*Bhagwant Mann Govt to Develop State-of-the-Art Multipurpose Exhibition & Convention Centre in Mohali: Sanjeev Arora*

*15,000–25,000 jobs to be generated as Punjab builds mega Exhibition & Convention Centre in Mohali: Sanjeev Arora*

*Punjab emerging as MICE hub with state-of-the-art ECC project in Mohali IT City: Sanjeev Arora*

CHANDIGARH, 8 April 2026:Punjab Cabinet Minister for Industries & Commerce, Investment Promotion, Local Government and Power Sanjeev Arora on Wednesday announced the development of a state-of-the-art Multipurpose Exhibition & Convention Centre (ECC) in Mohali, near Palaksha University and the Infosys campus in Sector 83, underscoring Punjab’s rapid emergence as a hub of investment, infrastructure and global business opportunities.

Minister Sanjeev Arora stated, “This landmark initiative is being undertaken under the visionary leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, National Convener, and CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, reflecting the Punjab Government’s commitment to positioning Punjab as a preferred destination for global events and investments.”

Detailing the project, he said that the Convention Centre will be developed on approximately 14 acres in the heart of Mohali IT City under a Public-Private Partnership model, with Exhicon Events Media Solutions Ltd. as the developer and an estimated project cost of around ₹250 crore. He added that the concession period for the project will be 15 years.

The Minister stated, “The project involves the creation of a state-of-the-art Convention Centre designed to host large-scale national and international events, with world-class infrastructure and facilities.”

He further elaborated that the project will be completed in two phases, with Phase 01 targeted for completion by 31 December 2026 and Phase 02 by 31 December 2027.

Highlighting the infrastructure components, the Minister noted that the ECC will feature large-span column-free exhibition halls, including two major halls of approximately 40,000 sq. ft. and 15,000 sq. ft., along with conference and breakout rooms, retail and food and beverage zones spread over around 15,000 sq. ft., and parking infrastructure for at least 1,000 vehicles. He added that the facility will also include world-class landscaped public spaces and open event areas.

Minister Sanjeev Arora stated, “The ECC will function as a flexible, multi-functional venue capable of hosting conferences and summits with 5,000 to 10,000 delegates, meet and greet areas of around 20,000 sq. ft. for 2,000 people, trade fairs and exhibitions with 200 to 500 booths, corporate events with 1,000 to 10,000 attendees, cultural and entertainment programmes for 1,000 to 10,000 people, and social events for up to 15,000 people.”

Emphasising modern design and sustainability, he said that the facility will incorporate advanced column-free structural systems, efficient traffic circulation and logistics planning, integration of modern MEP, AV and IT systems, compliance with NBC, fire safety and accessibility standards, and adoption of GRIHA 5-Star sustainable design principles.

Minster Sanjeev Arora stated, “This Convention and Exhibition Centre will be a transformational project for Punjab. It will significantly enhance our capacity to host global events, attract investments, and generate large-scale employment. Mohali is fast emerging as a modern urban and technology hub, and such world-class infrastructure will further accelerate its growth trajectory.”

Highlighting the economic impact, he said that the project is expected to generate between 15,000 and 25,000 employment opportunities in the first five years and will strengthen Punjab’s position as a leading MICE destination, while boosting tourism, hospitality and allied sectors.

Minister Sanjeev Arora added, “This project aligns with the Punjab Government’s broader vision of developing Mohali as a 21st-century IT and services hub, enhancing ease of doing business, strengthening the investor ecosystem, and creating world-class infrastructure to support global collaborations and events.”

M Q Syed, Chairman of Exhicon Group, Vikas Hira, ACA, PUDA, Sanjay Surya, Architect of the project, and Rahul Shah, Director, were present during the press conference.

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*A Father's Relief: Four-Month-Old Diljot's ₹2.77 Lakh Care Covered Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna; More Than 6,000 Newborns Treated in Just 3 Months*

*₹10 Lakh Cashless Cover Ensures Mothers and Newborns Receive Critical Care from the First Hours of Life*

CHANDIGARH, April 8:During the launch of Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna (MMSY) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has said, "Worry about the treatment, not the bills. The government will become your pocket." For families like that of four-month-old Diljot, born to Rashpreet Kaur and Bharat Kumar in Abohar, those words have meant everything.

