Punjab Industries No Longer Required to Obtain Fire NOC Annually: Tarunpreet Singh Sond

- Mann Government Raises Building Height Limit from 18 to 21 Meters to Promote Industrial Growth

Chandigarh, June 30:The Punjab Government has taken a major step toward modernizing fire safety services and streamlining the ease of doing business for industries in the state. To support this initiative, the Punjab Fire and Emergency Services Act, 2024 has been implemented for industries and the general public. A key amendment now allows industrial buildings with heights up to 21 meters, up from the previous limit of 18 meters.

Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Industry Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond announced that a notification issued on June 27 by the Directorate of Punjab Fire and Emergency Services (under the Local Government Department) introduces several reforms to benefit the industrial sector. One major change includes extending the validity of Fire Safety No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from 1 year to 3 or 5 years, based on the risk classification of the industry. He said that Industries have been classified into three risk categories – light hazard industries: NOC valid for 5 years, moderate hazard industries: NOC valid for 3 years and high-hazard industries: Annual NOC still required.

The Minister highlighted that this move will reduce bureaucratic hurdles and makes it easier for entrepreneurs to focus on their businesses rather than repeated paperwork. He further informed that 43 industries fall under the light hazard category, 63 under moderate hazard, and 39 under high- hazard.

He further said that in a major ease-of-business reform, the department will now accept fire safety drawings and schemes prepared by qualified architects, eliminating the need to get the fire drawings/schemes vetted from any other consultant or agency.

Additionally, the 53-point checklist that owners or occupiers previously had to submit while applying for a fire NOC has now been abolished. Sond said that online annual self certification by occupier of the building has been introduced.

Tarunpreet Singh Sond emphasized that these changes will provide much-needed relief to industries, allowing them to concentrate more on growth and innovation. He said that the decision would also eliminate the need for unnecessary approvals, further boosting investor confidence in Punjab’s industrial ecosystem.

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Punjab Progressing Towards Becoming a Child Marriage-Free State, 58 Cases Successfully Prevented: Dr. Baljit Kaur

Consistent Efforts by Punjab Government Yielding Results in the Fight Against Child Marriage

Village-Level Awareness Campaigns Proving Effective, Statewide Action Teams Remain Active

Chandigarh, June 30:Under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is making continuous efforts to eradicate the social evil of child marriage from the state. Sharing this information, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that proactive interventions and sustained awareness drives by the government have started delivering encouraging results in this direction.

Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that from January 2024 to December 2024, a total of 42 child marriages were successfully prevented by timely action of the department, while 16 more cases were stopped between January 2025 and March 2025. In the last 15 months, a total of 58 child marriage incidents have been averted in Punjab.

The Minister stated that this significant achievement reflects the firm commitment of the Punjab Government towards safeguarding children’s rights and securing their future. She reiterated that child marriage is a serious social malpractice, and stringent preventive measures are being undertaken to eliminate this tradition from the state.

She further informed that a dedicated Child Helpline 1098 is functional round-the-clock in Punjab, through which any citizen can confidentially report incidents of child marriage, child abuse, or exploitation. To further strengthen community participation, the identity of the informant is kept completely confidential. Alongside this, information regarding such incidents can also be immediately shared with the Principals of the Senior Secondary Government Schools of the respective villages and the Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs), who have been designated as Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs), to ensure prompt action.

Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that any parents or individuals involved in conducting or promoting child marriage are liable for strict legal action as per the law. She asserted that childhood is meant for building a child’s future, and marrying them at a young age amounts to tampering with their prospects — an act that will not be tolerated in any form.

The Minister further said that the government is launching special awareness campaigns during marriage seasons to prevent child marriages. These campaigns will soon be initiated at both district and village levels to ensure strict prevention of such cases.

Dr. Baljit Kaur appealed to teachers, ASHA workers, sarpanches, NGOs, and aware citizens of the state to cooperate with the government in eliminating child marriage from society and contribute towards building a progressive and safe Punjab for every child.

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Punjab Govt releases ₹3.69 crore financial assistance to disabled soldiers, martyrs’ dependents : Mohinder Bhagat

Chandigarh, June 30, 2025:Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government has distributed ₹3,69,07,500 as ex-gratia assistance to families of soldiers who were martyred and disabled during various operations.

Sharing the details, Defence Services Welfare Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat said that this financial aid has been extended to the families of 18 martyrs and disabled soldiers across 9 districts of the state.

Reiterating the government’s unwavering support, Mr. Bhagat said, “The brave sons of Punjab have made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. It is our solemn duty to stand with their families. This ex-gratia amount is a humble gesture of gratitude and respect for their unparalleled service.”

He added that the Punjab Government will continue to take every possible step for the welfare and honour of soldiers and their families.

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Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker attends the annual conference CPA India Region Zone-II in Dharmshala

Sandhwan stressed the need to pro-actively involve the State Legislative Committees to successfully manage the state resources for better development

Chandigarh 30 June 2025-Addressing the gathering of delegates from five States in the first session of the two days Annual Commonwealth Parliament Association(CPA) India Region Zone II Conference being held in the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha at Tapovan, Dharmshala, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan stressed the need to pro-actively involve the State Legislative Committees to successfully manage the state resources for better development. The two days conference kicked off under the visionary leadership of Om Birla, Speaker Lok Sabha.

Speaking on the occasion, Speaker Sandhwan also eulogized the selfless sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji in alleviating the agonies of all the people of society irrespective of their region or religion and laid a path for secularism in Punjab centuries ago. He requested the delegates from across many States of India to make a collective resolution to whole-heartedly participate in Punjab's efforts to observe the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji in the month of November in all the States so that the supreme sacrifice of 9th Patshahi is remembered aptly and message of humanity is spread worldwide.

