PUNJAB BOLSTERS VILLAGE HEALTH NETWORK: 12977 VILLAGE HEALTH COMMITTEES JOIN HANDS TO SAVE PEOPLE FROM VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES AND FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS

Mohinder Bhagat Reviews Horticulture Progress,Directs Officers to Ensure Swift Completion of Ongoing Projects

Stresses Timely Disbursal of Subsidies to Farmers

State Government Committed to Enhance Farmers’ Income

Chandigarh, May 13:Punjab Horticulture Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat today reviewed the ongoing projects and various schemes of the Horticulture Department during a review meeting held at Kheti Bhawan, Mohali.

The Minister said that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is continuously working to strengthen the horticulture sector, ensuring better opportunities for farmers. He emphasized that promoting horticulture is a key step towards increasing farmers’ income and achieving agricultural diversification in the state.

Mr. Bhagat stressed the need for transparent and timely disbursal of subsidies to farmers so that they can avail themselves of the maximum benefits of government schemes without delay. He also directed officials to ensure the swift completion of all horticulture-related initiatives and to engage proactively with farmers at the grassroots level.

During the meeting, Secretary Horticulture Mr. Mohammad Tayyab and Director Horticulture Mrs. Shailender Kaur apprised the Minister of the progress made under various schemes and projects of the department. They also highlighted key achievements and shared updates on field-level implementation.

On the occasion, Deputy Director Horticulture Mr. Dalbir Singh, Mr. Harmail Singh, Dr. Harpreet Singh, and other officials were also present.

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MAJITHA SPURIOUS LIQUOR CASE: KINGPIN AMONG 10 ACCUSED ARRESTED, DSP AND SHO SUSPENDED FOR NEGLIGENCE

— PROBE REVEALS METHANOL AFTER BEING PROCURED ONLINE WAS USED FOR SPURIOUS LIQUOR MANUFACTURING, SAYS DGP GAURAV YADAV

— FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS ON; ALL CULPRITS INVOLVED IN THIS RACKET WILL BE ARRESTED SOON: SSP ASR RURAL MANINDER SINGH

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, May 13:Taking swift action after a tragic loss of lives due to spurious liquor in Majitha in Amritsar, Punjab Police has arrested 10 persons including the kingpin of the racket along with several local distributors in connection with the illicit liquor trade and main suppliers of Methanol— a fatal chemical used in industrial products, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Tuesday.

The arrested kingpin of the racket has been identified as Sahib Singh, while, main suppliers of methanol have been identified as Pankaj Kumar alias Sahil and Arvind Kumar, owners of Sahil Chemicals at Sukh Enclave in Ludhiana. Police have also arrested local distributors— identified as Prabhjit Singh and Kulbir Singh; and local sellers— identified as Ninder Kaur, Sahib Singh, Gurjant Singh, Arun alias Kala and Sikander Singh alias Pappu.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the Methanol chemical, after being procured online by Kingpin Sahib Singh, was being used for manufacturing spurious liquor. Investigation is underway to uncover the entire modus operandi and to bring all involved to justice, he said.

The DGP informed that DSP Subdivision Majitha Amolak Singh and SHO Police Station Majitha SI Avtar Singh have been suspended for gross negligence in discharging their official duties, which resulted in the fatal incident. Departmental inquiries have been initiated against the delinquents, he added.

“We all stand united in grief and in our resolve to ensure justice is served and such tragedies are prevented in the future,” reaffirmed DGP Gaurav Yadav.

Sharing details of modus operandi, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amritsar Rural Maninder Singh said that the investigations have revealed that the local distributor Prabhjeet Singh had received methanol chemical filled in 50 litre jerry can from kingpin Sahib Singh. During questioning, the latter revealed he has ordered the methanol from a Ludhiana based chemical firm, Sahil Chemicals, via online platform, he said.

The SSP said that the probe has also revealed that another consignment of methanol, ordered by kingpin Sahib Singh, from the Delhi-based firm is also in transition. Excise and Police teams have been dispatched to retrieve and seize the consignment as soon as it arrives, he said, while adding that all the culprits involved in this racket will be arrested.

