Chandigarh, June 23

Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema said that the state is experiencing a historic industrial revolution, a direct result of the progressive industrial development policies championed by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government. He further emphasised that numerous new initiatives are currently in the pipeline to further accelerate industrial growth within the state.

Addressing the trade fair co-organized by HMT Industrial Park and Maya Garden Group late last evening, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema highlighted the recent implementation of a Fast-track Single Window System. “This innovative system ensures that necessary project permissions are granted within 45 days, with automatic deemed approval and accountability for responsible parties if permissions are not accorded within this timeframe”, said Cheema.

Listing out the achievements of the State Government, the Finance Minister revealed that the Punjab Government has also introduced Colour Coded Stamp Paper for the issuance of registered sale deeds, which now include in-built Change of Land Use (CLU) approval. “Pre-approvals are efficiently processed through the Single Window System within defined timelines by six key departments: Revenue, Housing & Urban Development, Local Government, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Forest & Wildlife, and Labour and Factories”, he added.

The Finance Minister also revealed that the Punjab government has brought forth a comprehensive policy for the clubbing and de-clubbing of plots. This policy directly addresses the long-standing demands of industrial stakeholders to merge or divide adjacent plots, thereby optimising land use and supporting project expansion. He also announced that the state government is actively planning to introduce a policy for the conversion of leasehold plots to freehold.

Underlining the simplification of the CLU process by the state government, Finance Minister Cheema said that the requirement for standalone industries to obtain CLU permissions in permissible zones has been removed. He said that this significant change would reduce both the time and complexity involved in establishing new industrial units across the state.

Reiterating the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government’s unwavering commitment to maximising industrial growth, the Finance Minister said that incentives worth Rs 180 crore have already been provided to the industrial sector during the first two months of the financial year 2025-26. He affirmed that the state government consistently endeavours not only to encourage existing industries but also to attract new enterprises to bolster the state’s industrial ecosystem.

Expressing his profound gratitude to the State Government, Mr. Meghraj Garg, CMD of HMT Group, stated that the HMT Industrial Park, situated in a “Red Zone,” allows for the establishment of every type of industry. He commended the Punjab Government for fostering a conducive environment for industrial growth and ensuring speedy and timely project approvals.

The HMT Industrial Park, a burgeoning hub for emerging industries, is strategically located at Lalru, offering excellent connectivity to NH 22, NH 72, and NH 73.

Among the other notable dignitaries present on the occasion were Director HMT Sudarshan Singla, and CMD Maya Garden Group Satish Jindal.

Chandigarh, June 23:

The Punjab Government, under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, remains firmly committed to the welfare and socio-economic upliftment of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, and Economically Weaker Sections. Further advancing this commitment, the State Government has sanctioned an additional grant of ₹5.33 crore for the construction of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhawan in Tarn Taran district. This announcement was made by Dr. Baljit Kaur, Cabinet Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment, and Minorities.

Sharing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that the sanctioned amount for the current financial year will soon be transferred to the account of the Chief Engineer, Public Works Department (Buildings), ensuring swift progress of the construction work.

The Minister stated that a total project estimate of ₹5.93 crore had been approved for the construction of the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhawan in Tarn Taran. Out of this, ₹60 lakh has already been released, and the remaining ₹5.33 crore will be transferred shortly to the Public Works Department’s account. She added that the construction of the boundary wall of the Bhawan has already been completed, and the remaining work will now be expedited with high quality, transparency, and within the stipulated timeline.

Highlighting the broader vision, Dr. Baljit Kaur shared that Ambedkar Bhawans have already been constructed in 17 districts of Punjab. These centers serve as ‘single-window’ facilities where multiple government services are made available under one roof for the benefit of marginalized, backward, and economically weaker communities. In addition, the process of identifying and acquiring suitable land is underway for the construction of similar Bhawans in five other districts — SAS Nagar, Barnala, Fazilka, Pathankot, and Malerkotla.

Issuing directions to the department officials, the Cabinet Minister emphasized that the construction of the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhawan in Tarn Taran must be completed with the highest quality standards, full transparency, and strictly within the approved timeframe so that the people of the region can avail of its benefits at the earliest.

Chandigarh, June 22:

Expressing deep concern over the increasing trend of vulgar and obscene content being circulated on social media platforms, Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur today said such material poses a direct threat to the psychological and social well-being of children.

Welcoming the orders issued by the Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights to the ADGP (Cyber Crime) for strict action against those posting such content, Dr. Baljit Kaur reiterated the Punjab Government’s firm commitment to safeguarding children and protecting their rights.

