Chandigarh January 30, 2026:

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against the corruption in the state, has apprehended Dr. Harkirat Gill, S.M.O, and Satwinder Singh Senior Assistant, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 32000/-. Both accused posted at Community Health Center Sidhwan Bet district Ludhiana.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by health worker.

He said that the an audit was going on in the Community Health Center at Sidhwan Bet. Dr. Harkirat Gill S.M.O., through Satwinder Singh Senior Assistant Community Health Center Sidhwan Bet, demanded Rs. 2500 to Rs. 6000 per employee from about 50 employees posted at Sidhwan Bet CHC to give bribe to the audit team.

After a preliminary enquiry of his complaint, the VB EOW Ludhiana team laid a trap during which the accused Satwinder Singh Senior Assistant was arrested red-handed in presence of government witnesses while accepting Rs. 32,000 as bribe from the complainant.

In this connection, Dr. Harkirat Gill SMO Sidhwan Bet was also arrested. During raid, a total of Rs. 1,04,500 has been recovered from the purse of Dr. Harkirat Gill S.M.O. and an amount of Rs.1,07,000 has also been recovered from the pockets of accused Satwinder Singh Senior Assistant.

In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station, Economic Offences Wing, Ludhiana, Punjab and further investigation into this case is under progress.

Chandigarh, January 26 – Haryana Governor Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh said after Independence, India has established its identity as a strong nation on the world stage. He said our leaders, farmers, labourers, artisans and scientists have made a significant contribution to this achievement by working tirelessly day and night to take the country forward. He added that Haryana has played an important role in the nation’s progress.

The Governor was addressing the Republic Day function as the Chief Guest at the Parade Ground, Sector-5, Panchkula, today. Prior to this, he unfurled the National Flag, inspected the parade and took the salute during the march-past. On this occasion, the Governor’s wife, Smt. Mitra Ghosh, was also present.

Extending warm greetings and best wishes to the people of the state and the district on the auspicious occasion of Republic Day, Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh said that he also pays homage to the freedom fighters and martyrs whose sacrifices made this glorious day possible for us.

He said that on this very day our Constitution came into force, which granted us the fundamental rights of justice, liberty and equality. On this day, India became the world’s largest independent democratic republic. He said on this occasion he bows to the chief architect of the Constitution, Baba Saheb Dr. BR Ambedkar, and all the members of the Constituent Assembly. He said this historic day inspires us to build a strong nation and reminds us of those great personalities because of whom India became a republic. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Lala Lajpat Rai, Sardar Patel and Dr. Rajendra Prasad made immense sacrifices for the country’s freedom.

The Governor said under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, India is progressing rapidly today. The country has successfully carried out missions such as Chandrayaan, Suryayaan and Mangalyaan. He said it gives him immense pride that the Freedom Struggle Memorial at Ambala, built in memory of the people of Haryana who played a role in the freedom movement, has been completed. Along with this, Haryana has also set new benchmarks in the fields of education, health and sports.

He said that it is a matter of pride that the youth of Haryana consider joining the armed forces an honour, which is why every tenth soldier in the Indian Army is from Haryana. He expressed gratitude to the brave soldiers who safeguard the nation’s borders. He said the state government has taken several important steps for the welfare of soldiers and their dependents. A separate Department of Sainik & Ardh Sainik Welfare has been constituted, and the assistance amount for soldiers martyred in war has been increased to Rs. 1 crore. Ten percent reservation in recruitment has been provided to Agniveers, and jobs have also been given to the dependents of the victims of the 1984 riots.

Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh said the state government is working on the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Haryana Ek–Haryanvi Ek. With this vision, continuous efforts are being made for the development and welfare of Haryana and Haryanvis. He said that Haryana has progressed with harmony and balanced development, making people’s lives easier, safer and more convenient. Today, there is direct interaction between the public and the government, and the system has been simplified and made transparent through IT. As a result, benefits such as Shagun amount, pensions, BPL and Chirayu cards, and farmers’ crop payments are reaching eligible beneficiaries directly into their bank accounts with a single click.

Highlighting the government’s priorities, the Governor said that healthcare has been accorded top priority in Haryana. Free dialysis facilities are available for poor patients in all district hospitals, and citizens above 70 years of age are being provided Ayushman Bharat cards with coverage up to Rs. 10 lakh. Under the HAPPY scheme, poor families are being provided free travel up to 1,000 kilometres annually on Haryana Roadways buses. Similarly, under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, nearly one lakh houses have been provided to poor families, and about 50,000 houses are under construction. Under the Chief Minister Housing Schemes, plots have been allotted to the poor in cities and villages, and the remaining plots will soon be allotted through a draw.

Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh said through e-governance, the government has simplified and made transparent the system in every sector, including agriculture, education, health and employment, enabling people to avail benefits of schemes from their homes. In agriculture, under Meri Fasal Mera Byora and MSP procurement, the payment for crops is being transferred directly into farmers’ accounts within 48 hours. Farmers are also receiving compensation for crop loss, assistance amounts, and financial support under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme directly into their accounts. At the same time, indigenous cows, natural farming, animal husbandry and milk production are being encouraged. For better irrigation and water management, canals, wells and rainwater harvesting systems are being developed.

He said that to accelerate industrial development in Haryana, the government has established an Ease of Doing Business system. The process of issuing certificates and licences has been simplified and made online. He added that the government has implemented several schemes to provide government jobs to a large number of youths and to increase women’s participation.

The Governor said that through schemes such as old age honorarium, widow and disability pensions, Beti Bachao–Beti Padhao, and One Stop Centre Sakhi, women are receiving security and benefits. He said that Metropolitan Development Authorities have been constituted to develop Gurugram, Faridabad and Panchkula as smart cities. Along with this, rapid development of roads, rail and Rapid Rail projects is underway.

On this occasion, the Governor also called upon all present to pledge to work together to make the country and the state prosperous and developed by following our great cultural traditions and high moral values.

At the event, the Governor honoured the dependents of freedom fighters and the widows of army officers/soldiers who attained martyrdom in war by presenting shawls.

Earlier, the Governor paid floral tributes at the Shaheed Memorial in Sector-12 and offered homage to the brave martyrs of the nation.

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During the Republic Day celebrations, a magnificent march-past was presented under the leadership of Parade Commander Sh. Prateek Aggarwal, IPS, by contingents of Haryana Police Panchkula, Haryana Police Academy Madhuban, Rajasthan Police, Haryana Home Guards Panchkula, NCC Girls Senior Wing, NCC Boys Junior Division, Satluj Public School Sector-4, St. Soldier Public School Sector-16, Bhavan Vidyalaya Sector-15, and Scouts and Guides. In addition, Haryana Police Academy Madhuban presented a precise weapon drill, mass PT show and yoga display; Government Senior Secondary School Sector-6 and PM Shri Government Girls Senior Secondary School Sector-15 Panchkula presented PT shows; Government Adarsh Sanskriti Senior Secondary School Sector-20 Panchkula presented a dumbbell show; and Government Adarsh Sanskriti Senior Secondary School Sector-26 presented an impressive Surya Namaskar. The daredevil show by Haryana Police commandos left everyone amazed.

Patriotic and Haryanvi cultural performances by school children filled the atmosphere with the spirit of nationalism. Tableaux based on welfare schemes presented by various departments were also a major attraction.

Governor honours winners

In the tableaux competition, the tableau of the Forest Division Officer, Morni secured first place, the tableau of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Panchkula secured second place, and the tableau of the District Ayurveda Officer, Panchkula secured third place. In the parade competition, the Haryana Police Academy Madhuban police platoon secured first place, Rajasthan Police second place, and the ITBP Bhanu (Women) contingent third place. The Governor honoured the winners by presenting trophies. He also presented trophies to all school teams that gave outstanding performances during the ceremony and awarded commendation certificates to officers, employees, students, sportspersons and social workers for their excellent contributions.

The Governor appreciated the splendid cultural performances by school children and other participants and announced a one-day holiday on January 27 in all schools of Panchkula. He also announced leave with pay for police personnel and officers who participated in the parade.

Present on the occasion were Chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Women, Renu Bhatia, Director General of Police Ajay Singhal, former Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha Gian Chand Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Satpal Sharma, Police Commissioner Shibas Kaviraj, Deputy Commissioner of Police Srishti Gupta, Additional Director (Administration), Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Smt. Varsha Khangwal, former Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal, State Vice President Banto Kataria, District President Ajay Mittal, along with other senior officers of the district administration and dignitaries.

Kurukshetra

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday asked the newly appointed district Congress Committee presidents of Haryana and Uttarakhand to work for strengthening the party at grass-root level. Addressing the 10-day-long ‘Sangathan Srijan’ organisational training camp for district presidents of the two states in Kurukshetra, Gandhi said that while the prevailing “empire of corrupt power” posed a major challenge, party workers must face these obstacles with courage and strengthen the organisation. They have to be brave and strengthen the organisation while facing the challenges. Gandhi emphasized, “No one can suppress your voice, because the strong organization of the Congress is standing with you.” Gandhi personally talked to each district president, discussed in detail, information was shared and suggestions were exchanged.

