Jahan Khela (Hoshiarpur), March 2:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday handed over cheques of financial assistance worth Rs 1 crore (each) to the family members of five cops who were martyred during the line of duty.

The Chief Minister, on the sidelines of passing out parade here at today, handed over cheques worth Rs 1 crore (each) to the distressed family of martyr ASI (LR) Balwinder Singh, ASI (LR) Naseeb Chand, ASI (LR) Anil Kumar, Head Constable Manjinder Singh and Constable Inderjit Singh who had attained martyrdom while discharging their duties. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this humble initiative of the state government is in recognition of the immense contribution of this son of soil towards maintaining law and order in the state. Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to help the families of the soldiers who sacrifice their life at the altar of the motherland, he said that it is the bounden duty of the Punjab government.

The Chief Minister said that this initiative is in recognition of the immense contribution of the brave hearts who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country. He said that financial assistance to families of these heroes is in consonance with the commitment of the state government to ensure the well being of the soldiers and their families adding he expressed hope that this healing touch of the state will go a long way in helping the aggrieved family on one hand and securing their future on the other. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann envisioned that it will also encourage the youth to join the Armed forces and Punjab Police to serve their motherland.

Chandigarh/Jalandhar, March 2 :

Amidst the ongoing decisive action against drug traffickers and illegal encroachments, Jalandhar Rural Police, in coordination with local authorities, have demolished unauthorized structures built on the encroached panchayat land in Khanpur and Mandi villages of Phillaur. The structures, unlawfully occupied by two individuals with a history of narcotics smuggling, were removed following due legal procedure.

 Divulging details to the media, Senior Superintendent of Police Jalandhar Rural Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh stated that the demolition drive was carried out following the request of the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) Phillaur, who sought police assistance for the removal of illegal encroachments. The action was directed against Jasvir Singh alias Sheera, son of Dalveer alias Bur, resident of Khanpur, and Bholi, wife of Rampal alias Rama, resident of Mandi, both of whom had illegally occupied village panchayat land.

As per official records, Bholi is a notorious drug smuggler and has been facing multiple cases under the NDPS act, including a 1.190 kg smack recovery in 2005, a 2 kg poppy husk seizure in 2015, and a significant quantity of drugs recovered in 2022. Similarly, Jasvir Singh alias Sheera has also been named in multiple cases, including one involving a commercial quantity of charas and intoxicated injections.

SSP Khakh said that the police, along with revenue and panchayat officials, ensured that the encroachments were demolished smoothly, with adequate deployment to prevent any disruption. Authorities confirmed that the land rightfully belongs to the gram panchayat and had been unlawfully occupied by the accused.

SSP Khakh reiterated that Jalandhar Rural Police will continue its crackdown on illegal encroachments linked to criminal networks, ensuring that no individual benefits from proceeds of crime or unauthorized occupation of public land.

He further urged citizens to report such illegal activities, assuring strict and swift action against offenders.

     SSP Khakh stated that local residents informed that these two drug traffickers would often intimidate and threaten the villagers.

 Meanwhile, Village Sarpanch of Khanpur, Paramjit Kaur and local residents commended the action of the Punjab Government against drug smugglers. “We welcome such measures by the Punjab government to eradicate drug menace from the state,” they added.

Chandigarh, March 2

Punjab Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday proudly announced that since coming to power in March 2022, the AAP-led Punjab Government has implemented transformative changes with unwavering honesty and transparency, resulting in a consistent increase in its tax revenue year after year. He highlighted that this fiscal year’s net collection from GST, Excise, VAT, CST, and PSDT upto February reflected a growth rate of 12.10 percent compared to the same period of FY 2023-24, with an impressive 28.01 percent growth in net GST collection during February 2025.

Revealing this in a press communique issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that this fiscal year has seen a continuation of the previous years’ trend, with a notable 13.39 percent growth rate in net GST, 14.43 percent in Excise, 5.10 percent in VAT, 17.03 percent in CST, and 13.65 percent in PSDT upto February compared to the same period in FY 2023-24. He said that the total net collection from these taxes upto February this fiscal year is Rs 38272.66 crore as compared to Rs 34141.36 crore during last fiscal year registering an increase of Rs 4131.30 crore.

Highlighting the substantial growth in GST revenue for the last month, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the net GST collection during February 2025 reflected a notable increase of Rs 506.26 crore. The net GST collection for February 2025 amounted to Rs 2,313.69 crore, compared to Rs 1,807.43 crore in February 2024. Additionally, he also mentioned the commendable rise in Excise revenue, with February’s collection reaching Rs 686.47 crore, an increase of Rs 30.47 crore from the Rs 656 crore collected in February last year.

