*CM seeks legitimate share in Indus waters*
*Asserts Punjab has no spare water for any other state*
*Says Punjab needs to be compensated for marvellous service rendered to nation*
*Moots idea of YSL instead of SYL for amicable resolution*
New Delhi, July 9:Reiterating that Punjab has no surplus water for any other state, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday sought share for state in Indus waters and mooted the idea of Yamuna Satluj Link (YSL) canal instead of Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.
Participating in a meeting held here at Shram Shakti Bhawan, the Chief Minister reiterated that the state has no spare water to share with any other state and there is no question of sharing even a single drop of water with anyone. He said that Punjab has no surplus water to share with any other state and reassessment of availability of water in the state is required as per international norms. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that most of the blocks of the state are over exploited and the groundwater situation in the state is very grim.
Likewise, the Chief Minister said that as most of the river resources of the state have dried up, so it needs more water to cater to its irrigation needs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the situation is so grim that Punjab only has scant water, which it is providing to the food growers adding that in such a scenario there is no question of sharing even a drop of water with any other states. Meanwhile, he again proposed that the Indus Waters Treaty should be reconsidered, and efforts should be made to bring water from the Western Rivers to India to meet the growing water demand.
The Chief Minister said that the Opportunity of Indus Water Treaty Suspension must be duly utilised to fulfil the water needs of the state. He said that the recent decision by the Government of India to suspend the Indus Water Treaty opens up the possibility of greater utilization of water from the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) within Indian territory. Meanwhile, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab, which is currently facing groundwater depletion, must be prioritized in any future strategies for the usage, diversion, or allocation of river waters.
The Chief Minister said that waters of the western rivers should be allocated to Punjab on a priority basis and new storage dams upstream of existing Bhakra and Pong Dams in Himachal Pradesh should be constructed. He said that this will significantly enhance the storage and regulation of western river waters. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is the need of the hour so that Punjab, which has over exploited its only available natural resources in terms of water and fertile land for making country self reliant in food production, is duly compensated.
The Chief Minister said that The long-conceived project of Sharda-Yamuna Link need be taken up on priority and surplus water be transferred to the river Yamuna at a suitable location. He said that the additional water so available could offset the balance water requirement of the state of Haryana from the Ravi- Beas system apart from addressing the ever-growing drinking water requirement of capital city of Delhi and availability of the Yamuna water to the state of Rajasthan. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Under the aforesaid eventuality again the issue of construction of SYL canal could be shelved and put to rest forever.
The Chief Minister said that to cater to demands of Haryana Sarda Yamuna link should be constructed to transfer surplus Sarda water to the Yamuna River; and Chenab water can be diverted to River Beas through Rohtang tunnel to eliminate the need for the SYL canal. He said that Proceedings with respect to SYL matter (O.S. No. 6 of 1996) may be kept in abeyance till the decision of Ravi-Beas tribunal is awarded. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that MoU of 12.05.1994 of allocation of Yamuna waters between Delhi, U.P, H.P. and Rajasthan is going to be reviewed after 2025.
So, the Chief Minister demanded that Punjab should be included as partner State of Yamuna waters allocations and 60% waters of surplus Yamuna should be considered for State of Punjab while apportioning the Yamuna waters. He said that instead of Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, the project should be now reconceived as Yamuna Satluj Link (YSL) as the Satluj river has already dried up and there is no question of sharing even a single drop of water from it. Rather, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that water from Ganga and Yamuna should be supplied to Punjab through Satluj river.
The Chief Minister said that SYL canal is an 'emotive issue' and Punjab will have serious law and order issue and it will become a national problem, with Haryana and Rajasthan also bearing the brunt. He categorically said that Land for SYL canal is not available as of today adding that Out of 34.34 MAF water of three rivers, Punjab was allocated only 14.22 MAF, which is 40%. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the remaining 60% was allocated to Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, even though none of these rivers actually flow through these states.
