Chandigarh, September 9:

 Punjab Cabinet Minister and Aam Aadmi Party State President Mr. Aman Arora today expressed his profound disappointment over the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “paltry and insulting” relief package of Rs. 1600 crores for a state staring at losses exceeding Rs. 20,000 crores from catastrophic floods. The Prime Minister was visiting the flood-ravaged state, on Tuesday.

Mr. Arora did not mince words, accusing the PM of delivering a “cruel joke” to the people of Punjab instead of the meaningful national response they had hoped for.

“The Prime Minister came, saw, and offered a pittance,” Arora stated. “While our farmers stand amidst the ruins of their lives—their homes, their crops, their livestock washed away—the Centre’s response is not just inadequate, it is a blatant insult. Rs. 1600 crore is a slap in the face of every citizen who has lost everything.”

He said that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has been demanding the immediate release of Rs 60,000 crore in stalled funds for the state’s survival and Rs. 20,000 crore for flood relief package but this token amount makes a mockery of the scale of destruction. It reveals a blatant disregard for the plight of Punjabis.

“The soul of Punjab, our agriculture, has been shattered,” said an emotional Mr. Aman Arora, “The crops our farmers nurtured like their own children have been wiped out just 15-20 days before harvesting. There is no chance of resowing. Our farmers have lost an entire season’s income.” He highlighted that a total of 4.80 lakh acres of agricultural land has been affected and the worst-hit is paddy, with over 3.71 lakh acres completely submerged.

The floods, the worst since 1988, have claimed 52 precious human lives and directly affected nearly 4 lakh people across more than 2000 villages, the scale of destruction demands monumental efforts to rebuild.

He demanded that the Central Government should immediately reassess the damage with a sense of urgency and responsibility, and announce a comprehensive relief package that truly reflects the magnitude of this disaster and the value of Punjab’s contribution to India.

Highlighting the stark contrast between Punjab’s historic contributions and the Centre’s neglect in this hour of need, Mr. Aman Arora said, “from the freedom struggle to feeding the nation, Punjab has always been the nation’s sword and shield. The state’s farmers have ensured India’s food security for decades, and our youth have valiantly guarded its borders. Yet, when our own land is submerged and our people are suffering, the Government of India’s response is just dismissive.”

Tarn Taran, August 9:

In a path breaking initiative to check supply of drugs from across the border, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and National Convener of AAP Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday flagged off Baaj Akh- Anti Drone System (ADS) after which Punjab became the first state in the country to deploy this system at the international border.

Interacting with the media, the National Convener of AAP said that another glorious chapter has been added in the crusade against the drugs. He said that previous regimes hobnobbed with the drug smugglers due to which this curse flexed its muscles in the state. However, Arvind Kejriwal said that now a massive crackdown has been launched against drugs and big fishes involved in this trade have been put behind the bars.

The National Convener of AAP said that drugs have been supplied to Punjab from across the border and to check them this anti-drone system has been launched. He said that three ADS have been launched and six others will be launched very soon to make Punjab free from this scourge. Arvind Kejriwal said that the state government has strictly implemented a zero-tolerance policy against drug traffickers.

The National Convener of AAP said that properties acquired by drug smugglers through the illegal drug trade are being demolished. He further said that the most notorious and feared drug lord has been put behind the bars by an honest government in the state led by Bhagwant Singh Mann. Arvind Kejriwal said that these smugglers, who celebrate with luxuries at home while poisoning society, are the real enemies of our people and the state government will not spare them at any cost.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that under the “War Against Drugs” (Yudh Nasheyan Virud) campaign, Punjab has today launched a battle to stop drug smuggling from across the border. He said that Punjab shares a 553-kilometer border with Pakistan, which is considered one of the most sensitive zones for the smuggling of narcotics and weapons. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that to strengthen border security and tackle the challenges posed by drone-based smuggling, nine anti-drone units are being set up along the international border.

The Chief Minister said that an amount of ₹51.4 crore is being spent on these units. He said that although our country’s armed forces and BSF have already been using such systems, Punjab is the first state in the country to deploy anti-drone systems at the international border. He said that the anti-drone system will give a strong response to drug smugglers from across the border adding that anti-national elements always use technology for anti-social activities. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the enemies of the country have turned drones into weapons to destroy Punjab’s youth, and drones are being used for drug smuggling from across the border.

