*MANN GOVT BOLSTERS FISHERIES SECTOR: GURMEET SINGH KHUDIAN HANDS OVER APPOINTMENT LETTERS TO NEW RECRUITS*

*• 55 recruits inducted since 2022 to bolster fisheries sector & extend robust support to fish farmers: Gurmeet Singh Khudian*

CHANDIGARH, October 6:In a continued push to strengthen Punjab's agricultural and allied sectors, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian today handed over appointment letters to two new recruits in the Fisheries Department, including one Multipurpose Fisheries Skilled Worker and one Fisherman.

This latest induction is part of a sustained recruitment drive under which the Fisheries Department has onboarded 55 officials since 2022, significantly augmenting its administrative, technical and operational strength, while reaffirming the commitment of the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led state government to bolstering the fisheries sector and extending robust support to fish farmers across Punjab.

Congratulating the newly appointed employees, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said, "Today's distribution of appointment letters, coupled with our sustained recruitment drive since 2022, reflects the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann's unwavering commitment to modernising the Fisheries Department. By inducting a diverse pool of talented individuals- from Fisheries Officers to technical staff and skilled workers- we are not only streamlining our operations but also ensuring better service delivery and technical support for our fish farmers."

S. Khudian further added that the department has significantly strengthened its field and administrative operations by inducting skilled professionals across various cadres and with these new appointments, the Punjab Fisheries Department is poised to further promote sustainable aquaculture practices, augment fish production and make a substantial contribution to the state's agricultural economy.

Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Mr. Rahul Bhandari said that the Fisheries Department remains steadfast in its mission to ensure sustainable development and promotion of aquaculture and fisheries in Punjab. He added that through continuous innovation, capacity-building programmes, technical training and on-ground support, the department is focused on enhancing the income and livelihoods of all stakeholders, particularly fish farmers, while maintaining ecological balance and long-term sustainability of aquatic resources.

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*BHAGWANT MANN GOVT COMMITTED TO PROVIDING CLEAN AND POTABLE DRINKING WATER TO PEOPLE OF PUNJAB: HARDEEP SINGH MUNDIAN*

*WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION MINISTER DEDICATES RS.267-CR CANAL WATER-BASED MULTI-VILLAGE WATER SUPPLY SCHEME TO PEOPLE*

*WATER SUPPLY SCHEME TO PROVIDE CLEAN DRINKING WATER TO OVER 45K HOUSEHOLDS OF 167 VILLAGES; TO BENEFIT AROUND 3 LAKH PEOPLE*

*39 MLD WATER TREATMENT PLANT AT KANDOWALI AND MAJJUPURA TO SUPPLY WATER THROUGH 20 WATER TANKS VIA NEARLY 286-KM PIPELINE NETWORK*

*Chandigarh, October 6:*Under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is steadily widening the ambit of its efforts to provide clean and potable drinking water to the people across the State. Continuing this commitment, Water Supply & Sanitation Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian dedicated the Rs.267-crore canal water-based multi-village water supply scheme to the people, which will provide clean drinking water to over 45,000 households across 167 villages and benefit around 3 lakh people of border area of district Amritsar.

The scheme is also significant step towards reducing dependence on groundwater and ensuring a sustainable supply of clean and safe drinking water through canal-based water supply systems.

Addressing the gathering after launching the project, the Cabinet Minister said that the 39 MLD-capacity water treatment plant has been established at Kandowali and Majjupura on the Lahore Branch of the Upper Bari Doab Canal to treat canal water and make it fit for drinking. Besides this, a 285.97-km-long pipeline is being laid and 20 water storage tanks are being constructed in the villages.

He said that the project would entail an expenditure of Rs.266.95 crore and would cover 167 villages in the border areas falling under Ajnala, Majitha, Harsha Chhina and Chogawan blocks. The scheme will cover 101 villages in Ajnala block, 56 in Harsha Chhina, 9 in Majitha and 1 village in Chogawan. The canal water will be supplied to the respective villages through the pipeline network and the scheme will provide clean drinking water to around 45,343 households comprising 2,85,994 rural residents.

S. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that the primary objective of the project is to reduce dependence on groundwater and provide people with clean, pure and safe drinking water sourced from canals.

S. Mundian said that besides providing clean drinking water to the rural population, the project will play a significant role in reducing water-related health problems and improving the quality of life of the people. With the availability of canal-based water supply, villagers will have access to safe drinking water, laying a strong foundation for healthier and better living. He said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government is committed to providing clean and pure drinking water to the people of the state.

On the occasion, MLA Ajnala S. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal expressed gratitude towards the Punjab Government for launching the canal water-based multi-village water supply scheme. He said that with the commencement of the project, people of the area would get access to clean and pure drinking water. He also thanked the Water Supply Minister and the officials of the department for completing the project in record time.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Ramvir, Administrative Secretary, Water Supply and Sanitation gave detailed information about the project, saying that the problem of drinking water had emerged in several villages in the area due to elevated levels of TDS and elements such as arsenic in the groundwater. Hence, the project was initiated to provide clean and pure drinking water to the people. He further informed that after completion of the project, its operation and maintenance would be undertaken by the concerned agency for a period of 10 years.

Prominent amongst others who were present included S. Talbir Singh Gill from Majitha constituency, Ms. Sonia Mann from Raja Sansi constituency, SDM Ajnala Ms. Charumitra, Chief Engineer R.K. Khosla, Superintending Engineer Gurpreet Singh, Executive Engineer Sahil Anand, JMC LCESPL (Kalpataru) Company General Manager Rajnish, General Manager Shri Darshan and other officials.

