Chandigarh, March 5

Continuing its drive against corruption in the state, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested Vipan Kumar, a Patwari posted at Revenue Halqa Nawanshahr-1, who had been absconding for three weeks in a bribery case. His accomplice, Rampal, was earlier caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 3,000 on his behalf.

          A VB spokesperson stated that the case was registered based on a complaint from a resident of New Abadi, Nawanshahr in SBS Nagar district. The complainant alleged to the VB that Patwari Vipan Kumar had demanded a Rs 5,000 bribe to process the mutation of his ancestral house. Acting on the Patwari’s instructions, he had already paid Rs 2,000 in advance to Rampal, a middleman of Patwari. When further pressured for the remaining amount, the complainant approached the VB for help.

          The spokesperson added that following a preliminary verification of the complaint, the VB laid a trap on February 14, 2025, and apprehended Rampal red-handed while accepting Rs 3,000 bribe from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. Meanwhile, Patwari Vipan Kumar managed to flee the scene, evading arrest. Since then, the VB had been conducting raids at his residence and other locations, leading to his eventual arrest.

          In this regard a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered against both accused at the VB Police Station, Jalandhar Range. The court has allowed one day police remand of the accused and further investigations into this case was under progress, he added.

Chandigarh, March 5

The Yudh Nashian Virudh Cabinet Sub-Committee Chairman Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday said that Punjab’s crusade against the drug menace is yielding significant results, with the Yudh Nashian Virudh Campaign launched by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann gaining massive traction across the state. He said that the drug smugglers are either fleeing Punjab or being apprehended by the police, paving the way for a drug-free Punjab.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, during his tour of the three districts of Tarn Taran, Pathankot, and Gurdaspur, held meetings with civil and police administration alongside local leadership. He emphasized the importance of public participation, enhancing drug de-addiction efforts, intensifying police crackdowns on drug traders, and promoting activities such as educational competitions, sports, and cultural events to engage the youth in adopting healthier lifestyles.

At the Tarntaran meeting, Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar emphasized the need to create a public movement against drugs, citing initiatives from his constituency, Patti. Adding to this, MLA Khadoor Sahib Manjinder Singh Lalpura mentioned that 80 villages in his constituency have passed resolutions to prevent the sale of drugs in their areas. He also stated that 87 villages will be provided with volleyball kits to divert the youth’s attention from drugs to sports. During the meeting, MLA Tarn Taran Dr. Kashmir Singh Sohal and MLA Khemkaran Sarwan Singh Dhun also shared their views.

Apprising the Finance Minister about police action taken against drug traffickers, SSP Tarn Taran Abhimanyu Rana said  that property worth Rs. 26 crore was attached last year, over Rs. 2 crore this year, and action is underway to attach property in six additional cases. He also reported that 80 individuals have been taken into custody under NDPS act in the district, and 13 kg of heroin has been seized as part of this campaign.

During the Yudh Nashian Virudh meeting in Pathankot, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, Vice President of Aam Aadmi Party Punjab Swaran Salaria, and other prominent district figures. The Finance Minister emphasized that the Pathankot Police would launch a joint operation with the Himachal Police to curb the drug trade in the Pathankot district, which borders the Himachal region. He expressed confidence that nearly 500 ward-level and village-level committees formed in the Pathankot district would be instrumental in ending the drug trade.

The Gurdaspur meeting was held late in the evening where Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, Dera Baba Nanak MLA Gurdeep Singh Randhawa, and a number of other dignitaries accompanied the Finance Minister. The Finance Minister directed health department officials to conduct special checks at all medical stores in the district to ensure no banned medicines are sold.  He called for stringent action against individuals spreading drugs through illegal medical practices and instructed the Civil Surgeon to submit a report on these activities within 10 days. The status of OOAT centers and drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centers was also reviewed during the meeting.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Gurdaspur Aditya Uppal detailed the efforts of the district administration under the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, including the launch of the ‘Umeed’ campaign to protect the youth from drugs and the formation of anti-drug committees in hotspot areas. DIG Border Range Satinder Singh, SSP Gurdaspur Aditya, and SSP Batala Sohail Qasim Mir presented reports on police actions against drug smugglers.

