DRUGS AND WEAPONS FROM ACROSS THE BORDER

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Tarn Taran, August 9:

In a path breaking initiative to check supply of drugs from across the border, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and National Convener of AAP Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday flagged off Baaj Akh- Anti Drone System (ADS) after which Punjab became the first state in the country to deploy this system at the international border.

Interacting with the media, the National Convener of AAP said that another glorious chapter has been added in the crusade against the drugs. He said that previous regimes hobnobbed with the drug smugglers due to which this curse flexed its muscles in the state. However, Arvind Kejriwal said that now a massive crackdown has been launched against drugs and big fishes involved in this trade have been put behind the bars.

The National Convener of AAP said that drugs have been supplied to Punjab from across the border and to check them this anti-drone system has been launched. He said that three ADS have been launched and six others will be launched very soon to make Punjab free from this scourge. Arvind Kejriwal said that the state government has strictly implemented a zero-tolerance policy against drug traffickers.

The National Convener of AAP said that properties acquired by drug smugglers through the illegal drug trade are being demolished. He further said that the most notorious and feared drug lord has been put behind the bars by an honest government in the state led by Bhagwant Singh Mann. Arvind Kejriwal said that these smugglers, who celebrate with luxuries at home while poisoning society, are the real enemies of our people and the state government will not spare them at any cost.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that under the “War Against Drugs” (Yudh Nasheyan Virud) campaign, Punjab has today launched a battle to stop drug smuggling from across the border. He said that Punjab shares a 553-kilometer border with Pakistan, which is considered one of the most sensitive zones for the smuggling of narcotics and weapons. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that to strengthen border security and tackle the challenges posed by drone-based smuggling, nine anti-drone units are being set up along the international border.

The Chief Minister said that an amount of ₹51.4 crore is being spent on these units. He said that although our country’s armed forces and BSF have already been using such systems, Punjab is the first state in the country to deploy anti-drone systems at the international border. He said that the anti-drone system will give a strong response to drug smugglers from across the border adding that anti-national elements always use technology for anti-social activities. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the enemies of the country have turned drones into weapons to destroy Punjab’s youth, and drones are being used for drug smuggling from across the border.

Extending congratulations to the security forces, the Chief Minister lauded them for working tirelessly to stop this cross-border drug trafficking. He said that in 2024, a total of 283 drones loaded with heroin, weapons, and ammunition were seized adding that in 2025, so far, 137 drones have already been recovered. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the anti-drone system will be deployed along the border from Pathankot to Fazilka as a Second Line of Defense.

The Chief Minister said that with this, any drone entering the state through the border can be immediately neutralized. He said that the Second Line of Defense refers to the deployment of Punjab Police in the border districts, who work behind the BSF stationed at the international border. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the anti-drone systems will assist the security forces in combating the smuggling of drugs and weapons.

The Chief Minister said that these systems will be deployed at those specific border points where high drone activity has been observed. He said that previously, Punjab Police did not have any such system to neutralize drones, but now, Punjab Police has become capable. Bhagwant Singh Mann  said that the anti-drone system is equipped to accurately detect the drone’s position and its ground control stations.

The Chief Minister said that these systems come with automated alert technology, which immediately notifies authorities upon detecting drone movement, thus eliminating the need for manual monitoring. He said that to ensure the successful implementation of this advanced system, coordination will be maintained with BSF, the Indian Air Force, the Indian Army, and other agencies. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that anti-drug curriculum has been already introduced in Schools under “War Against Drugs” with an aim to make 8 lakh students aware against the menace of drugs.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab’s war against drugs has now reached a crucial stage and as part of the third phase of the state government’s campaign “Yudh Nashean De Virudh” (War Against Drugs), a special syllabus has been introduced in all government schools for students from classes 9 to 12. He said that through this syllabus, 8 lakh students from 9-12 classes will be made aware of the dangers of drug abuse and encouraged to stay away from narcotic substances. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this anti-drug program will involve 3,658 schools and renowned scientists will also take part in raising awareness among students.

The Chief Minister said that that the drug menace was deliberately spread in the state after 2009 through a conspiracy backed by political leaders. However, he said that his government has acted tough against this menace through meticulous planning, putting even high-profile offenders behind bars. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that those who were hand in glove with the drug smugglers and who patronized them during their heydays of power are today behind the bars.

On the occasion Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, DGP Gaurav Yadav and others were also present.

Chandigarh, Haryana

INDUS WATER CAN BE INSTRUMENTAL IN SAVING THE GROUNDWATER OF PUNJAB FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS: CM

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New Delhi, August 5:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday urged the Government of India (GOI) to duly utilize the water of Chenab river to resolve long pending water dispute between the states of Punjab and Haryana by shelving Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) issue.

