CHANDIGARH, March 29:

          In a relentless pursuit to eradicate the drug menace from Punjab as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police on Thursday conducted another massive Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at identified drug Hotspots— the points of sale of drugs and psychotropic substances— across the state as part of the Yudh Nashian Virudh 2.0, marking the 29th day of the intensified anti-drug campaign.

          The CASO was conducted simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, and Spl DGP/ADGP/IGP/DIG rank officers from Punjab Police Headquarters, Chandigarh were deputed in each Police district to personally supervise the operation.

          During the daylong operation, police teams have conducted raids at 428 drug hotspots across the state leading to arrest of 217 persons after registration of 157  first information reports (FIRs). Police teams have also recovered 7.7 kg heroin, 500 kg Ganja, 10992 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 2.17 lakh 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.

          Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla, who joined Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mohali Deepak Pareek to personally oversee the operation in drug hotspots, said that the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign launched on March 1, 2025, has resulted in arrest of 4484 drug smugglers after registration of 2669 first information reports (FIRs) across the state and led to recovery of 169.5 kg heroin, 88 kg opium, 20.5 quintals poppy husk, 8.64 lakh intoxicant tablets/capsules, 1 kg ICE and Rs 5.83 crores drug money from the possession of drug smugglers.

          He said that DGP Punjab has already directed all the the CPs/SSPs to identify and catalogue the main drug suppliers/peddlers in their respective districts. “This is a sustained war—no leniency, no compromise. We will continue striking at the roots of this menace until Punjab is completely drug-free,” reiterated the Special DGP.

          Other officers who went to the field includes Special DGP Railways Shashi Prabha Dwivedi, Special DGP PSPCL Dr Jitendra Jain, ADGP Anita Punj, ADGP Technical Support Services (TSS) Ram Singh, ADGP Provisioning G Nageswara Rao, ADGP Internal Security Shive Kumar Verma and ADGP State Armed Forces MF Farooqui.

          Meanwhile, the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state.

Chandigarh, March 29:

In an environment friendly step to give further impetus to Buddha Nullah cleaning drive, Punjab Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HPCL Renewable & Green Energy Limited (HPRGE)— a wholly owned company of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited for setting up a Compressed Biogas (CBG) project in Ludhiana.

The MoU was signed by CEO Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) Ms. Neelima and CEO (HPRGE) Mr.Mohit Dhawan     in the presence of Mr. Aman Arora, Minister of New and Renewable Energy Sources, Punjab.

Highlighting the significance of this collaboration, Mr. Aman Arora informed that the project will focus on the sustainable management of surplus cattle dung from the Haibowal Dairy Complex in Ludhiana. He further mentioned that the project will process approximately 300 tons of cattle dung daily, producing 6,400 kg of CBG per day. HPCL will then distribute the CBG through their existing CNG outlets for vehicle fuel.

The project is expected to be completed within two years, Mr. Aman Arora said while emphasising that it’s a crucial component of the Buddha Dariya Rejuvenation Project as the project will address the current issue of dung being discharged into Buddha Nullah through the sewerage system.

Principal Secretary for New & Renewable Energy Sources, Mr. Ajoy Kumar Sinha, stated that the project, valued at over Rs. 35 crore, will be implemented under the State NRSE Policy, 2012, on a Build Own & Operate (BOO) basis. He also assured the HPRGE representatives every possible support  including necessary approvals from government side to set up this project.

Director PEDA Mr. MP Singh and other senior officials of the department were also present on the occasion.

Chandigarh, March 26:

Taking a historic decision to check the illegal mining in state, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday nod for the enactment of the Punjab Regulation of

Crusher Units Act 2025.

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

The Cabinet have approved to bring this act in the ongoing session of the state assembly. This will strengthen the Department in regulating the activities of Crusher Units and Screening Plants which are engaged in processing of sand and gravel. This will in turn help in checking illegal mining operations in the state by promoting legal mining in

the state.

Gives consent to amend the Indian Stamp Act, 1899

The Cabinet also gave consent to amend the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, to promote a business-friendly environment in the state. This amendment aims to reduce business costs and boost economic growth in Punjab. It stipulates that if a person has already paid stamp duty on a loan and later transfers it to another bank or financial institution without changing the mortgaged property, no additional stamp duty will be charged—unless the new loan amount exceeds the previous one, in which case duty will be charged only on the excess.

Chandigarh, March 26

Presenting the fourth budget of the State Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced to launch various major schemes for the overall development of the state, while also giving special attention to the Water Supply and Sanitation Department.

Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Hardip Singh Mundian expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister and the Finance Minister on behalf of the people of the state and his department for the steps taken towards providing clean drinking water and better sanitation facilities to the rural population in the budget for the year 2025-26 and for proposing a budget outlay of Rs. 1614 Crore.

Mr. Mundian further said that the budget of Rs. 1614 Crore will be of great help in expediting the implementation of surface water based schemes, rehabilitation of old infrastructure and strengthening rural sanitation/cleanliness under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin). This includes provision for upgrading/providing pipeline water supply in 176 villages of the state and providing clean and pure water.

Chandigarh, March 26:

Punjab’s Social Security, Women, and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur praised the budget presented by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, describing it as a crucial initiative for the welfare of the common people, financially struggling families, and marginalized communities.

Dr. Baljit Kaur highlighted that the Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation (PSCFC) has announced a complete waiver of loans taken until March 31, 2020, providing significant relief to 4,650 beneficiaries. She emphasized that this decision would help distressed families regain financial stability.

She further stated that the government has allocated ₹9,340 crore to ensure social justice and equality. These funds will be utilized to provide financial assistance to the elderly, widows, destitute women, orphaned children, and persons with disabilities.