The Chief Minister said that Haryana is already getting (1.62 MAF Ravi-Beas and 4.33 MAF Sutlej Waters)=5.95 MAF from three rivers (Ravi, Beas & Sutlej) of Punjab. He said that In addition to Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, Haryana got additional 4.65 MAF Yamuna waters and further 1.62 MAF Sarda water by Sharda Yamuna Link. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to reduction in surface waters, pressure is putting on ground waters Ground adding that out of 153 blocks in Punjab, 115 have been declared over-exploited (75%), whereas in Haryana 61% (88 out of 143) are over exploited.
The Chief Minister said that number of tube wells in the state has increased from 6 lakhs in 1980’s to 14.76 lakh in 2018 (this includes the tube well installed only for agriculture) showing an increase of more than 200% during last 35 years. He said that Punjab has the highest rate of groundwater extraction (157%) in the entire nation, even higher than Rajasthan (150%) adding that Punjab ignores its own water requirement and gives about 60% water to meet the water requirements of non-riparian states in which Ravi-Beas and Sutlej Rivers do not pass. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab made a major contribution of 124.26 lakh metric tonne of wheat during 2024 which is 47% of the total procured in the India and also contributed 24% rice in centre pool.
The Chief Minister said that Total water requirement of Punjab is 52 MAF and water available with state of Punjab is only 26.75 MAF (Surface water from three rivers 12.46 MAF and Ground water 14.29 MAF). He said that The water of the Punjab Rivers is shared among the partner states whereas the flood from these rivers caused damage only in Punjab putting the State of Punjab to a huge financial burden every year. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that as the benefits are shared in certain ratio among the partner states and it is therefore imperative if the State of Punjab is appropriately compensated by the partner states regarding the damages and destructions caused by the floods on annual basis.
The Chief Minister said that Agreements and decisions of tribunals should be reviewed in light of changed circumstances and environmental developments, as international norms mandate a review every 25 years. He said that Punjab seeking share of Yamuna water is similar to Haryana's share of Ravi Beas waters as Irrigation Commission Report, Government of India, 1972 held that Punjab is riparian to Yamuna river. Bhagwant Singh Mann lamented that GOI is of the view that Punjab Reorganisation Act-1966 is silent about Yamuna Waters as these waters were not considered sharable between Punjab and Haryana.
The Chief Minister said that similarly the Act is also silent about Ravi Waters adding that Punjab has already enacted “Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004”, terminating 1981 Agreement relating to Surplus Ravi-Beas waters. He said that Punjab has maintained the existing utilization of Haryana of Ravi-Beas waters as per Clause 5 of Punjab termination of Agreements Act, 2004. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that no water is being released to Pakistan from Punjab side and the only water which reaches to Pakistan is from Ujh River which originates and flows through J&K.
The Chief Minister said that in wake of all these reasons it is imperative that YSL canal should be constructed to meet the water needs of the state. He said that Haryana has enough scope to get additional waters as the state l is also receiving 2.703 MAF water of River Ghaggar, Tangri Nadi, Markanda River, Saraswati Nadi, Chautang-Rakshi, Nai Nalah, Sahibi Nadi, Krishna Dhuan and Landoha Nalah. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this water is unaccounted till now while deciding the allocations of water between the States.
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Election Commission Issues Show Cause Notice to 8 Registered Unrecognized Political Parties: Sibin C
- Proceedings initiated for delisting due to non-participation in elections since 2019
Chandigarh, July 9:Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C informed that the Election Commission has issued Show Cause Notices to 8 registered unrecognized political parties which have not contested any election to the House of the People or any State Legislative Assembly, including by-elections, since 2019. The Commission has proposed to delist these parties from the list of registered political parties under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
He said that the the parties who have been issued notices includes All India Shiromani Baba Jiwan Singh Mazhabi Dal, Bhartiya Muhabbat Party (All India), Civil Rights Party, Democratic Congress Party, Democratic Swaraj Party, Phule Bharti Lok Party, Rashtriya Jagrook Party and Sada Punjab Party.
According to Commission records, these parties have not set up any candidates in elections over the past six years and their current addresses are also not known. In view of this, the Commission has concluded that the said parties appear to have ceased to function as political parties under the provisions of the Act.
