CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 12:

          Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Friday administered the oath of office to the newly appointed two members of Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC).

       Sanjay Garg and Sarbjit Singh Dhaliwal were administered the oath of office and allegiance to the Constitution as the official members. Sanjay Garg, a native of Moga, was Retired Principal District and Sessions Judge and Mohali based Sarbjit Singh Dhaliwal was Retired District and Sessions Judge.

          Chief Secretary KAP Sinha conducted the proceedings of the swearing-in-ceremony at the Punjab Raj Bhawan here.

          Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Chairman PPSC Major General (Retd.) Vinayak Saini were present at the ceremony, along with the family members and well-wishers of the newly appointed members.

Chandigarh, August 27:

The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has sought a report from the Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar in the matter of encroachment of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji’s land by the civil administration and police administration at Dhaleta village in Jalandhar district.

Giving information in this regard, Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman S. Jasvir Singh Garhi said that earlier a report was sought from the Commissioner of Police Jalandhar in this matter, after which now the Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar has been asked to submit a report through an SDM level officer on September 2, 2025 in the same matter. He said that the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission is committed to protecting the rights of the Scheduled Caste communities of the state.

Chandigarh, August 20:

To empower budding sportspersons of Punjab to compete at the Olympics and other international sporting arenas, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has launched an ambitious plan to establish 13,000 modern rural sports grounds across the state.

Sharing details, Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond informed that construction work for 3,073 sports grounds in villages has already begun under the first phase of the project.

Sond said that no significant steps were ever taken in the past to develop sports infrastructure or ensure the holistic growth of youth. The Aam Aadmi Party government, however, has laid special emphasis on promoting sports. He added that creating sports grounds in rural areas will nurture a strong sporting culture, keep youngsters away from drugs, and channel their energy in a positive direction.

The Minister highlighted that with the government’s ongoing anti-drug campaign “Yudh Nashiyan Virudh”, Punjab is already witnessing a positive transformation. Once these sports facilities are fully functional, he expressed confidence that the youth will permanently shun the menace of drugs. He further said, Sports will not only ignite passion among youngsters but also safeguard them from harmful addictions.

Further, Sond reiterated that the state government is committed to providing both employment opportunities and world-class sports facilities to the youth. Promising international exposure, he announced that renowned sportspersons who have represented India globally will be appointed as coaches to train emerging talent. He assured that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government,  is leaving no stone unturned to restore the state’s lost sporting glory.

It is noteworthy that Punjab is the first state in the country to extend financial assistance to players even before international competitions-an initiative that has already yielded encouraging results. With the development of rural sports grounds, Punjab is now set to achieve new milestones on the national and international sports map.

Sond expressed confidence that the government’s efforts will bear fruit, enabling Punjab’s youth to bring laurels to the state across all fields.

Chandigarh, August 15, 2025:
On the occasion of the 79th Independence Day of India, the Punjab Governor and Administrator of Union Territory, Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, hosted the traditional ‘At Home’ reception in the scenic lawns of Punjab Raj Bhavan. The event brought together dignitaries and distinguished citizens to celebrate the spirit of freedom, unity, and national pride.

The evening began with the ceremonial arrival of the Governor at 5:00 PM. He was accorded a warm welcome by the Chandigarh Police Band with the soulful rendition of the National Anthem, evoking a strong sense of patriotism among all present. The lush Raj Bhavan lawns were tastefully decorated in the colours of the national flag, creating an atmosphere of solemn celebration.

A highlight of the evening was the Governor’s interaction with key dignitaries, including the Chief Minister of Punjab, Shri Bhagwant Mann, with whom he shared warm greetings.