Extending congratulations to the security forces, the Chief Minister lauded them for working tirelessly to stop this cross-border drug trafficking. He said that in 2024, a total of 283 drones loaded with heroin, weapons, and ammunition were seized adding that in 2025, so far, 137 drones have already been recovered. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the anti-drone system will be deployed along the border from Pathankot to Fazilka as a Second Line of Defense.

The Chief Minister said that with this, any drone entering the state through the border can be immediately neutralized. He said that the Second Line of Defense refers to the deployment of Punjab Police in the border districts, who work behind the BSF stationed at the international border. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the anti-drone systems will assist the security forces in combating the smuggling of drugs and weapons.

The Chief Minister said that these systems will be deployed at those specific border points where high drone activity has been observed. He said that previously, Punjab Police did not have any such system to neutralize drones, but now, Punjab Police has become capable. Bhagwant Singh Mann  said that the anti-drone system is equipped to accurately detect the drone’s position and its ground control stations.

The Chief Minister said that these systems come with automated alert technology, which immediately notifies authorities upon detecting drone movement, thus eliminating the need for manual monitoring. He said that to ensure the successful implementation of this advanced system, coordination will be maintained with BSF, the Indian Air Force, the Indian Army, and other agencies. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that anti-drug curriculum has been already introduced in Schools under “War Against Drugs” with an aim to make 8 lakh students aware against the menace of drugs.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab’s war against drugs has now reached a crucial stage and as part of the third phase of the state government’s campaign “Yudh Nashean De Virudh” (War Against Drugs), a special syllabus has been introduced in all government schools for students from classes 9 to 12. He said that through this syllabus, 8 lakh students from 9-12 classes will be made aware of the dangers of drug abuse and encouraged to stay away from narcotic substances. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this anti-drug program will involve 3,658 schools and renowned scientists will also take part in raising awareness among students.

The Chief Minister said that that the drug menace was deliberately spread in the state after 2009 through a conspiracy backed by political leaders. However, he said that his government has acted tough against this menace through meticulous planning, putting even high-profile offenders behind bars. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that those who were hand in glove with the drug smugglers and who patronized them during their heydays of power are today behind the bars.

On the occasion Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, DGP Gaurav Yadav and others were also present.

Chandigarh, August 4

In a significant move to institutionalise tax enforcement, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday announced the proposal to establish a State-Level Special Fraud Detection Unit (SFDU) headquartered at Patiala. He said that this dedicated unit will streamline the detection and bring consistency in investigating complex cases involving Goods and Services Tax (GST) violations.

Revealing further, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema elaborated that the SFDU will be tasked with uncovering and probing high-value GST frauds, with particular focus on breaking down circular trading operations, unearthing benami (anonymous) transactions, and eliminating the practice of fake invoicing. “The unit will be empowered to initiate stringent enforcement actions, including cancellation of suspicious GST Identification Numbers (GSTINs), blocking wrongful claims of Input Tax Credit (ITC), and recommending prosecution against offenders to uphold legal accountability”, he added.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema highlighted that the SFDU will leverage advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), data analytics, and centralised backend operations, to enhance its detection capabilities. The Unit will conduct comprehensive data mining and pattern recognition across the state to identify anomalies in tax returns, transaction networks, and goods movement. The Finance Minister further added that the Unit will use data-driven red flags to selectively verify only dubious or miscreant taxpayers, protecting honest taxpayers from unnecessary scrutiny. This strategic approach, Cheema emphasised, aims to strike a balance between effective enforcement and taxpayer facilitation, ensuring a more efficient and taxpayer-friendly administration

Detailing the composition of the SFDU, Cheema stated that the unit will comprise a multidisciplinary team consisting of experienced tax officers, skilled IT professionals, a Chartered Accountant, and a legal officer. He said that this team will be equipped with real-time access to critical datasets such as GSTN information, e-way bill tracking, toll records, and RFID trail analytics, enabling prompt and precise action against tax evasion.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema informed that the Special Fraud Detection Unit (SFDU) will be empowered by robust legal provisions under Sections 67, 70, 74, and 132 of the CGST/PGST Acts, complemented by relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He said that this will enable the SFDU to function as a technologically advanced, intelligence-driven enforcement agency. “This initiative marks a decisive step toward safeguarding the state’s revenue and dismantling elaborate tax fraud networks that threaten economic integrity”, said Cheema.

