Chandigarh, May 9:

In a major decision aimed at ensuring affordable housing to people, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday gave its consent to simplify the Land Acquisition process through direct purchase

to expedite the process of establishing urban estates and timely completion of other development works in the State of Punjab.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Council of Ministers in its meeting held here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister at his official residence today.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said that the Cabinet also gave its consent for land pooling scheme of the Housing department to set up more urban estates in the state. The policy will be helpful in providing affordable housing facility to the people of the state. The scheme will be helpful in land acquisition for setting up of the urban estates across the state.

The new and separately formulated Mechanism to purchase land Directly from the land owners by Simplifying the Land Acquisition process was approved. This will facilitate in expediting the process of establishing urban estates and timely completion of other development works in the State of Punjab.The land to be acquired for development of urban estates/creating infrastructure will be identified by a committee as per the Land Purchase Policy of the Department of Revenue and Rehabilitation dated 07.07.2011.

After completing necessary formalities for inviting the concerned farmers/Land owners to sell their land to the Authority by adopting the Land Pooling Policy of Housing and Urban Development Department, the Title of the Land offered by the Land owners to the Authority shall be got verified by the Development Authority from the Deputy Commissioner concerned. Thereafter, objections shall be called from general public by giving 30 days Public Notice regarding the title of the land. The objections received within the prescribed period shall be decided by the above said Committee within a period of 30 days and process to acquire land under the Land Pooling Policy shall be initiated by the Concerned Officer of the Development Authority nominated by Chief Administrator concerned.

Chandigarh 9 May 2025:

 Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that Punjabis always stand shoulder to shoulder with the Indian soldiers.  History manifested that bravery shown by the Punjabis during the previous Indo-Pak wars  was unparalleled.

He further said that the enemies still felt fear of the stories of valor shown by the Indian Army during the past wars. He prayed for peace and tranquility in this time of Indo-Pak tension and also prayed for the prosperity of the Indian  soldiers. Punjabis should be given due respect and dignity which they deserve for their sacrifices and bravery for the country.

Chandigarh, May 9:

          As per the guidelines issued by the National Legal Services Authority, New Delhi, the National Lok Adalats scheduled to be held across Punjab on May 10, 2025, have been postponed due to security concerns.

          In this regard, a spokesperson of the Punjab State Legal Services Authority stated that the new date for organizing these National Lok Adalats will be announced once the situation in the state becomes conducive.

Chandigarh, May 9:

In order to ensure that the residents of the state do not face any inconvenience during the ongoing war like situation in the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has directed the Ministers of his Cabinet to be permanently stationed in the border areas.

During the Cabinet, the Chief Minister asked the Ministers of the border areas to be permanently stationed at their respective towns to oversee the relief operations. Likewise, he said that the other Ministers should also visit these towns on rotation basis so that people can be assured help in case of emergency. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Ministers will visit Fire Stations, Hospitals, Ration depots and other places so that people in these areas do not face any type of problem.

The Chief Minister said that the Ministers from border areas will supervise the rescue operations and give necessary directions to the officers. Likewise, he said that the Ministers will visit the villages of the border areas to listen to the problems of the villagers and ensure their redressal. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is the need of the hour to ensure that people do not face any problem in this hour of crisis.

The Chief Minister said that keeping in view the escalating tension at the border the state government was duty-bound to ensure relief to people. Striking an emotional chord with the residents of border region, he said that the entire country was thankful to them for braving all odds while living in this part of the state. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that brave people of the region have to confront number of problems during their day to day life.

The Chief Minister said due to frequent threat of war this region lagged behind in development but then also the brave residents of this region had contributed immensely in socio-economic progress of the country. He said that not only the state but the entire country was indebted to these people for their exemplary courage and patriotism. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government was duty-bound to extend a helping hand to these people, in wake of escalation of tension between India and Pakistan.

The Chief Minister said that it was duty of state government to visit the people in border areas of the state in this hour of crisis to share the agony faced by them. Assuring fulsome support and cooperation to the people, he assured them that the state government will take every step to safeguard their interests at every cost. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the residents of border region are true patriots and the state government is committed to safeguard their interests in this hour of crisis.

