₹67.84 Crore Relief Is Not Just a Waiver — It’s A Salute to the Struggles of SC Families : CM Mann
Debt Forgiven, Dignity Restored: AAP Writes a New Chapter in SC Upliftment
No More Exploitation — Just Empowerment: Mann Govt Turns Ambedkar’s Dream into Action
Amritsar, June 8:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday said that the state government is working untiringly for the well being of the weaker and underprivileged sections of the state and no stone is being left unturned for them.
Addressing the gathering during a function to hand over certificates of loan waiver to the beneficiaries here, the Chief Minister said that the state government is serving the people with missionary zeal to empower the common man. Bhagwant Singh Mann hoped that the state government is using its pen for helping the needy and underprivileged sections of society. He said that the state government is ensuring maximum welfare of the public so that every section of society is benefited from it.
The Chief Minister said that earlier the loans of the affluent people were waived off by the rulers and they didn’t bother about the welfare of poor people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that for the first time in the history of the state this reprieve has been given to the underprivileged and weaker sections of the state. He said that this is because the budget of the state has been kept for welfare of the common man adding that the state government is spending every single penny of state exchequer is being spent on public welfare.
The Chief Minister unequivocally said that the state government is according top priority to the education sector as it is imperative for the well being of the weaker and underprivileged sections. He said that Education is key for the success of every individual and no stone will be left unturned to ensure quality education to every youth of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has ample funds for strengthening and rejuvenating the education system in the state.
The Chief Minister quipped that such functions of public importance and happiness were rare during the last regimes. However, he said that a new era has ushered in now when new projects are being dedicated to the public by the government and youth are getting jobs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is a glimpse of Rangla Punjab and the state government is now leaving no stone unturned for facilitating the people by organising such days of happiness.
The Chief Minister said that this loan waiver worth ₹67.84 crore has benefited around 4,800 families adding that this is Waiver of Loans Disbursed up to March 31, 2020, for loanees of the Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development & Finance Corporation (PSCFC). He said that the waiver covers all loans disbursed by the PSCFC up to the mentioned date, offering significant relief to SC and Divyangjan (persons with disabilities) loanees. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this move will benefit a total of 4,727 loanees for an aggregate amount of ₹67.84 crore and all loanees including 4,685 defaulting loanees and 42 regular loanees will be covered under this loan waiver scheme.
The Chief Minister said that "No Due Certificates” (NDCs) will be issued by the state government and the full amount of ₹67.84 crore comprising principal, interest, and penal interest calculated as of April 30, 2025 will be reimbursed to the PSCFC by the state government. He said that importantly, loanees who have previously availed benefits under earlier waiver schemes are also eligible for coverage under this initiative. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that no recovery proceedings will be initiated against loanees under PSCFC loan regulations post-waiver and their accounts will be considered fully settled as of the cut-off date.
The Chief Minister said that as per the 2011 Census, Scheduled Castes constitute 31.94% of Punjab’s total population and many members of this community have availed loans from PSCFC to establish self-employment ventures aimed at their economic upliftment. However, he said that some borrowers have been unable to repay their loans due to circumstances beyond their control, leading to defaults. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that with the implementation of this waiver, 4,727 poor SC and Divyangjan beneficiaries will receive relief amounting to ₹67.84 crore comprising Rs 30.02 crore in principal, ₹22.95 crore in interest, and ₹14.87 crore in penal interest (calculated up to April 30, 2025).
The Chief Minister said that this initiative will help restore their dignity and enable them to lead a more respectable life in society. Additionally, he said that the waiver will allow beneficiaries to utilize the freed-up financial resources for productive work to support their families adding that this is not just about loan waiver it’s about restoring dignity, delivering justice, and offering a new beginning. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this marks the beginning of relief and dignity for thousands of families who have been burdened by debt for years.
The Chief Minister said that these families could not repay their loans due to circumstances such as the main earning member passing away, prolonged illness consuming all their savings or having no other source of income left. He said that recovering these loans from such people was unjust, so the state government has decided to waive them off. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has once again proven that they don’t just make promises but they fulfil them as previous governments treated the SC community merely as a vote bank, the AAP government understands the pain of SC families and has always given them equality, rights, and respect.
On the occasion, Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema, Dr. Baljit Kaur, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Lal Chand Kataruchak, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and others were also present
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Vote Bank, Not Human Beings: CM Mann Exposes Cruel Reality of SC Treatment by Akali - BJP & Congress Governments
Stolen Futures: Mann Condemns Scholarship Scam That Robbed Poor SC Students of their rights
Opposition leaders Children Got Private Hillside Schools, Ours Got Broken Benches: Mann’s Brutal Take on SC Neglect
Amritsar, June 8: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday assailed the traditional political parties for remaining insensitive towards the welfare of economically weaker and underprivileged sections adding that these selfish leaders have always treated the Schedule Castes (SC) brethren merely as their vote banks.
