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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, Punjab

PUNJAB BOLSTERS VILLAGE HEALTH NETWORK: 12977 VILLAGE HEALTH COMMITTEES JOIN HANDS TO SAVE PEOPLE FROM VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES AND FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS

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CHANDIGARH, May 13:

          In a significant step towards strengthening healthcare at the grassroots level, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Tuesday, inaugurated the reconstituted Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committees (VHSNCs) across the state and exhorted these committees to work in tandem with the Government to save people from vector and water borne diseases and help in making Punjab a drug-free state.

          Notably, a remarkable turnout of over 1 lakh members from 12,977 VHSNCs participated in the inauguration program via a YouTube link, demonstrating their commitment to community health.

          During the virtual interaction, Dr Balbir Singh also directly engaged with over 100 members from selected VHSNCs from six districts including Mansa, Patiala, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur, and Bathinda.

          Emphasising the crucial role of VHSNCs in tackling prevalent health issues, Dr Balbir Singh said that key areas of focus included the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases like Dengue, Malaria, and Chikungunya, as well as addressing waterborne diseases like diarrhea. He informed that all the ASHA workers have been trained to identify mosquito larvae as part of the “Har Shukarvar Dengue Te Var” campaign, aimed at eliminating stagnant water – a breeding ground for mosquitoes— from in and around the houses. Health Department has also been providing Gambusia fish— as a biological control measure, to be released at village ponds, he said.

          He highlighted that Dengue testing is now free at all Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs) and in case of diagnosis of dengue disease people can avail free treatment from any government facility.

          Beyond vector-borne diseases, the Health Minister also addressed the importance of ensuring safe drinking water and creating “Nasha Mukt” (drug-free) villages with the help of Village Defence Committees, and the need for community vigilance against drug peddlers.

          Dr Balbir Singh said that he will be regularly interacting with the VHSNC members in the coming days and the next interaction will focus on Maternal and Child Health.

          With the ongoing heatwave, Dr Balbir Singh provided essential guidelines, urging people to drink adequate water, avoid working in the sun, wear loose cotton clothes, and seek immediate shade for anyone showing signs of heatstroke. He also stressed the importance of planting more trees for environmental protection.

          Recognising the valuable contributions of VHSNCs, the Health Minister announced that well-performing committees will be rewarded with grants and commendation certificates.

          In a subsequent meeting with Civil Surgeons of all districts, Dr Balbir Singh emphasised a paradigm shift in the approach towards public healthcare facilities. He directed the Civil Surgeons to be proactive and to “own the hospitals just like their own,” urging them to move away from a mere “government ownership” mentality. He stressed that these qualities should “percolate to the patient level,” advocating for treating patients with empathy, care, and good behaviour, highlighting the positive “placebo effect” such an approach can create.

          Meanwhile, the Health Minister also took stock of the primary and secondary health services of each district.

          On the occasion, Vice Chairman PHSC Maninderjit Singh Vicky, Principal Secretary Health Kumar Rahul, Member Punjab Development Commission Anurag Kundu,  Secretary Health Basant Garg, Special Secretary Health-cum-MD NHM Ghanshyam Thori, MD PHSC Amit Talwar, Director Health and Family Welfare Dr Hitinder Kaur, Director Family Welfare Dr Jasminder, Director ESI Dr Jaspreet Kaur, Director PHSC Dr Anil Goyal

BOX: DISTRICTS WITH OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN VARIOUS HEALTH PROGRAMS HONOURED:

 — Lowest Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in 2024-25: Ropar (25)

 — Best Performing District in AACs: Sangrur

 — Best Performing District in Vector Borne Diseases Control: Ludhiana

 — Best Performing District in Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) (30+ screening): Pathankot

 — Maximum Screening of Vulnerable Groups in 100-day TB Campaign: Fatehgarh Sahib

 — Best Performing District in Immunization: Hoshiarpur

 — Best Performing District in NPCB Free Distribution of Spectacles in Schools: Malerkotla

 — 100% Achievement in Tubectomy and PPIUCD (Family Planning): Barnala

 — Highest Sex Ratio of 964 under PC & PNDT program in Civil Registration System of 2023-24 and 2024-25: Kapurthala (964)

Chandigarh, Punjab

Punjab’s Crackdown on Spurious Liquor Scores Major Success: Patiala Police and Excise Department Seize 600 Litres of Methano

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Chandigarh/Tepla (Shambhu, Rajpura, Patiala), May 13:

In a significant breakthrough in Punjab’s ongoing war against spurious and illicit liquor, a joint team of Patiala District Police and the Excise Department today seized a large consignment of 600 litres of methanol, a chemical commonly used in the manufacture of illicit liquor. The seizure is suspected to have direct links to the recent Majitha spurious liquor tragedy in Amritsar.