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*Bhagwant Mann Govt Extends ‘Bill Liyao Inaam Pao’ Scheme; ₹9.40 Crore Penalty Demands Raised, ₹7.31 Crore Recovered: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*₹2.30 Crore Awarded to 3,548 Verified Winners through‘Bill Liyao Inaam Pao’ Scheme: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*Bhagwant Mann Govt Committed to Clean, Transparent & Accountable Governance: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*Consumers Must Demand Genuine Bills to Help Punjab Curb Tax Evasion & Strengthen Revenue: Harpal Singh Cheema*

CHANDIGARH, 6th October 2026:Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday announced that the Bhagwant Singh Mann government has approved the extension of the state’s flagship "Bill Liyao Inaam Pao" (Mera Bill Scheme) for another year. He said, "The scheme has so far generated ₹9.40 crore in penalty demands (with ₹7.31 crore already recovered), added 135 new registered dealers, and awarded over ₹2.30 crore in prize money to 3,548 verified lucky draw winners across 4,058 draws conducted during FY 2025–26 and FY 2026–27, delivering substantial results on both enforcement and public-incentive fronts."

Highlighting the success of the initiative, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, "The scheme has driven thorough bill verification and effectively plugged critical tax compliance gaps across the state. Through sustained monitoring and enforcement, the Taxation Department successfully detected non-compliance, resulting in ₹9.40 crore in raised penalty demands and an exchequer realization of ₹7.31 crore, alongside widening the tax net by registering 135 new dealers."

He also shared data regarding the consumer incentive component under the "Mera Bill Scheme" lucky draws, highlighting enthusiastic civic participation. He said, "Out of 4,058 draws conducted across FY 2025–26 and FY 2026–27, a total of 3,548 winners emerged post-verification, taking home ₹2,30,38,070 in total prize money. During FY 2025–26 alone, 3,080 verified winners received ₹1,98,15,980-, while draws continuing into FY 2026–27 have disbursed an additional ₹32,22,090 to lucky participants."

The Finance Minister further added that the 'Bill Liyao Inaam Pao' scheme has proven to be an effective instrument in promoting transparency and encouraging consumer participation in tax compliance. said He said, "Given its tangible success in curbing tax evasion, realizing vital revenue, rewarding conscious citizens, and broadening our tax base, we have decided to extend the scheme for one more year to maintain this momentum."

Reviewing recent enforcement operations under the scheme for the six-month period from March 1, 2026, to August 31, 2026, Harpal Singh Cheema shared, “One major case involving a penalty of ₹33,06,280 has been detected. I have issued firm directions to the Taxation Department and instructed concerned field officers to prioritize and recover the pending ₹33.06 lakh within the next month, directing that an Action Taken Report (ATR) be placed on file."

Reaffirming the Bhagwant Mann government's commitment to clean, transparent, and accountable governance, the Minister urged the citizens of the state to continue demanding genuine bills for all purchases, actively participate in the lucky draws under the "Bill Liyao Inaam Pao" scheme, and join hands in building a financially robust and progressive Punjab.

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Rs. 800 Crore credited into accounts of over 19000 farmers: Lal Chand Kataruchak

Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister exhorts farmers to bring dry produce in mandis

Anyone bringing paddy from outside Punjab to face strict action

Taking stock of paddy procurement by making personal visits to mandis, reveals Minister

Chandigarh, October 6:Living up to its commitment of zero difficulties for the farmers, Arhtiyas and the Labourers, the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has gone full throttle on its promise to ensure a hassle free Paddy Procurement Season 2026-27. This is amply clear from the fact that amount to the tune of nearly Rs. 800 Crore has been deposited into the accounts of 19222 farmers.

Divulging this here today during a meeting, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak said that till now, he has visited various mandis in 10 Districts namely Gurdaspur, Patiala, Amritsar, Tarntaran, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Kapurthala to take stock of the procurement.

It is a matter of great pride that during my visit to various mandis there has not been even a single complaint from any farmer or other stakeholders, said the Minister adding that now the payments to the farmers are being made even earlier than the stipulated time frame of 24 hours.

Further, full vigil is being maintained at all the inter State points to ensure that no paddy from outside the State is brought to the mandis.

In this connection, a person hailing allegedly from Haryana was today caught at Jalalabad bringing paddy from outside Punjab into the State. An enquiry at the department level is going on and nobody indulging in such a devious act would go unpunished, added Mr. Kataruchak.

Appreciating the officers and other staff of the department for the current smooth pace of the procurement process, the Minister exhorted them to make sure that the pace of the procurement doesn't slackens even a little bit.

The Minister while exhorting the farmers to bring only dry produce in the mandis assured them that they would face absolutely no difficulty in the mandis as the State Government is the safe keeper of their interests.

Notably, the State of Punjab has been given the target of Procuring 180 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of Paddy for the Central pool with the Minimum Support Price (MSP) fixed at Rs. 2461 Per Quintal.

The department has also ensured the arrangement of Bardana to the extent of 5.09 Lakh. Also, the Cash Credit Limit (CCL) of Rs. 42,786.68 Crore has been received for the Month of October, revealed Mr. Kataruchak.

Among others present on the occasion included the Principal Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department Rahul Tiwari, Special Secretary Kamal Kumar Garg, Additional Directors Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar and Ajayveer Singh Sarao, Deputy Director Food Procurement Geeta Bishambhu, & General Manager (Finance) Sarvesh Kumar.