Chandigarh/Tarn Taran, April 12:

          Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Saturday, attended the cremation ceremony of Martyr Sub-Inspector (SI) Charanjit Singh took place at Theh Sarhali village in Tarn Taran district and paid his respect to the brave officer, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

          SI Charanjit Singh, 57, who joined the Police force as a constable in 1989 and was currently posted at Police Station Goindwal Sahib had lost his life in the line of duty on April 9, 2025. He is survived by his wife, one son and two daughters.

          Pertinently, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had already announced Rs 2 crore to family of the martyr SI Charanjit Singh as mark of respect. The Rs 2 crore amount includes Rs 1 crore as ex-gratia by the state government, whereas, another payment of  insurance cover of Rs 1 crore will be made by the HDFC Bank. 

          Expressing his heartfelt condolences, DGP Gaurav Yadav assured full support and every possible help from the Punjab Government and Punjab Police to the family of Martyr SI Charanjit Singh.

          The DGP paid rich tributes to the officer’s immense courage and unwavering commitment to service, assuring the family that his sacrifice would never be forgotten.

          Meanwhile, the financial assistance to family of Martyr SI Charanjit Singh is in consonance with the commitment of State government to ensure the well-being of police personnel and their families.

Ludhiana, April 12:

Reiterating firm commitment of the state government to save the groundwater of the state for coming generations, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday announced to start zone wise cultivation of the paddy from June 1.

“We have divided the state into three zones and the cultivation of paddy will start in the district falling in three zones On June 1, June 5 and June 9”, said the Chief Minister while addressing the gathering during Sarkar Kisaan Milni here today. 

The Chief Minister said that Punjab is the food bowl of the country as it contributes 45% of grains in the national food pool. However, he bemoaned that in 70 days of paddy season Punjab pumps out water equal to nine Gobind Sagar lakes, which is a huge quantity. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that by pumping out so much water we will deprive our coming generations from water which is the basic ingredient of our existence.

Citing an example, the Chief Minister said that 4000 litre of water is required for producing one kilo paddy so it is posing a serious threat to the basic existence of our coming generations, due to which the state government is making concerted efforts to save it. He said that cultivation of paddy in the state has increased from 20 lakh hectares to 32 lakh hectares due to which the need for water to irrigate the fields has also increased. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government the ground water level has started increasing and as per a report of the Union government it has witnessed an upward enhancement of one metre.

In a path breaking initiative, the Chief Minister said that the state government has decided to start cultivation of paddy from June 1 for which the state has been divided into three zones. He said that paddy cultivation in Faridkot, Bathinda, Fazilka, Ferozepur and Sri Muktsar Sahib Districts will start from June 1 adding that in Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Tarn Tarn, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Sri Fatehgarh Sahib and Hoshiarpur districts will start on June 5. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in the remaining districts of Ludhiana, Moga, Jalandhar, Mansa, Malerkotla, Sangrur, Patiala, Barnala, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar  and Kapurthala it will start on June 9.

The Chief Minister said that it will help in reducing the immediate burden for supply of power in all the districts of the state during the paddy season. He said that it will avoid complications to the farmers in selling their paddy harvest due to high moisture content in October. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this zone wise cultivation of the paddy crop will be ensured in the state and necessary planning and arrangements are already being made by the Punjab government for this motive.  

The Chief Minister said that the state government is contemplating to ban the cultivation of water guzzling Pussa 44 variety of the paddy. He said that the cultivation of this variety needs around 152 days and it requires 64 lakh litre water per acre and costs Rs 7500 per acre to the government for power. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann the farmers have to bear expenditure worth nearly Rs 19000 per acre for cultivation of this variety and it produces paddy straw 10% more than other varieties.

The Chief Minister said that the state government will ensure a minimum eight hours of regular power supply to the farmers during the paddy season. He said that in the areas where canal water supply is available the power will be supplied during the night time for eight hours.  Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that the previous governments never bothered about making any effort to save the groundwater and the farmers at the tail ends, on this land of five rivers, never got water.