Before proceeding with delisting, the Commission has given these parties an opportunity to submit a written representation, along with an affidavit from the President or General Secretary and supporting documents, by 15th July 2025. A hearing has also been scheduled on 23rd July 2025, which must be attended by the party President, General Secretary, or Head of the Party.
Sibin C said that if no reply is received by the stipulated date, it will be presumed that the party has nothing to state in the matter, and the Commission will take appropriate action without further notice.
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PAK-ISI BACKED BKI'S TERROR PLOT FOILED; TWO AK-47 RIFLES, TWO HAND GRENADES RECOVERED FROM GURDASPUR
— PAKISTANI AGENCIES, HARWINDER RINDA PUSHED THIS CONSIGNMENT TO CARRY OUT ATTACKS IN PUNJAB: DGP GAURAV YADAV
— PROBE REVEALS INVOLVEMENT OF FOREIGN-BASED TERRORISTS IN THIS PAK-ISI BACKED MODULE: DIG AGTF GURMEET CHAUHAN
CHANDIGARH/GURDASPUR, July 9:Amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police’s Anti Gangster Task Force (AGTF) successfully foiled a major terror plot backed by Pakistan’s ISI and orchestrated by Harwinder Rinda, a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative based in Pakistan, with recovery of large cache of terrorist hardware from a forest area in Gurdaspur, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Wednesday.
The recovered cache of terrorist hardware includes two AK-47 rifles along with 16 live cartridges and two magazines, and two P-86 hand grenades.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the recovered consignment was pushed into India by Pakistani agencies and Harwinder Rinda as part of a premeditated plan to carry out attacks at multiple locations in Punjab, aiming to disrupt public peace.
Acting swiftly on human intelligence, AGTF teams under the overall supervision of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) AGTF Promod Ban managed to trace the terrorist hardware consignment from a forest area in Gurdaspur, before it could reach to the operatives of Harwinder Rinda, said the DGP, while adding that further investigations are on to identify the operatives, who supposed to retrieve the consignment.
Sharing more details, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) AGTF Gurmeet Chauhan said that probe has also revealed the involvement of foreign-based terrorists in this Pak-ISI backed module. Recoveries of more arms consignments are likely in coming days, he added.
The DIG said that an FIR under under the relevant sections of the Explosives Act and the Arms Act has been registered at Police Station Purana Shala in Gurdaspur.
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PUNJAB TO TRAIN MEDICAL OFFICERS IN ADVANCED CRITICAL CARE FOR GOLDEN-HOUR EMERGENCIES
— Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh announces Ambitious Training Drive to Revolutionise Health Services in Punjab
— Punjab to get 1,000 new Medical Officers soon: Dr Balbir Singh
— Health Minister also announces state awards for doctors to honour outstanding contributions in medical service
CHANDIGARH, July 9:In a significant move to enhance emergency healthcare services, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Wednesday announced an ambitious plan to train at least two Medical Officers (MOs) per district in advanced critical care at premier institutions, equipping doctors with advanced skills to manage ICU and trauma cases effectively across Punjab.
Presiding over the two-day Training of Trainers (ToT) program on National Health Programs and MLR/PMR for Medical Officers on the concluding day here, Dr Balbir Singh emphasised that this initiative will bridge gaps in emergency care and ensure timely treatment during the "golden hour" – the critical window that often determines patient survival rates.
“Every second counts in saving lives. Punjab will set new benchmarks in golden-hour care, ensuring that no patient is left behind,” he said, while citing the success of the STEMI project, which has drastically reduced cardiac mortality through timely treatment.
The event brought together dedicated doctors from all 23 districts, reinforcing the state’s commitment to accessible, equitable, and high-quality healthcare for all.
Terming doctors as the backbone of the healthcare system, the Health Minister said that their (doctors’) dedication and expertise will shape a healthier and more resilient Punjab. “We are not just treating diseases. We are building a healthcare system that prioritises prevention, timely intervention and compassionate care.”
