SAS Nagar, January 7, 2026:
The Municipal Corporation, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar has successfully initiated a major enforcement drive against chronic Property Tax defaulters, resulting in recovery of approximately *Rs 22 lakh* from commercial and industrial units. The drive was conducted on Wednesday as per the schedule announced earlier by the Municipal Corporation.

Sharing the details, Commissioner Parminder Pal Singh said that
In view of the firm stance adopted by the Municipal Corporation and prior issuance of sealing notices under Section 138‑C of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, a majority of the identified defaulters came forward to clear their long-pending dues. Consequently, no property has been sealed as on date, as most defaulting owners and occupiers deposited the outstanding Property Tax along with applicable penalty and interest before final action.

Joint Commissioner, Jasjit Singh added that fresh notices have now been issued to the remaining defaulters who have still not cleared their outstanding Property Tax dues despite repeated opportunities. The Municipal Corporation has made it clear that coercive action, including sealing of properties under Section 138‑C and other measures permissible in law, will be taken without further intimation if such defaulters fail to clear their pendency within the stipulated time.

The Municipal Corporation has urged all property owners to verify and promptly deposit any pending Property Tax to avoid inconvenience and penal action. Taxpayers may approach the Property Tax Branch, Municipal Corporation, SAS Nagar during office hours for clarification, calculation of dues, or assistance regarding payment.

CHANDIGARH, January 3:

          Continuing the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 308th day, Punjab Police conducted raids at 347 locations on Saturday leading to the arrest of 119 drug smugglers after registration of 103 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 43,095 in 308 days.

          The raids have resulted in recovery of 2.2 kg heroin, 595 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 17,620 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.

          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.

          Over 120 Police teams, comprising over 1000 police personnel, under the supervision of 74 gazetted officers have conducted 347 raids across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 355 suspicious persons during the day-long operation.

          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 46 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

CHANDIGARH, January 3:

Continuing the Punjab Government’s flagship Mission Rozgar, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday handed over appointment letters to 606 newly recruited candidates of the Education Department at a ceremony held at Tagore Theatre, marking a historic milestone of providing more than 61,000 government jobs to the youth of Punjab within four years. The newly appointed candidates include 385 Special Educator Teachers, 157 Primary Teachers, eight Principals, and 56 employees recruited on compassionate grounds.

Extending New Year greetings to the appointees, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this achievement reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to merit, transparency, and fairness in public recruitment. “After assuming office in April 2022, our government launched a massive recruitment drive under which 61,281 government jobs have been provided so far. It is a matter of pride that every single appointment has been made purely on merit and transparency, and not even one has been challenged in court,” said the Chief Minister, adding that this was a proud moment not just for the government, but for the youth of Punjab.

Recalling past practices, the Chief Minister said that earlier generations of young people were forced to wait endlessly for appointment letters, anxiously scanning newspapers and postboxes. “Those days are over. Today, the Punjab Government has put in place a system where deserving youth get jobs based only on their capability. The government itself honours them by handing over appointment letters personally,” he said.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that previous governments failed to respect merit and competence, instead distributing government jobs among their sons, nephews, and favourites. “They never felt the pain of qualified youth who were forced to wander from pillar to post in search of employment. In just four years, we have ensured that young people from every village, town, and city of Punjab get jobs purely on merit,” he pointed out.

Stating that the present system has opened doors for youth from ordinary families, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Today, hardworking youngsters are getting a fair opportunity to move ahead. Traditional political parties treated their families as Punjab, but for me, the entire state of Punjab is my family.”

Announcing a major reform in the education sector, the Chief Minister stated that a separate cadre of Special Educator Teachers has been created for children with special needs studying in government schools across the state. “Around 48,000 children with special needs are currently enrolled in government schools. To ensure quality education for them, we have appointed 385 teachers under this special cadre,” he said, adding that these appointments would significantly help such children develop skills at both primary and secondary levels.

Addressing the newly appointed Special Educator Teachers, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that their responsibility extends beyond teaching. “Your duty is not only to educate these children but also to serve humanity. Your role in shaping their future will be even greater than that of their parents,” he said, urging them to carry out this noble responsibility with complete dedication and commitment.

Congratulating the newly appointed teachers and principals, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the future of the nation rests in the hands of teachers. “A teacher shapes a student to become a doctor, an engineer, or an artist, just as a sculptor shapes his masterpiece. What is etched on an innocent mind never fades in a lifetime,” he said.

Highlighting the government’s focus on quality education, the Chief Minister said that Punjab’s government school teachers are now being trained at global standards. “So far, 234 principals and education officers have received training in Singapore, 249 head teachers at IIM Ahmedabad, and 216 primary teachers at Turku University in Finland,” he said.