Pointing out the initiatives taken to improve its own tax revenue, the Finance Minister said that the Excise and Taxation department has been achieving its goals through a two-pronged approach of broadening the GST base by running drives to bring unregistered businesses under GST and enhancing compliance among registered taxpayers besides extending every help to the honest taxpayers. He said that the department has launched the Bill Liyao Inaam Pao Scheme and sought the active involvement of school and college students to spread awareness among the younger generation.

Lambasting the previous Akali-BJP and Congress-led state governments for their inability to boost the state’s tax revenue, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said they lacked effective fiscal management and political will to tighten the noose around tax evaders. In contrast, Finance Minister Cheema reiterated the AAP-led Punjab Government’s unwavering commitment to honesty, transparency, and transformative changes, which have yielded remarkable achievements in tax revenue growth, ultimately strengthening the state’s tax revenue without burdening honest taxpayers.

Chandigarh/Ludhiana, March 1:

Reiterating the commitment of the state government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to clean ‘Buddha Dariya’, Local bodies minister Dr Ravjot Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal reviewed the project to rejuvenate ‘Buddha Dariya’ on Saturday.

Conducting a meeting with the officials at 225 mld Jamalpur STP on Tajpur road, local bodies minister Dr Ravjot Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Seechewal issued strict directions to take action against those dumping untreated waste or cow dung in the Buddha Dariya or sewer lines.

MLA Madan Lal Bagga, Mayor Principal Inderjit Kaur, Deputy Mayor Prince Johar, DC Jitendra Jorwal, MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal among other officials of PPCB, soil conservation, irrigation department etc were present in the meeting.

Cabinet minister Dr Ravjot Singh and MP Sant Seechewal stated that the state government is making regular and serious efforts to rejuvenate ‘Buddha Dariya’. The public and industry should also support the government and administration, so that the goal could be achieved. The government or the officials are not against any industry, but no one can be allowed to dump waste in Dariya.

The civic body officials were directed to ensure lifting of cow dung from dairy complexes and dumping the same at designated sites. Further the officials were directed to expedite the process to hire a private contractor for door to door lifting of cow dung in dairy complexes.

MP Seechewal stated that this was the 8th visit of cabinet minister Dr Ravjot Singh to review the project to clean Buddha Dariya in the last two months. This shows the seriousness of the government towards the project.

Later, cabinet minister Dr Ravjot Singh and MP Sant Seechewal also visited Tajpur road dairy complex to take stock of the situation. Necessary directions were issued to the officials. Cabinet minister Dr Ravjot Singh also visited the site where ‘Bathing Ghat’ is being established on the banks of Dariya under the ‘Kar Sewa’ led by MP Seechewal.

Cabinet Minister Dr Ravjot Singh and MP Seechewal appealed to the public and industry to support the authorities in cleaning the Buddha Dariya.

Chandigarh, March 1:

Going onslaught against the illegal mining, Punjab Education Minister and MLA from Anandpur Sahib, S. Harjot Singh Bains, on Saturday, has issued a slew of directives including the immediate sealing of unregistered crushers and the installation of CCTV cameras at all registered sites, critical routes and hotspots within 15 days across the Rupnagar district.

S. Harjot Singh Bains directed the district authorities to seal all unregistered crushers immediately and there should not be any generator at the unauthorised sites. He also asked to ensure installation of high-resolution night vision closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras with 360-degree view at registered crushers, besides installing CCTV cameras on all critical routes and pathways, which could be used for transporting mining materials, as well as in areas identified as hotspots for illegal mining.

To increase transparency in mining operations, the Education Minister has also directed authorities to verify the records of past three months of those crushers against whom complaints were received. This verification must be completed within 15 days.

S. Harjot Singh Bains also directed to seal the Agampur Bridge area, where illegal mining activities were reported. He said that the area must be secured with barbed wires and the display boards should be installed with warning that trespassers will be prosecuted.

He also ordered all JEs and SDOs to ensure round-the-clock vigilance to prevent illegal mining activities, while emphasising holding district officials accountable for any negligence or collusion with illegal mining operators, regardless of their influence or political connections.

Contractors operating at all legal mining sites have also been strictly warned against engaging in any unfair practices. They are prohibited from exceeding their designated mining areas, he added.

The Education Minister informed that a team of experts from IIT, Rupnagar will conduct site surveys to verify compliance and identify any violations. Contractors found exceeding their authorised mining area will face severe penalties and legal action.

He said the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has adopted zero-tolerance policy towards illegal mining. He stated that anyone found engaging in this illegal practice will face severe consequences.