Emphasising humane treatment of psychiatric patients, including those battling addiction, he said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government is integrating skill development programs with medical care to support recovery and societal reintegration. “Mental health is a priority. We will provide not just treatment but also opportunities for rehabilitation and empowerment,” he affirmed.
Dr Balbir Singh informed that Punjab is all set to recruit 1,000 new Medical Officers, who will undergo specialised induction training before being deployed to rural, border, and remote areas. This initiative aims to bridge the urban-rural healthcare divide and ensure that quality medical services reach every corner of the state, he added.
He said that to enhance capacity, critical care and emergency training programs, Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) are being sent to IIM Ahmedabad to undergo advanced training, while psychiatrists underwent specialised psychiatric care programs at AIIMS, Delhi to integrate mental health services into primary care.
The Health Minister announced the introduction of state awards to honour outstanding contributions in medical service and public health programs. Additionally, Punjab is bolstering its disease surveillance mechanisms through State Working Groups and District Coordination Committees, ensuring swift responses to health threats.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage, the Health Minister emphasised the importance of retaining medical specialists in public service and ensuring the availability of free essential drugs.
Concluding his address, the Health Minister praised the medical fraternity, calling them “the chosen architects of Punjab’s healthcare future.” He reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to innovation, equity, and excellence in health services, setting a bold vision for a healthier Punjab.
Special Secretary Health-cum-MD NHM Ghanshyam Thori, Director Health and Family Welfare Dr Hitinder Kaur, Director Family Welfare Dr Jasminder, Deputy Director Dr Navjot Kaur, Deputy Director Dr Surinderpal Kaur, Principal SIHFW Dr Pommy Chatrath, Dr Amandeep Kaur Warring were also present on the occasion.
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DAY 130 OF YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH: 142 DRUG SMUGGLERS HELD WITH 3.5KG HEROIN, 1.19L DRUG MONEY
— AS PART OF ‘DE-ADDICTION’, PUNJAB POLICE CONVINCE 64 PERSONS TO UNDERGO DE-ADDICTION TREATMENT
CHANDIGARH, July 9:With the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state completed 130 days, Punjab Police on Wednesday arrested 142 drug smugglers and recovered 3.5 kg heroin, 1.5 kg opium and ₹1.19 lakh drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 21,231 in just 130 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 180 Police teams, comprising over 1300 police personnel, under the supervision of 87 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 429 locations across the state leading to the registration of 105 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 455 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 64 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.
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Architecture Department to develop contemporary, public friendly building infrastructure : Harbhajan Singh ETO
Harbhajan Singh ETO Holds Meeting with Officials of the Architecture Department
Chandigarh, July 9, 2025:The Hon’ble Public Works & Power Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO held a review meeting of the Department of Architecture today at Chandigarh. The review included a detailed presentation on the department’s key initiatives, proposed infrastructure improvements, and collaboration with PWD and other Govt. departments on sustainable building designs and urban planning. The review was attended by Chief Architect Sh. Tarun Garg, Addl. Chief Architect Ms. Saroj and other senior functionaries of Architecture Deptt. He took keen interest in the contemporary designs/concepts of stadiums, hospitals and other public buildings, being developed by the deptt. A comprehensive presentation was made on the department’s key initiatives, ongoing architectural projects, upcoming proposals, and its collaboration with PWD on sustainable and innovative building designs.
Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO instructed the department's officials that the design of new government buildings being constructed in the state should be modern and innovative, as well as suitable for the differently-abled. He was also met by newly recruited Asstt. Architects in the department. The Minister exhorted the young officers to work for sustainable , energy efficient & green buildings. Minister also inquired about the difficulties being faced by the architectural deptt. and advised them to approach him directly for any necessity.
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Mann Government Takes Decisive Steps to Make Punjab a Child Marriage-Free State — 119 Cases Prevented: Dr. Baljit Kaur
Dr. Baljit Kaur appeals to people to extend full support to the government in preventing incidents of child marriage
Chandigarh, July 9:Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister, Dr. Baljit Kaur, today said that the Mann Government is making continuous, committed, and result-oriented efforts to make Punjab a child marriage-free state. She informed that a total of 119 cases of child marriage have been successfully prevented through prompt action from 2022 to date.
