CHANDIGARH/FARIDKOT, May 21:

          In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Anti Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab in a joint operation with Faridkot Police has arrested two associates of foreign-based Gangster Arsh Dala, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Wednesday.

          Those arrested have been identified as Vishal Singh, a resident of Sri Muktsar Sahib and Onkar Singh, a resident of village Gamewala in Ferozepur. Police teams have also recovered two .30 bore pistols along with six live cartridges from their possession.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation revealed that the accused Vishal Singh, who came out on bail recently, was actively planning to eliminate his rival gang member. The accused was continuously in touch with his foreign based handlers and waiting for the directions to execute sensational crime in Punjab, he said.

          The DGP said that further investigation is underway to identify other associates and establish backward and forward linkages in this case.

          Sharing operation details, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) AGTF Promod Ban said that the teams of the AGTF led by DSP Rajan Parminder based human and intel-inputs located the accused persons in the jurisdiction of Faridkot, and in a joint operation with Faridkot Police has arrested both the accused from near Dana Mandi chownk in Sadiq and recovered weapons from their possession.

          Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Pragya Jain said that both the arrested persons have a criminal background with cases pertaining to attempt to murder, cheating, under Arms Act, etc. have been registered against them.

          A case FIR no. 52 dated 21/5/2025 has been registered under section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Sadiq in Faridkot.

CHANDIGARH, May 21:

          With the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state entered 81st day, Punjab Police on Wednesday arrested 150 drug smugglers and recovered 7.2 kg heroin, 297 kg poppy husk and Rs 2.41 lakhs drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 12,496 in just 81 days.

          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 200 Police teams, comprising over 1300 police personnel, under the supervision of 89 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 471 locations across the state leading to the registration of 104 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 504 suspicious persons during the day long operation, he added.

          The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced 90 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

Dhuri (Sangrur), May 21 –

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday dedicated the Chief Minister’s Facilitation Centre at Dhuri to ensure effective, transparent, and accessible governance for the residents of the Dhuri constituency.

Dedicating the center, the Chief Minister said it will act as a Single Window system for residents of the Dhuri constituency to access all government services under one roof. He added that the initiative aims to bridge the gap between the public and government offices, increase transparency, improve access to data and its analysis for the residents of Dhuri Assembly constituency and ensure quicker redressal of citizen grievances. Bhagwant Singh Mann said this will promote more citizen-centric governance, build public trust, and enhance service delivery.

The Chief Minister stated that the center has been established at a cost of Rs. 1.21 crore, and features six counters and a reception desk. He added that it also includes a meeting-cum-conference hall, and the primary objective is to improve coordination between the public and government offices. Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasized that it will help in the timely resolution of public issues, and a Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officer will be in charge of the center.

The Chief Minister noted that the officer will oversee the delivery of services and monitor development projects in the area. He added that representatives from various departments—including Health, Revenue, Social Security, Police, and Administration—will be present at the center. Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Punjab Government currently provides 443 services through service centers, and this new facility will help people access those services more easily.

He further mentioned that forms for pension schemes, the Ayushman Bharat scheme, Ashirwad scheme, labor cards, Aadhaar card updates, and more will be filled and processed here. One of the key features of the center, the Chief Minister, said, is that citizens will no longer need to visit multiple offices repeatedly. Instead, the center will follow up with the respective departments until the task is completed

Additionally, the Chief Minister said that through Saanjh Kendras, assistance will be provided for preparing documents related to services such as passport issuance, character certificates, FIRs, DDR copies, and NOCs for loudspeakers and events. He emphasized that the Chief Minister’s Facilitation Centre aims to eliminate the harassment commonly faced by citizens in government offices. Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed hope that the center will become a beacon of hope for the common people.

Chandigarh, May 21:

          In a pioneering move to celebrate academic excellence and instil leadership aspirations among students of the state government schools, the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has launched a first-of-its-kind initiative “Ek Din, DC/SSP de Sang” to offer these bright young minds meaningful exposure to real-world governance, discipline and public service, announced S. Harjot Singh Bains, Minister of School Education, Punjab.

          Elaborating on the initiative, S. Harjot Singh Bains revealed that “Ek Din, DC/SSP de Sang” will unite six topper students (three each from class-10th & 12th) from each district, with Deputy Commissioner and SSP of their respective district. This immersive experience will give students a firsthand experience of the dedication, hard work, and responsibility that come with leadership roles in administration and law enforcement, providing them with invaluable insights into public service and governance.

          The Education Minister highlighted that the core objective of this move is to inspire and empower meritorious students, igniting within them a spark of ambition and purpose. By immersing themselves in the world of governance and leadership, these young minds will understand the importance of governance, community service and leadership’s role in shaping society.

          “We want to provide a platform for our students to learn from experienced leaders for inspiring them to explore careers in public service, besides fostering a sense of responsibility and civic engagement and encourage them to dream bigger and strive for excellence”, S. Harjot Singh Bains said while adding that as these students embark on this journey, they will be treated to a day filled with learning, growth, and mentorship.