Addressing a press conference near the site of the seizure at Tepla police post on the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Shambhu-Banur road, SSP Patiala Varun Sharma stated that this action was carried out under the directions of DGP Gaurav Yadav, as part of the Punjab Government’s aggressive campaign against drugs and illegal liquor, being spearheaded by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

SSP Vrun Sharma informed that following the tragic incident in Majitha earlier today, DIG Border Range shared intelligence about a suspected consignment of methanol en route from Transport Nagar, Delhi, to Punjab. Acting swiftly on this input and under the direct orders of the DGP, Patiala Police, in collaboration with the Excise Department, intercepted the vehicle near Tepla and recovered three drums containing 600 litres of methanol, concealed among other goods in truck number PB 10 H 1577.

The truck driver has been arrested, and a detailed investigation is underway.

SSP Varun Sharma further added that initial investigations suggest that the consignment was intended for use in the production of spurious liquor. “Had this consignment reached its destination, it could have led to the loss of hundreds of innocent lives,” he said.

The successful operation was carried out by a team under the supervision of SP(D) Gurbans Singh Bains, DSP Harmanjit Singh Cheema, and Assistant Commissioner, Excise Department Rajesh Aerry, and included Excise ETO Rupinderjit Singh, SHO Shambhu Inspector Harpreet Singh, Excise Inspectors Harjinder Singh, Gopal Sharma, Rajnish Kumar, and Tepla Chowki In-charge Jajwinder Singh, along with personnel from the Excise Police and Patiala Police.

SSP said that this action marks a major success in the State’s fight against the manufacture and distribution of poisonous liquor and highlights the commitment of Punjab Police and the Excise Department to safeguarding public health and safety.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Minister Dr. Ravjot on the Move: Dr. Ravjot Singh’s Early Morning Inspection Spurs Immediate Action

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Chandigarh / Phagwara, May 13:

Punjab’s Minister for Local Government, Dr. Ravjot Singh on Tuesday announced a comprehensive plan to enhance Phagwara’s civic infrastructure, focusing on cleanliness, waste management, sewerage systems, and street lighting.

During an early-morning whirlwind tour of the city, the Minister interacted directly with residents to identify their concerns and develop effective solutions, underscoring his commitment to transforming Phagwara into a cleaner and more liveable urban center.

Dr. Singh emphasized that achieving 100% sewerage coverage, ensuring proper waste disposal, and maintaining high standards of cleanliness are top priorities. He assured residents that a permanent solution for waste collection and disposal will be implemented soon.

To this end, he directed officials from the Municipal Corporation, Sewerage Board, and Water Supply Department to work urgently to address these challenges. During his visit to key areas such as the Bus Stand, J.J. School, Guru Nanak Nagar, Urban Estate, and Basant Nagar, the Minister reviewed existing cleanliness arrangements and issued clear instructions to improve sanitation services.

The Minister specifically instructed municipal officials to initiate door-to-door waste collection to ensure waste is disposed of only at designated sites, thereby streamlining waste management processes. He also visited a dump site near J.J. School and ordered officials to identify an alternative location to relocate it, minimizing its impact on the school environment.

Additionally, Dr. Singh addressed the issue of stagnant water in Guru Nanak Nagar caused by inadequate sewerage infrastructure, directing Municipal Commissioner Dr. Akshita Gupta to collaborate with Sewerage Board officials and submit a detailed resolution plan within a week.

On the issue of non-functional streetlights, Dr. Singh announced that 4000 new LED streetlights will be installed across Phagwara to improve night-time visibility, with the tendering process already completed.

He stressed that municipal officials’ responsibilities for maintaining sanitation and civic services will be clearly defined to ensure accountability and efficiency. The Minister’s proactive approach and direct engagement with the public reflect his commitment to addressing Phagwara’s infrastructure challenges comprehensively.

Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal, District Planning Board Chairman Lalit Saklani, Mayor Rampal Uppal, Aam Aadmi Party Spokesperson Harnoor Singh Harji Mann, Improvement Trust Chairman Jarnail Nangal, SDM Jashanjeet Singh, and other dignitaries were also present.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Majitha Hooch Tragedy: Swift Government Action — All 10 Accused Arrested Within 6 Hours

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Majitha (Amritsar), May 13:

          Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday said that the state government will not spare anyone, however affluent he may be, involved in the heinous crime of sale of spurious liquor which led to hooch tragedy in Amritsar district.   

Interacting with the media persons after sharing condolences with the families of hooch tragedy, the Chief Minister said that these deaths are not merely accidents but they are murders, which have been caused due to greed of certain individuals, who are involved in this crime. He said that this is a clear murder and the state government will not allow the culprits to escape the severest of severe punishment. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 17 precious lives have been lost due to the spurious liquor and the people responsible for it deserve no mercy as they did this crime deliberately.

The Chief Minister categorically said that this crime cannot be carried out without political patronage by the powerful politicians adding that this angle is being probed by the Police. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 10 persons including the kingpin have been arrested adding that the Police has also identified the forward and backward linkages of the nexus involved in this barbaric crime. “Let me tell one thing very clearly, my government is firmly committed to ensure justice to the hapless families by ensuring exemplary punishment to the accused”, added Bhagwant Singh Mann.

The Chief Minister said that the connections of this nexus have been traced upto Delhi and every person involved in this crime will be put behind the bars by the state government. He said that it has come into light that 600 litres of online methanol was ordered by the perpetrators of this grave tragedy which was probably used for making spurious liquor. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Police is looking into all the aspects of this tragedy to nail down the culprits and ensure exemplary punishment to them.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has already suspended four officers including one DSP, Station House Officer and two officers of Excise department for their complacency in checking the sale and supply of spurious liquor. He said that though this deep rooted nexus is very strong and has flexed its muscles due to open patronization by the previous regimes, this liquor mafia will be eliminated from the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that no one, whether a politician or a government servant, will be spared if they are found complicit in the hooch deaths.

The Chief Minister said that he has already directed the Punjab Police to crack down on this mafia as a part of the ongoing Yudh Nasheyan Virudh. He said that these mischievous forces took advantage of the Police focus on maintaining law and order amidst tension at India-Pakistan borders to satiate their greed at the cost of the lives of Punjabis. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these people will have to pay the price for their sins and they will be taught a befitting lesson by the state government.

The Chief Minister said that it is unfortunate that the hooch tragedy has snatched the lone bread winners of the hapless families and around 17 persons have lost their lives. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the pattern of deaths was the same as was in the hooch tragedy that took place in the year 2020 at Tarn Taran. He said that the state government stands firmly with the families of the deceased in their hour of grief and it will leave no stone unturned to ensure justice for them.

The Chief Minister announced compensation worth Rs 10 lakh for the family of every deceased and said that the state government will bear the entire expense of education of the children of the victim. Likewise, he said that every possible help in terms of jobs and others will also be extended to these families in this hour of grief. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is fully committed for the security and well being of these families adding that no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause.

Chandigarh, Punjab

CM condoles death of drone attack victim Sukhwinder Kaur

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Chandigarh, May 13:

Expressing solidarity with family of Sukhwinder Kaur, who died due to attack by Pakistani drone a few days back at Ferozepur, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday announced a financial assistance worth Rs 10 lakh for the family of deceased.

In a statement issued here today, the Chief Minister said that out of these Rs 10 lakh, Rs 5 lakh will be given from Chief Minister’s Relief Fund whereas Rs 5 lakh will be given by Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora. Sharing condolences with the members of the bereaved family, Bhagwant Singh Mann prayed to the Almighty to give enormous strength to them to bear this huge and irreparable loss in this hour of grief and grant eternal peace to the departed souls.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Entrepreneurs are key drivers of economic growth & development: CM Saini

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PNS Chandigarh

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said that entrepreneurs are key drivers of economic growth and development. Keeping in view, the state government is aimed to ensure a strong presence of Haryana entrepreneurs not just within India, but also on the global stage. Saini said this after meeting with a delegation of agricultural machinery manufacturers, progressive farmers and entrepreneurs from the food processing sector in Haryana at his residence ‘Sant Kabir Kutir’ in Chandigarh.