The Chief Minister said that there is no shortage of anything so panic situation amongst the people should be avoided. He said that any person creating artificial shortage should be dealt with strictly so that people do not face any problem. Bhagwant Singh Mann along with Ministers senior Secretary rank officers will also be deployed to the border regions.

Chandigarh, May 9

In view of the situation at India-Pakistan border, as per the commitment of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann with the people to not let them face any problem, a State Control Room has been set up by the Punjab Government in which a Nodal Officer from each department has been included. Apart from this, the responsibility of monitoring and coordinating essential services in all the districts, a senior IAS officer has been deputed in each district.

It was disclosed by the Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, after holding a meeting with all administrative Secretaries, DGP and all the Deputy Commissioners, Police Commissioners and SSPs. The administrative Secretaries, deputed in all districts, have been handed over the task to regularly monitor health services, food and civil supplies, electricity, water supply, roads, transport, education besides ensuring better coordination between civil and military in their respective districts. They will also continuously monitor other issues and will be in touch with the administration of the concerned districts.

Mr. Sinha further said that 15 IAS/PCS have been deputed to monitor the State Control Room. Officers have been deployed who will lead this control room on a rotational basis along with a nodal officer from each department. The Chief Secretary also reviewed the current situation of all the departments. The Home Department has been made the nodal department of the state. In any situation, the department will contact the concerned agencies of the Union Government.

The Chief Secretary further said that the Food and Civil Supplies Department has been directed to ensure no shortage of essential commodities nor should anyone hoard it. He gave strict instructions that legal action should be taken against those hoarding the essential commodities. During the meeting, the requirements were ascertained from all the districts and Finance Commissioner Revenue was directed to release advance funds immediately as per the demand. The Chief Secretary also said that all the officers have been asked to cancel their leave and remain posted at their respective stations.

The senior IAS deputed in all the districts comprise DK Tiwari at Moga, Tejveer Singh at Sangrur, Jaspreet Talwar at Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Dilip Kumar at Bathinda, Rahul Bhandari at Malerkotla, VK Meena at Mansa, Rakhi Gupta Bhandari at Hoshiarpur, Vikas Garg at Faridkot, Sumer Singh Gurjar at Barnala, Neel Kanth. S. Avhad at Pathankot, Rahul Tiwari at Sri Muktsar Sahib, Alaknanda Dayal at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Kumar Rahul at Rupnagar, Gurkirat Kripal Singh at Gurdaspur, Priyank Bharti at Ludhiana, VN Zade to Fatehgarh Sahib, Kamal Kishore Yadav to Amritsar, Ajit Balaji Joshi at Ferozepur, Manvesh Singh Sidhu at Fazilka, Daljit Singh Mangat at Tarn Tarn, Dilraj Singh at Jalandhar, Abhinav at Kapurthala and Mohammad Tayyab has been deputed at Patiala.

Chandigarh, May 9:

The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday took slew of important decisions pertaining to the development, security and well being of the people of state.

Decisions to this effect was taken in meeting of Cabinet held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister here at his official residence today.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said that the Cabinet gave approval for installing V-Kavach jammer procurement in 13 high security jails of the state. These 5G enabled hi-end jammers will be installed in the jails for better security purpose. The jammers have been already successfully tested and all the jails of the state will be covered by it gradually.

Likewise, the Cabinet also gave nod for transferring 135 acre land of Housing department land at Faridkot to industries department. The land originally belonged to cooperative sugar mill and was transferred to Housing department under the OUVGL scheme. Examining the huge potential of land for industrial use, the land will be transferred to industry department for development into industrial zone.

In order to make NRIs an equal partner in development of the state, the Cabinet also approved the Creation of Rangla Punjab Fund  in which NRI or anyone can generously contribute for giving fillip to infrastructure growth. This fund will be managed by the Finance department and will be used for accelerating growth in education, health, industry and other sectors. NRIs or other citizens who want to contribute for the development of the state can contribute in this fund.

In another major decision aimed at preserving the rich culture of the state, the Cabinet also gave consent for bringing an ordinance to start Bullock cart races in the state. The ordinance is aimed at ensuring that the rich culture of state is preserved by organising these games which was an integral part of Punjabi culture. Special thrust will be laid on ensuring that no torture of bullock carts takes place during the race for which special clause will be put in the ordinance.  