He added that revolutionary steps taken by the Punjab Government in education are now being discussed across the country. “We are establishing 118 Schools of Eminence in Punjab, which will play a transformative role in securing a bright future for underprivileged children. Free uniforms are being provided, and free bus service for girls has been launched to ensure that no girl is deprived of education,” he asserted.

On the occasion, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains thanked CM Bhagwant Singh Mann for initiating an education revolution in Punjab. “The impact of these reforms is visible in every school. In 2022, out of 28 lakh students in government schools, nearly four lakh had to sit on the ground. Today, not a single child is without proper seating,” he said, adding that free bus services for girl students are benefiting nearly 10,000 schoolgirls every day.

Meanwhile, newly recruited teachers shared their experiences during the event. Nitin from Malout said that his lifelong dream had come true. “I was selected as a police constable in 2025, but I chose to work harder to become a teacher,” he said, expressing gratitude to CM Bhagwant Singh Mann for the opportunity.

Navpreet Kaur from Gurdaspur, who had earlier worked as a Special Educator in a private school, said that joining government service through a fair, merit-based process was a dream come true. A woman teacher from Fazilka said she had waited 12 years for a government job, and her long wait had finally ended, while Shilpa from Patiala also shared her appreciation with the gathering.

Among those present on the occasion were Education Secretary Anindita Mitra, Director of Higher Education H.S. Brar, Director of Secondary Education Gurinder Singh Sodhi, and other senior officials.

Chandigarh, December 31:–

Punjab Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian today intervened to address the long-pending demands of the state’s Veterinary Inspectors.

During a meeting with Punjab State Veterinary Inspectors Association’s delegation led by President Gurdeep Singh Bassi here at Punjab Civil Secretariat, S. Khudian held detailed deliberations and assured the association that their legitimate demands would be addressed expeditiously. The association has demanded to consider 18 month service as regular service of 400 Veterinary Inspectors recruited in 2011, create 87 new posts of Veterinary Inspectors at Tehsil level and implementation of the recommendations of 6th pay commission. After S. Khudian’s assurance the association has decided to call off the proposed Lambi rally.

He also directed the Director Animal Husbandry to fast-track the follow-up on the demands. The Minister specifically committed to facilitating an early meeting with Punjab’s Finance Minister, S. Harpal Singh Cheema, to work towards a resolution on the following core issues.

CHANDIGARH, December 23:

          Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police has successfully maintained peace and harmony across the state in 2025, while achieving unprecedented breakthroughs in terror front, crime control and anti-drugs campaign— Yudh Nashiyan Virudh.

          Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, in his Year Ender video, said that by proactive action against ISI-sponsored terror modules, all attempts to disturb peace in the state have been foiled with the solving of 12 terror incidents and arrest of 50 module members. These included hand grenades attacks at various places and one RPG attack on a Police Station, he said, while adding that other than these incidents, Punjab Police busted additional seven modules.

          Divulging details on action against terrorists, he said that the Internal Security Wing has busted a total of 19 modules with the arrest of 131 persons this year and recovered nine rifles, 188 revolvers/pistols, 12 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 11.62 kg RDX, 54 hand grenades, 32 detonators, four rocket propelled grenades, one sleeve of disposed rocket launcher, two timer switches, three walkie-talkie sets and eight remote controlled devices from their possession.

*YUDH NASHIYAN VIRUDH*

          Highlighting the state’s relentless fight against drugs under the “Yudh Nashiyan Virudh” campaign launched on March 1, 2025, DGP Gaurav Yadav informed that Punjab Police registered 29,784 FIRs and made 39,867 arrests resulting in recovery of highest ever 2,021 kg of heroin in one year. Apart from recovering big haul of heroin, police have also 26 kg ICE, 698 kg opium, 35,000 kg poppy husk, 55.78 lakh intoxicant pills/capsules and Rs 16.81 Crores drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers, he said.

          He highlighted that Punjab Police has conducted investigations in a scientific and professional manner to achieve a conviction rate of 88 percent, which is amongst the highest in the country. In the current year 5,901 cases out of 6,728 decided cases have been convicted, he said.

          The DGP said that the “Safe Punjab” helpline emerged as a game-changer, registering 10,889 FIRs based on 28,952 tips, with a 38% conversion rate. Property worth ₹263 crores belonging to 548 smugglers was frozen under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act, he said.

          In the current year, heroin seizures in Punjab are nearly 2/3rd of the total heroin seizures in the country, he said, while highlighting the Punjab’s share in national NDPS arrests stood at 25%, with nearly 20% of all NDPS cases registered in the state.

          As part of the prevention, the police also facilitated the admission of 23,940 individuals to de-addiction centers and referred 59,840 persons to OOAT clinics, underscoring the focus on rehabilitation.