Diljot was diagnosed with a severe infection and a ventricular septal defect (VSD), a hole in the heart that develops before birth. Her parents took her to Bathinda for treatment, their only concern keeping her alive. The cost of intensive care was daunting until the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna stepped in. Diljot received specialised care, including round-the-clock monitoring, and her family did not have to worry about finances for a single day.

"The doctors told me my daughter has a hole in the heart. She was treated at two different hospitals, and the Sehat Card fully covered bills amounting to ₹2.77 lakhs" said Bharat Kumar, who runs a small salon in Abohar.

The scheme, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, ensures that families never have to choose between health and financial hardship. Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, every mother and newborn can receive up to ₹10 lakh of cashless treatment annually, whether in government or empanelled private hospitals, from the earliest hours of a child's life.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said, "We are conducting programmes in villages to ensure families get timely check-ups and do not delay treatment." In the last three months alone, more than 6,000 neonatal cases have been treated under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, reflecting the scheme's growing reach in providing timely medical care to newborns. The scheme supports treatment for conditions such as low birth weight, premature birth, infections, and other neonatal complications, while strengthening maternal and postnatal healthcare services.

Diljot's case is not an isolated one. Across Punjab, families are bringing newborns for care in the critical early days, reassured that the cost of treatment will not fall on them.

At Aggarwal Hospital, Bathinda, a newborn with severe jaundice and respiratory distress received intensive care, with a treatment cost of ₹1 lakh fully covered under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna.

A few days old Mankirat Singh from Gadhaya, Patiala, required care for jaundice and breathing complications. His father, Balwinder Singh, said, "My son was born on March 25 and had a couple of complications. While we were worried about the newborn's health, what worried us more was how we would cover the bills. Thanks to CM Bhagwant Mann's scheme, the treatment cost was fully covered."

Bimla Rani from Kotkapura, Faridkot, recently gave birth to a baby requiring neonatal care. Her 18-day-old child is now safely receiving treatment under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, a family member confirmed.

These cases reflect a growing trend. Since the launch of Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, more families across Punjab are bringing mothers and newborns to hospitals within the first 72 hours, improving health outcomes and reducing complications that worsen with delay.

The Punjab Government continues to encourage residents to enrol for the Sehat Card at designated centres and through on-ground camps to avail cashless treatment benefits under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna.

=============================================*Speaker Sandhwan Distributes House Ownership Certificates to Village Phidde Kalan, Kotkapura Residents under Mera Ghar Mere Naam Scheme*

Chandigarh 8 April 2026:A function was organized today at village Phidde Kalan in Kotkapura, district Faridkot wherein Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan handed over ownership certificates of their houses to more than 170 beneficiaries under Mera Ghar Mere Naam Scheme. This scheme is being run by Punjab Government to provide property ownership rights to the people of Punjab.

Earlier, many people were deprived of legal documents or ownership rights despite living in their houses. Due to which they had to face a lot of difficulties while taking bank loans or selling or buying houses. Through this scheme, poor and middle class families will get full legal rights of their houses. This will bring security and stability in their lives.

The residents of Kotkapura thanked the Punjab government and said that the Punjab government has fulfilled our dream today. The Speaker said that we will leave no stone unturned to help the people of Punjab so that they can live their life with dignity and honour.

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*RAIN, HAIL LASH 1.30 LAKH ACRES IN PUNJAB; GURMEET KHUDIAN URGES CENTRE TO SEND TEAM TO ASSESS CROP LOSS, SEEKS PROMPT RELIEF*

*•Khudian writes to Union Agriculture Minister; Highlights bumper crop hope dashed as inclement weather continues*

CHANDIGARH, April 8:Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, on Wednesday, urged the Central Government to immediately send a high-level team to assess the damage caused to wheat and other Rabi crops by recent heavy rainfall accompanied by hailstorms in the state .

In a letter to Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister Sh. Shivraj Singh Chauhan, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian highlighted that the severe impact of recent inclement weather on wheat crops in the state, while stating that wheat was sown on 35 lakh hectares during the current Rabi season had promised a bumper yield, but incessant rainfall and hailstorms have caused significant damage, pushing the farming community into deep distress.

“As per the preliminary assessment by the State Agriculture Department, crop loss has been reported on over 1.30 lakh acres. The damage is spreading as rain continues and the final figure may rise,” S. Khudian informed.

He further added that the damage is not limited to wheat only, vegetables, fodder and other Rabi crops have also been hit across multiple districts including Fazilka, Ferozepur, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda, Amritsar, Moga and Mansa. The crop loss is threatening the livelihoods of farmers and the state’s agrarian economy.