In order to give major thrust to crop diversification in the state for saving the ground water, the Cabinet also gave nod to launch pilot project of Kharif maize in three regions of the state. The pilot  project will be launched in three regions Gurdaspur-Pathankot, Bathinda, Jalandhar-Kapurthala over an area of 12,000 hectare. The state government will evolve a foolproof mechanism to ensure the marketing of this crop to benefit the farmers of the state.

In order to explore new vistas in the sector of Mining, the Cabinet also gave green signal for Setting up an ultra modren centre of excellence for Mining at IIT Ropar. The centre of excellence will be mandated with assessing the area covered under mining and extent of exploitation being done in sector. The centre will be helpful in evolving ways and means to check illegal mining in the state through use of Artificial intelligence.

The Cabinet also gave approval to cover 2053 employees of the state whose joining process has started before January 1, 2004 under the Old Pension Scheme.

The Cabinet also gave its consent to regularise the services of around 900 officials of the forest department.

Chandigarh, Kalanaur/Gurdaspur, May 9:

In view of the tense situation between India and Pakistan, the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs and the Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh today visited Government hospital Kalanaur and Fire brigade office, Gurdaspur to take stock of the arrangements being made to tackle emergency situations. Afterwards, both the ministers held a meeting with the District Administration to review the preparations made by the latter.

The ministers were accompanied by the Executive President AAP- MLA Amansher Singh Sherri Kalsi, MLA Gurdeep Singh Randhawa, Chairman Raman Behl, President District Urban Shamsher Singh, DC Dalwinderjit Singh, SSP Batala Sohail Qasim Mir, SSP Gurdaspur Aditya, ADC Dr. Harjinder Singh Bedi, SDM Dinanagar Jaspinder Singh and others.

During the visit to the Govt. Hospital Kalanaur, the SMO Kalanaur apprised the ministers that 38 bed facility is available at CHC Kalanaur with all the emergency facilities too. Apart from this, at Dera Baba Nanak 50 bed facility has been ensured along with all the necessary amenities such as blood in requisite quantity in the blood banks.

During a meeting at the District Administrative Complex with the District Administration, the Deputy Commissioner brought to the notice of both the ministers that the District Administration has complied with all the instructions issued by the Punjab Government and the blackout continues during the night time. Besides, the mock drill is also being conducted to deal with any untoward emergency.

On the occasion, Mr. Kataruchak said that the Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stands shoulder to shoulder with the people. He further added that in this war against terrorism, the entire country stands united and is proud of our army and brave soldiers. The minister also saluted the spirit of resilience and bravery exhibited by the inhabitants of the border areas.

In his address, Dr. Ravjot Singh said that the State Government is fully prepared and ready to face any eventuality and the whole government machinery has been put on alert. He also divulged that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is personally keeping tabs on the situation. He asked the people not to worry as the government stands by them in this critical hour.

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, May 8:

          Amidst the ongoing anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police’s Counter Intelligence (CI) Amritsar has busted an international narco-smuggling module being operated by foreign-based smuggler Jassa with the arrest of his two India-based operatives and recovered 10 kg heroin and Rs 1 lakh drug monet from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Thursday. 

          Those arrested have been identified as Gurpinder Singh, a resident of Indra Colony in Majitha Road, Amritsar and Sajan, a resident of Chak Mishri Khan in Amritsar. Police teams have also seized their black Hero Splendor motorcycle (PB-02-EM-2025), which was used for smuggling the contraband.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that accused Jassa, who is an abroad-based drug and weapons smuggler, is wanted in multiple cases under the NDPS Act and Arms Act registered at Police Station SSOC Amritsar.

          Pertinently, this is third module— being operated by foreign-based Jassa— has been busted by the CI Amritsar in last ten days. Earlier, an operative of Jassa identified as Abhishek was arrested with seven pistols and Rs 1.5 lakh, and few days after, police teams had recovered 5 kg heroin from the hideout of Jassa’s absconding associate identified as Jodhbir Singh alias Jodha.