Two separate cases FIR no. 42/25 at Police Station Majitha and FIR no. 16/25 at Police Station Kathunangal in Amristar Rural have been registered under sections 105 and 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), section 61A of the Excise Act and section 3 of the SC/ST Act.

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ECI interacts with one more political party

Chandigarh, May 13-Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu & Dr. Vivek Joshi had an interaction with the National People's Party led by its Party President, Conrad Sangma at Nirvachan Sadan today. The meeting is in continuation of the interactions being held by ECI with the Presidents of various National and State Political Parties. Before this ECI has also interacted with BSP, BJP and CPI (M) delegation.

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Punjab’s Crackdown on Spurious Liquor Scores Major Success: Patiala Police and Excise Department Seize 600 Litres of Methanol

- Consignment traced from Delhi suspected to be linked to the Majitha spurious liquor tragedy

- Joint operation by Patiala Police and Excise Department delivers a major blow to illegal liquor network

Chandigarh/Tepla (Shambhu, Rajpura, Patiala), May 13:In a significant breakthrough in Punjab’s ongoing war against spurious and illicit liquor, a joint team of Patiala District Police and the Excise Department today seized a large consignment of 600 litres of methanol, a chemical commonly used in the manufacture of illicit liquor. The seizure is suspected to have direct links to the recent Majitha spurious liquor tragedy in Amritsar.

Addressing a press conference near the site of the seizure at Tepla police post on the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Shambhu-Banur road, SSP Patiala Varun Sharma stated that this action was carried out under the directions of DGP Gaurav Yadav, as part of the Punjab Government’s aggressive campaign against drugs and illegal liquor, being spearheaded by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

SSP Vrun Sharma informed that following the tragic incident in Majitha earlier today, DIG Border Range shared intelligence about a suspected consignment of methanol en route from Transport Nagar, Delhi, to Punjab. Acting swiftly on this input and under the direct orders of the DGP, Patiala Police, in collaboration with the Excise Department, intercepted the vehicle near Tepla and recovered three drums containing 600 litres of methanol, concealed among other goods in truck number PB 10 H 1577.

The truck driver has been arrested, and a detailed investigation is underway.

SSP Varun Sharma further added that initial investigations suggest that the consignment was intended for use in the production of spurious liquor. “Had this consignment reached its destination, it could have led to the loss of hundreds of innocent lives,” he said.

The successful operation was carried out by a team under the supervision of SP(D) Gurbans Singh Bains, DSP Harmanjit Singh Cheema, and Assistant Commissioner, Excise Department Rajesh Aerry, and included Excise ETO Rupinderjit Singh, SHO Shambhu Inspector Harpreet Singh, Excise Inspectors Harjinder Singh, Gopal Sharma, Rajnish Kumar, and Tepla Chowki In-charge Jajwinder Singh, along with personnel from the Excise Police and Patiala Police.

SSP said that this action marks a major success in the State’s fight against the manufacture and distribution of poisonous liquor and highlights the commitment of Punjab Police and the Excise Department to safeguarding public health and safety.

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Minister Dr. Ravjot on the Move: Dr. Ravjot Singh’s Early Morning Inspection Spurs Immediate Action

Zero Tolerance for Civic Neglect: Sewerage, Sanitation, and Streetlights Under Overhaul in Phagwara

Punjab Govt Steps In: Door-to-Door Waste Collection, 4000 LED Lights for Phagwara : Dr Ravjot

Chandigarh / Phagwara, May 13:Punjab’s Minister for Local Government, Dr. Ravjot Singh on Tuesday announced a comprehensive plan to enhance Phagwara’s civic infrastructure, focusing on cleanliness, waste management, sewerage systems, and street lighting.

During an early-morning whirlwind tour of the city, the Minister interacted directly with residents to identify their concerns and develop effective solutions, underscoring his commitment to transforming Phagwara into a cleaner and more liveable urban center.