However, the Chief Minister said after assuming charge his government has revived 15947 water courses in the state due to which water has reached at the tail ends even in remotest villages. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that at the time when he had assumed the charge of office only 21% canal water was being used in the state for irrigation purposes. However, he said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that today 75% of the canal water is being used for irrigation purposes.

The Chief Minister said that canal water is a boon for irrigation as this mineral rich water enhances fertility of soil on one hand and reduces pressure on groundwater on the other. He said that it also reduces the burden on the power sector thereby enabling the state government to provide uninterrupted power to every sector. Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that the state government is making strenuous efforts for providing adequate marketing and MSP on alternate crops like Maize to bring farmers out of the rut of wheat/ paddy circle. 

The Chief Minister unequivocally said that no black of DAP and Urea will be allowed during the season to avoid any inconvenience to the farmers.  Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to make agriculture a profitable venture, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that active participation of farmers is the need of the hour to bail them out from the ongoing agrarian crisis. He said that due to ever escalating input costs and diminishing returns agriculture is no longer a profitable venture.

The Chief Minister said that due to this the farmers of the state are on cross roads. He said that the sole motive of organizing this interaction is to reduce the gap between decision makers and stakeholders so that policies are designed as per the needs of the farmers. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab produces 80% of the total Basmati produced in the country adding that this production will be further enhanced in the coming days.

The Chief Minister said that this will further give fillip to the Basmati industry on one hand and supplement the income of farmers besides saving the precious natural resource in the form of water. Bhagwant Singh Mann gave a clarion call to the farmers to adopt Basmati cultivation across the state adding he assured the farmers that the state government will make every effort to ensure that they do not suffer any sort of loss in cultivation of Basmati. He also said that every effort will be made to ensure that assured prices are made available on Basmati cultivation.

Chandigarh, April 12:

The trials for selecting the Volleyball (Boys) team of Punjab in respect of the Khelo India Youth Games would now be held on April 14th at Guru Nanak stadium in Ludhiana. The Khelo India Youth Games are scheduled to be held from May 4th to May 15th in Bihar.

Disclosing this, a spokesperson of the Sports Department said that earlier the trials were to take place at Punjab Institute of Sports in Sector-63, Mohali on April 13th.

The players interested in participating in these trials should be born on either January 1st, 2007 or after.

Chandigarh, April 12:

 Punjab Public Works Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO conducted a thorough head-wise review of PWD (B&R) works to finalize the work program for the fiscal year 2025-26.

 The high-level meeting was attended by Secretary Public Works Sh. Ravi Bhagat along with Chief Engineers and other senior officials of the department. During the review meeting, S. Harbhajan Singh ETO stressed for due diligence in deploying funds as per requirement of works to ensure balanced development throughout the state.

 He directed officials to incorporate inputs from local MLAs through the offices of Deputy Commissioners so that priority works identified by elected representatives of the people could be considered in the annual planning. “Transparency is paramount in our functioning.

All representatives must be kept informed about ongoing projects in their constituencies to maintain and ensure quality of the works,” said the Cabinet Minister, adding that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government is committed to inclusive development that reaches every corner of Punjab.

 The PWD Minister instructed department officials to expedite necessary approvals and ensure timely completion of all sanctioned works while maintaining the highest quality standards. He reiterated state government’s firm stance of zero tolerance toward poor quality work and corruption in public projects.

 “We are committed to delivering infrastructure projects that meet the highest standards of quality and durability,” asserted the Cabinet Minister. S. Harbhajan Singh ETO said that there will be absolutely no compromise on quality ad any corrupt practices will be dealt with severely as we are very much committed to provide transparent and accountable governance.

CHANDIGARH/JALANDHAR, April 12:

          In yet another major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Jalandhar Commissionerate Police, with the support of Central Agencies and Delhi Police, has successfully arrested Uttar Pradesh (UP)-based Saidul Ameen— the prime accused involved in the grenade attack at BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia’s residence, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.

          As per the information, an explosion occurred at the residence of Senior BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia located in Central Town Jalandhar on the intervening night of April 7. Preliminary investigations had revealed a larger conspiracy orchestrated by Pakistan’s ISI to disrupt communal harmony in Punjab.

