SP Oswal from Vardhman Textile, Sandeep Jain from Monte Carlo and Rajnish Gupta from Bala Ji Dyeing to head first three committees

Punjab Government notifies three sector specific committees to suggest broad counters for reforming textile sector, says Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora

Chandigarh, July 23:Punjab Cabinet Minister Sh. Sanjeev Arora today informed that three committees have been notified for getting suggestions to pave the way in bringing further improvements in industrial policy and ease of doing business in Punjab. In this regard, Spinning and Weaving sector committee has been setup under the Chairmanship of Sh. S P Oswal from Vardhman Textiles. Similarly, Apparels, Dyeing & Finishing Units sector’s committee has been established under the chairmanship of Sh. Sandeep Jain from Monte Carlo Fashions Ltd, Ludhiana and Sh. Rajnish Gupta from Bala ji Dyeing.

He further highlighted that the details of the members pertaining to all three committees are as under:

(a) Spinning and Weaving Committee

SP Oswal

Chairman

Vardhman Textile

ADC (General) Ludhiana

Member Secretary

Government

Abhishek Gupta

Member

Trident Ltd, Barnala

Amit Jain

Member

CII (Punjab State Council), MD Shingora Textiles Ltd Ludhiana

Amit Thapar

Member

CII North India Export Promotion Committee - Chairman/WWE EPC - Board Member

K. K. Sharma

Member

Amritsar Textiles & Processors Association

Kamal Dalmia

Member

Navneet Synthetic Pvt. Ltd., Amritsar

Priyanka Goyal

Member

Associated Industrial Association, Daburjee Rd., Amritsar

Ravinder Khanna

Member

Tarpex Wool Thread LLP

Sachin Khanna

Member

Swadeshi Woolen MIlls

Sambhav Oswal

Member

Nahar Spinning Mills

Sidharth Khanna

Member

Arisudana Industries

(b) Apparels Committee

Sandeep Jain

Chairman

Monte Carlo Fashions Ltd, Ludhiana

ADC (General) Ludhiana

Member Secretary

Government

Arnav Saluja

Member

Saluja Group

Harbajan Singh

Member

Jawand Sons

Mahesh Khanna

Member

Shakti Corporation

Mandip Dua

Member

KG Exports

Manish Awasthi

Member

Sports King

Saurabh Kejriwal

Member

Subash Politex

Sudhir Kumar Jain

Member

Jain International Trade Organisation, Ludhiana

Ujwal Garg

Member

Garg Acrylic Pvt. Ltd.

Varun Mittal

Member

Kudu Knitwear

Vinod Thapar

Member

Knitwear & Textile Club, Ludhiana

Yuvraj Arora

Member

Octave, Ludhiana

(c) Dyeing and Finishing Units Committee

Rajnish Gupta

Chairman

Bala ji Dyeing

ADC (General) Ludhiana

Member Secretary

Government

Abhinav Oswal

Member

Nahar Industrial Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.

Ashok Makkar

Member

Punjab Dyer Association, Ludhiana

Bobby Jindal

Member

Sri Balaji Processor

DC Chawla

Member

Rossy wollen Hosiery

Dk Ramapal

Member

Ramal deying

Mandeep Singh

Member

Punjab Dyeing Association

Rahul Verma

Member

Gulab Dyeing

Sanchit Sood

Member

Oriental Textile

Subhansu Gupta

Member

Om Processor

Subhash Saini

Member

Bhadurke dyeing Association

The core task for each of the committees will be to provide the Government with a structured set of inputs for a customised industrial framework/policy for their specific sector keeping in mind Punjab's unique industrial eco system along with structural and fiscal context. For this the committee should examine policies and frameworks of all other relevant states in the country and thus develop a 'best-in-class' policy framework for Punjab. The committees shall submit these recommendations in writing by 1st October 2025, he added.

Each committee will be having a Chairperson and some members from the industry. However more members may be added at the discretion of the Government. Members will be diverse in size, scale, and geography to ensure all views are tabled during discussions. Members will also represent different sub- segments of the overall sector, he said.

Secretariat support to each committee shall be provided by the Member-Secretary of the Committee as noted above, who shall also be in-charge of organizing the meetings of the Committee and preparing the minutes. General Manager District Industries Centre (GM DIC) from Department of Industries & Commerce and the relevant Sector Officer from Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion (PBIP) shall assist the Committee with relevant administrative support, as necessary.