Addressing the gathering here today, the Chief Minister said that those who had usurped the money meant for the well being of poor students in form of post matric scholarship scheme are confronting several health ailments. He said that this money is now being spent on their treatments in the hospitals as they are facing the wrath of Almighty. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these rulers of the state were completely insensitive towards the problems of the common man and have always treated the SC brethren as merely vote banks.
Training his guns at his predecessors, the Chief Minister said that these leaders had built huge palaces by amassing whopping wealth by misusing their official positions. He said that the walls of these palatial palaces were high and the gates usually remained closed for the people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders remained inaccessible to the people due to which they were ousted by the masses.
The Chief Minister said that people of state have ousted the political parties that used to play musical chairs of power to loot them after every five years. He said that these leaders have befooled the people for a long time but now people are not getting swayed by their misleading propaganda. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these haughty politicians had always taken the people of state for granted due to which they were ultimately shown the door by people.
The Chief Minister said that the convent educated leaders of the previous governments had never bothered to improve the level of education in the state. He said that the sole reason was that their own kids used to study in big private schools at hills whereas only the children of common man studied in the government schools. On the contrary , Bahgwant Singh Mann said that his government has been focusing on ensuring that the lives of the common man can be transformed by providing quality education to them.
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CM Slams Akalis for Reducing SGPC to “Shiromani Golak Prabhandak Committee” for their greed
Says Akalis Plundered Punjab Politically and Religiously
Amritsar, June 8:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday strongly criticized Akali leaders, accusing them of reducing the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) to a mere “Shiromani Golak Prabandhak Committee” out of their greed for money.
Addressing a public gathering, the Chief Minister alleged that the Badals misused their political power to interfere in religious affairs, including manipulating the appointment of Jathedars of Sri Akal Takht Sahib to suit their personal interests. He claimed that the Akalis, driven by financial motives, have degraded the sanctity of the SGPC and misused both it and Sri Akal Takht Sahib for narrow political gains. Bhagwant Singh Mann accused them of twisting the directives of Sri Akal Takht Sahib to deceive the public and serve their own agendas.
The Chief Minister further stated that the Akalis have looted not only the state exchequer but also funds belonging to religious institutions. He criticized their tenure, saying it was marked by political and religious exploitation, which caused significant harm to Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Akali leadership symbolizes a legacy where the poor were neglected while the powerful looted the state with impunity.
The Chief Minister said that the Akalis exploited the underprivileged and weaker sections of society adding that they are now facing the consequences of their actions. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the people of state will never forgive the Akalis for the crimes committed by them against the state and its residents. “The prayers of the poor and honest always reach God, and their curses are unstoppable, that’s why Badals are now paying for their sins,” he added.
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THREE NOTORIOUS CRIMINALS ARRESTED FROM SRI MUKTSAR SAHIB; 174GMs HEROIN, TWO PISTOLS RECOVERED
— PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION REVEALS THAT TRIO ARRESTED ACCUSED PERSONS WERE PLANNING TO ELIMINATE A RIVAL: DGP GAURAV YADAV
— SPOTTING THE POLICE, ACCUSED PERSONS ATTEMPTED TO FLEE BUT WERE SWIFTLY APPREHENDED: ADGP PROMOD BAN
— FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS REVEAL EXTENSIVE CRIMINAL HISTORY; MORE LINKAGES BEING PROBED: SSP SRI MUKTSAR SAHIB AKHIL CHAUDHARY
CHANDIGARH/SRI MUKTSAR SAHIB, June 8: In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to ensure a crime-free Punjab as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab, in a joint operation with Sri Muktsar Sahib Police, arrested three notorious criminals and recovered two .32 bore pistols along with 10 live cartridges and 174 grams heroin from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Sunday.
Those arrested have been identified as Gaurav Kumar alias Billa, Vikasdeep Singh and Lovepreet Singh, all residents of Sri Muktsar Sahib. Trio accused persons have been wanted in multiple criminal cases, including serious offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Arms Act.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said that accused Gaurav alias Billa was a fugitive in a case registered at Police Station City Malout, while Vikasdeep Singh and Lovepreet Singh were wanted in cases registered at Police Station City Sri Muktsar Sahib. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the trio was planning to eliminate their rival, he said.
The DGP said that further investigation are ongoing to establish forward and backward links in this case. More arrests and recoveries are likely in coming days, he added.
