Chandigarh, January 10: Union Minister of Power, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Mr. Manohar Lal, today met with the residents of Kohand village in Karnal district to assess the availability of basic facilities. He said that, as part of an ongoing initiative, the government would prioritize expanding basic amenities in villages with populations exceeding 10,000 in the Karnal Lok Sabha constituency.

The Union Minister held the meeting at the Gharaunda PWD Rest House today, where he was welcomed by Vidhan Sabha Speaker Mr. Harvinder Kalyan, who presented him with a bouquet of flowers, and the villagers, who draped a shawl on him as a mark of respect.

During the meeting, Mr. Manohar Lal inquired about the conditions of local infrastructure, including schools, street lighting, roads (firnis), Gram Sachivalayas, ponds, crematoriums, parks, and gymnasiums. He emphasized that the expansion of basic facilities would begin in villages with populations above 10,000. In the second phase, attention would shift to villages with populations between 8,000 and 10,000, followed by those with populations between 5,000 and 8,000.

The Minister highlighted the importance of community involvement in the development process, urging the formation of committees comprising 10-12 local residents to monitor the progress of these initiatives. He added that the success of these programs was a testament to the system’s transformation, noting that, in the past decade, youth have been securing jobs based on merit, without resorting to bribes or undue expenditures.

Mr. Manohar Lal further said that substantial development had been achieved in the state over the past 10 years through revolutionary changes, but emphasized that the work was far from complete. The pace of development would continue in the future. He also pointed out that, unlike in the past when only 15 percent of the funds allocated for development were spent, now 100 percent of these funds are being utilized efficiently. He stressed that government funds should never be used for personal gain.

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Mr. Harvinder Kalyan also praised the Union Minister, stating that since his appointment, Mr. Manohar Lal has visited 22 states, gaining comprehensive knowledge on various subjects. As the former Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr. Lal had implemented numerous ground-level initiatives that have significantly benefited the people. Mr. Kalyan emphasized that the Union Minister remains dedicated to improving the living standards of the poor.

Chandigarh, January 10 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that the state government will introduce a law aimed at strictly controlling illegal immigration. The proposed legislation will be presented in the upcoming budget session. In addition, the state government will soon unveil an ORP policy to reward police personnel for their exceptional service. This policy will not only recognize and encourage good work but will also the provision of strict action against any lapses in crime prevention.

The Chief Minister shared this information while interacting with media persons shortly after chairing state-level review meeting in Panchkula, which was held with senior police officers to assess crime and law and order in the state.

He mentioned that a detailed review of crime trends was conducted during the meeting. Notably, Haryana has witnessed a significant reduction in crime rates. In particular, incidents of crime against women have decreased in 2024 compared to the previous year, and the state has made commendable progress in addressing cybercrime, he added.

The Chief Minister also said that police officers have been instructed to take stringent action against crime and criminals. He assured that officers and personnel demonstrating excellence will be recognized, while those showing negligence will face strict disciplinary measures. He directed the police officers to be sensitive towards the public and work quickly to resolve their concerns.

Free hand to Haryana Police to crack down on crime – Chief Minister

The Chief Minister said that Haryana Police has been given a free hand to take strong action against crime and criminals. A target has also been given to further the de-addiction campaign, with the goal of making 70 percent of the villages drug-free by the end of 2025. Besides, instructions have been given to take strict action against those involved in the illegal drug trade.

He further said that instructions have been given to the police to launch a campaign targeting criminals involved in activities such as extortion calls made from abroad, as well as those aiding them within the country. The Chief Minister assured that the state government will provide the necessary resources to the police to support these efforts.

Haryana Police battalion to be established in Nuh district

He said that a battalion of Haryana Police will be established to strengthen law and order in Nuh district. For this, the concerned officer has also been instructed to identify land. He said that steps will also be taken to make Haryana 112 service more efficient and reduce the response time further. At present, the response time of 112 is about 6:30 minutes, it will be reduced further so that the criminals cannot escape.

Rs 300 crore to be spent on police modernization

The Chief Minister said that the state government had committed to implementing schemes worth Rs 300 crore for the modernization of the police force, as outlined in its election manifesto. Police department has been directed to prepare a detailed proposal and submit it to the state government at the earliest. He said that the police are continuously enhancing their infrastructure to effectively combat cybercrime, with the aim of completely curbing cyber fraud and apprehending cybercriminals.

Rohingyan and those coming from Bangladesh to be identified

In response to a question about the Rohingyan, the Chief Minister stated that Rohingya and those coming from Bangladesh will be identified, and a list will be compiled. Following this, appropriate decisions will be made about them.

