Punjab Reserves 33% Government Jobs for Women — Mann Govt’s Historic Move Towards Gender Equality: Dr. Baljit Kaur

CM Bhagwant Mann’s Visionary Initiative: A Bold Step for Women’s Empowerment and Creating a Rangla Punjab

Chandigarh, May 7:In a significant step towards women empowerment and promoting gender equality, the Government of Punjab has framed and implemented The Punjab Civil Services (Reservation of Posts for Women) Rules. Under these progressive rules, 33% reservation has been provisioned for women candidates across all categories for appointments to Group A, B, C and D posts in Government departments, as well as in Boards and Corporations operating within the State of Punjab.

Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Punjab, while expressing her gratitude towards Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for this visionary decision, stated that this landmark initiative is a testament to the Punjab Government’s unwavering commitment to fostering a gender-neutral, inclusive and equitable society. The reservation policy is designed to ensure greater participation of women in public administration and decision-making roles, thereby strengthening the social and administrative fabric of the state.

She said that the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has made it a top priority to provide more opportunities for women in government services. This major decision not only ensures fair representation for women but also reflects the government’s clear vision of building a progressive and vibrant ‘Rangla Punjab’. Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that empowering women in governance is a vital step toward achieving holistic growth and a prosperous future for the state.

She further added that with this proactive measure, the Punjab Government reiterates its resolve to provide equal opportunities and fair representation to women in governance and public services, paving the way for a more balanced and progressive administrative framework.

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Ludhiana West by Poll: DC-cum-DEO invites Appeals for Electoral Roll

Chandigarh/Ludhiana, May 7:The Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer (DC-cum-DEO), Ludhiana, Himanshu Jain has informed that the final electoral rolls for Assembly Constituency No. 64-Ludhiana West were published on May 5, 2025 by ERO.

As per the schedule announced by the Election commission of India, the draft electoral rolls were published on April 9, 2025, inviting claims and objections from the public and house-to-house verification was conducted by 192 Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

He further explained that all claims and objections received during this period were carefully addressed by the ERO before the final rolls were published. Copies of the final electoral rolls have also been provided to all recognized political parties.

In order to ensure transparency and political participation, 384 Booth Level Agents (BLAs) were appointed by various political parties to assist in verifying the draft rolls and submitting inputs, informed DC, Ludhiana.

DC Ludhiana also appealed that individuals aggrieved by the decisions of the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) may file an appeal within 15 days from the date of the ERO’s decision to District Magistrate as per Section 24(a) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and If not satisfied with the outcome, a further appeal can be submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab”, highlighted DC Ludhiana.

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SOWING SEEDS OF DIVERSIFICATION: PUNJAB TO APPOINT 200 KISAN MITRAS TO BOOST KHARIF MAIZE

• Punjab targets to cover 3 lakh acres under maize this season, says Gurmeet Singh Khudian

Chandigarh, May 7:To further give impetus to crop diversification in the state, Punjab Government is all set to appoint 200 Kisan Mitras (Friends of the Farmer) to encourage farmers to shift from paddy to kharif maize, with a target to cover three lakh acres under maize this season, announced S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Punjab.

S. Khudian, along with the department’s Administrative Secretary Dr. Basant Garg, reviewed the preparedness for the kharif sowing season at Kisan Bhawan. He directed the Chief Agriculture Officers (CAOs) to lay a special focus on Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Sangrur, Kapurthala, Patiala, Jalandhar and Bathinda districts for bringing maximum area under kharif maize by launching a massive outreach campaign in the state.

To promote sustainable agriculture practices, the Agriculture Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian directed Chief Agriculture Officers to promote Direct Sowing of Rice (DSR) technique among farmers to conserve underground water. He also stressed the need to intensify quality control measures to ensure farmers have access to high-quality agricultural inputs, enabling them to optimise crop yield.

Dr. Basant Garg, Administrative Secretary, apprised the Agriculture Minister that the department has set ambitious targets for quality control, aiming to collect 4,550 pesticide samples, 6,100 seed samples and 5,200 fertiliser samples during the current fiscal year. This proactive approach underscores the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government's commitment to ensuring farmers' access to authentic and quality agricultural inputs.

Director Agriculture Jaswant Singh and other senior officials of the department were also present in the meeting.