Sharing operational details, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) AGTF Promod Ban stated that the police party noticed the trio accused persons examining a polythene bag under the flyover bridge. Upon spotting the police, the accused attempted to flee but were swiftly apprehended near the GT Road Bathinda Roundabout, Malout. Upon searching them, the police have recovered heroin and illegal weapons from their possession, he said.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sri Muktsar Sahib Akhil Chaudhary said that a fresh case FIR No. 92 dated 07.06.2025 under sections 21(b) of the NDPS Act and 25 and 27 of the Arms Act has been registered at Police Station City Malout. Further investigations are underway to uncover additional criminal linkages and accomplices, he said.
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ASSOCIATE OF GANGSTER JAGGU BHAGWANPURIA INVOLVED IN GORA BARIAR MURDER CASE HELD FROM BATALA
— PRELIMINARY INTERROGATION REVEALS ARRESTED ACCUSED MASSIH WAS IN REGULAR CONTACT WITH JAGGU BHAGWANPURIA: DGP GAURAV YADAV
— FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS ON TO ESTABLISH FORWARD AND BACKWARD LINKAGES IN THIS CASE: ADGP AGTF PROMOD BAN
CHANDIGARH, June 8:In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab apprehended close aide of Gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria in connection with the sensational shootout took place at Ghuman in Batala, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Sunday.
The arrested accused has been identified as Nilson Massih alias Sunny, a resident of village Athwal in Gurdaspur. The arrested accused has a long criminal history and has been facing at least seven criminal cases including charges of murder, attempted murder, robbery, snatching, and violations of the Arms Act.
As per the information, the sensational shootout took place outside the Petrol Pump located at Ghuman-Shri Hargobindpur road at village Ghuman in Batala in the evening of May 26, 2025, had resulted in the killing of Gurpreet singh Gora alias Gora Bariar and injuries to Billa Mandiala.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary interrogation has revealed that arrested accused Massih was in regular contact with Gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. Acting on Bhagwanpuria’s directions, he orchestrated the murder of Gora Bariar. Accused Massih, along with his three associates, had carried out this attack, he said.
The DGP said that further investigations are underway to track down and apprehend the remaining accused persons in this case. The arrested person has been handed over to Batala Police for further action, he added.
Sharing operational details, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) AGTF Promod Ban said that following the secret input the presence of the key accused involved in Gora Bariar murder case in the jurisdiction of Batala, the teams from AGTF unde the supervision of DSP Rajan Parminder along with teams of Batala Police launched an intel-based operation and apprehended the accused person Nilson Massih from Qadian-Batala road near village Shahbad.
The ADGP said that further investigations are ongoing to establish forward and backward linkages in this case.
A case FIR 89 dated 26.5.25 had been registered under sections 103, 109, 111 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Ghuman in Batala.
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Jasvir Singh Garhi to visit Phillaur on June 10 in the case of Baba Sahib's statue' desecration
Commission seeks report from DGP Punjab in the case of desecration of Baba Sahib's statue
Chandigarh, June 8: Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman S. Jasvir Singh Garhi will visit Nangal Gate Phillaur on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, to investigate the case of desecration of the statue of Baba Sahib Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Ji.
Giving information in this regard, the spokesperson of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission said that the commission has been taken the case of desecration of the statue of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Ji for the second time at Nangal Gate in Phillaur very seriously, for which Chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi will visit the place of the incident and review the security arrangements for the statue.
The spokesperson said that the Chairman of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has also sought a report from the Director General of Police of Punjab on June 13, 2025, in the case of the second desecration of the statue of Baba Saheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Ji located at Nangal Gate in Phillaur.
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SPICING UP AGRICULTURE: ₹9.50-CR CHILLI PROCESSING PLANT TO BOOST CROP DIVERSIFICATION
- 5 tons/hour capacity plant to start operation in Abohar by September 2025: Gurmeet Singh Khudian
• PAGREXCO targets global export as demand for Punjab’s Red Chilli Paste surges, says Food Processing Minister
• Ferozepur tops chilli production with 19MT/hectare yield
Chandigarh, June 8:In a bid to promote crop diversification and boost farmers' income, Punjab Government is set to commission a Rs. 9.50 crore chilli processing plant in Abohar by September 2025, announced S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Agriculture and Food Processing, Punjab.
He said that the chilli processing plant, being established by Punjab Agri Export Corporation Ltd. (PAGREXCO) at one acre of land, will have an installed capacity of five tons per hour, besides provide a significant boost to the state's agricultural sector.
