*Punjab Govt intensifies fight against child marriage, prevents 64 cases in 2025–26: Dr Baljit Kaur*

*Bhagwant Singh Mann Govt appoints over 2,000 officers to eradicate child marriage across Punjab: Dr Baljit Kaur*

*Under Leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Takes Strong & Result-Oriented Steps Towards Child Marriage-Free State: Dr Baljit Kaur*

*Public urged to report child marriage cases via CMPOs or Child Helpline 1098: Dr Baljit Kaur*

*Punjab Govt Fully Committed to Holistic Development & Safe Future of Children: Dr Baljit Kaur*

CHANDIGARH, 8th January 2026:The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is making consistent, strong, and result-oriented efforts to completely eradicate the social evil of child marriage from the state. This was stated by Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur, while highlighting the government’s child-centric and sensitive policy approach.

Sharing the details, Women and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur said that during the current financial year 2025–26, the Punjab Government has successfully intervened in 64 cases of child marriage, ensuring timely action to protect children and uphold their rights. “These interventions reflect the Mann Government’s firm resolve to act promptly and decisively wherever the rights and future of children are at risk,” she said.

Appealing to the public to actively participate in this effort, the Minister said, “Any instance of child marriage should be reported immediately without hesitation by contacting the nearest Child Marriage Prevention Officer or by calling the Child Helpline 1098, so that timely intervention can be ensured and children can be safeguarded.”

Minister Dr Baljit Kaur further informed that details of all officers appointed for child marriage prevention in Punjab have been uploaded on the Government of India’s National Child Marriage Free Portal, ensuring transparency and easy public access. “This enables citizens to reach out to the concerned authorities quickly and effectively,” she said.

Highlighting the administrative measures taken by the state, the Minister said that to ensure the holistic development of children and to completely eradicate child marriage, as many as 2,076 Child Marriage Prevention Officers have been appointed at district and block levels across Punjab. “These officers are actively performing their responsibilities and working at the grassroots to prevent this social evil,” she added.

She also noted that Child Development Project Officers and principals of government senior secondary schools in all districts under the Social Security Department have been designated as Child Marriage Prevention Officers. “This expanded network ensures vigilance at the local level and strengthens our ability to intervene at the earliest stage,” Dr Baljit Kaur said.

Reiterating the government’s commitment, the Minister said, “The Punjab Government remains fully proactive and committed to protecting the rights of children, securing their future, and making the state completely free from child marriage through strong, timely, and result-oriented measures.”

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*Punjab bags two awards for strengthening agri- infrastructure : Mohinder Bhagat*

*Over 31,000 projects approved under AIF scheme; ₹11,270 crore investment, loans worth ₹7,221 crore sanctioned*

Chandigarh, January 8-Under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann and the sustained efforts of Horticulture Minister Mr Mohinder Bhagat, Punjab has earned national recognition for its robust performance in strengthening agricultural infrastructure. The state has received two prestigious awards for outstanding implementation and effective monitoring of projects under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme.

Giving more information, Horticulture Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat said that the state has been conferred the awards for Best Performing State and Best State Project Monitoring Unit at the AIF Regional Conference, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, in Chandigarh.

Mr. Bhagat further informed that as on December 31, 2025, a total of 31,076 projects have been approved in Punjab under the AIF Scheme, with a cumulative investment of ₹11,270 crore, while loans amounting to ₹7,221 crore have been sanctioned by various lending institutions.

Explaining the benefits of the scheme, the Minister said that the AIF provides 3 percent interest subvention on loans of up to ₹2 crore for a maximum period of 7 years, with the effective lending rate capped at 9 percent.

The awards were presented by Joint Secretary Sh. Anbalagan P (IAS) and Deputy Secretary (AIF) Smt. Rachna Kumar (IAS) of the Government of India. Director Horticulture, Punjab, and State Nodal Officer for the AIF scheme, Smt. Shailender Kaur (IFS), received the award on behalf of the Punjab Government, while Team Leader Ms. Ravdeep Kaur and Consultant Mr. Yuvraj Aulakh received the award on behalf of the State Project Monitoring Unit.

The Minister further said that to facilitate stakeholders, the state Horticulture Department has set up a WhatsApp helpline number 9056092906, through which interested farmers and entrepreneurs can obtain scheme details.

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*PUNJAB INJECTS OVER ₹17.44-CR FOR RENOVATION WORKS IN 852 GOVT SCHOOLS: BAINS*

*• Step aims to create vibrant & conducive spaces for students to ensure positive & engaging atmosphere for academic growth: Harjot Bains*

Chandigarh, January 8:In a significant move to enhance the learning environment, the Punjab School Education Department has released over Rs 17.44 crore for renovation works in 852 government schools across the state. This initiative aims to create vibrant and conducive spaces for students by promoting a positive and engaging atmosphere for academic growth.