--------------

PUNJAB WITNESSES 11.86% RISE IN AREA UNDER DSR: KHUDIAN

• Area under DSR to enhance further as paddy sowing still ongoing, says Agriculture Minister

Chandigarh, July 23:In a significant advancement of Punjab Government's efforts to conserve groundwater through sustainable agricultural practices, the Punjab has seen 11.86% increase in area dedicated to Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) as compared to the previous year, revealed S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Punjab.

Divulging details, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian informed that paddy has been sown using water-conserving DSR technique at over 2.83 lakh acres so far this year, up from 2.53 lakh acres in last year. He expressed hope that the area under DSR will rise further as paddy sowing is still going on.

The Agriculture Minister said that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government has been offering Rs. 1,500 per acre to farmers adopting the water-saving Direct Seeding of Rice method. He further informed that the financial assistance was transferred into the bank accounts of 24,032 farmers who adopted the DSR technique during the Kharif season 2024.

S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian reaffirmed the CM Mann-led Punjab Government's commitment of encouraging farmers to adopt water-conserving and sustainable agricultural practices in the state. He also congratulated the Agriculture department officials for promoting the water saving method.

The Administrative Secretary Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Dr. Basant Garg stated that the Agriculture department has taken various proactive steps to promote the Direct Seeding of Rice. The department has been organising awareness campaigns and farmer training camps to provide hands-on knowledge, besides conducting field demonstrations to showcase the technique's effectiveness and sensitise farmers about the advantages of DSR.

======================================

₹22.97 Crore Released for 4503 Beneficiaries Under Ashirwad Scheme: Dr. Baljit Kaur

Minister says – Daughters from 15 districts to benefit from marriage assistance grant

Chandigarh, July 23:Dr. Baljit Kaur, Punjab Cabinet Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, today informed that the Punjab Government has released an amount of ₹22.97 crore under the Ashirwad Scheme during the current financial year 2025-26 to benefit 4503 girls belonging to Scheduled Castes.

Providing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the applications of 4503 Scheduled Caste beneficiaries from districts Amritsar, Barnala, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Mansa, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Patiala, Pathankot, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar, Sangrur, Malerkotla, and Tarn Taran were received on the Ashirwad Portal during the current year. To support these applicants, ₹22.97 crore has been disbursed.

Giving a breakdown of the financial assistance, the Minister said that 1268 beneficiaries from Amritsar, 107 from Barnala, 343 from Faridkot, 193 from Fatehgarh Sahib, 57 from Gurdaspur, and 668 from Hoshiarpur have received aid.

Similarly, 286 beneficiaries from Mansa, 255 from Sri Muktsar Sahib, 349 from Patiala, 55 from Pathankot, 196 from Rupnagar, 266 from SAS Nagar, 155 from Sangrur, 37 from Malerkotla, and 268 from Tarn Taran have been covered under the scheme.

Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that under the Ashirwad Scheme, the Punjab Government provides a financial assistance of ₹51,000 for the marriage of girls belonging to low-income families.

She further said that to avail benefits under the scheme, the applicant must be a permanent resident of Punjab, belong to a family living below the poverty line, and must be from Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, or other economically weaker sections. The annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹32,790. Up to two daughters from an eligible family can avail benefits under the scheme.

The Cabinet Minister added that the financial assistance is directly transferred to the beneficiaries' bank accounts through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). She emphasized that the Punjab Government is working diligently to uplift the living standards of all sections of society and to strengthen them economically.

Dr. Baljit Kaur concluded by stating that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is committed to the welfare of all sections, especially Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, and economically weaker groups.

==============================================

20 Vulnerable Child Beggars Rescued in One Day Across 15 Districts Under Project JIWANJYOT 2.0:-Dr Baljit Kaur

Punjab Government Achieves Milestone: 169 Children Rescued in Just 7 Days – Dr. Baljit Kaur

Strict Ground-Level Action Reflects Zero Child Begging Cases at Several Locations

Chandigarh, July 23:Under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government continues to take strong and impactful steps to ensure child rights and protection. As part of its ambitious Project JIWANJYOT 2.0, 20 child beggars were rescued today during special rescue operations carried out across 15 districts of the state. With today’s action, the total number of children rescued within just seven days has reached 169. This was disclosed by Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur.