Chandigarh 02 March 2025:

An official spokesperson of the Punjab State Election Commission informed that the General Elections to three Municipal Councils of Tarn Taran (District Tarn Taran), Dera Baba Nanak (District Gurdaspur) and Talwara (District Hoshiarpur) were conducted today in a peaceful manner.

The voter turnout for three Municipal Councils of Tarn Taran (District Tarn Taran), Dera Baba Nanak (District Gurdaspur) and Talwara (District Hoshiarpur) are 54.06 %, 73.50 % and 61.31 % respectively, as reported by respective District Election Officers.

He further informed that a re-poll for Ward No.3 of Municipal Council, Tarn Taran has been ordered to be held on 04.03.2025 from 07:00 am to 04:00 pm followed by counting of votes on the same day.  In this regard, Deputy Commissioner-cum-DEO, Tarn Taran has been directed to make all the necessary arrangements.

Chandigarh March 2, 2025 –

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its drive against corruption in the state, on Sunday, apprehended Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Jagga Singh (No. 636/Bnl) and Senior Constable Gurpreet Singh (No. 288/Bnl), both posted at Police Station Mehal Kalan, in Barnala district red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the Bureau said the aforementioned police personnel have been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a woman of Barnala city.

He further added that the complainant has approached the VB and informed that a police case had been registered at Mehal Kalan Police Station in which her brother was later nominated and subsequently arrested. She alleged that the said accused ASI and Senior Constable had demanded bribe from her to release a mobile phone, a watch, a gold chain and Rs 10,000 cash belonging to her brother.

The spokesperson informed that after verification of this complaint the VB team laid a trap during which both the accused police officials have been arrested while accepting a bribe of Rs. 50,000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. In this regard a case has been registered against both the accused at VB Police Station Patiala Range. Further investigation into this case is under progress, he said.

Chandigarh, March 2:

The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is deeply committed to increase the area under the forest cover in the State so as to ensure a cleaner and greener environment.

With a view to achieve the abovesaid objective, the Forests and Wildlife Preservation Department under the guidance of Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, is undertaking great efforts. Under the Punjab State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (PUNCAMPA) scheme, the Annual Plan of Operations (APO) for the year 2025-26 has been submitted to National Authority, New Delhi for final approval after its approval by the Steering Committee of State Authority. The afforestation on 2100 hectares is proposed to be carried out during the year 2025-26. During the period 2024-25, Plantation in 1932 hectare area was done.

It is noteworthy that under the provisions of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 and Compensatory Afforestation Fund Rules, 2018 made by the Union Government, the Annual Plan of Operation of State Authority (CAMPA) each year is prepared and got approved from the Steering Committee and finally approved by the National Authority, New Delhi.  The afforestation in only forest area is carried out as per the approved APO.

CHANDIGARH/FEROZEPUR, March 2:

          Amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Counter Intelligence Ferozepur has busted a cross-border smuggling network with the arrest of smuggler-cum-gangster identified as Hardeep Singh alias Deepa of village Ghall Khurd in Ferozepur, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Sunday.

          The Police team has also recovered three sophisticated weapon arsenal— one 9MM Glock pistol, one .30 MM Beretta pistol and one Pump action gun— along with three magazines and 141 assorted cartridges, and 45 grams heroin from his possession, besides, impounding his Maruti Swift car, in which he was travelling.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that these weapons were sourced from Pakistan through unidentified foreign-based entity, intended for use in terror and criminal activities in the state.

          He said that the arrested accused was to supply these recovered weapons to ground operatives of terror and criminal groups. The identity and role of the foreign entity, along with its broader network, are under comprehensive investigation, he added.

