Chandigarh, February 19:

The newly appointed youth of the state who were given a job letter by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday profusely thanked the state government for illuminating their lives by giving them jobs purely on merit.

Sharing his views Sukhpreet Singh thanked the Chief Minister by asserting that he and his wife Harpreet kaur had returned from abroad to join as Assistant Professor. He said that now there is no need to go abroad but work hard as the state government led by the Chief Minister is offering a number of opportunities to them.

Similarly, Dr Alka Kalyan said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that they have got the job purely on merit. She said that 1158 assistant professors had received fulsome support from the state government. She said that after 30 years the colleges of the state have got professors and the selection has been made completely on merit. She profusely thanked the Chief Minister and said that they will realize the mission of Rangla Punjab of CM .

In the same manner, Fatehjeet Singh said that he has been selected as JE in Rural Development department for which he profusely thanked the Chief Minister. He said that he was slated to go abroad but got a job by the department after which he shunned the idea.

Likewise, Kuljinder Dhiman, who has also been selected as JE, said that she is indebted to the Chief Minister for providing the opportunity. She said that the state government has given her an opportunity to become an active partner in the progress of the state.

CHANDIGARH, February 19:

          In consonance with the instructions issued by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government emphasising transperancy, accountability and integrity in public service delivery, Commissioners of Police and Senior Superintendents of Police (CPs/SSPs) in all districts have dismissed 52 police officials for their involvement in corrupt practices, malpractices, criminal activities or prolonged absenteeism, informed Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Wednesday.

          The dismissed Police officials includes one Inspector, five Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs), four head-constables (HCs) and 42 constables across various districts.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav, who was addressing a press conference at Punjab Police Headquarters here, said that CPs/SSPs in their respective districts and commissionerates are undertaking the excercise to identify instances where police officers have been wanted in FIRs, facing serious allegations or indulged in corrupt practices. Officers concerned have been thoroughly examining the evidence and following due procedure in each case to initiate action, he said.

          He said that recently, a Station House Officer (SHO) Sadiq and two constables in Faridkot district were arrested after they found involved in extortion of money.

          Reaffirming the commitment of Punjab Police on ‘Zero Tolerance Against Corruption’, the DGP said that any elements found indulging corruption will be taken with iron hand. “Black sheep in the Punjab Police are not going to be tolerated. Strict action as per law will be taken,” he reiterated.

PUNJAB POLICE TO INTRODUCE E-FIR FACILITY

          Sharing details on upcoming projects in the Punjab Police, DGP Gaurav Yadav said that Punjab Police is all set to introduce e-FIR facility for motor vehicle theft, which will allow public to lodge an FIR using online platform or visiting SAANJH Kendras.

          For this purpose, an e-Police Station is also being established at a state level, said the DGP, while adding, “We will also request Hon’ble High Court through the state government to get the E-Courts notified in each district.”

          He said that the e-FIR project is aimed at reducing direct interface of public with the police and delivering citizen friendly services with the use of technology. Punjab Police has been offering as many as 43 police services online under the SAANJH project, he added.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav further said that Punjab Police in collaboration with the Indian Police Foundation has launched a project on Internal Police Reforms making Punjab the first state to launch such project. The project, which was initially launched in SAS Nagar and Rupnagar, is now being expanded to two more districts including Fatehgarh Sahib and Khanna.

          He said that this groundbreaking initiative focuses on improving complaint/FIR registration, improving police response, behaviour and conduct ,minimising harassment, citizen services, community engagement, he added.