Detailing the efforts afoot by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government in the face of the crisis, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian informed that the state has already ordered a Special Girdawari to assess the crop damage.

Given the scale of losses and the financial strain on farmers, he sought immediate relief and compensation from the Centre. S. Khudian emphasised that a central team is needed urgently for a detailed assessment, while assuring that the state government remains committed to supporting its farmers and will extend all necessary cooperation and support to the central team.

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*PUNJAB’S ARHTIYAS CALL OFF WEEK-LONG STRIKE, WHEAT PROCUREMENT RESUME*

*• Gurmeet Khudian & Goyal assure resolution of Arhtiyas’ genuine demands*

*• Khudian directs officials to ensure smooth & hassle-free wheat procurement*

Chandigarh, April 8:Punjab’s arhtiyas, on Wednesday, called off their week-long strike after a meeting with Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian and Water Resources Minister Mr. Barinder Kumar Goyal, paving the way for wheat procurement to resume in the state mandis.

On the directions of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, S. Khudian and Mr. Goyal held detailed discussions with a delegation of arhtiyas, led by Federation of Arhtiyas Association of Punjab president Vijay Kalra, on their various demands here at Kisan Bhawan.

Following the state government’s assurance of a sympathetic consideration and the resolution of genuine issues of arhtiyas, the federation announced the immediate withdrawal of the strike.

S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian stated, “The inclement weather conditions have hit our farmers hard. There is no doubt that all of us — the government, arhtiyas and other stakeholders — survive and thrive only because of our farmers. No one can single-handedly shield against the hardships ordained by nature, but together we can certainly stand by each other.”

He further assured the arhtiyas that his doors were always open for dialogue, while stating, “It is not necessary that we always hold a big formal meeting to resolve issues. Even small, sincere conversations can solve big problems. If any arhtiya or farmer faces any difficulty, just let me know. We will sit together and find a solution.”

Welcoming Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s proactive approach, Vijay Kalra said, “We are a family. Families resolve their differences through dialogue and the farmer remains our priority.”

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*Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal Inaugurates North India’s first Central Pivot Irrigation System at PAU*

*Minister stresses urgent need for water conservation through modern irigation techniques*

*Chandigarh/Ludhiana, April 8:*Punjab Soil & Water Conservation, Mines & Geology, and Water Resources Minister, Barinder Kumar Goyal, on Wednesday inaugurated the state’s first Central Pivot Irrigation System at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. This marks North India’s first installation of this modern, automated irrigation technology.

Vice Chancellor Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, DGM NABARD Amit Garg and others were present. Progressive farmers, scientists, faculty members, and senior officers from the Departments of Soil & Water Conservation, Agriculture, Horticulture, an other allied departments also attended the inauguration.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal urged scientists, officers, and students to focus on innovation and adopt cutting-edge farming technologies, especially in the emerging era of Artificial Intelligence (AI). He highlighted the critical groundwater situation in Punjab and emphasized the urgent need to promote modern irrigation methods for water conservation.

Goyal reiterated the Punjab Government’s strong commitment to groundwater preservation and applauded the significant strides made in increasing the use of surface water in agriculture. He commended the Soil & Water Conservation Department for introducing the advanced Central Pivot Irrigation System in Punjab and expressed gratitude to NABARD for funding this pioneering demonstration project at PAU.

Describing the technology, the Minister said the Central Pivot Irrigation System offers a one-time, fully automated irrigation solution, particularly beneficial for Punjab’s farms facing acute labour shortages. The system requires no manual intervention — precision irrigation for a 3-acre field can be achieved simply by entering the required data, allowing the entire operation to be completed in a single cycle. He highlighted various schemes and programmes being implemented by NABARD in Punjab’s agriculture and rural infrastructure sectors. He assured full support for innovative and path-breaking initiatives like this one, along with continued assistance for ongoing and upcoming projects. Appreciating the world-class irrigation facility installed at PAU, he noted that it would serve as an excellent demonstration model of precision and automated irrigation for the farming community.

Chief Conservator of Soils, Mohinder Singh Saini provided technical details of the NABARD-assisted project. He explained that inverted sprinkler systems are mounted on a 60-metre-long arm that revolves around a central pivot point, irrigating a 3-acre circular area without any manual labour. He added that the system significantly improves water use efficiency, enhances crop yields, and will act as a model for modern irrigation practices across the state.