          The development came close on the heels of the arrest of two local associates identified as Satish alias Kaka alias Lucky of Bhargo Camp in Jalandhar and Harry of Garha Road in Jalandhar, who provided logistical support to accused Saidul Ameen. The plot was masterminded by Zeeshan Akhtar, a close associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and Pakistan-based ISI-sponsored gangster Shahzad Bhatti, while, role of Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) is also being probed.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav accompanied by Commissioner of Police (CP) Jalandhar Dhanpreet Kaur, while addressing a press conference in Jalandhar, said that accused Saidul Ameen, a resident of Amroha in UP, was apprehended from Delhi after an intensive multi-state manhunt. “This arrest is a testament to the seamless coordination between Punjab Police, Central Agencies, and Delhi Police in dismantling terror networks,” he said.

          The DGP said that the ongoing probe has also revealed the financial link to the executors of the grenade attack under which role of Haryana-based accused identified as Abhijot, who was arrested by the Haryana Police on Friday after exchange of fire in Kurukshetra, has also come under the light. Jalandhar Commissionerate Police will bring him on production warrant for further investigations, he added.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that further investigations are ongoing to uncover handlers, financial backers, and potential foreign connections linked to the attack.

          A case FIR no. 27 dated 8/4/2025 has already been registered under sections 109, 324(3) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act has been registered at Police Station Division number 3 in Jalandhar.

Chandigarh, April 12:

In a prompt action, first information report (FIR) has been registered against both parties involved in a clash that occurred at the Civil Hospital, in Dera Bassi, informed Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh here on Saturday.

 Upon learning about the clash, Dr Balbir Singh said that he immediately contacted the concerned Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of SAS Nagar, directing them to take appropriate action against both parties involved in clash.

He said that all hospitals are considered peace zones and any violation of hospital protocols or damage to public property will be met with strict action, regardless of any political affiliation. Violence against any medical personnel and damage to hospital property is a non-bailable offence, he added.

While urging the people to continue seeking medical treatment at Government Health Facilities, the Health Minister assured them that doctors and staff are dedicated to providing services to people. However, he categorically said that any violation of hospital protocols will not be tolerated at any cost.

He said that police have initiated an investigation into the matter and are currently reviewing CCTV footage and gathering statements from witnesses.

Chandigarh April 12 –

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, on Saturday, arrested Inspector Abhinav Chauhan, posted as SHO Police station Mamdot, District Ferozepur, red-handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs. 25,000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the aforementioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by from Surinder Singh.

He further informed that the complainant has approached the VB and alleged the accused had demanded a bribe of Rs one lakh for the settlement of the civil dispute. The spokesperson further added that after a preliminary verification of this complaint the VB team from Flying Squad -1, Punjab, laid a trap during which the said accused has been arrested while he was accepting a first instalment of bribe of Rs 25000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. In this regard a  Case has been registered at police station, VB Flying Squad-1 Punjab at Mohali m against the aforesaid accused. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow. Further investigation into this case was under progress, he said.

Chandigarh/Pathankot, April 12:

A plan was prepared to declare all the wildlife sanctuaries in the country as eco sensitive zones. The plan was formulated as part of an eco sensitive strategy by the Wildlife Board of India in 2002. According to the plan, these were eco sensitive areas and there would be no construction within the radius of 100 Metre around these sanctuaries. Any construction whatsoever was to be done outside the 100 Metre radius. The practice was initiated in the entire country.

This was disclosed by the Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister, Punjab, Lal Chand Kataruchak today during an interaction with the mediapersons.

Divulging more, the Minister said that the Punjab Government in the year 2013 readied detailed plan with regard to the 13 wildlife sanctuaries of the State and sent the same to the Government of India which declared these 13 wildlife sanctuaries as the eco sensitive zones. Hence, on this basis, any construction activity was forbidden within 100 Metre radius of these sanctuaries. But the Government of India didn’t declare the Sukhna Lake, the 14th spot which shares its borders with Haryana and Punjab, to be included in the above said category.

The Minister further said that it is already decided in case of Sukhna Lake from legal point of view that no construction can take place within 10 Km radius, neither any business activity nor any other kind can happen inside the said radius.