*ACTION AGAINST GANGSTERS*

          Recounting the achievements of Punjab Police against the gangsters front in 2025, the DGP said that the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) along with field units has succeeded in busting 416 gangsters/criminals modules after arresting 992 gangsters/criminals, and recovered 620 weapons and 252 vehicles used in criminal activities from their possession.

          He informed that the AGTF has further upgraded its technical capabilities with Punjab Artificial Intelligence System (PAIS 2.0) now supporting voice analysis, besides other state-of-art features.

          The DGP said that there has been a sustained focus on issuing of Red Notices, Blue Notices, and in coordination with CBI and central agencies for extradition and deportation of foreign-based criminals, which resulted in issuance of 11 Red Notices and 2 Blue Notices this year. Anmol Bishnoi was geo-located by the Punjab Police which shared information with the Central Agencies resulting in his deportation, he said, while adding that Parminder Singh alias Pindi involved in terror activities has been deported in 2025 and two other criminals who were country-hopping (Sukhdev Kumar alias Manish Bedi and Sajan Masih alias Goru) were tracked across countries and arrested in Mumbai.

*OVERALL REDUCTION IN CRIME*

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that in year 2025, substantial reductions were recorded across major crime heads in comparison to corresponding figures of year 2024, with murders decreased by 8.7% (745 to 680), kidnappings and abductions by 10.6% (1770 to 1583), snatching by 19.6% (2321 to 1866), and thefts by 34.3% (6714 to 4410). There has been increase in cases under the Local and Special Laws like the Excise Act, Arms Act and NDPS Act, indicating strong push against crime and better detection.

*LAW AND ORDER*

          The DGP said that the law and order situation remained stable and well under control throughout the year, with elaborate security arrangements were ensured for Sri Amarnath Ji and Manimahesh Yatras, the 350th Martyrdom Commemoration of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji at Anandpur Sahib, six IPL and two ODI matches. State wide Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti Elections were held peacefully, as also the Tarn Taran and Ludhiana Bye-Elections, he said.

          He said that 174 CASO Operations/Special Operations/Checkings were conducted across all districts and Commissionerates against NDPS offenders, criminals and other anti-social elements. Punjab Police has also played a pivotal role in flood rescue operations. In this season, 5,119 stubble burning incidents have been reported in 2025, which are 50% less than from the previous year, he added.

          He informed that Rs 25 crore have been allocated (FY 2025-26) for upgradation of Dial 112- ERSS. As many as 46.14 lakh calls have been handled till date, with drastic reduction of average response time from 25 minutes to less than 11 minutes, he added.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that Anti-Drone Systems have been deployed at Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Amritsar Rural districts. A total of 2,367 CCTV Cameras are also being installed at 585 identified locations on the Second Line of Defence at the International Border at a cost of Rs 49.58 Crores to act as a force multiplier to combat the influx of drugs, arms and explosives from across the International Border, he said, while adding that 896 personnel, SOG Hit, Ghatak, SSG and ARP teams have been deployed in border districts.

*CYBER CRIME*

          In cyber crime, the DGP said that Punjab secured a lien amount in cyber fraud cases to ₹79.96 crores (out of defrauded amount of Rs. 418.29 cr)— reflecting a lien marking percentage of over 19% which is currently the 4th highest in the country. The DITAC lab of State Cyber Crime Wing won the 2025 Excellence Award in Digital Evidence Summit 2025 in New Delhi, he said, while adding that 18 inter-state cyber crime gangs involved in multi-crores cyber fraudulent activities were busted in the current year and 300 mule accounts used for crypto frauds were neutralised.

*ROAD SAFETY*

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that following the launch of Sadak Surakhiya Force, Punjab recorded a decline in road accident fatalities from 4,829 in 2023 to 4,759 in 2024, and a decline in road accidents from 6,269 to 6,063 in 2024, thus coming amongst nine States/UTs to achieve reduction in both the metrics. City Surveillance and Traffic Management System was launched in SAS Nagar in 2025 at a cost of Rs. 22.21 crores. There has been a significant increase in over speeding challans by 500% and drunk-driving challans by 430% in the current year, reflecting stricter enforcement.

          Punjab also emerged as a leader in implementing new criminal laws and tech-driven policing, ranking first in launching the Nyaya Setu Application and leading in CCTNS performance. Over 20,000 personnel were trained in new criminal laws, and more than 55,000 in CCTNS.

          Meanwhile, Police welfare remained a priority, with ₹11.25 crores allocated for infrastructure and ₹10.62 crores disbursed as loans to 741 personnel.