          Sharing operation details, the DGP said that acting on reliable input about accused persons Gurpinder and Sajan coming in the area of Bypass, near Escort Hospital Amritsar to deliver huge consignment of heroin to some another party, police teams from CI Amritsar launched an intelligence-led operation in the area and apprehended both the accused persons, who were on their motorcycle. During their search, 10 kg heroin and Rs 1 lakh drug money was recovered, he added.

          He said that preliminary investigations indicated that the both the arrested accused persons were going to deliver the drug consignment following the instructions of their foreign-based handler Jassa.

          Further investigation is underway to uncover backward and forward linkages in this case, he said, while adding that more arrests and recoveries are likely in coming days. 

          A case FIR No. 30 dated 08.05.2025 has been registered under sections 21, 25, 27-A and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Amritsar.

CHANDIGARH, May 8:

          In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing campaign against organised crime under the directives of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab, in a joint operation with SAS Nagar Police, apprehended Harjinder Singh, a key associate of foreign-based gangster Rajesh Kumar alias Sonu Khatri, from Kharar Bus Stand, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Thursday.

          Police teams have also recovered three pistols— including two .32 bore and one .30 bore— along with 14 carriages from the possession of arrested accused person.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the accused was wanted in a case involving an armed attack on rival gang members at “Future Heights” in Kharar.

          He said that preliminary investigation has revealed that arrested accused Harjinder Singh was receiving direct instructions from his abroad-based handler Sonu Khatri and was hatching conspiracy to execute high-profile crime in the state.

“His (Harjinder Singh) arrest marks a critical step in our sustained crackdown on gangster networks operating with cross-border linkages,” said the DGP, while adding that further investigation is underway to unravel the complete network and establish forward and backward linkages.

          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 Harjinder roaming in the area of Kharar and managed to arrest him from the Kharar Bus Stand.

          A case FIR No. 68 dated 24/02/2025 had already been regitered under sections 125, 194, 194(2), 296, 193(3) and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act at Police Station City Kharar in SAS Nagar.

Chandigarh/ New Delhi, May 8:

          Punjab’s Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Thursday urged the Central Government to provide a cash incentive of Rs 17,500 per hectare to farmers opting for crop diversification in place of paddy during the Kharif season.

          S. Khudian said that the Central Government in its letter dated June 10, 2024 rolled out the revised guidelines for crop diversification Programme (CDP) for Paddy replacement which mentioned to pay cash incentive of Rs. 17,500 per Hectare (upto 5 hectares per farmer) to farmers who go for alternative crops like Maize and cotton etc. during the Kharif Season. In continuation the Government of India further issued two letters in November and December last year, but remained silent on financial support, leaving farmers in uncertainty.

          Punjab Agriculture Minister was here to participate in National Conference on Agriculture-Kharif Campaign -2025 held at PUSA Complex, New Delhi. Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Sh. Shiv Raj Chauhan inaugurated this National Conference.

          S. Khudian said that the state government has already requested the government of India to support and collaborate by providing incentives on per acre basis in lieu of the additional cost to be incurred on management of paddy stubble and thus to tackle the menace of stubble burning and air pollution. He reiterated that the Punjab Government is also ready to contribute to this initiative.

          Demanding consistent and continuous supply of fertilisers, Punjab Agriculture Minister said that the state contributes about 21% paddy and 46% wheat to the central pool and this has happened due the continuous supply of the desired quantity of fertilisers. He said that during the rabi season, shortage of phosphatic fertilisers generally occurs so it is required that a continuous supply of fertilisers in kharif season for pre-positioning should be maintained.

          S. Khudian also appealed central government for the continuation of wheat seed subsidy, which is essential for ensuring food security for the growing population. He said as per the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) estimates, the nation would have a requirement of 345 million metric tonne food grains which at present is 298.82 metric tonnes. To meet this requirement the country should increase the area under production of these crops.

          According to ICAR, there is a need to replace 33% of wheat seeds every year, which requires approximately Rs 20 crores. However, the Government of India has discontinued the subsidy on wheat seeds under the NFSM and RKVY schemes. The Agriculture minister requested that this subsidy should be continued in the larger interests of feeding the growing population of the country.