 The Minister has directed all District Social Security, Women and Child Development Officers to keep a strict watch on the circulation of such objectionable content at their level. She instructed that any complaint or information received regarding such content must be immediately shared with the police and the Child Rights Commission. Additionally, awareness campaigns must be organized at the local level to sensitize parents, teachers, and youth about the responsible use of social media.

Reaffirming the government’s resolve to ensure a safe and nurturing environment for children’s overall development, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that any elements adversely affecting the mental health of children will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The culprits will face the strictest legal action and be made examples of, to deter others from posting obscene content online.

 The Minister also instructed the Police Department to intensify surveillance of such content on social media and take immediate action against individuals involved in creating or uploading it, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, IT Act 2000, and POCSO Act 2012.

 Dr. Baljit Kaur further appealed to parents, teachers, social organizations, and the public to promptly report any such content or individuals involved in circulating it to the police or the Child Rights Commission without delay. “Creating a safe, healthy, and positive digital environment for children is a shared responsibility of all of us,” she emphasized.

Chandigarh, June 22

The Punjab government’s decision, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, regarding development authorities will significantly contribute to the overall development of the state. This was stated on Sunday by Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO in a press release. 

The Cabinet Minister said that appointing the Chief Secretary as the Chairman of all Local Development Authorities in Punjab will accelerate the approval process for development-related matters and directly benefit the common people. 

The Minister added that, following the Chief Minister’s directives, state officials studied the reforms introduced by the Gujarat government in institutions like Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority, as well as the models adopted by the Uttar Pradesh government in Noida, Meerut, Kanpur and Lucknow. After a detailed analysis of the impact of these models, the officials submitted their findings to the government. Based on these conclusions, a decision was taken to amend Section 29(3) of the Punjab Regional and Urban Planning and Development (PRTPD) Act. 

He further stated that this decision will facilitate swift action on development matters involving key institutions such as the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA), and Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA), thereby benefitting the people of the state. This change will streamline the functioning of development authorities and ensure timely decision-making. It also marks a major step toward decentralization of powers. 

The Cabinet Minister also highlighted that including departments such as Revenue, Industries, Water Supply and Sanitation and others in the decision-making process of development authorities will strengthen inter-departmental coordination. 

Mr. Harbhajan Singh ETO strongly criticized the opposition parties for making baseless and misleading statements on this issue, accusing them of attempting to confuse the public for political gain.

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, June 22:

          In a major counter-espionage operation amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Amritsar Rural Police has arrested an Indian Army personnel and his aide suspected of espionage activities linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Sunday.

          The arrested accused have been identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Gopy Foji, a resident of Dhariwal in Amritsar— presently, serving in the Indian Army and posted in Jammu; and his associate Sahil Masih alias Shali, a resident of Dhariwal in Amritsar.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav stated that preliminary investigation revealed that Gurpreet Singh was in direct contact with operatives of the Pakistan ISI and is suspected of sharing sensitive and confidential information via pen drives. The key ISI handler involved in the case has been identified as Rana Javed, he added.

          The DGP said that two mobile phones containing virtual numbers, reportedly used to communicate with ISI operatives, have been recovered from the possession of both the arrested accused persons. Further investigations are underway to dismantle the broader espionage-terror network and identify all collaborators in this case, he said.

          Sharing more details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amritsar Rural Maninder Singh said that accused Gurpreet Singh alias Gopy Foji was recruited into the Army in 2016 and systematically exploited his official position to collect, store, and transmit classified military information via pen drives and discs.

          The espionage network was reportedly facilitated by an acquaintance identified as Arjan, a Dubai-based drug trafficker from Dhariwal, who introduced Gurpreet to ISI operatives five months ago, he said, while adding that since then, Gurpreet has actively engaged in the unauthorised collection and relay of sensitive military data to the ISI using pre-decided drop locations.

          The SSP said that in lieu of this espionage activity, accused Gurpreet was receiving monetary compensation through a complex financial network involving intermediary bank accounts of friends, relatives, and foreign associates to evade detection. In an intelligence-led operation, police teams have arrested, Gurpreet and his associate Sahil Masih, while they were attempting another handover of sensitive data, he said.

          He said that further investigations are in progress to unravel the wider nexus and identify additional conspirators, both domestic and foreign-based.

          A case FIR No. 140 dated 21.06.2025 has been registered under sections 3, 5, and 9 of the Official Secrets Act and section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station Lopoke in Amritsar Rural.