Will Ensure Exemplary Punishment for Those Behind Threat Emails to Sri Harmandir Sahib: Vows CM

Says Forces Behind This Unpardonable Crime Will Be Exposed Soon

Pays Obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Prays for Peace, Progress, and Prosperity in the State

Amritsar, July 22 :Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday vowed to ensure exemplary punishment for the perpetrators behind the unpardonable crime of sending threatening emails related to Sri Harmandir Sahib.

“People from across the globe visit this sacred place and pray for the progress and security of their families and friends. How can we allow anyone to issue threats to this holy place?” said the Chief Minister after paying obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib.

The Chief Minister stated that the state government is thoroughly investigating the matter and has obtained vital clues. He assured that the case would be resolved soon, as the police have already identified the culprits. Scientific verification is underway, and details will be shared upon its completion, added Bhagwant Singh Mann.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the government remains vigilant about the security of this sacred place, which is visited by millions of devotees daily. He added that the state government has also asked the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for any significant leads in the case. Bhagwant Singh Mann noted that an eagle eye is being kept on the entire situation adding that security in the holy city has already been beefed up.

The Chief Minister urged pilgrims not to panic, assuring them that the Punjab Police is fully alert and capable of handling such matters.

He affirmed that the culprits will not be able to hide anywhere in the world and that the state government will ensure the severest possible punishment for them. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is the bounden duty of the state government and no stone will be left unturned for it.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister paid obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib and prayed to the Almighty for peace, progress, and prosperity in the state. He said that not only Sikhs, but every Punjabi draws strength from this land blessed by the great Gurus. Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed hope that the spirit of communal harmony, peace, and brotherhood continues to strengthen in Punjab, and that the state leads the country in every sphere.

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Land Pooling Scheme: Farmers to Receive ₹1 Lakh Annually from Punjab Government – CM

Led by CM Punjab Cabinet approves amendments to Land Pooling Policy 2025

Farmers to receive ₹1 lakh per year until land is developed

This amount will increase by 10% every year

Previous governments gave only ₹20,000 – Mann government increases it fivefold

Letter of Intent to be issued within 21 days; no restriction on sale or purchase of land

Farmers can continue farming until development begins and will also receive ₹50,000 annually

Chandigarh, July 22:In a major decision under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday approved several farmer-friendly amendments to the Land Pooling Policy-2025.

The most significant highlight of these amendments is that farmers will now receive an annual livelihood allowance of ₹1 lakh until their land is developed — a fivefold increase compared to the ₹20,000 given by previous governments.

The government has also assured long-term support by announcing a 10% annual increment in this ₹1 lakh amount. To ensure faster and more transparent processes, the government will now issue a Letter of Intent (LOI) to farmers within 21 days. For the convenience of farmers, the LOI can be sold or used to obtain loans. Furthermore, until development work actually begins, farmers can continue cultivating their land and will receive an additional ₹50,000 per year from the government.

Throughout the process, there will be no restrictions on the sale or purchase of land. Farmers will be free to buy, sell, or register their land at any time.

It is worth mentioning that to further streamline land acquisition by the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authorities (PUDA) and other special development authorities, the Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday approved amendments to the Land Pooling Policy 2025.

These amendments aim to make the land collecting process by the Department of Housing and Urban Development more efficient, inclusive, and attractive. The Punjab Government had earlier introduced the Land Pooling Policy 2025 to involve landowners, promoters, and companies as stakeholders in urban development and to encourage participation in land pooling. To gather feedback for the policy, the state government conducted several meetings with sarpanches of various villages, representatives of different unions, and farmers.

Based on the suggestions received, amendments have now been incorporated into the policy to make it more progressive, rational, and development-oriented. As per the amended policy, landowners whose land is taken will be offered an alternative of 125 square yards of residential land and 25 square yards of commercial land per kanal of land. Additionally, the department will issue a Letter of Intent (LOI), enabling landowners to obtain bank loans.

Furthermore, upon issuing the LOI, the department will provide landowners with a lump sum of ₹50,000 as a subsistence allowance. After taking the possession landowners will be paid an annual payment of ₹1,00,000. This annual amount will increase at a rate of 10% per year, starting from the date of taking land until the developed plots are handed over to the respective parties.