CHANDIGARH, March 1:

A day after Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has waged a decisive war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” to wipe out drugs from the state, Punjab Police on Saturday conducted a massive state-level Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at identified drug Hotspots— the points of sale of drugs and psychotropic substances— across the state, leading to the arrest of 290 drug smugglers after registration of 232 first information reports (FIRs), informed Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here.

The four-hour long operation has also led to the recovery of 8.14 kg heroin, 1.21 kg opium, 3.5 kg ganja, 19 kg poppy husk, 700 grams Charas, 16,238 intoxicant tablets/pills/injections and Rs 8.02 lakh drug money.

The development came a day after CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state in coming three months. 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.

DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav, who was personally monitoring the state-level operation, said that the CASO was conducted from 9am to 1pm simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state and Spl DGP/ADGP/IGP/DIG rank officers from Punjab Police Headquarters, Chandigarh were deputed in each Police district to personally supervise the operation.

          He said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government has devised a 360 degree action plan to make the state drug-free completely, while also rehabilitating the drug users in the state. Police officers have been asked to trace the forward and backward linkages of all the cases being registered under the NDPS act and take strict action against those found in collusion with the drug smugglers, he added.

          Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla, who joined Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Deepak Pareek at Balongi in SAS Nagar, said that the CPs/SSPs were told to plan this operation in a meticulous manner in their respective districts and conduct raids at such areas, which have become shelter/safe haven for drug peddlers amid massive deployment of the police force. Punjab Police has devised a comprehensive strategy and such operations will be continued till the scourge of drugs eradicated from the state, he added. 

          The Special DGP informed that over 900 Police teams, comprising over 8368 police personnel, under the supervision of 233 gazetted officers have cordoned off as many as 369 drug hotspots and conducted 798 raids in such areas.

          He informed that police teams have checked over 2000 suspicious persons and taken preventive action against 27 persons, while, five proclaimed offenders (POs) have also been arrested during the operation.

          Other officers who went to the field includes Special DGP PSPCL Dr Jitendra Jain, ADGP Traffic AS Rai, ADGP Law and Order SPS Parmar, ADGP State Armed Forces MF Farooqui, ADGP Internal Security Shive Kumar Verma, and IGP Technical Support Services (TSS) Pradeep Kumar Yadav, IGP Intelligence Babu Lal Meena, IGP GRP Punjab Baljot Singh Rathore and IGP Gurdial Singh.

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

Chandigarh, March 1

Punjab Finance Minister and Chairman of the cabinet sub-committee formed to lead the war against drug trafficking, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema announced on Saturday that the Yudh Nashian Virudh Sub-committee has designated specific action areas for each committee member to eradicate the drug menace from the state.

During a media address following the cabinet sub-committee meeting, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema outlined the strategy for combating drug trafficking. He revealed that the state’s districts have been divided among the four cabinet ministers of the committee, including himself, Aman Arora, Tarunpreet Singh Sound, and Laljeet Singh Bhullar, to tighten the noose around drug traffickers. The fifth committee member, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, will oversee drug de-addiction activities in the state.

The Finance Minister further elaborated that he will continuously visit the districts of Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Ropar, Tarntaran, and Hoshiarpur to hold meetings with civil and police administration officials, ensuring ground-level monitoring of the Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign. Similarly, Cabinet Minister Aman Arora will monitor Ludhiana, Patiala, Kapurthala, Mohali, Amritsar, and Jalandhar. Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sound will oversee Sangrur, Barnala, Bathinda, Fatehgarh Sahib, Moga, and Malerkotla, while Cabinet Minister Laljeet Singh Bhullar will monitor Faridkot, Muktsar, Fazilka, Mansa, and Ferozepur.

The Finance Minister appealed to the families of drug addicts to admit their addicted members to drug de-addiction facilities. He said that this decisive war against drugs aims to break the supply line of drugs, which may cause health issues for addicts. He also highlighted the clear directives from Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and AAP Supremo Arvind Kejriwal to deliver a final blow to drug trafficking in the state, ensuring a bright future for the youth.

The Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema also sought the support and cooperation of the people of Punjab in this crucial battle against drugs. He said that the collective efforts of the government and the public are essential to eradicate the drug menace and secure a healthier and brighter future for the state’s next generation.

Chandigarh, February 3:

          Punjab’s Industry and Commerce Minister, Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that Since March 2022, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, investments amounting to Rs. 88,014 crore have been received by the state. He has extended an invitation to national and international industrialists to invest in Punjab. He highlighted that the state’s industry-friendly policies have attracted global investors.

          He revealed that Since March 2022, Punjab has received 5,574 investment proposals with proposed investment of about Rs. 88,014 crores with the proposed employment potential of about 4,01,217 persons.