The function also witnessed the presence of Chief Minister of Haryana Shri Nayab Singh, Speaker Haryana Vidhan sabha Sh.Harvinder Kalyan, MP Rajya Sabha Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, Punjab Cabinet Minister Shri Gurmeet Singh Khudian,Mayor Chandigarh Smt. Harpreet Kaur Babla,
Chief Secretary Chandigarh, Shri Rajeev Verma, Chief Secretary of Punjab, Shri K.A.P. Sinha , Principal Secretary to Governor Punjab, Shri V.P. Singh, DGP Punjab Shri Gaurav Yadav, and DGP Chandigarh Dr. Sagar Preet Hooda along with senior officers of the Chandigarh Administration.

The Governor mingled graciously with guests from diverse walks of life, exchanging pleasantries and extending Independence Day greetings. In his interactions, he recalled the immense sacrifices made by the nation’s freedom fighters and martyrs and emphasized the importance of upholding democratic values and unity in diversity. He urged everyone to continue working for a strong and self-reliant India, rooted in constitutional ideals and driven by collective progress.

The reception was also attended by the .officers of Armed Forces, Vice Chancellors, Chairmans of various Boards & Corporations, Doctors, Journalists, Industrialists, officials of civil and police administration of Punjab and Chandigarh as well as other eminent citizens.

The event concluded with light refreshments and cordial exchanges, reaffirming the resolve to build a vibrant, united, and prosperous Bharat that honours its past and strides confidently into the future.

Chandigarh/New Delhi, July 30

Member Parliament from Sangrur Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on Wednesday raised the issue of exorbitantly high prices of medicines during the Zero Hour in Parliament and demanded from the central government to fix a price cap for the same Solution medicines.

Meet Hayer raised an important issue related to health during the Zero Hour and said that under the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013 law, the prices of some essential medicines are being controlled, but there is no price regulation on medicines which are used more often such as those used for blood pressure, diabetes etc. For the treatment of these ailments, medicines containing the same solution are being manufactured by different companies but the prices of the medicines also vary.

Meet Hayer said that this is a common issue in the entire country where due to the high price of medicines, profits ranging from Rs. 300 to Rs. 1000 are being made from sale of these medicines. For example, a medicine manufactured at a cost of Rs. 3 is being sold by some other company for Rs. 10 and by another for Rs. 50. He requested the government to fix a price cap for medicines containing at least same solution.

Dudan Sadhan (Patiala), June 9:

In another citizen centric initiative aimed at facilitating the general public, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday dedicated the ultra modern Tehsil complex constructed at a cost of Rs 8.55 crore.

Dedicating the building which will house offices of SDM, Tehsildar, Naib Tehsildar  and others, the Chief Minister said that the foundation stone of this ambitious project was laid in January 2023 and it has been completed in a record time span. He said that this project will immensely benefit the masses by delivering them citizen centric services in a time bound manner adding that it will facilitate the people in providing the services here at their vicinity only thereby saving their time, money and energy.  Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Dudan Sadhan is primarily a rural area and earlier the office of the SDM was situated in Mini Secretariat Patiala due to which people had to suffer a lot for getting their routine administrative works done.

 However, the Chief Minister said that now to facilitate the general public the state government has decided to construct this complex here only. He said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that such modern Tehsil complexes are being built across the state to facilitate the people. Bhagwant Singh Mann quipped that the previous regimes had never paid any heed towards such initiatives to serve the people in a better manner.

The Chief Minister bemoaned that earlier the reigns of the state was in the wrong hands earlier due to which the state had suffered adversely. However, he said that ever since assuming the charge of office his government has been according top priority to such works of immense public importance. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that such buildings are being constructed while keeping in-view the future needs of the people.

CHANDIGARH, May 25:

          With the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state entered 85th day, Punjab Police on Sunday arrested 158 drug smugglers and recovered 10.1 kg heroin, 1.3 kg opium and Rs 19040 drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 13,449 in just 85 days.

          The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state.

          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.

          Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 220 Police teams, comprising over 1700 police personnel, under the supervision of 98 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 445 locations across the state leading to the registration of 104 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 456 suspicious persons during the day-long operation, he added.

          The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced 109 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

Chandigarh, April 24:

In order to strengthen the second line of defence over more than 500 kilometre border in the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday gave nod for recruiting 5500 jawans in the border wing of Punjab Home Guards.

