CM felicitated for Passing Law to Restart Bull Races in Punjab

Bull Races Return to Punjab After 11 Years – CM

Mahima Singh Wala (Ludhiana), July 29:While announcing the revival of traditional rural sports in Punjab that were fading due to legal restrictions, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stated today that the state government will remove all legal hurdles to promote and preserve the state’s glorious sports heritage.

Addressing the gathering in a function organised by Sports lovers to felicitate a massive gathering of traditional sports lovers, the Chief Minister said that bullock cart races are not just a source of entertainment but represent the glorious cultural heritage of rural Punjab. He said such races have been held in Punjab since ancient times and served as a living connection to our traditions and cultural identity. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru, also practiced farming with bullocks during his time in Kartarpur Sahib.

The Chief Minister said that the ban on bullock cart races not only disheartened lovers of traditional sports, but also dealt a blow to our heritage. He further added that there had been growing demand from Punjabis to bring a new law so that these traditional games can be revived. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that on July 11, 2025, the historic ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2025’ was passed unanimously in the Punjab Assembly.

The Chief Minister envisioned that this law will not only help in preserving indigenous animal breeds in Punjab but also pave the way for resuming bullock cart races. He said that the law now awaits the consent of the President of India, after which the races can be officially conducted again. Speaking about the new legislation, Bhagwant Singh Mann explained that its primary objective is to ensure safety measures for animals participating in sports, including veterinary supervision, safety standards, registration and documentation, and penalties for violations—so that no cruelty is inflicted upon voiceless animals.

The CM also announced that the government will explore possibilities of reviving pigeon flying competitions as well. Referring to the sports festival held at Kila Raipur village, he said that the games which began in 1933 are popularly known as “Mini Olympics” or “Rural Olympics”. Bhagwant Singh Mann said these games have received international recognition, having been covered by BBC, Discovery Channel, and others adding that even Presidents of India have attended these games in the past.

Thanking the public for their overwhelming support in the government’s war against drugs, the Chief Minister emphasized that drug abuse is not limited to one house or district, but affects the entire state. He said many young people in Punjab have fallen prey to drugs adding those who laid the pyres of youth are the real enemies of society and they will not be spared at any cost. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that those affluent leaders who were behind the genocide of youth have already been put behind the bars adding that the campaign to demolish the houses of drug smugglers with bulldozers will continue in coming days too.

The Chief Minister questioned Captain Amarinder Singh for showing concern over the human rights of the kingpin of the entire drug trade currently lodged in Nabha jail, asking why such concern was never shown for the people of Punjab. He implied that this has exposed the real face of these leaders who have spread and patronised drug trade across the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Captain’s nephew started drug trade in Akali regime when he was Minister and it bloomed with the former Congress leader, now in BJP became the Chief Minister.

Talking about irrigation, the Chief Minister shared that when he assumed office, only 21% of agricultural land across state was irrigated using canal water, but today that figure has increased to 63%. He said that due to the government’s effective efforts, for the first time in history, canal and river water is reaching the tail-end villages of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab government is duty bound to save the water of the state and no stone is being left unturned for it.

The Chief Minister also mentioned that uninterrupted electricity is being provided for paddy cultivation, and for the first time, due to surplus water availability, farmers are switching off their tube wells. He stated that Punjab Government has made history by purchasing the privately-owned Govindwal Power Plant adding that this is the first time a government has bought a private power plant, reversing the past trend where governments sold public assets to their cronies at throwaway prices. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that as per its duty, the state government has renamed the plant after the third Sikh Guru, Guru Amar Das Ji.

Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian and Hardeep Singh Mundian and other dignitaries.

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PUNJAB GOVT DECLARES GAZETTED HOLIDAY ON JULY 31st TO MARK MARTYRDOM DAY OF SHAHEED UDHAM SINGH

• Bhawanigarh-Sunam-Bhikhi-Kotshamir road named as ‘Shaheed Udham Singh Marg’, announces Aman Arora

Chandigarh, July 29-In a significant move to honour the legacy of Shaheed Udham Singh Ji and fulfil the long-standing demand of the Kamboj community, the Punjab Government has declared a gazetted holiday on July 31st to commemorate the martyrdom day of the legendary freedom fighter, stated Mr. Aman Arora, AAP State President and Cabinet Minister, Punjab.

While addressing the press conference here at Punjab Bhawan, on Tuesday, Mr. Aman Arora informed that the state government has also decided to name the Bhawanigarh-Sunam-Bhikhi-Kotshamir road as “Shaheed Udham Singh Marg”. The Punjab Government would organise a state-level function at Sunam, the birthplace of Shaheed Udham Singh, to commemorate the martyrdom day of the legendary Indian revolutionary freedom fighter. AAP National Convener Sh. Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann will officially name the road after Shaheed Udham Singh on July 31st during the function.

He also expressed his gratitude towards Sh. Arvind Kejriwal and S. Bhagwant Singh Mann for honouring the legacy of Shaheed Udham Singh Ji, a great freedom fighter who avenged the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in London.

Meanwhile, Mr. Aman Arora also urged the Central Government to name the Patiala-Bhawanigarh road after Shaheed Udham Singh Ji. He further informed that this matter is also being taken up with Union Govt by CM Mann to pay fitting tribute to the great revolutionary.

Jalalabad MLA Mr. Jagdeep Kamboj Goldy and Punjab State BC Commission Chairman Dr. Malkiat Singh Thind also expressed their sincere gratitude to Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for meeting the Kamboj community's long-standing demands. They lauded Aman Arora's relentless efforts in ensuring the fulfilment of these demands, honouring the martyrs' sacrifices and bringing pride to Punjab and India.

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Mann Government rescues 5 more children from begging; 208 children given a new life so far: Dr. Baljit Kaur

Project JEEVANJYOT-2 moves Punjab a step closer to a child begging-free and 'Rangla Punjab'

Public urged to fully support the State’s mission to end child begging

Chandigarh, July 29:With the firm resolve that no child in Punjab should live on the streets, beg for survival, or suffer exploitation, the Punjab Government under Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann has rescued a total of 208 children from begging under the ongoing campaign Project JEEVANJYOT-2.

In the latest statewide action involving 20 special checks and raids, 5 more children were rescued and provided relief.

Sharing this information, Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development, stated that “JEEVANJYOT aims to lift children from the streets into the system of education and protection.”

Dr. Kaur informed that today, special operations were conducted in Barnala, Bathinda, Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Hoshiarpur, and Jalandhar. Additional checks were carried out in Kapurthala, Mansa, Malerkotla, Moga, Patiala, Rupnagar, Sangrur, SAS Nagar, SBS Nagar, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Tarn Taran.

One child each was rescued from Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Rupnagar, Sangrur, and Sri Muktsar Sahib.

The Minister further informed that in 3 cases, after counseling and documentation verification, the children were reunited with their parents under strict warning that such exploitation must not happen again. Two other children have been safely placed in child care institutions.

Dr. Kaur reiterated that any parent found repeating such behaviour would face strict legal action.

No case requiring DNA testing was reported in today’s rescue operations. She praised the prompt and sensitive action of the district Child Protection Teams and District Child Welfare Committees.

Dr. Baljit Kaur made an earnest appeal to the public to actively support the government's efforts to build a child begging-free and 'Rangla Punjab'.

“If you see a child begging anywhere, immediately inform Child Helpline 1098 or the local administration,” she urged.

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