Sharing further details, Dr. Kaur stated that the District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) of the Social Security Department conducted special drives at 29 locations across the districts of Barnala, Bathinda, Fatehgarh Sahib, Fazilka, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Mansa, Malerkotla, Moga, Patiala, and Rupnagar. Similar operations were also conducted in Sangrur, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Tarn Taran.

The Minister highlighted that due to systematic and strict ground-level enforcement of the campaign, several locations reported zero instances of children being found begging—an encouraging sign of the initiative’s effectiveness.

Of the 20 children rescued today, identity verification enabled 9 to be safely reunited with their families, while 6 children were placed in designated Child Care Institutions for safety and rehabilitation. Documentation for the remaining 5 children is currently under verification.

Dr. Baljit Kaur confirmed that no FIRs were registered in today’s cases, nor was there any immediate requirement for DNA testing. However, if required, DNA testing will be conducted based on the outcome of documentation verification.

Emphasizing the broader vision of the campaign, Dr. Kaur stated, “The Punjab Government is not only focused on eradicating child begging from the state but is equally committed to ensuring that rescued children are provided with quality education and integrated into the mainstream of society.”

She further directed the DCPUs to take strict legal action against any parents or guardians who continue to force their children into begging despite repeated warnings.

Dr. Baljit Kaur also made a heartfelt appeal to the public to support the government’s mission to eliminate child begging. She urged citizens to report such instances immediately by calling the Child Helpline at 1098.

----------

Jasvir Singh Garhi Visits Dr. Ambedkar Library at Bombay Hill

Chandigarh / Auckland, July 23:Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission, Chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi, visited the Dr. Ambedkar Library located at Sri Guru Ravidas Temple, Bombay Hill, Auckland, during his ongoing visit to New Zealand.

On the occasion, Mr. Garhi stated that the library is playing a significant role in connecting migrant Punjabi children with the Punjabi language. He emphasized that preserving and promoting the mother tongue is essential to passing Punjabi culture on to future generations.

He further noted that while the Sri Guru Ravidas Temple at Bombay Hill inspires people to follow the teachings of the Gurus, the library not only serves as a source of knowledge but also fosters a strong connection to cultural roots.

He was accompanied by President Nirmaljit Singh Bhatti, Vice President Malkiat Singh Sahota, General Secretary Hans Raj Kataria, Assistant Secretary Palwinder Singh, Treasurer Pradeep Kumar Chezar, Assistant Treasurer Surinder Kumar, Auditor Pankaj Kumar, and Members Piara Rattu, Ravinder Singh Jhammat, Kulwinder Singh Jhammat, Jaswinder Sandhu, and Karnail Badhan.

-----------

MP Sant Seechewal Writes a letter to Rajya Sabha Vice Chairman to Recognize Komagata Maru Ship as 'Guru Nanak Jahaj in History

Requests for National Commemoration on July 23 Every Year

New Delhi/Chandigarh, 23rd July-Rajya Sabha member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal has written a letter to the Vice Chairman of Rajya Sabha to recognize the Komagata Maru ship as the 'Guru Nanak Jahaj(ship)' in history and to commemorate July 23 every year on a national level. In his letter, he mentioned that 111 years ago, on July 23, 1914, the Guru Nanak Jahaj departed from Canada to return to India. The ship reached Kolkata's Bajbaj Ghat on September 29, 1914, where the British government opened fire, martyring 19 passengers.



Baba Gurdit Singh Ji had boarded the Komagata Maru ship to travel from Hong Kong to Vancouver, Canada. The ship left Hong Kong on April 4, 1914, and reached the shores of Vancouver on May 23, 1914. However, the Canadian authorities refused to allow the passengers to disembark, even though the ship met all the required conditions. After standing at the Canadian seashore for two months, the ship departed Canada on July 23, 1914. Baba Gurdit Singh Ji had made the decision to send the ship to Canada because the Canadian government had imposed a ban on the entry of Indians.



MP Sant Seechewal stated that the ship, which is recorded in history as "Komagata Maru," was actually named 'Guru Nanak Jahaj.' The Ghadar Sikh leader Baba Gurdit Singh Ji, who was aboard the ship, had registered the ship through the company named Guru Nanak Steamship. The ship also carried the Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the Sangat performed Shabad Kirtan on board. There were a total of 376 passengers on the ship, including 340 Sikhs, 12 Hindus, and 24 Muslims. The tickets for the ship were marked with the name 'Guru Nanak Jahaj.'