Providing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that 31 cases were stopped in 2022, 20 in 2023, 42 in 2024, and 26 cases have already been prevented so far in 2025 — reflecting the government’s responsible and proactive measures for safeguarding the future of children in the state.
The Minister emphasized that the Punjab Government is actively running awareness campaigns from village to urban levels to eradicate the social evil of child marriage. She highly appreciated the dedicated work of district-level teams and supporting officers, who are constantly coordinating with village sarpanches, panches, and other prominent personalities to timely prevent such incidents.
Prominent child rights activist and social worker Bhuwan Ribhu also commended Dr. Baljit Kaur in a recent tweet, describing her as a “real hero” and remarked that Punjab is decisively moving towards eliminating the menace of child marriage.
Dr. Baljit Kaur further warned that no person violating child safety and child rights laws will be spared. She instructed officials to not only create awareness in villages and towns about the harmful consequences of child marriage but also inform people about the strict legal provisions and severe penalties against those found involved in such acts.
In conclusion, Dr. Baljit Kaur appealed to the people of Punjab to collectively support the government’s mission to eliminate this social evil. She said, “No mission can succeed without the active participation of people. Together, we will make Punjab a child marriage-free state.”
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MANN GOVT FULFILLS TWO OUT OF 12 PROMISES MADE AT ONSET OF "UDYOG KRANTI" IN LESS THAN MONTH
GOVT GIVES SIGNIFICANT RELIEF TO INDUSTRIALISTS BY ISSUING TWO NOTIFICATIONS RELATED TO INDUSTRIES & COMMERCE AND HOUSING & URBAN DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS
CABINET MINISTERS SANJEEV ARORA AND HARDEEP SINGH MUNDIAN SHARE INFORMATION
Chandigarh, 9 July 2025:Aimed at creating an investment and industry-friendly environment in the state, Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government has fulfilled two out of the 12 promises made on June 12 during the launch of the "Udyog Kranti" in less than a month.
The Mann government has provided significant relief to industrialists by issuing two notifications today related to the Industries & Commerce and Housing and Urban Development departments.
While sharing further details about this achievement at Punjab Bhawan here, Industries and Commerce Minister Sh. Sanjeev Arora and Housing and Urban Development Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that all promises made to industrialists during the Udyog Kranti Conclave by AAP supremo Sh. Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann will be fulfilled at the earliest so that maximum industries can be attracted and established in the state and immense employment opportunities can be created for our youth.
Sh. Sanjeev Arora, while divulging details of Industries and Commerce department notification, informed that our aim to establish a progressive and equitable mechanism for conversion of leasehold industrial plots/ sheds to freehold under the jurisdiction of PSIEC which maximizes the revenue of the state while fostering investor’s confidence and improving the ease of doing business in the state.
Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora highlighted that pre-requisites for conversion from leasehold to freehold plots in which the principal cost of plot along with applicable interest should be fully paid, all other applicable dues like extension fee, land cost enhancement(with applicable interest) etc should be paid up to date and plots should be free from all encumbrances like any other mortgage/lien, legal encumbrances etc.
Furthermore, Sanjeev Arora added that conversion fee for transfer from leasehold to freehold plots shall be 20% of Current Reserve Price(CRP) or Collector Rate whichever is higher. The following remissions shall be allowed:
1) 50% remission(applicable rate 10% of CRP/Collector Rate whichever is higher) to original allottee/lessee where unearned increase clause exists in any title document.
2) 75% remission(applicable rate 5% of CRP/Collector rate whichever is higher) to allottees/lessees where unearned increase or related clause does not find mention in any title document. The conversion charges shall be shared as 90% to the state treasury and the remaining 10% to PSIEC.
3) Unearned increase shall not be separately levied and shall be subsumed within the above conversion fees on industrial plots upon conversion to freehold plots.
4) Transfer fee shall not apply to those who apply for conversion from lease hold to freehold plots under this policy.