Emphasising that the establishment of the Special Fraud Detection Unit (SFDU) underscores AAP led Punjab Government’s firm resolve to cultivate a tax environment that is not only more accountable and transparent but also resilient to fraudulent activities, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the SFDU will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the state’s revenue and promoting a culture of compliance by taking proactive measures to detect and prevent tax evasion, ultimately contributing to the state’s economic stability and growth.

Chandigarh, August 4

Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee formed to address employee issues, met with various unions from the Forest Department and Education Department today. He was also accompanied by Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains during the meetings with the education department unions

The meetings, held at the Finance Minister’s office in the Punjab Civil Secretariat, aimed to resolve legitimate demands and issues raised by the unions. During the meetings, representatives from the Janglat Workers Union, ETT Test Pass Adhiyapak Association (Jai Singh Wala), Murhbahal Kache Adhiyapak Union, and Berujgar B.Ed TET Pass Adhiyapak Union presented their demands and concerns.

During the meeting with the Janglat Workers Union, Secretary, Forest Department Priyank Bharti briefed the Finance Minister Cheema on the status of the union’s demands. After detailed discussions with the union, the Finance Minister directed the department to consider the union’s key demands in the Officers’ Committee and subsequently place the proposal before the Cabinet Sub-Committee.

In the meetings with the Education Department unions, Finance Minister Cheema and Education Minister Bains assured the union leaders that most of their demands are already under consideration. They affirmed their commitment to fulfilling all legitimate demands in a timely manner.

Prominent amongst others, Union President Amrik Singh, Senior Vice President Ravi Kant amd Vice President Satnam Singh from Janglat Workers union, Union President Vikas Sahni, Vice President Lakhwinder Kaur and Secretary Amandeep Kaur from Murhbahal Kache Adhiyapak Union, Union President Jaswant Singh, Nashattar Singh, Kuldeep Singh from Berujgar B.Ed TET Pass Adhiyapak Union, and Union President Kamal Thakur, General Secretary Sohan Singh and Cashier Gurmukh Singh from ETT Test Pass Adhiyapak Association (Jai Singh Wala) were present in the meetings.

Chandigarh, August 4:

In a landmark move to ensure accessible and sensitive justice for all, the Punjab Government is set to become the first state in the country to formally empanel Sign Language Interpreters, Translators, and Special Educators under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. This information was shared by Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development.

Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that this initiative, undertaken under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann, is a strong effort to empower children with special needs by eliminating communication barriers in legal, educational, and daily life settings.

She emphasized that this empanelment under the Juvenile Justice Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 will bridge communication gaps and strengthen access to justice and rights for children. These trained professionals will play a supportive role during court proceedings, thereby ensuring impartial and transparent outcomes.

The Minister added that Punjab is committed to building an inclusive society where every child feels heard, understood, and respected. This effort reflects the government’s firm commitment to child welfare and rights-based governance.

Dr. Kaur further informed that the empanelled professionals will be deployed district-wise and will be compensated as per the provisions of the Acts. Timely and continuous assistance will be ensured wherever required.

It is worth mentioning that the Punjab Government has already set a precedent by broadcasting important proceedings of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in sign language. This step not only removes communication barriers for specially-abled children and individuals (especially those who are speech and hearing impaired), but also strengthens their active participation in the processes of social justice and inclusion. The empanelment of Sign Language Interpreters, Translators, and Special Educators is yet another major initiative in this direction by the Government of Punjab.

Chandigarh, August 4:

In a major national-level recognition, the Punjab Government has bagged the coveted Technology Sabha Excellence Award 2025 in the Data Analytics category, showcasing its trailblazing initiatives in harnessing technology and data analytics to deliver enhanced citizen services and streamline governance.

This prestigious award was received by Additional Chief Secretary of Punjab’s Good Governance and Information Technology Mr. DK Tiwari at a glittering ceremony organised by the Indian Express Group in Jaipur (Rajasthan). This honour underscores the Punjab government’s commitment to leveraging technology for good governance.