          The carefully curated day will include a range of activities, including observe real-time administrative and policing activities such as grievance redressal sessions, cyber cell operations, planning meetings, field visits to development projects, and other relevant engagements. A joint lunch with the officers will also be organised, offering the students an open platform to share their aspirations and receive career guidance. At the conclusion of the program, students will be presented with a Certificate of Participation, a motivational book or diary, and a group photograph with the officer. A detailed feedback and mentoring session will be held to reflect on their experience.

          To document the impact of the initiative, each district will create a short write-up with student reflections, which will be compiled into a “District Merit Booklet”. Schools will also invite participating students to share their experiences with peers, thereby fostering a culture of aspiration and ambition across the student body. Through this visionary program, the Punjab Government reaffirms its commitment to inclusive governance and equitable opportunity, sending a clear message that every child — regardless of background — has the right to dream, lead, and succeed, he added.

          Wishing the students a day of profound learning and inspiration, S. Harjot Singh Bains expressed that the students would have a day filled with discovery, growth, and inspiration and it would leave an indelible mark on their lives and shape their future as leaders.

Chandigarh, May 21:

          Punjab Government has declared a holiday in Sub-Division Kapurthala on May 23, 2025.

          The officials spokesperson of the state government said that as per the notification issued today, this local holiday has been announced on Friday, May 23, 2025 in observance of the historic fair of Mata Bhadrakali Ji (Shekhupur) for all government institutions, corporations, boards, educational establishments (excluding those institutions where examinations are being conducted) and other government organizations falling within Sub-Division Kapurthala.

Dhuri (Sangrur), May 21 :

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday said that the state government is committed to ensuring the holistic development of villages and is leaving no stone unturned in this noble cause.

Addressing a gathering after reviewing ongoing development works in the villages of Ghanouri Kalan, Ghanour Khurd, Kataron, and Changali, the Chief Minister said that various government departments are working in coordination with each other for the welfare of the rural population. He reiterated that Punjab lives in its villages and that the ultimate goal of a progressive and vibrant Punjab can only be achieved through clean and green villages. Bhagwant Singh Mann added that the state government has already placed major emphasis on achieving this goal.

The Chief Minister said that Dhuri will be developed as a model city through holistic development, backed by adequate funding. He said that the city will soon be equipped with world-class healthcare and educational facilities, improved roads, clean ponds, water recharging systems, and canal water irrigation. Bhagwant Singh Mann noted that significant resources have already been allocated to ensure the comprehensive development of villages in the segment.

He further stated that there is no shortage of funds for development and the state government is making all possible efforts to ensure the holistic progress of villages. The Chief Minister emphasized that a detailed roadmap has been drafted to boost ongoing development efforts in both urban and rural areas. Bhagwant Singh Mann also said that, in addition to development, efforts are being made to place the state on a path of high economic growth for the benefit of its people.

The Chief Minister revealed that a total of Rs. 13.98 crore has been issued for 129 development projects in these Panchayats, out of which 93 projects worth Rs. 8.67 crore have been completed. He added that 36 projects worth Rs. 5.31 crore are currently in progress and will be completed soon. Furthermore, based on the needs of the five village Panchayats, an additional grant of Rs. 12.19 crore has been issued for 32 more development projects, said Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Chandigarh, May 21:

The Punjab Government’s commitment to providing job opportunities to the youth took a significant step forward with 516 candidates receiving offer letters during a Job Fair organised by the Technical Education and Industrial Training department at ITI Nangal on Wednesday.

Sharing the information, Punjab Technical Education and Industrial Training Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains informed that a total of 1013 candidates enrolled for the Job Fair, which witnessed participation from 26 public and private sector companies, and 516 candidates received offer letters. Prominent companies including Swaraj Division M&N, RS Manpower, BSNL, SML Isuzu and ITL Sonalika were among the top recruiters, selecting 224 candidates, which accounts for approximately 43.4% of the total placements.

The Cabinet Minister visited ITI Nangal’s Job Fair, encouraging youth to keep upgrading their skills as the Punjab government is offering thousands of job opportunities in government and private sectors.

S. Harjot Singh Bains said that the state government’s relentless efforts to provide employment opportunities to the youth are yielding positive results. The Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government is committed to empowering the youth by bridging the gap between industry requirements and skilled workforce, he said, while adding that the Job Fair’s success is a reflection of the state’s strong industry-academia interface and the employability of its students.

He said that candidates who didn’t receive job offers would be contacted by the Technical Education department and provided suitable employment opportunities matching their qualifications to empowering them to become self-reliant.

Chandigarh, May 20:

From a youth who got sixth job during last three years of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government to another youth who got the second job, with another one in kitty, all the newly recruited youth on Wednesday hailed the Chief Minister for transforming their destiny by providing jobs to them in a transparent and fair manner. 

Sandeep Kaur from Patiala said that this is the sixth government job during the regime of Bhagwant Mann government. She said that the robust sports policy of the state government has offered new vistas of employment for them which is really laudable. She said that they will discharge their duty with full dedication and commitment.