BOX: DISTRICT-WISE DATA OF OFFICIALS DISMISSED

CP Amritsar: 2

CP Jalandhar: 2

CP Ludhiana: 4

Batala: 2

Bathinda: 2

Fatehgarh Sahib: 1

Fazilka: 2

Faridkot: 3

Ferozepur: 1

Gurdaspur: 1

Hoshiarpur: 4

Jalandhar Rural: 2

Kapurthala: 4

Khanna: 1

Ludhiana Rural: 3

Mansa: 1

Malerkotla: 1

Pathankot: 1

Patiala: 5

Rupnagar: 1

Sri Muktsar Sahib: 2

Sangrur: 2

SAS Nagar: 2

SBS Nagar: 1

Tarn Taran: 2

Chandigarh, February 19:

Carrying forward the policy aimed at proper upkeep of the wildlife in the State with renewed vigour, the Forests and Wildlife Preservation Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak today released two Little tiger cubs from the Intensive Care  into the ‘Kraal’ (Semi Open Enclosure) at the Chhatbir Zoo. It is noteworthy that the mating of white tigress Gauri and Yellow tiger Arjun resulted in the birth of Abhay and Aryan at Diwali night 12 PM on October 31st, 2024. These two tiger cubs are healthy and would be released in the enclosure for viewing by common people after one more vaccine dose.

The Minister also inaugurated various projects on the occasion. These comprise the new building of the veterinary hospital after the old one,  office of the Senior Veterinary Officer as well as the Veterinary Officer, Room of the veterinary staff, Laboratory – 1 and Laboratory – 2, Dispensary, Research Room, Pantry and two washrooms.

Apart from this, the service circulation path for use by the staff, feed fodder vehicle were also inaugurated. This would lead to the uninterrupted supply of feed as well as the fodder to the enclosures housing animals. Besides, the 800 Metre long and 4 Metre wide visitor path has also been constructed outside the animal enclosures for the facilitation of public. Not only this but two night shelters for the night duty  watchmen and a logo of the Punjab Zoos Development Society (PZDS) were also unveiled.

The Minister also inspected the ongoing works pertaining to the parking stand for wildlife safari buses, visitor shelter near lion safari canteen, crocodile enclosure, parking stand for battery operated vehicle and feeding platform for angulets in deer safari.

The Chhatbir Zoo undertakes multitude of activities from time to time which are aimed at ensuring empathy towards the wild animals apart from awareness generation. Such initiatives include blood donation camps, Run for Wild race and Zoo education program. Through these programs, children, youth and other sections of the society are sensitized in the direction of developing an attitude of love and care towards the wild animals.

Among others present on the occasion included the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) Dharminder Sharma, Field Director of the Chhatbir Zoo Neeraj Kumar and Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Sagar Setia.

Chandigarh, February 19:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday slammed the traditional political leaders especially Sukhbir Badal and Sunil Jakhar for posing while enjoying weddings, receptions and feasts whereas food growers of the state are undergoing fast to get their demands met.

The Chief Minister said that this clearly reflects the insensitivity and insincerity of this ‘elite’ political class that has ruled the state for decades. He said that these political leaders have always hobnobbed with each other to secure their interests while ignoring the matters of the state and its people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders spit venom against each other from their respective stages but embrace each other in such private functions which expose their dubious face.

The Chief Minister quipped that these leaders will justify their move by saying that this is their social obligation but they forget that due to their venomous speeches the social fabric of the state is disturbed adding that these leaders divide the people for their vested political interests but shamefully are hand in glove with each other. He said that these political leaders befool the people as in villages of state people fight with each other on the name of political parties but these leaders attend the marriages and functions of each other and embrace them which is surprising. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that such people should be taught a lesson and people should always elect the government of the common man.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the traditional parties are envious of him because he hails from a common family. He said that these leaders who believed that they have divine right to rule the state due to which they are not able to digest that a common man is running the state efficiently. Bhagwant Singh Mann  said that these leaders have befooled the people for a long time but now people are not getting swayed by their misleading propaganda.

The Chief Minister said that people of state have ousted the political parties that used to play musical chairs of power to loot them after every five years. He said that his government has been given a chance by people to serve them and they will work hard to fulfill their expectations. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the opposition leaders start their day by slamming him just because they are envious of the pro-people decision taken by his government.

Taking a jibe at the Akali leaders, the Chief Minister said that despite their lip service, these leaders failed to deliver anything tangible to the people. He said that due to such misdeeds only the Akali leaders are now facing public wrath adding that in a democracy the power of a common man is supreme. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that those who claimed that they will rule for 25 years have been sent to political oblivion by the people.

