Chandigarh, April 6:

          The Punjab Government, under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to the welfare and upliftment of every section of society. As part of this commitment, financial assistance amounting to Rs. 102.69 crore has been disbursed under the Ashirwad Scheme during the financial year 2024–25 for the welfare of backward classes and economically weaker sections. This was stated by Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities.

          Sharing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that financial assistance under this scheme has been extended to 20,136 beneficiaries so far. Under the Ashirwad Scheme, the Punjab Government provides financial assistance of Rs. 51,000 for the marriage of daughters belonging to low-income families.

          The Cabinet Minister added that to avail the benefits of this scheme, the applicant must be a permanent resident of Punjab and belong to a Scheduled Caste, Backward Class, or other economically weaker section. Moreover, the family’s total annual income must not exceed Rs. 32,790. Eligible families can avail the scheme’s benefits for up to two daughters.

          She further informed that the financial assistance is directly transferred to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, ensuring transparency and timely delivery of benefits.

          Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that the Punjab Government is making relentless efforts to improve the living standards of every citizen and empower the underprivileged through various welfare schemes. She reiterated the government’s commitment to building an inclusive and equitable society.

Chandigarh, April 6:

          Under the visionary leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, a total of 196 modern libraries have been successfully established and are operational in rural areas of the state as part of the “Rural Library Scheme”, aimed at promoting a reading culture among youth and involving them in the socio-economic progress of Punjab. Additionally, 135 more libraries equipped with modern facilities are currently under construction.

          Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond shared that the Chief Minister had launched this ambitious scheme on August 15, 2024, from village Issru (Khanna). On that day, the Chief Minister inaugurated the first library built under this scheme and interacted with school children, emphasizing his vision of transforming rural libraries into pillars of growth and prosperity in the state.

          Highlighting the initiative’s purpose, the Minister said that these libraries aim to foster a love for reading among the youth and create an environment for intellectual and personal development. He expressed confidence that these libraries will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Punjab’s youth, helping them become successful officers, scientists, doctors, and technical experts.

          Providing district-wise progress, the Minister informed that Amritsar district has 4 operational libraries, while Bathinda has 29. Barnala has 6 operational libraries and 5 under construction. In Fatehgarh Sahib, 10 libraries are functional and 2 are under progress. Faridkot has 5 operational and 7 under construction, while Fazilka boasts 21 operational libraries and 9 under development. In Ferozepur, work is underway on 22 libraries.

          Hoshiarpur has 2 operational libraries and 13 under construction. Ludhiana features 15 operational and 26 under development. Mansa has 8 libraries functioning and 10 under construction. Malerkotla has 6 operational libraries and 5 more being built. In Sri Muktsar Sahib, work is progressing on 6 libraries. Moga has 13 libraries currently operational and 1 under progress, while Patiala has 18 functional libraries and 11 under construction. Rupnagar has 12 operational libraries and 1 under progress. In Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, 6 libraries are running successfully, while in Shahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, 12 libraries are under development.

          Sangrur leads with the highest number of libraries, with 28 currently operational and 5 more under construction. In Tarn Taran, 11 libraries are running, and Jalandhar has 2 functional libraries.

          These libraries have been equipped with high-end facilities like Wi-Fi, solar power, digital analogs and others. These libraries have world-class books on contemporary literature and curriculum books, providing a rich learning experience. This transformative step by the Punjab Government reflects its commitment to uplifting rural communities through knowledge, education, and empowerment.

Chandigarh, April 6:

          The Punjab State Women Commission today directed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Patiala to submit an action-taken report by April 7, 2025 regarding allegations of disrespect toward a woman by villagers in Jansuha village of Patiala District.

          Taking suo moto cognizance of media reports, the Commission instructed an SP rank officer to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter. Exercising its powers under Section 12 of the Punjab State Women Commission Act, 2001, the Commission has sought an urgent response from the police authorities.

          Chairperson Raj Lali Gill said that stringent action will be taken against those found guilty of harassment or exerting undue pressure on the woman, based on the findings of the investigation.

          “The Commission will not tolerate any form of intimidation, harassment or violation of women’s rights,” categorically said the Chairperson, while assuring that the Punjab State Women Commission is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring justice and preventing such incidents in the future.

Chandigarh/Ludhiana, April 6

Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Minister, Lal Chand Kataruchak, stated on Sunday that the state government is fully ready to welcome farmers in the 1,864 grain markets across Punjab, and all the preparations for wheat procurement without any trouble have been finished. The arrangements for cold drinking water, cleanliness, gunny bags, fans, transportation, and accommodation are being completely taken care of in the grain markets of the state, and they won’t face any kind of problem while selling their golden wheat grains.

No leave will be allowed for the staff working on procurement unless there’s a very strong reason, and they have to stay present in the grain markets to facilitate the farmers.