The book written by Baba Gurdit Singh Ji, "The Heartbreaking Story of the Passengers of Sri Guru Nanak Jahaj," is a rare document of this event. Similarly, historian Dr. Gurdev Singh Siddhu's book "Sri Guru Nanak Jahaj (Komagata Maru Ship: A Contemporary Account)" also reveals that the ship was named 'Guru Nanak Jahaj.'

Sant Seechewal, through his letter, strongly urged that the ship be remembered in history as 'Guru Nanak Jahaj,' and that a resolution be passed in the Rajya Sabha to honor the martyrs who were aboard the ship.

------------

Vigilance Bureau nabs Assistant Sub Inspector red-handed accepting Rs 12000 bribe

Chandigarh, July 23, 2025 – Continuing its ongoing relentless drive against corruption in the state, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), has arrested an Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Jagtar Singh, posted at Police Station Sadar, Sangrur, red-handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs. 12,000.

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 Sangrur district.

He further added that the complainant has approached the VB alleging that he has been granted bail by the high court but the said ASI had demanded Rs 15,000 bribe to join him the investigation into this case. In addition to this, he has demanded Rs 20000 more to return the equipment confiscated from his house during the search.

The spokesperson informed that after verification of this complaint, a VB team from Patiala range laid a trap and apprehended ASI Jagtar Singh while he was accepting Rs 12000 as a bribe from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses.

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. Further investigation into this case was under progress, he said.

-----------

ISpecial Meeting by Deputy Speaker to Organize Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh National Marathon as Part of Ongoing War Against Drugs Campaign

Chandigarh, July 23, 2025-Continuing the ongoing war against drugs, a special meeting was convened today by Shri Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, Deputy Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, to organize the Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh National Marathon as part of the anti-drug campaign.



The Deputy Speaker stated that under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann, a statewide campaign against drugs is being run to save Punjab’s youth, secure their future, and restore Punjab’s glory as a vibrant, joyful, and sports-loving state. Today’s special meeting was convened in this context, and he expressed confidence that every Punjabi would wholeheartedly support this initiative of the government.



He informed that as part of the ongoing anti-drug campaign, a state-level Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh National Marathon will be organized on September 27, 2025, at Mahilpur (Garhshankar), District Hoshiarpur, also known as the nursery of football in Punjab. This meeting was specifically called to plan for this state-level event, and he added that the preparations would only be successful with the cooperation of the concerned departments. He also shared that SRSF NGO is extending its support for this marathon.



The Deputy Speaker highlighted that the Hon’ble Chief Minister had taken his oath at Khatkar Kalan, the birthplace of Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, and every year, a state-level event is held there on the birth anniversary of Shaheed-e-Azam. This year as well, a state-level program will be held on September 28, 2025, and in connection with this, the marathon dedicated to Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh is being organized a day earlier on September 27, 2025.



He mentioned that during this period, World Tourism Day is also celebrated, and hence, the idea is to align this state-level program with both World Tourism Day and the birth anniversary of Shaheed-e-Azam, making it a remarkable and purposeful event.



He added that Shaheed Bhagat Singh dreamed of a healthy and strong nation where every youth would be dedicated to the country. Keeping his vision in mind, it is our duty to eradicate drugs and organize such initiatives to build a better society. He said that this marathon would encourage youth to stay away from drugs, run for a drug-free Punjab, promote sports participation among them, and foster a spirit of patriotism.



The Deputy Speaker informed that the marathon will include different categories of 5 km, 10 km, 21 km, and 42 km, allowing children, youth, elderly, and disabled persons to participate. Winners will be honored with various awards to encourage participation. A “Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh Sports Icon Award” will also be presented by Punjab. Schools, colleges, and universities will be involved in this program, with prominent personalities who have brought laurels to India and abroad being invited to participate.