S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian highlighted that the area under chilli cultivation has been increasing annually, with farmers being encouraged to grow high-yielding varieties suitable for processing. As of 2024, Punjab's chilli cultivation spanned 10,614 hectares, the highest recorded area in recent years, yielding 21,416 metric tons. Ferozepur district leads in chilli production, followed by Patiala, Malerkotla, Sangrur, Jalandhar, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, SBS Nagar, and Hoshiarpur. Ferozepur's average yield of approximately 19 metric tons (MT) per hectare showcases the region's efficient farming practices.
The Food Processing Minister stated that PAGREXCO directly procures chillies from farmers and aggregators, leveraging a well-established marketing network. The corporation is a major exporter of concentrate pepper mash cayenne (red chilli paste) from Punjab. The high quality and pungency of Punjab's chillies have led to increasing demand year after year, encouraging farmers to produce red chillies for processing.
Chilli cultivation has emerged as a vital component of Punjab's agricultural diversification, providing farmers with a lucrative alternative to traditional crops like wheat and paddy. The state's favorable agro-climatic conditions have strategically positioned Punjab as a key player in chilli production and processing, capitalizing on new opportunities in the agricultural sector, he added.
Punjab is now exporting red chilli paste to international markets, including the Middle East and African Caribbean countries, said S. Khudian while adding that PAGREXCO aims to become a leading global exporter of red chilli paste. The corporation's marketing team is actively showcasing the high pungency of Punjab chillies at exhibitions and fairs to meet growing demand and promote the product worldwide.
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SPICING UP AGRICULTURE: ₹9.50-CR CHILLI PROCESSING PLANT TO BOOST CROP DIVERSIFICATION
- 5 tons/hour capacity plant to start operation in Abohar by September 2025: Gurmeet Singh Khudian
• PAGREXCO targets global export as demand for Punjab’s Red Chilli Paste surges, says Food Processing Minister
• Ferozepur tops chilli production with 19MT/hectare yield
Chandigarh, June 8:In a bid to promote crop diversification and boost farmers' income, Punjab Government is set to commission a Rs. 9.50 crore chilli processing plant in Abohar by September 2025, announced S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Agriculture and Food Processing, Punjab.
He said that the chilli processing plant, being established by Punjab Agri Export Corporation Ltd. (PAGREXCO) at one acre of land, will have an installed capacity of five tons per hour, besides provide a significant boost to the state's agricultural sector.
S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian highlighted that the area under chilli cultivation has been increasing annually, with farmers being encouraged to grow high-yielding varieties suitable for processing. As of 2024, Punjab's chilli cultivation spanned 10,614 hectares, the highest recorded area in recent years, yielding 21,416 metric tons. Ferozepur district leads in chilli production, followed by Patiala, Malerkotla, Sangrur, Jalandhar, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, SBS Nagar, and Hoshiarpur. Ferozepur's average yield of approximately 19 metric tons (MT) per hectare showcases the region's efficient farming practices.
The Food Processing Minister stated that PAGREXCO directly procures chillies from farmers and aggregators, leveraging a well-established marketing network. The corporation is a major exporter of concentrate pepper mash cayenne (red chilli paste) from Punjab. The high quality and pungency of Punjab's chillies have led to increasing demand year after year, encouraging farmers to produce red chillies for processing.
Chilli cultivation has emerged as a vital component of Punjab's agricultural diversification, providing farmers with a lucrative alternative to traditional crops like wheat and paddy. The state's favorable agro-climatic conditions have strategically positioned Punjab as a key player in chilli production and processing, capitalizing on new opportunities in the agricultural sector, he added.
Punjab is now exporting red chilli paste to international markets, including the Middle East and African Caribbean countries, said S. Khudian while adding that PAGREXCO aims to become a leading global exporter of red chilli paste. The corporation's marketing team is actively showcasing the high pungency of Punjab chillies at exhibitions and fairs to meet growing demand and promote the product worldwide.
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DAY 99 OF ‘YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH’: 144 DRUG SMUGGLERS HELD WITH 6.7KG HEROIN
— AS PART OF ‘DE-ADDICTION’, PUNJAB POLICE CONVINCE 89 PERSONS TO UNDERGO DE-ADDICTION TREATMENT
CHANDIGARH, June 8:With the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state entered 99th day, Punjab Police on Sunday arrested 144 drug smugglers and recovered 6.7 kg heroin and Rs 440 kg poppy husk from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 16,492 in just 99 days.
The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state.
Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.
Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 200 Police teams, comprising over 1400 police personnel, under the supervision of 88 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 479 locations across the state leading to the registration of 107 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 541 suspicious persons during the day-long operation, he added.
The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced 89 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.