Taking part in deliberations during a meeting called by Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil over the issue of Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, the Chief Minister said that during the last meeting held on July 9, the Union Government informed that the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan has been suspended, which opens up a major opportunity for India to utilize water from the Chenab river, one of the western rivers earlier given to Pakistan under the treaty. He said that the centre should now divert Chenab’s water to Indian dams like Ranjit Sagar, Pong, or Bhakra adding that to carry this extra water, new canals and infrastructure would be required which would be built in Punjab state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these canals and infrastructure can be first used to meet the needs of the state and after Punjab’s requirements are met, the water can be supplied to Haryana and Rajasthan through the same canal system.

The Chief Minister said that using Chenab water will reduce Punjab’s dependence on groundwater, revive surface irrigation and support the farming community, which is the backbone of Punjab’s economy besides saving groundwater of the state for future generations. He said that Punjab, which is currently facing groundwater depletion, must be prioritized in any future strategies for the usage, diversion, or allocation of these river waters. Bhagwant Singh Mann vehemently pleaded that the waters of the western rivers should be allocated to Punjab on a priority basis adding that new storage dams upstream of existing Bhakra and Pong Dams in Himachal Pradesh should be constructed, which will significantly enhance the storage and regulation of western river waters.

Batting for shelving of the SYL canal issue, the Chief Minister unequivocally said that Sarda Yamuna link for transfer of surplus Sarda water to the Yamuna River and diversion of Chenab water to River Beas through Rohtang tunnel should be done to eliminate the need for the SYL canal. He said that the long-conceived project of Sharda-Yamuna Link should be taken up on priority and surplus water be transferred to the river Yamuna at a suitable location. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the additional water so available could offset the balance water requirement of the state of Haryana from the Ravi- Beas system apart from addressing the ever-growing drinking water requirement of the capital city of Delhi and availability of the Yamuna water to the state of Rajasthan.

The Chief Minister said that under the aforesaid eventuality again the issue of construction of SYL canal could be shelved and put to rest forever. Batting for Yamuna Satluj Link (YSL) canal, he said that the MoU of May 12, 1994 of allocation of Yamuna waters between Delhi, U.P, H.P. and Rajasthan is to be reviewed after 2025. So, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab should be included as partner state of Yamuna waters allocations and 60% waters of surplus Yamuna should be considered for the state while apportioning the Yamuna waters.

The Chief Minister said that Haryana has enough scope to get additional waters from other sources which also needs to be accounted for. He said that Haryana is also receiving 2.703 MAF of River Ghaggar, Tangri Nadi, Markanda River, Saraswati Nadi, Chautang-Rakshi, Nai Nalah, Sahibi Nadi, Krishna Dhuan and Landoha Nalah which is unaccounted till now while deciding the allocations of water between the states. Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated that SYL canal is an ’emotive issue’ and Punjab will have serious law and order issues and it will become a national problem, with Haryana and Rajasthan also bearing the brunt.

The Chief Minister categorically said that land for SYL canal is not available as of today adding that out of 34.34 MAF water of three rivers, Punjab was allocated only 14.22 MAF, which is 40%. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the remaining 60% was allocated to Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, even though none of these rivers actually flow through these states. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to reduction in surface waters, pressure is putting on ground waters Ground adding that out of 153 blocks in Punjab, 115 have been declared over-exploited (75%), whereas in Haryana 61% (88 out of 143) are over exploited.

The Chief Minister said that the number of tube wells in the state has increased from 6 lakhs in 1980’s to 14.76 lakh in 2018 (this includes the tube well installed only for agriculture) showing an increase of more than 200% during the last 35 years. He said that Punjab has the highest rate of groundwater extraction (157%) in the entire nation, even higher than Rajasthan (150%) adding that Punjab ignores its own water requirement and gives about 60% water to meet the water requirements of non-riparian states in which Ravi-Beas and Sutlej Rivers do not pass. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab made a major contribution of 124.26 lakh metric tonne of wheat during 2024 which is 47% of the total procured in India and also contributed 24% rice in the centre pool.

The Chief Minister said that the total water requirement of Punjab is 52 MAF and water available with the state of Punjab is only 26.75 MAF (Surface water from three rivers 12.46 MAF and Ground water 14.29 MAF). He said that the water of the Punjab Rivers is shared among the partner states whereas the flood from these rivers caused damage only in Punjab putting the State of Punjab to a huge financial burden every year. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that as the benefits are shared in a certain ratio among the partner states, it is therefore imperative if the State of Punjab is appropriately compensated by the partner states regarding the damages and destructions caused by the floods on an annual basis.