          The DGP said that further investigation is underway to unravel the entire network. Efforts are on to identify other members involved in this module and track the origins of the smuggled weapons, he added.

          Sharing more details, AIG CI Ferozepur Lakhbir Singh said that police teams had received a reliable intel-input about involvement of accused Hardeep Deepa in weapon and drug smuggling operations and the input also revealed that the latter has recently retrieved a weapon consignment to further supply it to the criminal elements.

          Acting swiftly, police teams laid a Naka near Punj Garain Morh in Kotkapura and signalled driver of the suspected Swift car to stop, he said, while adding that instead of stopping the car, the accused escaped from the spot leading to a hot chase. He said that police teams have successfully apprehended the accused in the area of village Punj Garain, when his vehicle turned turtle after he abruptly take a turn towards a small road.

          The AIG said that the arrested individual has a criminal history with four cases registered against him in Moga, Ferozepur, and Fazilka under the Arms Act, attempt to murder, and other serious offences. The accused was released on bail in April 2024 and after coming out of the jail, he resumed his criminal activities, he added.

          In this regard FIR no. 05 dated 01-03-2025 has been registered under sections 21 and 25 of the NDPS Act and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) Fazilka.

Jahan Khela (Hoshiarpur), March 2:

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday unequivocally said that gangsters, smugglers, criminals and other anti-social elements have no place on the sacred land of Punjab and they will soon be wiped out from the state.

Addressing the gathering during the passing out parade of 2490 cops here today, the Chief Minister said that this pious land has produced saints, seers, martyrs, legendary players and generals. However, he said that unfortunately under the patronization of the earlier governments the smugglers, gangsters and other criminals have made this state their abode. But, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has now started a crusade to weed out these anti-national elements adding that they will be behind the bars soon.

The Chief Minister said that the state is at a historic juncture as the Punjab government has launched a decisive war against drugs in the state. He said that the state government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against drugs and Punjab will be made completely drug free with the active support and cooperation of the general public. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the supply line of the drugs is being snapped, drug peddlers are being put behind the bars and the properties of the drug smugglers are being confiscated/ razed adding he expressed that the new cops will become an integral part in the war against the drugs.

The Chief Minister said that being a border state a number of forces inimical to state have been chalking out nefarious designs to disturb hard earned peace of state but the Punjab Police has always foiled such attempts. He said that to further overcome major challenges faced by the state it is imperative that the Police force is updated as per advanced requirements in the field of investigation, science and technology. Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed hope that the Punjab Police will uphold the glorious legacy of serving the people with utmost professional commitment.

Congratulating the new cops, the Chief Minister said that it is a momentous occasion for them as they have become an integral part of the Punjab Police family. He exhorted the cops to discharge their duty with utmost dedication, hard work and commitment thereby contributing immensely in the progress of the state and prosperity of its people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the cops must play a proactive role in mitigating the woes of the general public and delivering justice to them.

The Chief Minister called upon the newly inducted cops to play a proactive role in wiping out the menace of drugs from the state. He said that Punjab is fighting the nation’s war against drugs and the Punjab Police has always acted as a barrier for checking its supply. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that now the time has come when the cops should uphold the glorious tradition of Punjab Police for weeding out the scourge of drugs from the state.

The Chief Minister warned the fissiparous forces that their evil designs to create communal strife would be nipped in the bud. He said that the social bonding in the state is so strong that any seed could grow on the fertile land of Punjab but the seed of hatred will never germinate here at any cost. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that though futile attempts are being made to disturb hard earned peace of state, the bond of love, harmony and peace will be further cemented by Punjabis.

The Chief Minister said that since 2022 more than 10,000 youngsters have been appointed in the Police force to update the force. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has also decided to recruit 10,000 new cops in Punjab Police for which necessary clearance will be given by the cabinet soon. He said that the state government is committed to upgrade the police force of the state on scientific lines to enable it to combat the criminals effectively.

