DR. BALJIT KAUR’S TIMELY INTERVENTION PREVENTS CHILD MARRIAGE IN SBS NAGAR

MINISTER APPEALS FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT TO ERADICATE THE SOCIAL EVIL OF CHILD MARRIAGE

Chandigarh, July 4:The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, remains fully committed to making the state free from the social evil of child marriage and continues to take firm, effective steps in this direction. In one such instance, the timely intervention of Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur led to the prevention of a child marriage involving a 15-year-old girl in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district.

Sharing details of the case, Dr. Baljit Kaur revealed that a few months ago, a minor girl made a distress call to the 112 emergency helpline from a beauty parlour, pleading for help to prevent her impending marriage. Acting swiftly, the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Crimes Against Women and Children) immediately alerted the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU).

Following an inquiry, it was found that the girl’s parents, citing her lack of interest in studies and family circumstances, were attempting to marry her off at just 15 years of age. Social pressures and concerns over family honour had also influenced their decision.

Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that a joint team comprising officials from the District Child Protection Unit, Child Development Project Officer, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, and Station House Officer reached the marriage venue without delay and successfully rescued the minor girl before the ceremony could take place. The groom’s family was also made aware of the legal implications and grave consequences of child marriage. In the presence of village representatives, including the Sarpanch, both families provided written consent to cancel the marriage.

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Sanjeev Arora assumes charge as Industries and Commerce, Investment Promotion and NRI Affairs Minister

Chandigarh 4 July 2025: Mr. Sanjeev Arora assumed the charge as Industries and Commerce, Investment Promotion and NRI Affairs Minister, Punjab today in Punjab Civil Secretariat Chandigarh. He was accompanied by his family members. He said that he will perform his duty with utmost devotion and dedication and leave no stone unturned for the welfare of the people of Punjab.

He was welcomed by Cabinet Minister Balbir Singh, Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, Cabinet Minister Baljit Kaur, Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, MLA Rupinder Singh Happy, MLA Jaswant Singh Gajjan Majra, MLA Narinder Kaur Bharaj, Kamal Kishor Yadav IAS, Amit Dhaka IAS, Surabhi Malik IAS, Senu Duggal IAS, A.S Rai IPS, State Information Commissioner Harpeet Sandhu and many other officers.

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GST REGIME NEEDS REFORM TO BENEFIT AGRARIAN STATES LIKE PUNJAB: FINANCE MINISTER HARPAL SINGH CHEEMA

PUNJAB FINANCE MINISTER CALLS FOR STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN GST REGIME

PUNJAB'S AGRARIAN ECONOMY HEAVILY IMPACTED BY SUBSUMPTION OF PURCHASE TAX AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT FEE

GST IMPLEMENTATION LEAVES PUNJAB WITH SIGNIFICANT REVENUE SHORTFALL OF RS 47037 CRORE SINCE 1ST JULY 2022 IN COMPARISON TO VAT REGIME

RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE FOOD GRAINS UNDER GST FRAMEWORK AND REDUCING INVERTED DUTY STRUCTURE

PROPOSED UNIFIED PLATFORM FOR DATA ANALYTICS AND DETECTING TAX EVASION

New Delhi/Chandigarh, July 4-Presenting a comprehensive overview of the state's revenue landscape since the implementation of GST on July 1, 2017 during the first meeting of the Group of Ministers on analysis of revenue from Goods and Services Tax (GST) held in New Delhi, Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema emphasized on bringing structural changes in the GST regime and proposed policy recommendations for revenue augmentation, including food grains under the GST framework, reducing or nullifying the inverted duty structure, and making e-way bill generation and e-invoicing mandatory. He also suggested that a unified platform can be developed, giving access to all States and the Central Tax Authority for data analytics and detecting tax evasion and compliance issues.

Highlighting the significant revenue loss Punjab has faced due to the subsumption of various taxes after the implementation of GST, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that Punjab, as an agrarian economy, heavily relied on Purchase Tax and Infrastructure Development Fee (ID Fee) on sale of grains (Wheat and Rice), collecting Rs 3,094 crores in 2015-16, which represented 16.55% of its total tax revenue, and experienced a permanent loss of revenue as a result of subsuption of these taxes. He also pointed out the loss from the subsumption of Central Sales Tax (CST), which previously contributed Rs 568 crores to Punjab's revenue in 2015-16.

Furthermore, Finance Minister Cheema highlighted that under the previous VAT regime, Punjab had a higher collection of revenue as compared to GST regime. The Minister expressed concern over a consistent shortfall in Punjab's GST collection since July 2017, with actual revenue significantly lower than the projected revenue based on a 14% growth rate on the base year. He said that had GST not been implemented, Punjab's revenue position would have been better, even with a conservative 10% CAGR growth. He said that Punjab has faced a revenue shortfall of Rs 47037 crore since 1st July 2022. He said that states dependent on agriculture, like Punjab, should be compensated for the permanent loss of revenue due to the subsumption of purchase tax on food grains.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema also highlighted a paradoxical situation where major industrial sectors in Punjab, such as agricultural implements, cycle and cycle parts, and hosiery goods, show high gross turnovers but do not exhibit a commensurate increase in GST collection. This is largely due to GST being a destination-based consumption tax, leading to revenue flowing out of Punjab through SGST input tax credit adjustments against IGST liability, creating a net outflow of revenue.

Calling for policy intervention to reduce or nullify the inverted duty structure in GST, the Finance Minister Cheema said that it leads to substantial refunds and lower cash collections for the state. He said that approximately Rs 1,200 crores in refunds are disbursed annually by Punjab due to inverted duty structures and exports, further impacting revenue. Further recommendations included making e-way bills mandatory for evasion-prone commodities irrespective of the threshold, mandatory e-invoicing for B2B supplies for manufacturers and B2C supplies, mandatory mapping of IP addresses with GSTN and E-way bills for tracking fraudulent taxpayers, and the introduction of geo-fencing.