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INDERPAL SINGH DHANNA INAUGURATES NEW LIBRARY AT PUNJAB INFORMATION COMMISSION

Chandigarh, May 7:Punjab Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Mr. Inderpal Singh Dhanna today inaugurated a newly established library within the premises of the Punjab Information Commission.

The inaugural event was also graced by the presence of Information Commissioners Mr. Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, Mr. Varinderjit Singh Billing, Dr. Bhupinder Singh Bath, Mr. Harpreet Sandhu and Mrs. Pooja Gupta.

Speaking on the occasion, CIC Dhanna informed that the library's collection places a significant emphasis on literature pertaining to transparency laws, administrative procedures, governance reforms and pivotal judgments delivered by various Information Commissions and judicial bodies. Besides this, a conscious effort has been made to incorporate publications in both Punjabi and English to cater to a diverse readership.

He also lauded the commendable contributions and efforts of Information Commissioner Mr. Harpreet Sandhu in the fruition of this project.

Notably, this new facility is envisioned not only as an invaluable resource for the Commission's officials and staff but also as a vital knowledge hub for scholars, researchers and visitors keen on deepening their understanding of transparency-related matters.

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Operation Sindoor: Entire Nation Proud of Indian Army’s Valour – Mohinder Bhagat

Says, Every Enemy Move Being Closely Monitored; Officials on High Alert

Chandigarh, May 7-On April 22, 2025, a cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, caused the death of 26 Indian civilians. In a strong retaliation to this heinous act, the Indian Army carried out a successful air strike during the midnight of May 6-7, targeting nine terrorist hideouts located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Reacting to this, Cabinet Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat said the entire nation is proud of the Indian Army’s brave action. He stated that the way the Army conducted this operation with strategy, precision and indomitable courage is a matter of pride for every Indian. The whole nation stands united with the armed forces.

The Minister said that Punjab has always played a leading role in safeguarding the unity and integrity of the nation. He further added that since our state shares a border with Pakistan, it is important for us to remain more alert and vigilant.

Mr. Bhagat said that the enemy nation, shaken by ‘Operation Sindoor’, may resort to any kind of nefarious conspiracy. Therefore, we must be fully prepared to face every situation. He has instructed all concerned officials to stay alert and take immediate action against any suspicious activity.

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CROSS-BORDER NARCO NETWORK BUSTED IN FEROZEPUR; THREE HELD WITH 5KG HEROIN, TWO PISTOLS

— PROBE REVEALS THAT CONSIGNMENTS WERE SENT BY PAK-BASED SMUGGLERS USING DRONES: DGP GAURAV YADAV

CHANDIGARH/FEROZEPUR, May 7:Amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and drug-free state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police’s Counter Intelligence (CI) Ferozepur has busted a cross-border narco network with the arrest of three smugglers after recovering 5.4 kg heroin, two 7.65MM Chinese-made pistols along with four magazines and a pistol slide in two separate operations, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Wednesday.

The arrested accused have been identified as Sandeep Singh and Judge Singh, both residents of village Kamal Wala in Ferozepur, and Babbu Singh alias Babbu of village Jallo Ke in Ferozepur.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation suggest that the consignments were sent by Pak-based smugglers using drones from across the border. Investigations are ongoing to establish forward and backward linkages to unearth the entire network, he said.

Sharing operation details of the first operation, AIG CI Ferozepur Gursewak Singh said that acting swiftly on reliable intelligence, police teams from CI Ferozepur have conducted a raid near Government College, Mohkam Wala at link road village Kotwal in Ferozepur and apprehended accused persons Sandeep Singh and Judge Singh after recovering 465 grams heroin and two pistols along with magazines and pistol slider from their possession.

Probe has revealed that both the accused persons were going to deliver the consignment to someone on their Hero Honda motorcycle (PB-05-R-3298), he said, while adding that police teams have also impounded his motorcycle. In this regard, a case FIR No. 52 dated 06-05-2025 has been registered under sections 21-C and 29 of the NDPS Act and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Kulgarhi in Ferozepur.

In second operation, AIG Gursewak Singh said that based on extracted intelligence, police teams have arrested drug smuggler Babbu Singh and recovered 5 kg heroin from his agricultural field located in village Bhakhra in Ferozepur. In this regard, a case FIR No. 86 dated 07-05-2025 has been registered under sections 21-C and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Sadar Ferozepur.