The Chief Minister said that the state Government has launched  the first of its kind initiative in the country, a dedicated Sadak Surakhya Force to ensure   enhanced security and to save precious lives on the State and  National Highways. He said that specially trained, freshly recruited 1597 personnel including girls are acting as the backbone to this force, who have been provided with the latest,   fully equipped  144 vehicles and since its launch in February last year the state has witnessed a 48.10% reduction in casualties due to accidents. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that force has been deployed all along 4200 km  of the Highways, prone to traffic accidents adding that in addition to patrolling in the assigned areas, they act as a deterrent for traffic violations and more adding that even the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had hailed this initiative of the state government in the Parliament of India.

The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that spread over 155 acres Jahan Khela campus is equipped with state of the art training facilities. He said that due to this only, forces from other states come here to get training for the cops. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the mode of crime has changed so Punjab Police is being updated due to which specialized training is imparted here.

The Chief Minister said that now these youth have become integral part of the government adding that now should serve the people with missionary zeal. Bhagwant Mann hoped that the new recruits will use their pen for helping the needy and underprivileged sections of society. He said that the newly recruited youth should ensure maximum welfare of the public so that every section of society is benefited from it.

Chandigarh, March 2:

In an innovative move aimed at empowering the young women with valuable insights for future career planning and personal development, Punjab Government has introduced Psychometric tests for girl students to discover their strength and aptitude. The psychometric tests will be conducted on class 10th girl students studying in government schools.

Divulging the details about the project, Punjab School Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains informed that the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has allocated over Rs. 6.56 crore to all districts for conducting psychometric tests for 10th-grade girls in government schools. This program will benefit as many as 93,819 students, with all girls to be covered by March 31st, 2025.

To ensure smooth implementation, district-level committees have been formed under the leadership of District Education Officers (Secondary) across Punjab. These committees will oversee the testing process and monitor all operations within their respective districts. The primary objective of this initiative is to analyse students’ mental abilities, interests, and personality traits to guide them towards making informed career choices.

S. Harjot Singh Bains said that majority of students face the confusion after their 10th board exams regarding their future career paths. This decision significantly impacts their choice of stream in 11th grade. While private schools often provide career counselling, government school students lack this support, leading them to rely on their peers’ choices. This often results in students selecting streams that may not align with their interests and abilities, ultimately hindering their career prospects.

Recognising the importance of this issue, the School Education Minister said that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has introduced the psychometric test to provide government school students with the opportunities at par with private school students, enabling them to choose their careers with confidence. It will also empower them to choose paths that align with their strengths and interests.

This initiative will not only make students more confident and aware of their future but will also improve the quality and standards of education in in government schools, he added.

Chandigarh, March 2

Punjab Public Works & Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO conducted a thorough review of the works being executed by the Public Works Department (PWD), emphasizing the need for maintaining quality standards and ensuring transparency in the tendering process.

PWD Minister ETO, in the review attended  by all Chief Engineers and Joint Secretary PWD Amarbir Sidhu, stressed that no carelessness on quality aspects would be tolerated and directed officials to conduct regular quality checks on ongoing projects without fear,bias or favoritism. He repeatedly stressed on the importance of complete transparency in the tendering process, adhering strictly to the prescribed procedure as per the Transparency Act.

The Minister advised Chief Engineers to amend the Standard Bidding Document as necessary, considering the changing conditions & requirements of works. He also took a serious view of delays occurring in the execution of works due to land acquisition, utility shifting, forest and other statutory clearances, directing officers to have periodic reviews of projects and address issues promptly.

PWD Minister expressed displeasure over the gap in project follow-up by Department offices and directed the officials to bridge this gap to ensure timely completion of projects. He encouraged officials to address issues through his office, if required, to ensure seamless project execution.

 PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO reiterated Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government’s commitment to accelerating infrastructure development and enhancing transparency in the Public Works Department.