In his interaction with the district presidents, Gandhi said, “You have been given responsibility for your districts and you must discharge it fearlessly with a strong sense of duty. You are Congress warriors and you must work like warriors… The prevailing empire of corrupt power presents a significant challenge, but the party workers must tackle these obstacles with courage and further strengthen the organisation.”

“No one can silence your voice because a strong organisation like the Congress supports you. We will regularly evaluate your progress and provide guidance and support whenever needed,” he added.

It should be mentioned here that the Congress has organised a 10-day ‘Sangathan Srijan’ organisational training camp for district presidents of Haryana and Uttarakhand. Nearly 60 district presidents from Haryana and Uttarakhand have been attending the camp since January 13 at the Punjabi Dharamshala near the historic Brahma Sarovar.

Earlier, Rahul was received by Congress leaders at the Air Force Station in Ambala and they reached Punjabi Dharmashala by road. Rahul was accompanied by former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, MP Kumari Selja, Congress state incharge BK Hariprasad and Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee President Rao Narender Singh. All senior leaders, including Deepender Hooda, Randeep Singh Surjewala and Nirmal Singh, had reached Ambala Cantonment to welcome him. At the venue, he first interacted with the families of newly appointed district Congress presidents from both states before addressing the office-bearers in a closed session. Training programmes were restricted strictly to district presidents and selected organizational functionaries. The camp, which began on January 13 and would conclude on Thursday  is aimed at strengthening the party’s grassroots structure and equipping district chiefs with organizational and electoral skills.

Chandigarh:

Under the visionary leadership and guidance of Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, the Security Wing of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, organised its 23rd Blood Donation Camp today on 21st January, 2026, on the eve of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti, at Zakir Hall, PGI, Chandigarh. The initiative was organised as a tribute to the ideals of patriotism, sacrifice and selfless service embodied by the great freedom fighter.

The camp was inaugurated by Prof. Radha Kant Ratho, Dean (Academics) and Prof. Ashok Kumar, Medical Superintendent, PGIMER, and was conducted by a dedicated team of doctors from the Department of Transfusion Medicine, PGIMER. Senior officials of PGIMER, along with the Chief Engineer, U.T. Chandigarh, graced the occasion, interacted with volunteers and appreciated the efforts of the Security Wing for organising the camp as both a social responsibility and a patriotic gesture.

Prof. Radha Kant Ratho, Dean (Academics), PGIMER, while commending the initiative, stated:“Blood donation is the truest expression of service to the nation. Observing Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti through such a life-saving initiative reflects PGIMER’s deep commitment to humanitarian values, collective responsibility and nation-building beyond clinical care.”

Sharing the same sentiment, Prof. Ashok Kumar, Medical Superintendent, PGIMER, remarked:“Remembering Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose through voluntary blood donation is a meaningful tribute to his ideals of courage, discipline and selfless service. Such initiatives not only save lives but also inspire our youth and healthcare community to uphold the spirit of compassion and national duty.”

The initiative was organised under the overall administrative stewardship of Prof. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent, PGIMER, whose consistent emphasis on patient-centric care, safety and community engagement continues to strengthen institutional outreach. Dr. Rajeev Chauhan from Deptt. of Anaesthesia & Intensive Care, PGIMER , through his strategic coordination and operational support, played a key role in facilitating seamless inter-departmental collaboration for the successful conduct of the camp.

The camp was conducted under the supervision of Sh. Gursharan Singh Korey, Chief Security Officer, PGI, with active support from officers and staff of the Security Wing. 510 volunteers from diverse fraternities—including doctors, nurses, technicians, students, security personnel, and officials from CRPF and CISF—participated enthusiastically and donated blood . Due to time constraints and medical reasons, 80–90 volunteers were deferred from donation.

Notably, 37 volunteers pledged for organ donation during the camp and were registered with the Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (ROTTO), PGIMER, Chandigarh, further reinforcing PGIMER’s sustained advocacy for organ donation.

To motivate participants, officers of the Security Wing, PGI, and senior personnel from Police, CISF and CRPF led by example by donating blood first. Donors were provided refreshments and lunch, and gifts and mementos, sponsored by Trident India Group, State Bank of India, Swaraj Engines Limited, Sahwney Mathi Wale, Khandari Beverages Ltd., among others, were presented as a token of appreciation for their noble contribution.

Senior officials of PGIMER reiterated their appreciation for the Security Wing’s unwavering commitment to promoting voluntary blood donation and commemorating national icons through meaningful, service-driven initiatives.