He emphasized that for the success of this state-level event, cooperation will be sought from the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Department of Tourism, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Department of School Education, and Department of Higher Education, alongside the Department of Sports and Youth Services. Attendees of the meeting included, Shri Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, Deputy Speaker, Shri Parminder Singh Goldy, Chairman, Punjab Youth Development Board, Shri Sarvjit Singh (IAS), Special Chief Secretary, Sports and Youth Services

Shri Abhinav Trikha (IAS), Secretary, Tourism Department, Dr. S.P. Anand Kumar (IAS), Special Secretary, Sports and Youth Services, Smt. Deepti Uppal (IAS), Special Secretary, Local Government, Smt. Ashika Jain, Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur

Shri Sandeep Kumar Malik (IPS), Hoshiarpur, Shri A.K. Kalpana, Additional Secretary, School Education

Shri Prashotam Kumar, Deputy Secretary, General Administration, Shri Deepankar Garg, Deputy Secretary, General Administration, Dr. Ajitpal Singh, Joint Director, Sports and Youth Services, Dr. Hitinder Kaur, Director, Health Services, Dr. Sandeep, State Project Officer, Mental Health and De-addiction, Shri Vimal Kumar Sethia, Director, Information and Public Relations, Punjab

Sundeep Singh Gada, Additional Director (Admin), Information and Public Relations, Joint Principal Secretary to CM Punjab, Shri Arvinder Singh, Principal Harbhajan Singh Sporting Club, Mahilpur, Dr. Parminder Singh, Principal, SGGS Khalsa College, Mahilpur



Dr. Basant Garg, Nodal Officer, Anti-Drug Campaign, Dr. Sajan Sharma, SRSF, Shri Mohit Bansal, SRSF, Shri Lakshya Bharti, SRSF, Shri Ram Lok Khatana, Secretary, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Shri Mohit Attri, Public Relations Officer, Deputy Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha

----------

DAY 144 OF YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH: 130 DRUG SMUGGLERS HELD WITH 2KG HEROIN

— AS PART OF ‘DE-ADDICTION’, PUNJAB POLICE CONVINCE 64 PERSONS TO UNDERGO DE-ADDICTION TREATMENT

CHANDIGARH, July 23: 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 144 days, Punjab Police on Wednesday arrested 130 drug smugglers and recovered 2 kg heroin, 500 grams opium and Rs 62,580 drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 23,168 in just 144 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 1400 police personnel, under the supervision of 86 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 444 locations across the state leading to the registration of 98 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 469 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.

-------------

DRIVE AGAINST CORRUPTION: CONSUMER COURT READER ARRESTED TAKING RS 50000 BRIBE

Chandigarh July 23, 2025 : The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its drive against corruption in the state has arrested Varinder Goyal, posted as Reader to President, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Tarn Taran, while he was receiving a bribe of Rs 50000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the said accused has been apprehended based on a complaint filed by a resident of village Deo, in Tarn Taran district.

He further added that the complaint has approached the VB alleging that her husband was an ASI who had expired in an accident in the year 2022. A case for compensation amounting to Rs 30,00,000 was approved by Punjab Police Department and sent to HDFC Bank for payment. Afterwards, the bank refused to pay the said compensation on flimsy grounds and she lodged a case in District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Tarn Taran.

The spokesperson informed that the aforementioned accused has demanded 10 percent of the compensation amounting to Rs 300,000 as a bribe to help in getting the judgement in her favour. After preliminary verification of this complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused was caught red handed while accepting first instalment of bribe of Rs 50,000 in presence of two official witnesses. In this regard a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the aforesaid accused at VB police station Amritsar range. The accused would be produced before the competent court tomorrow and further investigation into this case was under progress, he said.

-----------

Punjab Government Prioritising Welfare of Ex-Servicemen : Mohinder Bhagat

Says, State Government Focused on Expanding Employment Avenues


Chandigarh, July 23:The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to the welfare of ex-servicemen and is actively ensuring their economic stability and dignified resettlement. Defence Services Welfare Minister Mr Mohinder Bhagat has instructed officers to take concrete measures to further strengthen the Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO) and expand employment avenues for ex-servicemen and their families.



While presiding over a review meeting at the Punjab Civil Secretariat, Mr Bhagat comprehensively assessed PESCO’s progress, financial status, and staff welfare initiatives. The meeting remained focused on enhancing the role of PESCO in generating sustainable job opportunities for ex-servicemen.



During the meeting, Managing Director Major General Harmandeep Singh (Retd.) and General Manager (Security) S.P. Singh briefed the Minister on ongoing schemes and initiatives. A three-month performance report was presented, covering key aspects such as the salary structure of security guards, proposals for wage revision under special categories, improvements in the recruitment process for ex-servicemen, and the proposal to extend the re-employment age limit of ex-servicemen up to 65 years.

Mr. Bhagat reiterated that the State Government is fully dedicated to protecting the dignity and welfare of ex-servicemen and their families.