5) Conversion of industrial plots from leasehold to freehold shall be permitted on approval of competent authority upon payment of conversion fee.
While sharing details pertaining to the notification related to the Housing and Urban Development Department, S. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that the Cabinet has recently approved significant amendments to Punjab's Conversion Policy, allowing industrial plots to be used for hospitals, hotels, industrial parks and other approved purposes. Previously, the conversion policy was introduced in 2008, 2016 and 2021. However, Industrial Associations had raised objections to certain restrictive conditions of the policy brought in 2021. He mentioned that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann held meetings with industrialists to understand ground realities and gather feedback. Later, a committee was formed by the government reviewed the industrialists' requests and proposed changes applicable to freehold plots.
The Cabinet Minister said that under the amended policy, a conversion charge of 12.5 percent of the reserved price of industrial plots will be applicable. Similarly, a policy for converting leasehold industrial plots and sheds managed by PSIEC to freehold has also been approved.
He informed that these plots and sheds were originally allotted on a leasehold basis, which included complex clauses regarding conversion, causing difficulties in property transactions. He said the purpose of the new policy is to streamline the management of industrial plots, enhance ease of doing business and reduce litigation and uncertainty among allottees.
He said that as per the revised guidelines, specific uses such as Commercial, Hotel, Hospital, Banquet Hall, EWS/Industrial Worker Housing, Hostel/Rental Housing, Office and Institutional uses are now permitted with defined road width requirements, minimum plot sizes and corresponding conversion charges. Conversion charges range from 10% to 50% of the industrial reserve price, depending on the land use type, said the Cabinet Minister, adding that for instance, commercial conversions require a 100-feet-wide road and a minimum plot size of 4000 sq. yds, attracting a 50% charge. The building controls including Ground Coverage, FAR, Height and Parking will continue to be governed by the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Building Rules, 2021 or as amended from time to time.
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TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT UNIONS CALL OFF STRIKE AFTER ASSURANCE FROM FINANCE MINISTER HARPAL SINGH CHEEMA
CHEEMA DIRECTS TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO SUBMIT A CONCRETE PROPOSAL ON UNIONS' DEMANDS TO CABINET SUB-COMMITTEE
Chandigarh, July 9-Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema today directed the Transport Department to hold a meeting with various unions of the department in the next 15 days to consider their demands and submit a concrete report to the Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by him. Following this directive, the striking Transport Department unions announced to withdraw their strike.
The Finance Minister issued these directions during the meeting with the unions at Punjab Bhawan, which lasted for about two hours. The meeting was also attended by Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, Secretary Transport Varun Roojam, Director State Transport-cum-Managing Director PUNBUS Rajiv Gupta, and Managing Director PRTC Bikramjit Singh Shergill.
The Finance Minister was presented with detailed demands and issues by the Punjab Roadways PUNBUS/PRTC Contract Workers Union (25/11) and Punjab Roadways/PUNBUS State Transport Workers Union (1/19). After taking into consideration the demands and issues raised by the union leaders, the Finance Minister directed the Transport Department to resolve the department-level issues as soon as possible and hold a meeting with the union leaders in the next 15 days regarding the main issues of the unions, and submit a concrete report to the Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by him, to facilitate the resolution of legitimate issues.
The Finance Minister assured the union leaders that the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is making every possible effort to resolve the issues of the employees that have been pending for decades. In view of these instructions given by the Finance Minister, the Transport Department unions announced to withdraw the strike.
The meeting was attended by representatives from both unions, including State President Harminder Singh, State General Secretary Gurmukh Singh, Senior Vice President Jaspal Singh Bajwa, and State Cashier Jagdeep Singh from Punjab Roadways/Punbus State Transport Workers Union (1/19), and President Resham Singh Gill, Secretary Shamsher Singh, Senior Vice Presidents Harkesh Kumar, Baljinder Singh, and Jagjit Singh, Vice President Harjinder Singh, Joint Secretary Jagtar Singh, and Cashiers Ramandeep Singh and Baljit Singh from Punjab Roadways/Punbus/PRTC Contract Workers Union (25/11).