After reviewing the preparations with officials from Ludhiana, Moga, Faridkot, Ferozepur, and Barnala districts here on Sunday, the Cabinet Minister explained that the state government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership, has made elaborate arrangements to help more than 8 lakh farmers during the current wheat procurement season. He mentioned that Punjab is expecting a bumper wheat harvest this year, and the goal is to purchase 124 lakh metric tonnes wheat. He also shared that the state has arranged a Cash Credit Limit of Rs. 28,894 crore and has also managed to get 99% of the needed gunny bags, along with plenty of storage space and containers.

Kataruchak also explained that to handle the harvest, the state has set up 600 temporary yards in addition to the regular ones and promised farmers that their payments would be sent to their accounts within 24 hours of selling their wheat, with the Minimum Support Price (MSP) set at Rs. 2,425 per quintal.

The Minister made it clear that the state government is committed to buying every single grain that farmers bring, and he won’t allow any mistakes or carelessness in the process.

At the review meeting, Kataruchak took stock of the facilities for farmers, like cleanliness, drinking water, lighting, and shaded spots in the mandis. He gave instructions to officials to stay at the markets throughout the season to make sure farmers don’t face any difficulties. He also asked them to ensure availability of the first-aid medical kits in the mandis.

Chandigarh, April 6:

In a landmark move to revolutionize the state’s education system, the Punjab Government is all set to launch ‘Sikhya Kranti’— a 54-day education festival beginning April 7, to inaugurate newly developed infrastructure projects worth ₹2,000 crore in 12,000 government schools across the state.

Punjab School Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains announced the initiative during a press conference at Punjab Bhawan on Sunday, emphasizing the government’s commitment to creating an equitable and modern learning environment that empowers students to thrive in the modern times. The massive infrastructure development program includes the construction and renovation of schools, the introduction of modern learning facilities, he added.

“This initiative is a testament to the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s commitment to providing quality education for all children,” the Education Minister said, while adding that the government schools have been provided with all the required basic amenities, including clean drinking water, high-speed WiFi connections, separate toilets for girl and boy students, desks and chairs, and boundary walls, as mandated by the CM Mann.

He said that Punjab is the first state to appoint campus managers and security guards in schools, in addition to starting bus services for students. Over 10,000 students are currently availing this facility. The Education Minister also highlighted that over Rs 200 crore is spent annually on the upkeep of government schools.

On the first day of the education festival “Sikhya Kranti”, S. Bains said, various infrastructure development projects would be inaugurated in over 350 government schools by the Cabinet Ministers and other dignitaries. Punjab Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, along with the State Incharge Sh. Manish Sisodia, will inaugurate a School of Eminence at SBS Nagar. 

Inviting the people of Punjab to witness the “Sikhya Kranti”, S. Bains said that all people should visit their nearby schools to be a part of this festival of education.

Highlighting the ambitious program, S. Harjot Singh Bains said that 6,812 schools now have new or repaired boundary walls, covering nearly 1,000 kilometres, ensuring a safer learning environment. 5,399 new classrooms have been constructed to augment classroom facilities. Additionally, 2,976 toilets have been built in 2,934 schools, while 7,166 toilets have been repaired across 4,889 schools. To support students’ learning needs, 1,16,901 dual desks, tables, and chairs have been provided, ensuring that every student has a designated place to study. Furthermore, 359 school playgrounds have been developed to promote physical activity. As many as 2,261 smart classrooms have been equipped with Smart Interactive Panels in 1,886 schools, integrating technology into education for a more engaging learning experience.

The Education Minister said that 118 existing Government Senior Secondary Schools are being converted into Schools of Eminence in the first phase, while, 14 SoE schools have already been dedicated to the public. These schools will be the centers of excellence, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to enable peer learning across institutions, and enhance the learning experiences of our children through contemporary schooling practices in the world of school education. Schools of Eminence will cater to students of classes 9th to 12th. All educational streams have been introduced in these schools. Free uniforms are being provided to students. Apart from this, Online/offline coaching for different competitive exams like Armed preparatory forces, NEET, JEE, CLAT, NIFT etc are also being provided to students, he added.

CHANDIGARH, April 6:

          Continuing the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 37th day, Punjab Police on Sunday conducted raids at 337 locations leading to the arrest of 54 drug smugglers after registration of 37 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 5169 in just 37 days.

          Police teams have also recovered 411 grams heroin, 1617 intoxicant tablets/pills and Rs 34400 drug money 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 150 Police teams, comprising over 900 police personnel, under the supervision of 66 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state and checked as many as 364 suspicious persons during the day long operation

          Meanwhile, Punjab Police has devised a comprehensive strategy and such operations will be continued till the scourge of drugs eradicated from the state.