During the meeting, delegation members discussed with the Chief Minister about investment and business opportunities in Tanzania. They also expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister for the guidance being provided by the Haryana Government and the global business opportunities it has facilitated.

Saini said that now is the time to move beyond limiting business to just the state or country. There is a need to go global, seize international opportunities and expand businesses so that Haryana’s industrialists can establish a strong presence in foreign markets as well. He further pointed out that East Africa, particularly Tanzania, is emerging as a key market, and the Haryana Government is committed to supporting the industry in this direction.

The officials from the Department of Foreign Cooperation informed that on the initiative of the Haryana Government, a business cooperation visit to Tanzania has been confirmed. Due to the Haryana Government’s persistent efforts, business relations between Tanzania and Haryana have been strengthening, with positive results already visible.

It is worth mentioning that a business delegation of Haryana entrepreneurs from various sectors will visit Tanzania in the month of July. Earlier, with the assistance of the Haryana Government, two business delegations have already visited Tanzania, with several businesses successfully started operations there. For instance, plywood manufacturers in Haryana are sourcing raw materials from Tanzania, resulting in cost reductions for traders.

In the meeting, representatives of the delegation expressed their appreciation, stating that this is the first time since Haryana’s formation that a state government has taken such proactive steps to support traders in entering the global market. They expressed great enthusiasm and confidence in the efforts being made by the state government under the leadership of CM Saini, adding that the Chief Minister is fully supporting Haryana’s traders and entrepreneurs on every front.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Government should regularize HKRN employees instead of removing them:-Kumari Selja

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Chandigarh / 13thMay.

The General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee, former Union Minister, and MP from Sirsa, Kumari Selja said that the BJP government, forgetting the promises made to the public during the elections, is now threatening the public. The government, which once promised job guarantees to employees under the Haryana Skill Employment Corporation (HKRN), is now in the process of removing them. Now, ministers are claiming that these employees were hired only for one year under HKRN. The BJP government should think about regularizing these employees instead of removing them, staying true to its promises.

In a statement released to the media, Kumari Selja said that it is now clear to everyone that the BJP government is one that makes false declarations and promises. This government has nothing but slogans. It has betrayed everyone. During elections, large promises and announcements are made, but as soon as they come to power, the BJP, like a fly in milk, discards the public. The BJP’s main objective seems to be to exploit the public, and today, every section of society is troubled. Farmers have been protesting for years, employees are continuously coming out to protest, and women have also launched their own movements. Kumari Selja said that during elections, the then CM Nayab Singh Saini promised the HKRN employees that they would not be removed from their jobs, and a notification was issued, which had conditions attached, meaning the employees were deceived. Now, government ministers are stating that these employees are not being removed because they were hired only for one year, and their term has ended.

Kumari Selja said that after coming to power for the third time, the BJP government is focused on removing HKRN employees. At times, employees are being removed from one department or another. Recently, orders were issued to relieve 252 PGTs from the HKRN portal. However, all of these 252 PGTs were removed as permanent PGTs at the time of their appointment, but they were still showing up on the HKRN portal. Therefore, the government has written to all district education officers to relieve these PGTs from the HKRN portal. Kumari Selja appealed to the government, stating that the employees working under HKRN are qualified and are working diligently. Instead of removing them from their jobs, they should be regularized in their current positions.

Dehradun

Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice is Essential in a Knowledge-Driven Economy: Prof  Kuhad

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IEP Srinagar (Garhwal)

“Research is a vital pillar of higher education—it generates new knowledge and strengthens academic foundations. However, for this knowledge to have real impact, it must be practically implemented. Bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and its practical application is the pressing need of today’s knowledge-driven economy,” said Prof. Ramesh Chandra Kuhad, Distinguished Professor at M.D. University Rohtak and former Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Haryana. Prof. Kuhad made these remarks as the Chief Guest during the inaugural session of the one-month Faculty Induction (Guru Dakshata) Program, organized by the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre of Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar (Garhwal). The program is being conducted in hybrid mode.

Prof. Rajendra Singh Negi, Director of the Chauras Campus and faculty member in the Department of Rural Technology, presided over the session. He emphasized that research and its practical applications must be rooted in the principle of sustainability. “Sustainability should not be treated as an add-on in higher education,” he stated. “It must be an integral part of academic frameworks and included in the curriculum across all disciplines.”