CHANDIGARH, February 19:

          Continuing its crackdown on fraudulent immigration consultants exploiting innocent individuals, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Punjab Police, headed by ADGP NRI Affairs Praveen Sinha has registered five new first information reports (FIRs) against travel agents and arrested two more fraudulent travel agents.

          With this development, the total number of FIRs reached to 15, while, arrest count has reached to three. The FIRs were filed against agents who allegedly deceived victims with false promises of facilitating illegal entry into the United States, resulting in their deportation.

          The latest FIRs were registered in districts including Tarn Taran, SAS Nagar, Moga, and Sangrur, on February 17 and 18, 2025. The accused agents, operating through unauthorised networks, have been found charging hefty amounts from victims by promising safe and legal immigration routes, but instead have been exposing them to inhumane conditions, detention, and eventual deportation.

          The details of FIRs include FIR no. 25 dated 17.02.2025 registered at Police Station Patti in Tarn Taran against an agent, operating from Chandigarh and Yamuna Nagar, fraudulently took ₹44 lakhs from a victim under the pretence of legal immigration to the USA but instead routed him through Nicaragua and Mexico; and FIR no. 19 dated 17.2.2025 registered at Police Station Majri in SAS Nagar against agents Mukul and Gurjinder Antaal, who misled a victim, took ₹45 lakhs, and sent him via Colombia and Mexico.

          Similarly, FIR no. 30 dated 18/2/2025 registered at Police Station Dharamkot in Moga accused identified as Sukhwinder Singh, Talwinder Singh, Pritam Kaur and Gurpreet Singh, including members of Ekam Travels Chandigarh, who lured a victim with a false work permit and direct USA flight, for an amount of 45 lakh rupees. Instead, they sent him via Prague, Spain, and El Salvador.

          Remaining two FIRs includes FIR no. 15 dated 18/2/2025 registered at Police Station Khanauri in Sangrur against visa and travel company operated by Angrej Singh and Jagjit Singh from Haryana, who duped a victim of 50 lakh rupees, by promising a Canada visa but instead sent him through Egypt, Dubai, Spain, Guatemala, and Nicaragua and FIR no. 95 dated 18/2/2025 registered at Police Station Goindwal Sahib against agent Goldy, operating near IGI Airport, Delhi, deceived a victim into paying ₹45 lakhs for a legal entry into the USA.

          As mentioned above, two travel agents identified as Angrej Singh and Jagjit Singh have been arrested by the Sangrur Police. This is in addition to the arrest made by Police Station NRI Patiala a few days ago.

          Pertinently, the SIT is actively coordinating with cybercrime units, financial authorities, and central agencies to resolve the identities of the entire network of human traffickers. District Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) have intensified investigations, leading to multiple arrests and freezing of bank accounts linked to human trafficking networks.

          DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav reiterated that the Punjab Police is fully committed to dismantling these fraudulent immigration syndicates. He urged victims to come forward without fear and assured them of strict legal action against culprits. The public is advised to only consult licensed immigration consultants and verify their credentials before engaging in any overseas travel arrangements. 

          The Punjab Police continues to seek cooperation from citizens in identifying and reporting unlicensed travel agents who are exploiting vulnerable individuals.

Chandigarh, February 15:- The Mayor of Chandigarh, Mrs. Harpreet Kaur Babla, has urged, the Chandigarh Administration to take immediate action on the pressing issues faced by the residents and farmers of villages in Chandigarh.

The Mayor urged the urgent need for regular water connections for residents living outside Lal Dora in 24 villages of Chandigarh. These residents are currently dependent on expensive water tankers, despite having been provided electricity connections.

The Mayor emphasized that water is a basic necessity and urged the UT Administration to take necessary decision in this regard at the earliest. She also said that if needed, necessary amendments in the Water Bye-Laws will be made to facilitate legal water connections.

She also urged the Administration to regularize the structures situated outside Lal Dora limits and keeping in view the long pending demand of villagers immediate action be taken in this regard.

She reaffirmed the Municipal Corporation’s commitment to working closely with the Chandigarh Administration to resolve these critical issues and ensure inclusive growth and development for the city.