          Some of the key projects received during the Current Government Regime are Tata Steel Limited (Rs. 2600 Cr.), Sanathan Polycot Pvt. Ltd. (Rs. 1600 Cr.), Ambuja Cements Limited (Rs. 1400 Cr.), Ruchira Papers Ltd (Rs. 1137 Cr.), Toppan Specialty Films Ltd. (Rs. 787 Cr.), Nestle India Ltd. (Rs. 583 Cr.), Happy Forgings Limited (Rs. 438 Cr.), Freudenberg Group (Rs. 339 Cr.), OaykayMetcorp Limited (Rs. 309 Cr.) Cargill India Private Limited (Rs. 160 Cr).

          Sond urged other entrepreneurs to start their industries in Punjab, assuring that the Mann-led government would extend full support to industrialists in every way. He emphasized that Punjab offers a conducive, suitable, and peaceful environment for investment. The state government is committed to the progress and prosperity of industries with seriousness and cordiality. Its policies are industry-friendly, allowing small and medium enterprises to start their businesses immediately with a simple affidavit, while the necessary documentation process can be completed within three years.

          Sond also highlighted that Punjab’s “Invest Punjab” portal ranks first among 28 states in terms of efficiency. Nearly 58,000 small and medium new enterprises have registered on the portal, which is a record in itself.

CHANDIGARH/PATHANKOT, February 3:

In a move aimed at strengthening the second line of defence and enhancing surveillance capabilities, Punjab Police is all set to install as many as 2300 closed circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at 703 strategic locations in border areas, stretching from Pathankot to Fazilka, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday.

 “We are strengthening the second-line-of-defence with 2300 CCTV cameras being installed at 703 strategic locations right from Pathankot till Fazilka, with the cost of Rs 45 crores,” he said.

          The DGP was here in Pathankot to inaugurate a slew of police infra projects in the district including a new Cyber Crime Police Station located on the second floor of Police Station Division-1 in the district.

          He said that this cutting-edge facility is equipped with advanced technologies to tackle complex cybercrimes and provide swift and effective solutions to victims of online fraud. Citizens can report cybercrimes directly to the police station or through the toll-free helpline number 1930, he added.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav also inaugurated the overhauled Police Command and Control Centre aimed at enhancing security in the border district by keeping vigil around all the entry and exit points in the entire Pathankot through CCTV cameras.

          As many as 344 HD cameras, including Auto Number Plate Reader (ANPR) cameras, have been installed and live coverage of key areas, including the Second Line of Defence, rural areas, and the entire Pathankot city, he said, while adding that another 357 cameras are being added to further strengthen security arrangements in the district.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav also addressed a joint meeting of officers/officials of Punjab Police, Indian Army and Border Security Force (BSF) at Police Station Narot Jaimal Singh.

 While acclaiming the Pathankot Police for showing a high level of coordination and efforts to address drone crossings and terror activities, the DGP said Punjab Police, Army, BSF and Central Agencies needs to work as a one team to break the nexus of terrorists, gangsters and drug smugglers, who are working jointly on the orders of the Pak-ISI. Information sharing is crucial, and coordination between agencies is the need of an hour to combat these threats, he said.

 He also honoured high-performing officials and personnel of Punjab Police and BSF with DGP Commendation Discs and appreciation letters to encourage and motivate them to perform their duties more effectively.

          He also joined the ‘Bada Khana’ lunch organized by the Pathankot Police, which provided an opportunity to officers of all ranks to interact with the Head of the Police Force and exchange ideas, thereby strengthening the bond that is essential for effective teamwork in the field.

          Later, the DGP has also visited the BSF’s Shaheed Kamaljeet Singh Border Outpost (BOP) situated at International border of Indo-Pak to assess the security arrangements and interact with security forces deployed there.

On the occasion of the inauguration of the Police Station Cyber Crime in Pathankot, several distinguished guests and senior officers were present to mark the event. Among them were Sh. Satinder Singh, IPS, DIG Border Range; Sh. Yuvraj Dubay, DIG BSF Gurdaspur Sector ,Sh. Jatinder Pal Singh, Khurmi District and Sessions Judge, Pathankot; Sh. Aditya Uppal, IAS, DC Pathankot; Sh. Charanjit Singh Sohal, IPS, SSP Amritsar (Rural); Sh. Harish Dayama, IPS, SSP Gurdaspur Sh. Sohail Mir, IPS, SSP Batala;; Sh. Daljinder Singh Dhillon, PPS, SSP Pathankot,and Colonel Malay Baiya, SM, Kamoon Regiment (Army), Commandant Sunil Mishra 121 Bn BSF and Commandant Sh Kamal Yadav 58 Bn BSF.