The Chief Minister said that agreements and decisions of tribunals should be reviewed in light of changed circumstances and environmental developments, as international norms mandate a review every 25 years. He said that Punjab seeking share of Yamuna water is similar to Haryana’s share of Ravi Beas waters as Irrigation Commission Report, Government of India, 1972 held that Punjab is riparian to Yamuna river. Bhagwant Singh Mann lamented that GOI is of the view that Punjab Reorganisation Act-1966 is silent about Yamuna Waters as these waters were not considered shareable between Punjab and Haryana whereas the Act is also silent about Ravi Waters adding that Punjab has already enacted “Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004”, terminating 1981 Agreement relating to Surplus Ravi-Beas waters.

Chandigarh, Punjab

PUNJAB TO ESTABLISH SPECIAL FRAUD DETECTION UNIT TO BOLSTER GST ENFORCEMENT: HARPAL SINGH CHEEMA

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Chandigarh, August 4

In a significant move to institutionalise tax enforcement, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday announced the proposal to establish a State-Level Special Fraud Detection Unit (SFDU) headquartered at Patiala. He said that this dedicated unit will streamline the detection and bring consistency in investigating complex cases involving Goods and Services Tax (GST) violations.

Revealing further, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema elaborated that the SFDU will be tasked with uncovering and probing high-value GST frauds, with particular focus on breaking down circular trading operations, unearthing benami (anonymous) transactions, and eliminating the practice of fake invoicing. “The unit will be empowered to initiate stringent enforcement actions, including cancellation of suspicious GST Identification Numbers (GSTINs), blocking wrongful claims of Input Tax Credit (ITC), and recommending prosecution against offenders to uphold legal accountability”, he added.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema highlighted that the SFDU will leverage advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), data analytics, and centralised backend operations, to enhance its detection capabilities. The Unit will conduct comprehensive data mining and pattern recognition across the state to identify anomalies in tax returns, transaction networks, and goods movement. The Finance Minister further added that the Unit will use data-driven red flags to selectively verify only dubious or miscreant taxpayers, protecting honest taxpayers from unnecessary scrutiny. This strategic approach, Cheema emphasised, aims to strike a balance between effective enforcement and taxpayer facilitation, ensuring a more efficient and taxpayer-friendly administration

Detailing the composition of the SFDU, Cheema stated that the unit will comprise a multidisciplinary team consisting of experienced tax officers, skilled IT professionals, a Chartered Accountant, and a legal officer. He said that this team will be equipped with real-time access to critical datasets such as GSTN information, e-way bill tracking, toll records, and RFID trail analytics, enabling prompt and precise action against tax evasion.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema informed that the Special Fraud Detection Unit (SFDU) will be empowered by robust legal provisions under Sections 67, 70, 74, and 132 of the CGST/PGST Acts, complemented by relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He said that this will enable the SFDU to function as a technologically advanced, intelligence-driven enforcement agency. “This initiative marks a decisive step toward safeguarding the state’s revenue and dismantling elaborate tax fraud networks that threaten economic integrity”, said Cheema.

Emphasising that the establishment of the Special Fraud Detection Unit (SFDU) underscores AAP led Punjab Government’s firm resolve to cultivate a tax environment that is not only more accountable and transparent but also resilient to fraudulent activities, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the SFDU will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the state’s revenue and promoting a culture of compliance by taking proactive measures to detect and prevent tax evasion, ultimately contributing to the state’s economic stability and growth.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Finance Minister Cheema Engages with Forest and Education Department Unions, Assures to Resolve Legitimate Issues

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Chandigarh, August 4

Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee formed to address employee issues, met with various unions from the Forest Department and Education Department today. He was also accompanied by Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains during the meetings with the education department unions

The meetings, held at the Finance Minister’s office in the Punjab Civil Secretariat, aimed to resolve legitimate demands and issues raised by the unions. During the meetings, representatives from the Janglat Workers Union, ETT Test Pass Adhiyapak Association (Jai Singh Wala), Murhbahal Kache Adhiyapak Union, and Berujgar B.Ed TET Pass Adhiyapak Union presented their demands and concerns.

During the meeting with the Janglat Workers Union, Secretary, Forest Department Priyank Bharti briefed the Finance Minister Cheema on the status of the union’s demands. After detailed discussions with the union, the Finance Minister directed the department to consider the union’s key demands in the Officers’ Committee and subsequently place the proposal before the Cabinet Sub-Committee.

In the meetings with the Education Department unions, Finance Minister Cheema and Education Minister Bains assured the union leaders that most of their demands are already under consideration. They affirmed their commitment to fulfilling all legitimate demands in a timely manner.