In response to a question about individuals operating crime networks from abroad, the Chief Minister said that since this is an international issue, Haryana police regularly coordinates with the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He said that progress has been made in some cases, and police will take strict action against criminals running illegal operations from outside the country, as well as their associates operating locally.

Sh Nayab Singh Saini also mentioned that three new criminal laws are being advanced rapidly, and the process is expected to be completed by February 28.

Regarding a question about the Interstate Crime Coordination Committee meeting, the Chief Minister shared that several meetings of the committee have been held. He added that it is asked in today’s meeting that a larger meeting should be organized periodically in Chief Minsters of states be invited to discuss and find ways to completely eradicate the drug trade. He said that the police should identify key locations in the drug supply chain—where drugs are sourced, where they are distributed, and where they are stopped—and take strict action against the perpetrators in order to protect the youth from falling victim to drug abuse.

Haryana should be number one in dismantling drug smuggling operations

Earlier, the Chief Minister reviewed the crime and law and order situation in the state with senior police officials and provided them with essential guidelines. He urged all Superintendents of Police (SPs) to focus on eradicating drug abuse in their respective districts to protect the youth. He said that no individual, regardless of their stature, should be spared if involved in the illegal drug trade. Strict punitive action should be taken against such offenders, he added. The Chief Minister expressed his goal for Haryana to become number one in dismantling drug smuggling operations and stressed that the police should foster a reputation of friendliness and approachability among the public.

He also directed the police to take stringent measures to curb cow smuggling cases. The Chief Minister discussed various issues, including the overall crime and law and order situation, the introduction of new criminal laws, cybercrime, complaint resolution, CCTV surveillance, and road and traffic safety. He provided necessary instructions to the officials to address these concerns effectively.

Chief Secretary Dr Vivek Joshi, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sh Rajesh Khullar, Additional Chief Secretary Home Department Dr Sumita Misra, Director General of Police Sh Shatrujeet Kapur along with other DGPs, ADGPs, District Superintendents of Police were also present in the meeting.

Chandigarh, January 10:

Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, State Information Commissioner of the Punjab State Information Commission, issued an order today imposing a one-year ban on Manjinder Singh, resident of  Kharar, District Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, from filing any further applications under the Punjab State Information Commission.

This order follows the instructions of the RTI Commission, in which on January 8, 2025, State Information Commissioner Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal was conducting hearing about 70 cases related to RTI appeals filed by Manjinder Singh under the second appeal category. During the hearing, it was revealed that Manjinder Singh had been using RTIs of a fabricated nature to blackmail government employees and officials, influencing government work through corrupt practices. The Commission had repeatedly questioned the use of these RTIs in public interest, but no response was provided by Manjinder Singh.

The Commission further stated that in light of previous decisions by various higher courts concerning similar cases, and after considering these facts, the State Information Commissioner has imposed the one-year ban on filing applications with the Commission. Additionally, the fines and compensations imposed on officials in different RTI cases have been cancelled. Public authorities have been advised that if any future applications filed by Manjinder Singh under Section 7(9) of the RTI Act, 2005, are repetitive or excessively burdensome on the office, they should be ignored.

Chandigarh, January 10

Dr. Baljit Kaur, the Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, on Friday, chaired a special meeting with officials in Chandigarh to review various welfare schemes and initiatives being run by the department.

During the meeting, the Minister had an in-depth discussion with the Additional Chief Secretary of the department, Mr. Alok Shekhar and the Director, Mr. Sandeep Hans, regarding the functioning of the department and the outreach of its schemes to the public. The officials provided detailed information about the implementation of welfare schemes under the department.

The Minister discussed several key schemes during the meeting, including the Ashirwad Scheme, Post-Matric Scholarship, Adarsh Gram Yojana, Prime Minister’s Abhyudaya Yojana, hostel-related schemes, and the buildings of Dr. Ambedkar Bhawans. She directed the officials to ensure that Dr. Ambedkar Bhawans in districts be used for gyms and libraries to benefit the public.

The Minister also emphasized that schemes such as low-interest loans under self-employment programs, the N.B.C. Scheme, and N.M.D. Welfare Schemes are being implemented to improve the social and economic standards of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, and minorities. She instructed that awareness camps be organized to ensure the direct benefit of these schemes reaches the people. Every citizen in the state should be made aware of these schemes to ensure they are not left behind.

The meeting was attended by the Director-cum-Joint Secretary of the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment, and Minorities, Raj Bahadur Singh, Deputy Director Ravinderpal Singh Sandhu, and other officials.

Chandigarh, January 10

Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO unveiled the 2025 calendars for Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL) here today.