—

BOXES:

1. ACTION AGAINST TERRORISTS

· Modules busted: 19

· Arrests: 131

· Rifles: 9

· Revolvers/Pistols: 188

· IEDs: 12

· RDX: 11.62 kg

· Hand grenades: 54

· Detonators: 32

· Rocket Propelled Grenades: 4

2. ACTION AGAINST DRUGS

· FIRs Registered: 29,784

· Arrests: 39,867

· Heroin Seized: 2,021 kg

· NDPS Conviction Rate: 88%

· Property Frozen: ₹263 crores (548 smugglers)

3. ACTION AGAINST ORGANIZED CRIME

· Modules Busted: 416

· Gangsters Arrested: 992

· Weapons Recovered: 620

· Vehicles Recovered: 252

· Red Notices Issued: 11

· Blue Notices Issued: 2

Chandigarh, December 9:

The Punjab State Information Commission has expressed displeasure over the conduct of a PCS officer from the state.

Sharing details, a spokesperson of the Commission said that in case number 5555/2023, which was listed for hearing before State Information Commissioner Mrs. Pooja Gupta, the Regional Transport Officer Amritsar was summoned multiple times but did not appear before the Commission even once.

The spokesperson stated that despite the issuance of bailable warrants against this officer, he still failed to appear before the Commission.

The spokesperson further informed that due to non-compliance with the orders of the Commission, State Information Commissioner Mrs. Pooja Gupta has directed that the penalty previously imposed on the then officer (under whose tenure the RTI application was filed) be increased from ₹10,000 to ₹25,000.

In addition, the Commission has expressed displeasure over the current Regional Transport Officer, Khushdil Singh Sandhu, PCS, for his irresponsible behavior and failure to comply with the orders issued by the Punjab State Information Commission. The Commission has informed the Principal Secretary, Transport, about the non-compliance and the casual attitude of the RTI Wing of the Transport Department toward the Commission’s directions.

Chandigarh, 19 November 2025: Young author and innovator Shaurya Prabh Sharma officially launched his debut book “PANJAB INC” in Chandigarh on Wednesday, presenting a powerful new narrative of Punjab not as a land defined by conflict but as a civilisation built and sustained by commerce, enterprise and innovation, student’s entrepreneur.

At just 18 years of age, Shaurya traces the region’s business history from the 9th century to the modern day, arguing that the driving force behind Punjab’s resilience has always been trade not war. The book highlights how commercial networks endured through periods of upheaval and how the same spirit continues to define the global Punjabi footprint today.

Shaurya has been a keen observer of national and global economic developments since childhood. A regular newspaper reader since grade five and a participant in multiple business forums, he brings both academic curiosity and grassroots entrepreneurial experience to his debut work. He holds a design patent for a plastic incinerator and is the founder and director of ROOT RICH, a venture he launched during his school years that later grew into an independent company.

Speaking at the launch, Shaurya said that Punjab’s economic history has been long overshadowed by dramatic events, even though trade networks continued to function remarkably through periods of instability.

“Look closer and you will see that even in moments of despair, trade thrived,” he said. “History remembers the battles but overlooks the bazaars. PANJAB INC is about a mindset of courage, creativity and community. Trade, not conflict, built Panjab.”

The book highlights how commerce shaped Punjab’s social and political life across centuries. A major section revisits the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, portraying him not just as a military strategist but as a ruler who understood that long-term peace depended on economic stability.

 “Governance was never just about armies or fortresses,” Shaurya mentioned. “It was about building an architecture of commerce.”

The book explains how Singh’s administration protected and empowered merchants and artisans, enabling safe and predictable trade across regions.

The continuity of business culture from Multan’s indigo and Amritsar’s shawls to Ludhiana’s bicycles, forms a central theme of the book. Shaurya connects this legacy to today’s global Punjabi enterprise visible in renewable-energy firms in Chandigarh, retail chains in Delhi, trucking companies in California and tech ventures in Toronto.

The book also focuses on the rise of regional newspapers and the business leaders who founded them, situating print media within Panjab’s broader commercial landscape. He said the book identifies a set of recurring values that have shaped Punjabi business culture: reinvestment, resilience, hospitality and honour, anchored by a belief that “tomorrow will bring another harvest, another customer, another chance”.

According to author, these values formed an “invisible inheritance” that Punjabi migrants carried with them across continents, shaping success stories from family-owned neighbourhood stores to internationally recognised corporations.

“Panjab does not teach you how to do business; it teaches you how to live business,” he added.

Shaurya dedicates PANJAB INC to both known and unknown entrepreneurs from craftsmen, farmers, traders and publishers to modern industrialists and the Punjabi diaspora, whose contribution turned Punjab from a regional market into a global commercial network.

“This book is your mirror,” he said. “The story of Panjab’s enterprise is not distant; it remains alive in each of us.”