Notably, the Technology Sabha, a leading e-Governance platform, unites top government ICT professionals and policymakers nationwide, besides facilitating knowledge sharing, showcasing successful tech initiatives and sparking discussions on India’s digital governance future. It recognises government departments and entities for their innovative use of technology to deliver tangible benefits to stakeholders.

Extending his heartiest congratulations to the department’s officials, Punjab Good Governance and Information Technology Minister Mr. Aman Arora termed it as a proud moment for the entire state and it validates Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann’s visionary leadership in leveraging technology to revolutionise governance. He reaffirmed the Punjab government’s commitment to delivering citizen-centric services with transparency, efficiency and accountability, underscoring its dedication to good governance.

“This award for our work in data analytics demonstrates that we are not just talking about good governance, but actively building it, brick by brick,” Mr. Aman Arora said while adding that the data analytics is a game-changer in modern governance. It allows to understand citizen needs more deeply, identify bottlenecks in service delivery and make evidence-based decisions to improve the lives of the citizens.

The recognition by the Indian Express’s Technology Sabha is an encouragement for all of us to continue our journey of digital transformation with even greater zeal, he added.

The award marks a major milestone for the Punjab government, showcasing its effective use of advanced data analytics to optimise administrative processes, elevate public services, and foster a more responsive and accountable administration by enhancing public services and create a more responsive and accountable government. It reinforces the CM Mann led government’s pledge to build a “Rangla Punjab” by harnessing the power of technology for the welfare and prosperity of its citizens.

Chandigarh, August 2

In a significant move to support the families of State Government employees, Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema announced today that the Finance Department (FD) has withdrawn a key option clause for New Pension Scheme (NPS) employees to receive family or invalid pension. He said that this decision comes after the government recognized the undue hardship caused to the families of employees who died in harness, as most had not formally exercised this option.

In a press communiqué issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the government had previously extended additional relief in the form of a family or invalid pension to NPS employees who became disabled or died while in service through Finance Department instructions dated October 8, 2021. However, Clause 6 of these instructions required both existing and newly recruited employees to choose within a specific timeframe whether they wanted to receive the family or invalid pension or the benefits of the NPS scheme. He said that this condition had created significant difficulties for families who were unaware of the requirement or were unable to complete the process.

The Finance Minister said that the Finance Department officially deleted Clause 6 of the instructions on June 27, 2025 to rectify this issue. He said that this change, which was initially implemented for Punjab Government NPS employees, has now been extended to include NPS employees of Boards, Corporations, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and State Autonomous Bodies (SABs). “This ensures that all employees under the NPS are now eligible for the additional relief without having to formally exercise the option”, he added.

Notably, the October 8, 2021, instructions were implemented for Boards, Corporations, PSUs, and SABs under the Punjab Government through a Directorate of Public Enterprises and Disinvestment (DPED) letter dated January 23, 2024.

The Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Punjab government aims to provide seamless benefits to employees and their families by removing this clause, ensuring that they receive the necessary financial support during difficult times. He said that this decision underscores the Aam Admi Party (AAP) led Punjab Government’s commitment to addressing the welfare of its employees and promoting a supportive work environment.

Chandigarh, 2 August 2025:

In furtherance of the investigations into FIR No. 22 dated 25-06-2025, registered at Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) Police Station Flying Squad, SAS Nagar, against Bikram Singh Majithia, searches were carried by the Vigilance Bureau, Punjab out on Saturday, i.e., 02-08-2025, at three premises linked to Gillco Developers.

 During the searches, the Vigilance Bureau has uncovered details of suspicious financial transactions running into crores between Gillco Developers and entities linked with Bikram Singh Majithia. Further investigations are ongoing.

 Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the State Vigilance Bureau stated that the searches were carried out in Punjab and Chandigarh. He added that after registration of FIR against Bikram Singh Majithia, certain suspicious financial links and transactions between Gillco Developers and some of the entities had come to notice. These were developed in a meticulous manner by conducting investigations. To conduct further in-depth inquiries into these transactions and to gather relevant evidence, the Vigilance Bureau has conducted these searches in accordance with procedure established by law.

 Several incriminating documents, electronic devices and other evidences have been seized in the ongoing searches. The spokesperson informed that the search operations were conducted strictly in accordance with the legal procedures and the search was still underway. “Electronic devices and relevant documents were also seized during the above searches”, he added.