It was also decided that no charges other than External Development Charges (EDC) will be levied in the case of land pooling involving 50 acres or more. Additionally, landowners surrendering commercial land will receive three times residential area in return. For example, if a farmer contributing one acre opts out of a 200-square-yard commercial plot, they will instead receive a 600-square-yard residential plot. In such a case, the farmer will be allotted a total of 1,600 square yards of residential land in the urban estate for each acre contributed.

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GURMEET SINGH KHUDIAN HANDS OVER JOB LETTERS TO 8 YOUTH IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY DEPT

• 942 vacancies including 326 Veterinary Officers, filled by CM Mann led regime

• 19 class-four employees promoted to clerical level

• Animal Husbandry Minister extends congratulations to newly appointed & promoted employees

Chandigarh, July 22:Punjab Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, on Tuesday, handed over appointment letters to five Veterinary Inspectors, two stenographer-cum-typist and one Enumerator here at his office, taking the total number of recruitments in the department to 942 since March 2022.

Notably, 326 Veterinary Officers, 545 Veterinary Inspectors and 63 group C posts have been filled since the Aam Aadmi Party led Punjab Government came into power in the state.

Congratulating the newly appointed officials, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian implored them to serve the people of Punjab with diligence and full dedication reiterating, honesty and seamless service delivery, as the top priority of the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government. He emphasised that hard work is a key for success in life.

Meanwhile, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian also extended congratulations to 19 class-4 employees, who have been promoted to the clerical level.

Director Animal Husbandry Dr. Paramdeep Singh Walia and other senior officials were also present on this occasion.

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Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Portal to Reopen Soon for 2025-26 — Target to Benefit 2.70 Lakh Students: Dr. Baljit Kaur

Free-ship Cards to Ease Admissions for New Students — ₹267.54 Crore Disbursed in 2024-25

Chandigarh, July 22:Under the able leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is actively working towards the upliftment of all sections of society. In particular, the government is making dedicated efforts to bring Scheduled Caste (SC) students into the mainstream through educational empowerment. This was stated by Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities.

Dr. Baljit Kaur announced that the Dr. Ambedkar Post-Matric Scholarship Portal is being opened for the academic year 2025-26 to facilitate the process of providing financial assistance to Scheduled Caste students. Eligible students will soon be able to submit their applications online through the portal.

The Minister informed that the government has set a target to benefit 2.70 lakh students under this scheme in 2025-26. Under the scheme, Free-ship Cards are issued to new students, allowing them to secure admission in affiliated institutions with exemption from tuition fees as per the prescribed norms.

She further informed that during 2024-25, the target was set at 2.60 lakh students, and a total of 2,60,015 applications were received through the portal. Out of these, 2,37,456 cases were found eligible, and the Punjab Government released ₹267.54 crore as its share towards the scholarship disbursement.

Dr. Baljit Kaur reiterated that the Punjab Government is fully committed to the educational, economic, and social development of SC students. Instructions have been issued to all district authorities, educational institutions, and implementing Departments to ensure that the scheme reaches the maximum number of students so that no eligible student is left out of the scholarship benefits.

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Mohinder Bhagat directs officers to expedite recruitment process for 111 HDOs

Chandigarh, July 22:The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is making determined efforts to expand horticulture across the state and enhance the income of farmers. In this regard, Horticulture Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat today held a meeting with senior officials of the Horticulture Department at the Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh.

During the meeting, the Minister reviewed ongoing departmental activities and directed the officers to accelerate the recruitment process for 111 Horticulture Development Officers (HDOs).

Sharing further details, the Minister said that the recruitment of these officers is aimed at providing better technical guidance to farmers, encouraging crop diversification, and promoting sustainable farming practices.

Earlier, Director Horticulture Mrs. Shailender Kaur briefed the Minister on the current status of the recruitment process .She assured that all necessary steps are being taken to complete the recruitment in a transparent and time-bound manner. She also apprised the Minister of other administrative matters during the meeting.

The Minister further said that the Punjab Government is fully committed to promote farmer-centric policies and modernizing the horticulture sector to make it more profitable and farmer-friendly. He added that clear instructions have been issued to ensure complete transparency throughout the recruitment process.