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Vigilance Bureau nabs Head Constable red-handed accepting Rs 30000 bribe

Chandigarh, June 30, 2025 – Continuing its ongoing relentless drive against corruption in the state, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), on Monday arrested Head Constable (HC) Mandeep Singh, posted at Police Post Patran, district Patiala, red-handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs. 30,000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the accused police official has been arrested following a complaint filed by a resident of village Jhaloor, in tehsil Monak, district Sangrur.

He further added that the complainant has approached the VB alleging that the said accused HC had demanded Rs 30,000 as illegal gratification and threatened to register a false FIR under arms act if the bribe was not paid.

The spokesperson informed that after verification of the complaint the VB team from Patiala range laid a trap and apprehended HC Mandeep Singh while he was accepting Rs 30000 as a bribe in the presence of two official witnesses. The tainted money has been recovered on the spot from his possession.

In this regard a case under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Patiala range. The accused police personnel would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and further investigation into this case was under progress, he said.

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*PUNJAB POLICE SCORE BIG IN ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN, 60KG HEROIN SEIZED IN AMRITSAR, 9 ACCUSED ARRESTED

— Drug syndicate was being operated from Pakistan and Canada: DGP Gaurav Yadav

— Drug cartel operating from jail via mobile phones caught, several hawala links exposed: CP Amritsar Gurpreet Bhullar

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, June 30:In a major crackdown on drug trafficking amidst the ongoing anti-drugs ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Amritsar Commissionerate Police, with the support of Border Security Force (BSF) and Rajasthan Police, has busted a major international drug cartel being operated by Pak-based smuggler Tanveer Shah and Canada-based handler Joban Kaler and recovered huge consignment of 60.302 Kg Heroin from near the International Border in Barmer, Rajasthan, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday.

The operation has led to the arrest of at least nine persons including smugglers, traffickers and hawala operators from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Jammu & Kashmir.

Those arrested have been identified as Gagandeep Singh alias Gagan (23) of village Rampura in Amritsar, Jashanpreet Singh alias Jashan (20) of village Khurmania in Amritsar, Gursahib Singh (25) of village Boparai Baj in Amritsar, Rajeev Panjgotra alias Rajveer (29) of village Kalyana in J&K, Somnath (62) of Fatehpur Brahmana in J&K, Prashotam Singh alias Kala (50) of Simbal camp in J&K, Kulwinder Singh (24) of village Mullechak in Amritsar, Rajinder Kaur (42) of village Tanda in J&K and one hawala-operator.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigations have revealed that the drug cartel was being operated by Pakistan-based smuggler Tanveer Shah and Canada-based smuggler Joban Kaler with the help of local kingpin Gursahib Singh, who was already lodged in Goindwal Sahib Jail but continued to run the network from inside the jail using a mobile phone. His phone has been recovered with the help of jail authorities and his production warrant was obtained for deeper probe into Canada-Pakistan linkages, he said.

The DGP said that further investigations are on to establish forward and backward linkages in this case.

Sharing more details, Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that the operation began after Gursahib Singh was arrested last month with 1 kg heroin from Chheharta. Despite being in jail, accused Gursahib operated through his nephew Jashanpreet Singh and associate Gagandeep Singh, who were arrested with 102 gm heroin. Their interrogation led to the huge 60 kg heroin consignment in Barmer, he said.

He said that during investigation, the hawala network used for routing drug money has also been exposed with the arrest of hawala-operator.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of DCP (D) City Ravinderpal Singh, ADCP (D) Jagbinder Singh, ADCP-2 Harpal Singh, ACP (D) Yadwinder Singh, ACP West Shivdarshan Singh, SHO Chheharta Vinod Sharma, CIA-1 Incharge Amolakdeep Singh and CIA-2 Incharge Ravi Kumar.

The CP said that probe has also revealed that drugs were being smuggled from across the Indo-Pak border and routed through Rajasthan to Punjab, with further local distribution channels. Further working on backward linkages five more accused associated with Tanveer Shah of Pakistan were also identified and raids are being conducted to nab them, he said.

A case FIR No. 118 dated 17/06/2025 under sections 21-B, 21-C, 27-B and 29 of NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Chheharta in Amritsar.

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FORUM OF RESIDENT DOCTORS CALLS OFF STRIKE AFTER MEETING WITH FINANCE MINISTER AND HEALTH MINISTER

Punjab Government Accepts Demands of Resident Doctors

Chandigarh, June 30-Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema and Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh today successfully concluded a productive two-hour meeting with representatives from the Forum of Resident Doctors of Punjab. The discussions, which also included Additional Chief Secretary Finance Alok Shekhar, Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare Kumar Rahul, Secretary Expenditure V.N. Zade, and Director Medical Education and Research Dr. Avnish Kumar, addressed the concerns raised by the resident doctors.

During the comprehensive meeting, both ministers acknowledged and agreed to the demands put forth by the Forum of Resident Doctors of Punjab. Following this positive outcome, the representatives of the forum announced their decision to withdraw their proposed strike, ensuring continued healthcare services across the state.

The Ministers stated that the Chief Minister, Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government, has always worked to foster a collaborative environment between the Government and the medical fraternity, prioritising the well-being of both healthcare professionals and the public.

The representatives from the Forum of Resident Doctors of Punjab included Dr. Ramandeep Singh (President RDA Patiala), Dr. Akshay Seth (Chief Patron RDA Patiala), Dr. Gurbhagat Singh (General Secretary), Dr. Milan (Advisor), Dr. Mehtab Singh Bal (Press Secretary), and Executive Members Dr. Gurjeet Singh and Dr. Darshdeep Singh.