But recently, the Supreme Court directed that talks should be initiated with the local people inhabiting the above said area of lake. As a result, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann formed a five Member committee which conducted various meetings and listened to the grievances of the people. Accordingly, a report was sent to the Hon’ble Supreme Court and a demand was placed that an eco sensitive zone be declared in this area.

The Minister further said that the memorandum prepared as per the directions of the Chief Minister, was approved by the Cabinet. This would give a lot of respite to the people and this memorandum would also be sent to the Government of India.

Chandigarh, April 11:

Taking a significant decision to digitize employee attendance, the Punjab Transport Department has implemented an online attendance system from today onwards. All employees will now be required to mark their online attendance twice daily.

Punjab Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that previously, attendance was recorded manually in registers. He said that complete training has been provided to all employees working in the Transport Department and SDM offices including regular, outsourced, contractual staff and lab attendants, to ensure a smooth transition to the online attendance system.

The Cabinet Minister informed that instructions have been issued for all employees to mark their attendance on the M-Seva App, adding that starting today, employees across various concerned offices and regional offices have begun using the app for attendance tracking.

S. Bhullar further said that the online system was launched after creating M-Seva login credentials for all employees and providing them with detailed user guides.

The Transport Minister said that employees cannot mark their attendance from home as the system incorporates geo-fencing along with latitude and longitude tracking software. This technology automatically records the employee’s location when marking attendance.

S. Bhullar added that if an employee needs to work outside the office, he must verify his location through a mobile device. “This initiative will not only enhance the department’s operational efficiency but also help address public concerns and complaints more effectively and swiftly,” he added.

Chandigarh/Hoshiarpur, April 11:

Under Punjab Sikhia Kranti, Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh on Friday inaugurated works at four schools completed at a cost of Rs. 1.20 crore while stating that the state government has equipped its schools with ultra modern facilities, upgraded infrastructure to facilitate students and teachers.

Dedicating the works worth Rs. 60 lakh at Government Senior Secondary School, Ajram,  Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh said that the State Government would make all out efforts for all round development of students as well as ensuring their bright future so that they could compete at national and international level. The Minister said that Punjab Government had put the education sector in its foremost priorities thus giving a new facelift to schools across the state during the last three years. Nowadays, the government schools have modern classrooms, strengthened infrastructure, requisite and free of cost facilities, which would be immensely beneficial for students. 

In another function, the Minister also inaugurated works worth Rs. 11.2 lakh at Government Primary School, Ajram village, Rs. 38.43 lakh at Government Senior Secondary School Dhadde Fateh Singh and Rs. 10.5 lakh works at Government Primary School Hardokhanpur. In his address, Dr. Ravjot Singh said that the Punjab government has set aside 12 percent amount of the total budget i.e. Rs. 17975 crore, for the education sector, which would further bolster the ongoing reforms.  The  Minister inaugurated three new classrooms and laboratories of Physics, Chemistry and Biology at Government Senior Secondary School Dhadde Fateh Singh. Similarly, three science laboratories, school boundary walls and classrooms were inaugurated at Government Senior Secondary School, Ajram. A new room was inaugurated at the school in Hardokhanpur.

Prominent amongst those present on the occasions included District Education Officer Lalita Arora, Principal Jagdeep Kaur, Principal Dharminder Sharma, Principal Gurpreet Singh, Sarpanch Bidhi Chand, NRI Kuldeep Singh, Gurjap Singh, Joginder Singh, Acchar Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Kulwinder Singh, Principal Kulwant Singh, Dr. Armanpreet Singh, Amandeep Sharma, Avtar Singh, Principal Harjinder Singh, Paramjit Singh Kaluwahar, Balbir Singh, Sanjeev Kumar, Sarpanch Amandeep Singh, Principal Ravinder Kaur, Panch Vikramjit, Mukesh Kumar, Amandeep Dhami, Raja Kalia, Madan Kalia, Head Master Surinder Singh, Ravbir Singh, Ravinder Kaur, Jaswinder Singh, Madan Sharma etc. were present.