Chandigarh, January 21:

Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij today took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his meeting in Kurukshetra with newly appointed district presidents of the Congress party. Anil Vij said that the entire country is well aware of Rahul Gandhi’s “expertise” — how many elections he has already caused his party to lose. Taking a sarcastic swipe, he remarked that “The knowledge Rahul Gandhi possesses, he has now come to pass on to his grassroots workers.” Sh.Vij added that this is an internal matter of the Congress party and the BJP has nothing to do with it.

The minister was speaking to mediapersons today.

*Democratic elections in BJP, ‘agency system’ in Opposition: Anil Vij explains the major difference between BJP and dynastic parties*

Reacting to the appointment of the BJP’s new National President, Energy Minister Anil Vij said that among all political parties in India, the Bharatiya Janata Party is the only one where leadership is chosen through a truly democratic process. He explained that the process begins with the formation of booth committees, followed by ward committees, district units, state units, and finally the election of the National President.

Taking a dig at Opposition parties, Anil Vij said that unlike dynastic and family-run parties—where leaders are pre-decided—the BJP follows a bottom-up approach. “Our leadership emerges from the grassroots, whereas in Opposition parties the system works top-down. Their high command decides state leaders, who in turn appoint district heads,” he said.

He compared this system to the distribution of agencies, where a company owner appoints state distributors who then appoint district dealers. “Other parties function exactly the same way,” he remarked. Anil Vij further stated that a party which lacks democracy within its own organization cannot be trusted to safeguard the democracy of 140 crore citizens of the country.

*Digvijaya Singh’s speaks in his sleep; RSS taught nationalism” : Vij*

Responding to Congress leader Digvijaya Singh’s statement alleging that the RSS instills fear among Hindus while Owaisi does the same among Muslims, Anil Vij strongly countered the remark. He said that “Digvijaya Singh wakes up after long naps and keeps speaking in his sleep.” He asserted that the RSS has always worked to strengthen Hindu society and has instilled the values of nationalism and patriotism in its cadre. Sh. Anil Vij added that whenever a disaster strikes anywhere in the country, RSS volunteers are always the first to step forward to serve the people.

*Anil Vij’s jibe at Surjewala: “He only knows politics, not public welfare”*

Reacting to Congress leader Randeep Surjewala’s tweet claiming that the BJP government has become a punishment for BPL families in Haryana, Anil Vij hit back saying that Surjewala is well aware that no one’s legitimate rights are being taken away. He clarified that BPL benefits are meant for families with an annual income of up to Rs 1.80 lakh, a fact Surjewala knows very well.Taking a sharp jibe, Anil Vij said, “Surjewala only understands politics; he does not understand public welfare.”

Chandigarh, January 21:

Punjab Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond on Wednesday reiterated the state government’s firm stance on ensuring quality and transparency in the construction of rural sports playgrounds across Punjab. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is developing 3,100 rural sports grounds with the primary objective of steering youth away from drug abuse and motivating them towards sports and healthy lifestyles.

Addressing a press conference here, Minister Sond said that to ensure complete transparency and effective ground-level monitoring, the government has deployed three special flying squads. These squads will act as the “eyes and ears” of the government, conducting surprise inspections in villages to assess the actual progress and quality of work. He categorically stated that mere paperwork will no longer be acceptable and that quality construction on the ground is mandatory.

The Cabinet Minister informed that an MIS (Management Information System) portal has been developed for real-time monitoring of the project. Concerned officials are required to upload progress reports every 15 days along with photographs and geo-tagged evidence of the work carried out.

Sending a strong message on systemic reforms, Sond said that wherever false reporting or negligence in work has been detected, immediate action has been taken. Several officials have already been suspended and show cause notices issued. He made it clear that no political interference will be tolerated in such matters.

He further stated that uniform technical standards have been enforced across Punjab and third-party techno-financial audits are being conducted to ensure quality and financial discipline. “Every single rupee of public money is being accounted for so that rural Punjab receives world-class sports infrastructure,” he said.

The Minister added that sarpanches, gram panchayats and local sports clubs have been made key stakeholders in the initiative. These institutions, he said, are not mere spectators but active partners who will help monitor development works at the village level.

Responding to questions raised by the opposition, Sond said that honest officers have nothing to fear. Action will be taken only against those involved in false reporting, corruption or dereliction of duty. He emphasized that accountability has been made systemic rather than personal.