A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister here at his official residence today.

Taking part in the meeting, the Chief Minister, in the wake of recent terrorist attack at Pahalgam (Jammu & Kashmir), underscored the need for setting up an effective second line of defence to check nefarious designs of forces inimical to the state. He said that 5500 jawans in the Border Wing of the Punjab Police will be deployed in the seven border districts of the state to enhance the security cover in Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this proposal  to set up a second line of defence behind the BSF will help to latch on to any element that escapes the BSF net at the international border.

The Chief Minister said that considering the enormity of the task, the state government will certainly need assistance from the center for which he will soon meet the Union Home Minister. He said that the state has the manpower, courage and competence adding that for additional resources the Government of India (GoI) will be approached. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab Police has the willingness, the experience and the professional competence to answer the need for such an impregnable fortress-wall to block any kind of invasion, open or disguised.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that apart from these 5500 Home Guards, more than 400 jawans will be recruited across the state. He said that these jawans will be deployed in Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF), State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) and others. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is imperative to ensure the safety and security of the people on one hand and provide jobs to the youth on the other.

The Municipal Corporation Chandigarh has taken firm action to reinforce cleanliness and sanitation standards across the city.

Following the orders of MC Commissioner Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS, in line with the ongoing drive to prevent open burning of waste and dry leaves, the sanitation wing has issued five challans, each amounting to ₹6,701, to offenders at different locations, including:

• PGI Club, Sector-24

• SCO No. 2453, Sector-22/C

• ISBT, Sector-17

• Shed No. 01, HB-232, Sarangpur

• H.No. 3118, Sector-15/D

A total penalty of ₹33,505 has been collected as part of this enforcement activity, carried out strictly as per the directions and orders of the Commissioner, MCC.

*Safaikarmacharis found absent from duty terminated:*

Furthermore, MCC has also terminated the services of six outsourced safaikaramcharis. This step was taken based on reports from field supervisory staff citing prolonged unauthorized absence, indiscipline, and unsatisfactory work performance. Such behavior negatively impacts the overall sanitation work and cannot be tolerated.

The Municipal Corporation remains committed to ensuring a clean and healthy environment for the citizens of Chandigarh. Residents are urged to cooperate with authorities and refrain from practices such as burning waste, which pose a serious threat to public health and the environment.

Strict monitoring and regular drives will continue to be conducted across the city to uphold the highest standards of cleanliness, efficiency, and accountability.

CHANDIGARH, March 24:

Further empowering the education journey for the students of Government Schools in the state, Punjab School Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains dedicated a brand new bus, having 31 seating capacity, for Government Senior Secondary Smart School, Sukhsal in Ropar district.

SML Isuzu’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mr. Rakesh Bhalla, presented the new bus to the school education department as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

S. Harjot Singh Bains said that this generous initiative will greatly improve the school’s transportation capabilities, ensuring safe and comfortable travel for all students.

Reaffirming the commitment of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government to elevate the standards of school education to world-class levels, S. Harjot Singh Bains stated that the school education department already possessed 230 buses and over 12,000 government school students have been availing the transportation facility. It reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting education, besides ensuring that all students have access to quality learning opportunities.

He said that the bus will play a vital role in facilitating student access to school, extracurricular activities, and educational excursions. This new transportation resource will ensure that students can readily participate in the enriching experiences, fostering a more inclusive and vibrant learning environment, he added.

Expressing happiness over receiving the new bus for school, Mr. Gurdeep Kumar Sharma, Principal of Government Senior Secondary Smart School, Sukhsal, expressed gratitude towards the Education Minister for his relentless efforts to ensure the quality education in government schools. He also highlighted the importance of the new bus and its positive impact on the students.

Chairman Punjab School Education Board Dr. Amarpal Singh, senior officials of school education department, SML Isuzu’s Secretary Mr. Parvesh Madan and Chief Manager Vivek Chanana were also present on the occasion.