Sharing this information today, Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains said that the department has ensured equitable distribution of funds across the state. The funds have been allocated as follows: Amritsar Rs 1.58 crore, Barnala Rs 44.64 lakh, Bathinda Rs 76.02 lakh, Faridkot Rs 50.31 lakh, Fatehgarh Sahib Rs 23.22 lakh, Fazilka Rs 1.13 crore, Ferozepur Rs 40.41 lakh, Gurdaspur over Rs 1.18 crore, Hoshiarpur Rs 97.44 lakh, Jalandhar Rs 97.41 lakh, Kapurthala Rs 20.52 lakh, Ludhiana Rs 1.50 crore, Malerkotla Rs 15.75 lakh, Mansa Rs 61.11 lakh, Moga Rs 32.74 lakh, Muktsar Rs 46.47 lakh, Pathankot Rs 37.11 lakh, Patiala Rs 1.50 crore, Roopnagar Rs 78.14 lakh, SBS Nagar Rs 25.29 lakh, Sangrur Rs 2.45 crore, SAS Nagar (Mohali) Rs 42.87 lakh and Tarn Taran Rs 59.49 lakh.

S. Bains directed all District Education Officers (Secondary) to transfer the amount directly into the bank accounts of the respective School Management Committees (SMCs), ensuring transparency and community involvement in the execution of renovation works.

This initiative is a significant step towards fulfilling Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann's vision of providing quality educational infrastructure, S. Bains added, while stating,"A bright, clean and visually organised school environment directly impacts children's concentration and learning experience. We're painting a brighter future for our students and signalling that government schools are at the heart of our educational revival."

He further added, “By bringing our infrastructure in line with modern educational standards. Our goal is to ensure that every child walking into a government school feels

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Jhajjar – Bachauli wildlife sanctuary to be named after Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji

· Standing Committee of Punjab State Board for Wildlife gives go ahead

Chandigarh, January 8:In a landmark decision, the Standing Committee of the Punjab State Board for Wildlife today gave nod to the naming of Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary in Rupnagar District after the Ninth Sikh Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. The sanctuary would henceforth be known as Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Wildife Sanctuary.

Presiding over the meeting, the Forests and Wildlife Preservation Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji was observed on November 25th last year at Sri Anandpur Sahib with religious fervour and piety. The Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains had sent a recommendation regarding the renaming of the Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary after Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

It is worth mentioning that the wildlife sanctuary is spread over 289 Acres of area and across three villages namely Jhajjar, Bachauli and Lamlehri. Of these, 218 acres are in Jhajjar, 55 acres in Bachauli and the rest in Lamlehri. Further, in order to ensure protection of the wildlife, the entire 289 acres of area was declared Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary as per Section 18 (1) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Among others present on the occasion included the Secretary Forests and Wildlife Preservation Department Priyank Bharti, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) Dharminder Sharma, Chief Wildlife Warden Basanta Raj Kumar, and CCF (Wildlife) Satinder Sagar.

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*SC COMMISSION SUMMONS SP RUPNAGAR FOR NON-COMPLIANCE*

*Chandigarh, January 8:*The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has summoned the Superintendent of Police Rupnagar for not adhering to the directions issued by the Commission in a matter pertaining to Rupnagar district.

Sharing details, Chairman Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission S. Jasvir Singh Garhi said the case relates to a complaint lodged by Sant Surinder Das President Charan Chhoh Ganga Amrit Kund situated near Sachkhand Sri Khuralgarh Sahib in Tehsil Garhshankar District Hoshiarpur against DSP Nangal Amandeep Singh. He said the Commission had earlier sought a factual report in the matter.

He added that the Commission had clearly instructed that the factual report be prepared and submitted in two sets including one original and one photocopy. However the directions were not complied with within the stipulated time.

SP (Detective) Rupnagar Gurdeep Singh Gosal has been directed to personally appear before the Commission on January 14, 2026 along with the requisite factual report.

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Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan & Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian inaugurate new library of Punjab State Food Commission

Library equipped with research material about National Food Security Act, Constitutional Provisions, Judicial Decisions, Agriculture, Nutrition & Public Welfare schemes

Chandigarh, January 8:In a historical initiative, the new library of the Punjab State Food Commission was today inaugurated jointly by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian here at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA) in Sector 26.

On the occasion, Mr. Kultar Singh Sandhwan while appreciating the path breaking measure said that such libraries go a long way in strengthening the constitutional institutions and give right direction in the matters pertaining to the welfare of the people.

In his address, Mr. Gurmeet Singh Khuddian expressed confidence that this library would prove to be extremely helpful in ensuring the welfare of farmers and people hailing from poor sections of the society.

The Chairman of the Commission Mr. Bal Mukand Sharma said that Punjab State Food Commission has become the first food Commission in the country to formally set up such a library. This achievement would act as an inspiration for the other States too.

The Members of the Commission namely Vijay Dutt, Chetan Parkash Dhaliwal and Jasvir Singh Sekhon divulged that the library contains the ample research material about the National Food Security Act, Constitutional Provisions, Judicial Decisions, Agriculture, Nutrition, and Public Welfare Schemes. This step would further finetune the functioning of the Commission.

On the occasion, Path of Sri Sukhmani Sahib and Shabad Kirtan was also organized by the Commission.

The Chairman and all the Members expressed gratitude to all those present on the occasion.