Chandigarh, March 22:

 The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, remains committed to the welfare of all sections of society, especially senior citizens, widows, destitute women, children, and persons with disabilities. Since assuming office, the government has disbursed ₹16,847.83 crore in financial aid under various social security schemes.

Providing details, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that ₹11,310.33 crore has been distributed under the Old Age Pension Scheme. In the financial year 2022-23, ₹3,651.08 crore was allocated to 21.26 lakh beneficiaries, followed by ₹3,950.68 crore in 2023-24 to 22.11 lakh beneficiaries, and ₹3,708.57 crore in 2024-25 to 22.64 lakh beneficiaries.

Dr Baljit Kaur further said that Punjab government has provided financial aid of ₹3,140.62 crore to widows and destitute women. In 2022-23, ₹1,013.07 crore benefited 5.84 lakh women, while in 2023-24, ₹1,084.92 crore was distributed to 6.11 lakh beneficiaries. In 2024-25, ₹1,042.63 crore was allocated to 6.47 lakh women under the scheme.

Additionally, the Punjab Government has provided ₹1,077.41 crore for the welfare of destitute children and ₹1,319.47 crore for persons with disabilities.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated, “Our senior citizens are our pride, and the Punjab Government is continuously striving for their well-being. These initiatives aim to build a prosperous and progressive Punjab.”

She also directed officials to ensure the transparent and efficient implementation of social security schemes so that the rightful beneficiaries receive their due benefits without any hindrance. Strict action will be taken against any negligence or irregularities in the execution of these schemes.

Chennai, March 22:

          Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday announced that the state will vehemently oppose the unfair, faulty and undemocratic delimitation being done by the BJP led Union government to muzzle the voice of the opposition parties.

          “This shameful act of BJP to reduce the seats in the states where they can’t win is undemocratic and we won’t allow the saffron party to succeed in its nefarious designs to weaken the democracy”, said the Chief Minister while participating in a conference organized by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin.

          The Chief Minister said that this arbitrary move of the Union government is just aimed at eliminating the opposition parties by reducing the seats where BJP is not able to win. He said that contrary to this BJP is trying its level best to enhance the seats in Hindi belt where it gets most of the seats. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is ironic that in the name of population density the seats are being reduced in South Indian seats.

The Chief Minister said that as a fact of matter the southern seats are being punished for zealously implementing population control programs. He said that it will not be a surprise if the BJP enhances the tally of seats in Uttar Pradesh from 80 to more than 140 after the delimitation. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the idea is to bifurcate or even trifurcate the seats which are the stronghold of the saffron party and to carve out more winning seats from it.

          Citing an example, the Chief Minister said that the Lok Sabha seat earlier represented by him was Sangrur which comprised three districts Sangrur, Barnala and Malerkotla. He said that supposing if this seat was monopoly of BJP then as per their current designs they would have trifurcated this seat in three and carved out Sangrur, Barnala and Malerkotla as separate Lok Sabha seats. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is how the BJP intends to increase the Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850 or more to consolidate its position.

The Chief Minister said that the BJP wants to eliminate the belts where they are weak and enhance the seats where they are strong. However, he said that this is intolerable, unwarranted and undesirable adding that it will be opposed tooth and nail. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that power mad BJP is trying to weaken the democracy in the country but this will never be allowed at any cost.

The Chief Minister said that the BJP wants to humiliate Punjab, which has made enormous sacrifices in the national freedom struggle, through this delimitation. He said that currently the state has 13 Lok Sabha seats through which the share of Punjab in the temple of democracy is 2.39%. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that BJP intends to increase Lok Sabha seats in the state to 18 but it will reduce the percentage of state’s share to 2.11%.

The Chief Minister said that this will not be accepted as the share of the state which has 90% sacrifices for freedom of the country should not be reduced. He said that rather than the share should be increased or kept the same by enhancing the seats to 21. Meanwhile, Bhagwant Singh Mann assured fulsome support and cooperation to all the like minded parties for opposing this draconian move in form of delimitation adding he invited all the parties to hold next conference in any city of Punjab.

Chandigarh, March 22, 2025: In a significant move to safeguard public health and ensure food safety, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau on the instructions of Punjab Government, has initiated a joint inspection and surveillance drive in the Kharar area of Mohali district.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the VB said the operation, led by the Bureau Unit Mohali and the Food Safety Wing Mohali under the supervision of the District Health Officer, Mohali, aimed at to enforce strict compliance with food safety regulations. 

During the surprise inspections, the joint team visited food manufacturing units, food vending stalls, restaurants, and hotels in Kharar. A total of five premises were inspected, resulting in the issuance of one unhygienic challan and the collection of five food samples. These samples have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Kharar for detailed analysis, he added.

He further added that the team emphasized the importance of adhering to food safety norms and maintaining hygiene standards to protect consumer health. Officials warned that strict action would be taken against establishments found violating food safety regulations. 

The spokesperson added that the VB has planned further inspections and enforcement actions across the state to curb malpractices and promote safe food practices. This initiative underscores the Punjab Government’s commitment to ensuring the highest standards of food safety and public health, he said.

Chandigarh/ Dinanagar/Gurdaspur, March 22-

Under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is continuously improving the infrastructure of health institutions in the state under the Health Revolution. Due to these efforts, the Punjab government will spend Rs 2.10 crore to renovate CHC Singhowal (Dinanagar). The foundation stone of the repair, renovation and upgradation project of CHC Singhowal was laid today by MLA and Aam Aadmi Party State Working President Mr. Aman Sher Singh Sherry Kalsi, Chairman Punjab Health Systems Corporation Mr. Raman Bahl, MLA Dera Baba Nanak Mr. Gurdeep Singh Randhawa and Mr. Shamsher Singh Dinanagar.

Addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone of the repair, renovation and upgradation project of CHC Singhowal (Dinanagar), MLA Mr. Aman Sher Singh Sherry Kalsi said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab government is making major improvements in the health sector. He said that the state government has started Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state and provided free and quality health services to the people near their homes. Referring to the ‘War Against Drugs’ launched by the Punjab government, MLA Mr. Sherry Kalsi said that the state government is committed to the complete eradication of drugs and the people should also support this campaign to win it. He said that now drug traffickers have no place in Punjab and drug traffickers should be ready to face the consequences of their actions. He said that the Mann government will definitely fulfill the dream of ‘Rangle Punjab’ and prosperous Punjab by eradicating drugs.

On this occasion, the Chairman of Punjab Health Systems Corporation Mr. Raman Behl said that the Bhagwant Mann government has started the repair, renovation and upgradation project of CHC Singhowal, fulfilling the decades-old demand of the residents of Dinanagar, on which Rs. 2.10 crore will be spent. He said that under this project, CHC Rs 91.31 lakh will be spent on the renovation of Singhowal building, while Rs 9.25 lakh will be spent on public health, Rs 26.39 lakh on medical gas pipeline, Rs 70 lakh on fire fighting and Rs 15.70 lakh on electrical works. He said that this entire project will be completed in the next 6 months. He said that with the upgradation of this CSC, Dinanagar city and 200 nearby villages will get benefits in the field of health services.

Chairman Mr. Raman Bahl said that Punjab Health Systems Corporation is continuously working to improve the infrastructure in government hospitals and health institutions. He thanked Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann and Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh for this Singhowal project.

On this occasion, Dera Baba Nanak MLA S. Gurdeep Singh Randhawa also appreciated the health revolution of the Punjab government and said that this has given great relief to the common man. He said that patients are being treated free of cost in Aam Aadmi clinics and hospitals and other health institutions are being renovated. He said that the Mann government has fulfilled its promise to the people by making major improvements in the health sector.

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party District Urban President Mr. Shamsher Singh Dinanagar thanked the Punjab government for repairing, renovating and upgrading Singhowal CHC. He said that CHC Singhowal provides health services to the people of Dinanagar city and surrounding areas but no attention was paid to it by the previous governments. He said that the Aam Aadmi Party government has finally heard the call of this CHC, which was neglected by the governments of traditional parties. He said that today the foundation stone of the repair, renovation and upgradation project of CHC Singhowal has been laid and in the next 6 months this CHC will be completely transformed. He said that the people of the area have got a great relief after the Mann government took over this health institution.

On this occasion, SDM Dinanagar Mr. Jaspinder Singh Bhullar, IAS, Civil Surgeon Dr. Bharat Bhushan, Sarpanch Gurnam Singh Singhhowal, Sucha Singh Multani, Gurjeev Singh Sarpanch Babbri, Ranjit Singh Block President, Talwinder Singh, Sukhwant Raj, SMO Dr. Sushil, Medical Officer Dr. Mohit, Dr. Inderjit Rana and other dignitaries of the area were present.

Chandigarh, March 22

          Attributing remarkable milestone in the state’s excise revenue growth to the success of the Excise Policies implemented since the Aam Admi Party (AAP) led Punjab Government assumed office in 2022, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Saturday announced that state’s excise revenue has seen an unprecedented cumulative growth over the past three years, rising from ₹6254 crores to over ₹10200 crores. He said that for the first time in Punjab’s history, the excise revenue would surpass the five-digit mark, with the target of ₹10145 crores for the financial year 2024-25 likely to be exceeded.

          Addressing a press conference here at Punjab Bhawan, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema lauded the Excise department’s achievements, stating that the success of the tendering process has set the stage for a fourth consecutive year of remarkable growth for the Punjab Excise Department. He said that the Excise Department has received overwhelming response in its ongoing e-tender process for the allotment of retail liquor licenses for the fiscal year 2025-26. He revealed that the department had set a reserve price of ₹9017 crores for 207 Retail Liquor Groups. As of March 20, 179 of these groups, accounting for 87% of the total, have been successfully allotted, fetching a discovered price of ₹8681 crores along with an additional ₹871 crores as premium against reserved price of Rs 7810 crore.

          The Finance Minister expressed confidence in achieving the ambitious target of ₹11020 crores for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26. He said that the tremendous response to the e-tendering process suggests that the department is likely to surpass this target, potentially reaching approximately ₹11800 crores, which would represent a 16% increase over the previous year’s excise revenue.

          Minister Cheema also took the opportunity to criticize the previous governments led by the SAD-BJP alliance and the Congress for their failure to boost excise revenue. He said that during the Congress regime from 2002 to 2007, excise revenue declined by 6.9%, falling from ₹1462 crores in 2002 to ₹1363 crores in 2007. He further highlighted that during the decade-long SAD-BJP rule, the term “mafia” became synonymous with governance, and excise revenue dropped from ₹4796 crores in 2015-16 to ₹4400 crores in 2016-17 due to an Excise Policy designed to benefit cronies. He further added that the Congress regime from 2017 to 2022 followed a similar trajectory, with excise revenue stagnating for first three years of regime and reached at just ₹6200 crores by FY 2021-22. He also recalled the tragic hooch incident during the Congress tenure, which claimed the lives of 128 economically disadvantaged individuals.

          Concluding the press conference by reaffirming the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and progressive policies, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that this growth in excise revenue is a testament to the success of the excise policies which have been instrumental in driving the state’s excise revenue to unprecedented heights. He said that the AAP led Punjab government is committed to increase the state revenue to ensure its financial stability besides using this revenue for the betterment of every section of society.