Reiterating the government’s commitment, the Cabinet Minister said that the Punjab Government is fully dedicated to safeguarding public funds and securing a better future for the youth. “This is the new Punjab, where playgrounds will not only be built but every inch of them will be closely monitored,” he concluded.

Chandigarh, January 21 — Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, while interacting with startup founders and entrepreneurs during a pre-budget consultation programme held today in Manesar, said that young innovators and startups are giving a new direction to Haryana’s economy.

The Chief Minister said ‘National Startup Day’ was celebrated on January 16, and today’s pre-budget consultation is a continuation of that celebration. Referring to the vision of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, he said, “Startup India is not merely a government scheme, but a ‘Rainbow Vision’ that connects different sectors with new possibilities.”

He said a startup is an idea that needs to be given a concrete shape. It is a small seed which, with the right support, can grow into a huge tree.

On this occasion, Haryana’s Industries and Commerce Minister Sh. Rao Narbir Singh, Minister of State for Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Sh. Gaurav Gautam, and Gurugram MLA Sh. Mukesh Sharma were present.

The Chief Minister said with the resolve to make the country developed by the year 2047, the government is continuously working at a fast pace. He said that major and historic changes are being witnessed in the country today. Whether it is road and transport infrastructure or other developmental projects, India is moving ahead at an unprecedented speed. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, the country has taken a new direction of development, and progress is clearly visible in every sector.

Emphasis on Funding and Technical Support

Welcoming the suggestions given by startup founders, the Chief Minister said that ideas received on issues such as ‘ease of doing business’, ‘funding’, and ‘technical support’ have been noted. He said, “No matter how small an idea may be, if it has the strength and vision, it does not take long to change the world.”

The Chief Minister informed that over the past 10 years, the number of startups in the country has increased from 500 to more than 2 lakh. Haryana has played a leading role in this growth, especially Gurugram and Manesar. Haryana now has more than 9,500 startups and ranks seventh in the country in this regard. Additionally, 19 unicorns have emerged from Haryana.

Haryana AI Mission to be established

Sharing details of key steps taken in the Budget 2025–26, the Chief Minister said that the future belongs to Artificial Intelligence (AI). With this vision, the Haryana Government has proposed the establishment of the ‘Haryana AI Mission’, for which an assurance of assistance of Rs. 474 crore has been received from the World Bank. Under this mission, one AI hub each will be set up in Gurugram and Panchkula, where 50,000 youth will be trained in new technologies.

He said to promote research in colleges and universities, the ‘Haryana State Research Fund’ has been established with an initial corpus of Rs. 20 crore. Along with this, a ‘Fund of Funds’ of Rs. 2,000 crore has also been created.

The Chief Minister said that to encourage startups, financial assistance of Rs. 10 lakh per startup is being provided through HSIIDC, and the ‘Mukhyamantri Kaushal Samman Yojana’ has been launched. The ‘Haryana State Startup Policy–2022’ is in force in the state, and recently, financial assistance of Rs. 1.14 crore has been provided to 22 startups.

He said that the startup culture will no longer remain limited to big cities. From the academic session 2025–26, ‘entrepreneurship competitions’ will be organized in every district, in which selected teams will be given financial assistance of Rs. 1 lakh by the government to convert their ideas into business models.

Considering Manesar as an industrial hub, the Chief Minister said that ‘incubation centres’ will be established in all industrial estates of HSIIDC so that startups can be provided workspaces at affordable rates. For this purpose, land has already been identified by HSIIDC in three IMT areas.

Reiterating the Prime Minister’s vision, the Chief Minister said, “Risk-taking has now become mainstream. Earlier, people were afraid to take risks, but today, not taking risks is considered the biggest risk.”

The Chief Minister expressed pride that more than 50 percent of startups in Haryana have at least one woman director, and the government is committed to supporting women entrepreneurs at every step.

He said that startups and young innovators working in different sectors across the country are the identity of New India. Whether it is the space sector or the defence sector, Haryana’s youth are making their strong presence felt in every field.

The Chief Minister made two requests to everyone—first, to send their suggestions through the chatbot within the next 8 to 10 days; and second, to listen to the Budget 2026–27 when it is presented in the Legislative Assembly.

He said those whose suggestions are included in the budget will be sent special invitations to witness the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly, so that they can personally see that the government has honoured their suggestions.

On this occasion, Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Sh. Vineet Garg; Additional Chief Secretary, Citizen Resources Information Department, Smt. G. Anupama; Principal Secretary, Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Department, Sh. Rajiv Ranjan; Commissioner and Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal; Director General, Industries and Commerce Department, Sh. Yash Garg; and OSD to the Chief Minister, Dr. Raj Nehru, were also present.