Welcoming the guests and participants, Dr. Rahul Kunwar Singh, Officiating Director of the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre, underscored the importance of such training. “Faculty members in higher education must undergo induction training within one to two years of their appointment,” he said. He also provided an overview of the program and its significance in shaping effective educators. He also informed that total 78 faculty participants from 19 different states of the country are participating in this program.

The session was coordinated by Dr. Somesh Thapliyal, Assistant Director of the Centre, with support from Program Executive Dr. Kavita Bhatt and non-teaching staff members Anil Kathait and Poonam Rawat.

Chandigarh, Haryana

350 new Vita booths will be set up in Haryana this year: Dr. Arvind Sharma

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Chandigarh, May 12 – Haryana’s Cooperative Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma said quality products of HAFED and Vita will now be available to the general public under one roof. For this, the Dairy Federation and HAFED will jointly set up model parlours, through which a wide range of world-class products will be available to people. He said 350 new Vita booths will be set up across the state this year.

Dr. Arvind Sharma today inaugurated a Vita booth set up by Shyam Mahila Self Help Group in Sonipat. He said the self-help groups coming forward to operate the Vita booth shows that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the state government is providing opportunities to make more and more people self-reliant. He said Union Cooperative Minister Sh. Amit Shah is realizing the resolve to connect every family of the country with cooperatives. In this direction, the Haryana Government has increased the budget of the Cooperative Department by 58.8 percent in the current financial year.

He said this year, the Dairy Federation will move forward with the target of 15 percent more milk collection. The additional budget allocation of Rs 70 crore for milk producers under the Mukhyamantri Dudh Protsahan Yojana is an encouraging step. Apart from this, work is also being done on the plan to set up chilling plants at the district level and to establish milk collection centres in every block, he added.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Departments must complete all short term projects before monsoon- Chief Minister

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Chandigarh, May 12 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini today reviewed ongoing short-term projects across the state in preparation for the upcoming monsoon season. He directed concerned officials to complete all essential work on a priority basis before the monsoon. Any kind of negligence in this regard will not be tolerated.

While chairing a meeting with officials from the Irrigation and Water Resources, Public Health Engineering and Urban Local Bodies departments, the Chief Minister directed that all the drains and minors in the state should be cleaned immediately to prevent waterlogging and potential flood situations during the rainy season.

He instructed officials to strengthen riverbeds by desilting the Saraswati, Markanda and Tangri rivers to maintain the natural flow of water. He also directed the officials to ensure the immediate removal of water hyacinth from drains and other water channels to prevent any obstruction to the flow of water. In addition, all the dams in the state should be inspected in advance and if any deficiency or damage is found anywhere, it should be repaired promptly, he added.

The Chief Minister stressed that all short-term projects must be executed on a war footing ahead of the monsoon. He also directed that details of the works being undertaken by the Irrigation and Water Resources and Public Health Engineering departments should be shared with local public representatives and the respective Deputy Commissioners.

While reviewing the condition of khaals (water channels), the Chief Minister instructed officials to compile a list of all khaals over 20 years old, so that an action plan can be developed for their cleaning and repair.

Yamuna to be made pollution-free

The Chief Minister, while issuing special directives to keep the Yamuna River free from pollution, said that no untreated or contaminated water should be discharged into it. He said that in areas where industrial waste is currently flowing into the river, the establishment of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) must be ensured without delay. He also instructed officials to prepare comprehensive proposals for CETP projects in the concerned cities.

He further said that a separate system be developed to utilize the treated water from CETPs for irrigation purposes, thereby promoting sustainable water management.

In addition, the Chief Minister instructed the departments concerned to ensure the cleaning and strengthening of all water harvesting and groundwater recharge structures before the onset of the monsoon. These efforts aim to maximize rainwater storage and contribute to groundwater level improvement.

During the meeting, officials informed the Chief Minister that the Haryana State Drought Relief and Flood Control Board had approved 209 short-term projects worth Rs 282 crore. Of these, work is currently underway on 103 projects, while the remaining are in various stages of approval. It was also informed that the cleaning of all drains in the state will be completed by June 30.

Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Rajesh Khullar, Commissioner and Secretary Urban Local Bodies Department Vikas Gupta and Commissioner and Secretary Public Health Engineering Department Mohammad Shayin along with other senior officers were present in the meeting.