Prominent amongst others, Union President Amrik Singh, Senior Vice President Ravi Kant amd Vice President Satnam Singh from Janglat Workers union, Union President Vikas Sahni, Vice President Lakhwinder Kaur and Secretary Amandeep Kaur from Murhbahal Kache Adhiyapak Union, Union President Jaswant Singh, Nashattar Singh, Kuldeep Singh from Berujgar B.Ed TET Pass Adhiyapak Union, and Union President Kamal Thakur, General Secretary Sohan Singh and Cashier Gurmukh Singh from ETT Test Pass Adhiyapak Association (Jai Singh Wala) were present in the meetings.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Punjab to Become the First State in the Country to Empanel Sign Language Interpreters, Translators, and Special Educators: Dr. Baljit Kaur

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Chandigarh, August 4:

In a landmark move to ensure accessible and sensitive justice for all, the Punjab Government is set to become the first state in the country to formally empanel Sign Language Interpreters, Translators, and Special Educators under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. This information was shared by Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development.

Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that this initiative, undertaken under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann, is a strong effort to empower children with special needs by eliminating communication barriers in legal, educational, and daily life settings.

She emphasized that this empanelment under the Juvenile Justice Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 will bridge communication gaps and strengthen access to justice and rights for children. These trained professionals will play a supportive role during court proceedings, thereby ensuring impartial and transparent outcomes.

The Minister added that Punjab is committed to building an inclusive society where every child feels heard, understood, and respected. This effort reflects the government’s firm commitment to child welfare and rights-based governance.

Dr. Kaur further informed that the empanelled professionals will be deployed district-wise and will be compensated as per the provisions of the Acts. Timely and continuous assistance will be ensured wherever required.

It is worth mentioning that the Punjab Government has already set a precedent by broadcasting important proceedings of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in sign language. This step not only removes communication barriers for specially-abled children and individuals (especially those who are speech and hearing impaired), but also strengthens their active participation in the processes of social justice and inclusion. The empanelment of Sign Language Interpreters, Translators, and Special Educators is yet another major initiative in this direction by the Government of Punjab.

Chandigarh, Punjab

PUNJAB BAGS COVETED TECHNOLOGY SABHA EXCELLENCE AWARD IN DATA ANALYTICS

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Chandigarh, August 4:

In a major national-level recognition, the Punjab Government has bagged the coveted Technology Sabha Excellence Award 2025 in the Data Analytics category, showcasing its trailblazing initiatives in harnessing technology and data analytics to deliver enhanced citizen services and streamline governance.

This prestigious award was received by Additional Chief Secretary of Punjab’s Good Governance and Information Technology Mr. DK Tiwari at a glittering ceremony organised by the Indian Express Group in Jaipur (Rajasthan). This honour underscores the Punjab government’s commitment to leveraging technology for good governance.

Notably, the Technology Sabha, a leading e-Governance platform, unites top government ICT professionals and policymakers nationwide, besides facilitating knowledge sharing, showcasing successful tech initiatives and sparking discussions on India’s digital governance future. It recognises government departments and entities for their innovative use of technology to deliver tangible benefits to stakeholders.

Extending his heartiest congratulations to the department’s officials, Punjab Good Governance and Information Technology Minister Mr. Aman Arora termed it as a proud moment for the entire state and it validates Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann’s visionary leadership in leveraging technology to revolutionise governance. He reaffirmed the Punjab government’s commitment to delivering citizen-centric services with transparency, efficiency and accountability, underscoring its dedication to good governance.

“This award for our work in data analytics demonstrates that we are not just talking about good governance, but actively building it, brick by brick,” Mr. Aman Arora said while adding that the data analytics is a game-changer in modern governance. It allows to understand citizen needs more deeply, identify bottlenecks in service delivery and make evidence-based decisions to improve the lives of the citizens.

The recognition by the Indian Express’s Technology Sabha is an encouragement for all of us to continue our journey of digital transformation with even greater zeal, he added.

The award marks a major milestone for the Punjab government, showcasing its effective use of advanced data analytics to optimise administrative processes, elevate public services, and foster a more responsive and accountable administration by enhancing public services and create a more responsive and accountable government. It reinforces the CM Mann led government’s pledge to build a “Rangla Punjab” by harnessing the power of technology for the welfare and prosperity of its citizens.

Punjab

’YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH’: ON DAY 156, PUNJAB POLICE CONDUCTS RAIDS AT 356 SITES; 87 DRUG SMUGGLERS HELD

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CHANDIGARH, August 4:

          Continuing the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 156th day, Punjab Police conducted raids at 356 locations on Monday leading to the arrest of 87 drug smugglers after registration of 63 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 24,592 in 156 days.

          The raids have resulted in recovery of 967 grams heroin, 267 kg poppy husk and 1869 intoxicant tablets/capsules from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.

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

          Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.

          Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 180 Police teams, comprising over 1200 police personnel, under the supervision of 75 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 377 suspicious persons during the day-long operation, he added.

          The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced 55 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.