Dr. Baljit Kaur also commended the budget’s focus on women’s convenience and economic empowerment. She noted that the free bus travel facility, which has played a vital role in enhancing women’s mobility and economic independence, will continue in the coming year. Over the past year, more than 12 crore women have benefited from this initiative, for which ₹450 crore has been earmarked.

She asserted that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is continuously working towards making the state a ‘Rangla Punjab.’ The budget prioritizes the economic upliftment of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, minorities, and marginalized sections by allocating ₹13,987 crore, which accounts for 34% of the state’s total development budget.

Dr. Baljit Kaur expressed hope that this budget would contribute to the progress of all sections of Punjab, promote social justice and equality, and serve as a milestone in making the people of Punjab prosperous and self-reliant.

Chandigarh, March 26

Punjab Transport and Jails Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar said that the budget presented by the Punjab government will further accelerate holistic development of the state.

In a statement issued here today, the Cabinet Minister lauded the budget and said that the state has been moving forward on the path of development from last three years and the total budget expenditure for the financial year 2025-2026 has been proposed at Rs. 2,36,080 crore. He said that the Punjab Budget has presented a concept of revitalization of rural Punjab, under which all-round development of villages will be possible. 

The Cabinet Minister said that the budget presented has proposed to purchase 347 e-buses with this step, while an environment-friendly public transport system will be established, the dependence on private vehicles will also be reduced. 

S. Bhullar said that Rs 100 crore has been proposed for construction, renovation and upgradation of jail infrastructure in Punjab. He said that Punjab has implemented key security and rehabilitation measures to further improve jail management and welfare of prisoners. Similarly, AI-powered CCTV surveillance is being installed in central jails to detect and prevent illegal activities and V-cams are being expanded in 12 sensitive jails.

He praised the ‘Rangla Punjab Development Scheme’ and said that a provision of Rs. 585 crore has been made for this scheme, which will be spent on the essential things of the people of every district. He said that this fund will be spent on the basis of recommendations of the citizens and this initiative will ensure all-round development like construction and repair of roads and bridges, street lights, clinics, hospitals, schools, water and sanitation etc. 

S. Bhullar further said that the proposals of Punjab Budget 2025-2026 will take Punjab on the path of progress and further enhance the economic development of the state. He said that this budget will bring positive reforms in Punjab and further strengthen the foundation of a prosperous and self-reliant Punjab.

Chandigarh, March 26:

The Forest and Wildlife Preservation Department has been allocated Rs. 281 crore for Financial Year 2025-26 in the budget presented by the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema today in the Vidhan Sabha.

Profusely thanking the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and the Finance Minister, the Forest Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak said that to promote eco-tourism in Punjab, special focus will be placed on developing the Jhajjar Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary in Sri Anandpur Sahib.

Underlining the commitment of the State Government to ensure environmental conservation  and wildlife protection, Mr. Kataruchak added that various initiatives to enhance green cover and biodiversity in the State are being undertaken. So far, around 3 crore saplings have been planted, including 29 lakh around tube-wells, while 268 Nanak Bagichies and 46 Pavittar Vans are being developed in the current year to promote ecological balance.

Chandigarh, March 26:

In a significant move to promote heritage, tourism, and wildlife conservation in the state, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has unveiled game-changing plans to develop Nangal as Punjab’s next big tourist hotspot and develop Jhajjar Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary of Sri Anandpur Sahib into a thrilling eco-tourism destination allowing visitors to spot leopards and other wildlife in their natural habitat, said S. Harjot Singh Bains, Education Minister and MLA from Sri Anandpur Sahib.

          Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, while presenting the historic ‘Badalda Punjab’ Budget for financial year 2025-26, mentioned about the overall development and facelift of Sri Anandpur Sahib constituency. The Punjab government has also allocated a special budget for the preparations of the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.

The Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, while terming the budget as a landmark, said that Nangal will be transformed into a key tourist destination with an initial allocation of Rs 10 crore budget. The initiative aims to enhance facilities, promote local attractions, and create employment opportunities in the hospitality sector, he said.

Apart from this, he said that Jhajjar Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary in Sri Anandpur Sahib will be developed as eco-tourism destination. “Once completed, it will become Punjab’s first wildlife sanctuary where visitors can spot leopards and other wildlife in their natural habitat,” he added.

While thanking the Punjab government for allocating a special budget for the preparations of the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, the Education Minister emphasised that Sri Anandpur Sahib, a city of immense historical and religious importance, will receive special attention in terms of infrastructure and cultural development to honour the occasion.

Chandigarh, March 26:

Punjab School, Higher & Technical Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains, today praised the state budget 2025-26 as a landmark step towards educational transformation, with a massive allocation of Rs.17975 crore (12% of a total expenditure) for the education sector. The budget focuses on strengthening school education through Mission Samrath, which has already benefited 14 lakh students across 19,000 schools, improving learning outcomes by 15-25%. He said that these key initiatives include Rs.1240 crore for Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, Rs.466 crore for PM Poshan, Rs.75 crore for free books and Rs.35 crore for uniforms. The government is converting 425 primary schools into ‘Schools of Happiness’ and has solar-powered 4098 schools, mentioned Harjot Singh Bains.

In higher education, Rs.199 crore has been allocated under RUSA and Rs.160 crore for infrastructure upgrades, while technical education gets Rs.579 crore, including Rs.33 crore for new ITIs, building on this year’s record 93.04% admission rate in government ITIs, said the Education Minister, while emphasizing Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s commitment to global standards, having sent hundreds of educators for training to premier institutions. “This budget showcases our four pillars of educational excellence i.e. quality learning, holistic development, sustainable infrastructure and inclusive growth, to make Punjab a national leader in education field,” he stated.