The PSPCL calendar showcases captivating image of the Sri Guru Amardas Thermal Plant, Goindwal Sahib, alongside picture of function organised to induct the newly appointed personnel within the corporation. Additionally, it features a striking solar tree, symbolizing the corporation’s dedication to renewable energy. The PSTCL calendar, on the other hand, spotlights innovative initiatives aimed at strengthening the state’s power transmission infrastructure.

while releasing these calendars, Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO extended congratulations to both PSPCL and PSTCL for their commendable initiative. He expressed unwavering confidence that each day represented in these 2025 calendars will serve as a testament to the relentless efforts and dedication of both corporations.

Power Minister said that the initiatives taken by PSPCL and PSTCL are not just about dates on a calendar, but about their ongoing commitment to the development and welfare of the people of Punjab. He praised the corporations for their continued pursuit of excellence and their pivotal role in advancing the state’s power sector, ensuring that every day brings tangible progress and benefits to the people of the state.

Principal Secretary (Power) Ajoy Kumar Sinha, CMD PSPCL Er. Baldev Singh Sran and Director Admin PSPCL Jasbir Singh Sursingh were also present on this occasion.

Chandigarh, January 10

Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema and Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak held a detailed meeting today with the Janglat Workers Union. The meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Cheema, who is also the Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee formed to address employee issues, focused on the pressing demands and challenges faced by the Janglat Workers and finding tangible solutions for the same.

During the discussions, Finance Minister Cheema directed the Forest Department to convene a subsequent meeting with the union to address their services related issues. He emphasized the need for a positive approach in resolving these issues and instructed that the case concerning financial obligations be forwarded to the Finance Department for further action. Finance Minister Cheema assured the union representatives that their legitimate demands would be addressed promptly, highlighting the government’s commitment to the welfare of its employees.

Additionally, Finance Minister Cheema directed the Forest Department to organize training programs for class four employees to enhance their skills and improve their work efficiency. This initiative is aimed at empowering the employees with better skill sets, thereby contributing to their professional development and overall job satisfaction.

Forest Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak echoed these sentiments, reiterating the government’s dedication to resolving the issues faced by the Janglat Workers Union. He assured the union that their concerns are being taken seriously and that the department is committed to finding sustainable solutions.

The Forest Workers Union delegation, comprising Makhan Singh Wahidpuri, Jaswinder Singh Sauja Patiala, Satnam Singh Sangrur, Amandeep Singh Chhat Bir, Ravikant Ropar, Sulakhan Singh Mohali, and Ravi Kumar Ludhiana, expressed gratitude to the Punjab government for the productive meeting. The Union enthusiastically welcomed the Finance Minister’s assurance to address their legitimate demands and the Forest Minister’s commitment to their welfare.

Chandigarh, Jan 10:

Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond on Friday stated that celebrating ‘Dhiyan Di Lohri’ can significantly improve the sex ratio in the Punjab.

While presiding over the “Dhiyan Di Lohri” event at A.S College (Women), Khanna organized by the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department, Sond emphasized the importance of such gatherings in supporting girl children to live their lives with dignity and pride. He highlighted that this, in turn, will contribute immensely to the socio-economic development of the state.

Sond described ‘Dhiyan Di Lohri’ as a vital initiative that can transform the destiny of girls in society. He underscored the necessity of holding such sustainable efforts throughout the year to effectively spread this message. He further stated that these functions align with the teachings of the great Sikh Gurus, who advocated for the respect and honour of women, as they give birth to kings and future leaders.

Sond noted that girls today are excelling in several fields including academics, medical, science, sports and etc. He remarked that the country is making progress, with more girls reaching new heights in their careers.

The Minister also mentioned that the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is implementing numerous initiatives aimed at women’s empowerment. He added that efforts are underway to raise awareness about improving the gender ratio, with many girls currently holding top level government jobs and other prestigious positions.

Present at the event were Secretary Tourism and Cultural Affairs and Information and Public Relations, Malwinder Singh Jaggi, Director Tourism and Cultural Affairs Amrit Singh, senior district officials and other dignitaries.

Chandigarh, January 10:

In the Annual polls of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Press Gallery Committee 2025, journalist Ashwani Chawla (Sach Kahoon) today got elected as the President. During the course of polls, the entire journalist fraternity expressed unanimity on the name of Ashwani Chawla and decided to elect him as the President unopposed.

In the aftermath, the names of Mr. Amit Pandey and Mr. Deepak Sharma were proposed for election to the posts of Vice President and Secretary of the Press Gallery Committee, respectively. They too were declared elected unopposed as no other candidate came forward to contest against them. Hence, they were elected with unanimity.

The Vidhan Sabha Press Gallery Committee advises the Speaker of the State’s Vidhan Sabha to resolve any issues being faced by the journalists and facilitate them. On the advice rendered by the committee, the Speaker takes the decisions for the welfare of the journalist fraternity.