Meanwhile Gurjeet Singh, the newly appointed Agriculture Development Officer (ADO) from Moga, shared his journey of perseverance. Despite appearing in multiple exams, he faced setbacks until his mother motivated him to keep working hard. He credited his success to his mother for unwavering support and the transparent mechanism evolved by the state government to give jobs.

Likewise Para-olympian Mohammed Yasser acknowledged the state government’s decision to provide ₹13 lakh for his preparation to compete at the international level, ensuring parity in award money with other athletes.  He said that it is a great opportunity for him and other athletes during the present dispensation.

Geetika from Sangrur thanked the Chief Minister for providing jobs to the youth especially to the girls. She said that the jobs given by the Chief Minister in a transparent manner will go a long way in empowering women.

Apart from them, ADO Vipanjot Arora from Jalalabad highlighted his journey, marking this as his third government job after completing training as a Patwari and Sub Inspector. He said that this is his third job as the state government has provided a lot of opportunities to the youth to excel. He said that all the jobs have been provided in a free and fair manner purely on the basis of merit.

CHANDIGARH/GURDASPUR, May 19:

          In a major counter-espionage operation amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Gurdaspur Police has arrested two individuals for leaking critical information concerning the Indian Armed Forces to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday.

          Those arrested have been identified as Sukhpreet Singh, a resident of village Adiyan in Gurdaspur and Karanbir Singh, a resident of Chandu Wadala in Gurdaspur. Police teams have also recovered three mobile phones and eight live cartridges of .30 bore from their possession.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that Gurdaspur Police has thwarted an attempt to compromise national security by apprehending these two persons involved in leaking sensitive military information, related to ‘Operation Sindoor,’ including troop movements and key strategic locations in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir, with their ISI handlers.

          He said that preliminary investigation has confirmed both the accused were in direct contact with ISI operatives and had transmitted critical information concerning the Indian Armed Forces.

          Reiterating that the Punjab Police stands strong with the Indian Army, the DGP said that any attempt to undermine the security of our armed forces will be met with firm and immediate action. Further investigation in this case in ongoing and more disclosures are expected as the probe deepens, he said.

          Sharing operation details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gurdaspur Aditya said that on May 15, 2025, credible intelligence inputs indicated that suspects Sukhpreet Singh and Karanbir Singh were engaged in sharing defence-related classified details with ISI handlers. Acting swiftly, the police has put both the suspects under surveillance and apprehended them, he said.

          He said that forensic examination of their mobile phones has confirmed the intelligence inputs. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the arrested accused persons were passing on military secrets in exchange for monetary benefits, he said.

          “During the investigation, it was also discovered that they were previously involved in drug smuggling activities, through which they came into contact with ISI handlers. Their financial transactions, including online and cash dealings, also came under scrutiny,“ said the SSP, while adding that further investigations are on.

          A case FIR No 45 dated 15-5-25 has been registered under section 3 of the Official Secrets Act, section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Dorangala.

Chandigarh, May 19

The Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has completed all arrangements to ensure uninterrupted power supply to farmers during the paddy season. 

Announcing this while addressing a press conference here today, Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has issued directives to promote DSR (Direct Sowing of paddy) in the state. In view of this, the schedule for direct sowing of paddy has been released earlier than in previous years. 

The Cabinet Minister further stated that it takes approximately 3,800 liters of water to produce one kilogram of rice using traditional methods, whereas the DSR method can save 400-500 liters of water per kilogram of rice. In addition, the state government provides a subsidy of ₹1,500 per acre to farmers who adopt the DSR method. 

The Power Minister added that uninterrupted electricity supply for 8 hours daily will be ensured during the paddy season, and this duration may be extended if necessary. Out of the 15 existing power units in the state, 14 are currently operating at full capacity, and the remaining unit will be functional within the next three days. He noted that last year, the peak electricity demand in the state was 16,058 MW, and this year, arrangements have been made for 17,000 MW. Furthermore, the power plants have a 30-day coal reserve, and transmission infrastructure in the state has also been upgraded. 

The Power Minister stated that paddy sowing, including direct sowing (DSR), will be conducted in a phased manner according to the prescribed schedule. Direct sowing is permitted from May 15 to May 31, 2025. From June 1, sowing will be allowed in areas near the international border and those with canal irrigation facilities, including Faridkot, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Fazilka. From June 5, sowing can begin in Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Fatehgarh Sahib, and Hoshiarpur. Sowing in the remaining districts — Ludhiana, Malerkotla, Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar — will commence from June 9. 

An 8-hour daily power supply for DSR areas has already started from May 15. For other areas, the 8-hour supply will be implemented in accordance with the sowing schedule issued by the state government. 

Harbhajan Singh ETO assured that the government is fully committed to supporting farmers during the sowing season and has taken all necessary measures to ensure the availability of adequate power. He also confirmed that uninterrupted power supply will be ensured for domestic consumers and industries during this paddy season.