Dr. Singh emphasized that achieving 100% sewerage coverage, ensuring proper waste disposal, and maintaining high standards of cleanliness are top priorities. He assured residents that a permanent solution for waste collection and disposal will be implemented soon.

To this end, he directed officials from the Municipal Corporation, Sewerage Board, and Water Supply Department to work urgently to address these challenges. During his visit to key areas such as the Bus Stand, J.J. School, Guru Nanak Nagar, Urban Estate, and Basant Nagar, the Minister reviewed existing cleanliness arrangements and issued clear instructions to improve sanitation services.

The Minister specifically instructed municipal officials to initiate door-to-door waste collection to ensure waste is disposed of only at designated sites, thereby streamlining waste management processes. He also visited a dump site near J.J. School and ordered officials to identify an alternative location to relocate it, minimizing its impact on the school environment.

Additionally, Dr. Singh addressed the issue of stagnant water in Guru Nanak Nagar caused by inadequate sewerage infrastructure, directing Municipal Commissioner Dr. Akshita Gupta to collaborate with Sewerage Board officials and submit a detailed resolution plan within a week.

On the issue of non-functional streetlights, Dr. Singh announced that 4000 new LED streetlights will be installed across Phagwara to improve night-time visibility, with the tendering process already completed.

He stressed that municipal officials’ responsibilities for maintaining sanitation and civic services will be clearly defined to ensure accountability and efficiency. The Minister’s proactive approach and direct engagement with the public reflect his commitment to addressing Phagwara’s infrastructure challenges comprehensively.

Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal, District Planning Board Chairman Lalit Saklani, Mayor Rampal Uppal, Aam Aadmi Party Spokesperson Harnoor Singh Harji Mann, Improvement Trust Chairman Jarnail Nangal, SDM Jashanjeet Singh, and other dignitaries were also present.

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4 CABINET MINISTERS AND AAP MLAS JOIN DAY-AND-NIGHT VIGIL AT NANGAL TO PROTECT STATE'S WATER RESOURCES

MINISTERS PLEDGE TO CONTINUE VIGIL FOR PUNJAB'S WATER RIGHTS

Chandigarh, May 13-In a show of solidarity, Punjab Cabinet Ministers Barinder Kumar Goyal, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Lal Chand Kataruchak, and Laljit Singh Bhullar, along with AAP MLAs and leaders from various corners, today join the day-and-night vigil at Nangal Dam to express their strong protest against the BJP-ruled Central and State governments and the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) over the issue of Punjab's water being given to other states.

Addressing the impressive gathering, Water Resources and Land and Water Conservation Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said that Haryana would not receive any additional water before May 21. He said that Punjab is already providing 4000 cusecs of water to Haryana beyond its allocated quota as a humanitarian gesture. Despite repeated warnings to use this extra water judiciously, Haryana has not taken heed. “Promptly accepting the demand for water for security forces deployed in Rajasthan, the Punjab government has demonstrated the generosity and values inherent in Punjabi culture and Punjabiyat”, said Goyal

Power and Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO highlighted the Punjab government's comprehensive plan to provide canal water to farmers' fields, worth Rs 4500 crore, which will free farmers from relying on tubewells and reduce the state's electricity costs. ETO said that the state's farmers are forced to extract groundwater through over 15 lakh tubewells whereas Punjab's water resources being utilized by other states, resulting in most blocks going into the dark zone and deteriorating land health.

Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the protests at Nangal Dam and Lohand Khad gates of Kiratpur Sahib will continue, following the footsteps of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. He said that Punjab has already given more than its due share of water to Haryana and would not to give up its share under any circumstances.

Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar highlighted Punjab's contribution to the country's food basket, despite bearing the cost of groundwater extraction. He praised the state's farmers for adopting crop diversification and moving towards horticulture and vegetable cultivation, while stressing on the importance of canal water in increasing the production of these crops and strengthening the agricultural economy.

The ministers praised the volunteers for their dedication to protecting Punjab's interests and rights. They vow that the day-and-night vigil will continue, emphasizing that safeguarding Punjab's water resources is crucial for the state's economy and future.

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