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DSP CAW FARIDKOT RAJANPAL SUSPENDED AND ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTING TO BRIBE SSP OFFICE

— ACCUSED DSP ATTEMPTED TO OFFER ₹1L BRIBE TO SSP’S OFFICE TO SETTLE THE COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST HIM

— PUNJAB POLICE TAKES STRICT ACTION AGAINST CORRUPTION, REITERATES ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY

CHANDIGARH/FARIDKOT, July 4:In a firm demonstration of Punjab Government’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Crime Against Women (CAW) Faridkot Rajanpal has been placed under suspension for attempting to bribe the office of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Faridkot.

As per the information, few days back, the SSP Faridkot had received a complaint against the DSP Rajanpal, wherein, the aggrieved party had accused him of taking money, for settling a matrimonial dispute and demanded action against the DSP.

Divulging details, an official spokesperson of the Punjab Police said that accused DSP Rajanpal has attempted to offer a bribe of ₹1 lakh to the SSP’s office to settle the complaint filed against him.

Taking swift and stern action, the Spokesperson said that Faridkot Police has registered a criminal case against the accused DSP and arrested him. Strict departmental proceedings will be initiated against the accused officer as per Punjab Civil Services rules, he added.

“The Punjab Government is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and accountability within the police force. Any officer found indulging in corrupt practices will face stringent legal and disciplinary action,” said the spokesperson.

In this regards, a case FIR No. 289 dated 04-07-2025 has been registered under sections 7 and 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act at Police Station City Faridkot.

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FIRST IN PUNJAB, GOVT SCHOOL YOUNGPRENEURS TO PITCH STARTUPS AT BIZ BLASTERS EXPO

PUNJAB GOVT TO HOST BUSINESS BLASTERS EXPO AT IIT ROPAR ON JULY 5, SAYS HARJOT BAINS

40 TEAMS OF 18 YEAR OLD ENTREPRENEURS TO PITCH VENTURES TO INVESTORS, BUSINESSPERSONS, EXPERTS

GOVT'S BUSINESS BLASTER PROGRAMME PROVIDED ₹16K SEED FUNDING PER TEAM ENCOURAGING XI-XII GRADE STUDENTS TO DO BUSINESS: EDUCATION MINISTER

Chandigarh, July 4:Promoting entrepreneurship culture among the youth in the state, the Punjab Government is all set to host a first Business Blasters Expo at IIT Ropar, where students from government schools in classes 11th and 12th will showcase their innovative ventures and participate in thrilling Shark Tank-style pitch sessions before a distinguished panel of renowned investors, entrepreneurs and incubators, announced S. Harjot Singh Bains, Minister of School Education, Punjab.

Addressing a press conference here at Punjab Bhawan, on Friday evening, S. Harjot Singh Bains said that the expo would enable funding, incubation and industry partnerships for scalable student ventures, besides inspiring stakeholders to support school-based entrepreneurship.

The Education Minister stated that around 40 teams will showcase their products at the expo tomorrow (Saturday). Teams of 11th and 12th grade students of government schools developed 18,492 business ideas.

The state government has provided Rs 16000 seed funding each to over 7000 teams to develop and launch their business ideas under the guidance of teachers and expert mentors. The main objective of the expo is to identify market opportunities for the students and engage them with real customers to earn revenue and profit.

The Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s Business Blaster initiative empowered students with practical, team-based learning, fostering essential skills in communication, problem-solving and financial management through real-world business experiences, he added.

Government Senior Secondary School, Bathinda team made “Herbal Shine”: Chemical-free herbal shampoo using traditional ingredients. The team has already sold 80 units and received a positive customer feedback.

While, Government Senior Secondary School, Ferozepur team created “Defend-X Stick”

Self-defence stick with LED, shock points and concealed blade. The product is devised targeting women, senior citizens, etc as their potential buyers. Government Sr. Sec. School, Moga teams developed BB Choco Dreams: Handmade, preservative-free chocolates. The teams has already earned profit of over Rs 4,000.

S. Bains emphasised that India can grow only if there is business and economic growth, and Punjab Govt is cultivating entrepreneurship mindset right from the schools.

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Vigilance Bureau arrests Municipal Council Accountant red-handed accepting Rs. 11,000 bribe

Chandigarh, July 4, 2025 –In a continuous crackdown on corruption, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Friday arrested Deepak Setia, an Accountant posted at the Municipal Council, Dhanoula in District Barnala) while he was accepting a bribe of Rs. 11,000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the arrest has been made following a complaint made a contractor and resident of Dhanoula town.

He further added that the complainant has approached the VB alleging that the accused had demanded a bribe of Rs 11000 in exchange for facilitating the clearance of his pending payment cheque worth Rs. 2,21,402.

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Vigilance Bureau nabs PSPCL JE red-handed accepting Rs 15000 bribe

Chandigarh, July 4, 2025: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has arrested Baljit Singh, Junior Engineer (JE), posted at the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), Sub-station, Kandhala Jattan in Hoshiarpur district red-handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 15000.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the VB stated that the case was registered based on a complaint filed by a resident of village Sikri, in Hoshiarpur district.

“The complainant has approached the VB alleging that the aforementioned JE has demanded Rs 20000 in lieu of installing a new transformer in his village to rectify the power supply load. Upon the complainant’s request, the JE agreed to accept Rs 15000 bribe”, he said.

The spokesperson further added that following verification of the complaint, a vigilance team from Jalandhar range laid a trap during which the above said accused has been caught red-handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 15000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses.

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