CM Pays Obeisance at Gurudwara Sri Katalgarh Sahib

Prays for Peace, Progress, and Prosperity in the State

Chamkaur Sahib (Ropar), August 2 :Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday paid obeisance at Gurudwara Sri Katalgarh Sahib and prayed for peace, progress, and prosperity in the state.

The Chief Minister also prayed that the ethos of communal harmony, peace, and brotherhood continue to be strengthened with each passing day and that Punjab leads the nation in every sphere. Bhagwant Singh Mann said he feels blessed to have the opportunity to serve the people of Punjab and usher in a new era of unprecedented development and progress. He added that his government is following in the footsteps of the great Sikh Gurus to serve the people and is committed to further accelerating the state’s development.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the state government draws its sense of responsibility and spirit of service towards state from the teachings of the great Sikh Gurus. He expressed hope that, with Waheguru’s blessings, Punjab will continue to lead the country across all domains. Bhagwant Singh Mann described his visit as a divine experience, especially as it was made at the sacred site where the Sahibzadas of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji attained martyrdom.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister stated that the government will ensure the holistic development of this holy land, and all necessary efforts are underway. He assured that no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause, as the government is duty-bound to develop this place of immense historical and spiritual significance. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that meticulous planning has already been completed, and implementation will begin soon.

Responding to a query, the Chief Minister highlighted that the government has already introduced a new and progressive Land Pooling Policy in the state to promote planned and sustainable development. He assured that feedback from all stakeholders, including farmers, will be further taken into account. Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated that this is a people’s government, and every decision is made in consultation with the public.

Addressing another question, the Chief Minister alleged that gangsters were patronized by Congress leaders in the past, which emboldened criminal elements. He noted that those very Congress leaders are now facing threats to their families from the same criminals they once supported. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders are now facing the consequences of their past misdeeds against the state and its people.

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FD WITHDRAWS KEY OPTION CLAUSE FOR NPS EMPLOYEES TO RECEIVE FAMILY OR INVALID PENSION: HARPAL SINGH CHEEMA

ALL NPS EMPLOYEES ARE NOW ELIGIBLE FOR ADDITIONAL RELIEF WITHOUT EXERCISING THE OPTION

DECISION TO REDUCE HARDSHIP FOR FAMILIES IN THE EVENT OF EMPLOYEE DEATH OR DISABILITY

Chandigarh, August 2-In a significant move to support the families of State Government employees, Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema announced today that the Finance Department (FD) has withdrawn a key option clause for New Pension Scheme (NPS) employees to receive family or invalid pension. He said that this decision comes after the government recognized the undue hardship caused to the families of employees who died in harness, as most had not formally exercised this option.

In a press communiqué issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the government had previously extended additional relief in the form of a family or invalid pension to NPS employees who became disabled or died while in service through Finance Department instructions dated October 8, 2021. However, Clause 6 of these instructions required both existing and newly recruited employees to choose within a specific timeframe whether they wanted to receive the family or invalid pension or the benefits of the NPS scheme. He said that this condition had created significant difficulties for families who were unaware of the requirement or were unable to complete the process.

The Finance Minister said that the Finance Department officially deleted Clause 6 of the instructions on June 27, 2025 to rectify this issue. He said that this change, which was initially implemented for Punjab Government NPS employees, has now been extended to include NPS employees of Boards, Corporations, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and State Autonomous Bodies (SABs). “This ensures that all employees under the NPS are now eligible for the additional relief without having to formally exercise the option”, he added.

Notably, the October 8, 2021, instructions were implemented for Boards, Corporations, PSUs, and SABs under the Punjab Government through a Directorate of Public Enterprises and Disinvestment (DPED) letter dated January 23, 2024.

The Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Punjab government aims to provide seamless benefits to employees and their families by removing this clause, ensuring that they receive the necessary financial support during difficult times. He said that this decision underscores the Aam Admi Party (AAP) led Punjab Government's commitment to addressing the welfare of its employees and promoting a supportive work environment.

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Punjab Government Extends Deadline for General Transfers/Postings

Chandigarh, August 2:The Personnel Department of the Punjab Government has issued a letter today, providing instructions and extending the deadline for general transfers/postings of government officers and employees across the state.

According to the letter, in continuation of Letter No. 07/01/2014-1PP2(3PP2)/382-385 dated 05.06.2025 issued by the Personnel Department, the time period for general transfers/postings in all departments and institutions of the Punjab Government was earlier fixed from 23.06.2025 to 01.08.2025. However, through the latest communication, this period has now been extended until 20.08.2025.

A government spokesperson stated that after 20.08.2025, a complete ban on general transfers will be enforced. Thereafter, transfers/postings may only be carried out in accordance with the provisions laid down in the transfer policy issued by the Personnel Department on 23.04.2018.

This letter has been circulated to the heads of all state departments, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, sub-divisional magistrates, and the chairpersons/managing directors of all boards and corporations in the state.

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SC Commission Summons SSP Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar

Chandigarh, August 2:Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman Sardar Jasvir Singh Garhi has directed the Senior Superintendent of Police, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, to appear in person and submit a report during the hearing of a pending case.

Providing details in this regard, a spokesperson of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission said that Dr. Sandeep Kaur, Assistant Director, Physical/Audio Forensic Science Laboratory, Phase-4, Mohali (District SAS Nagar), had submitted a written complaint on January 20, 2025. In her complaint, she alleged that her office head, Mr. Ashwani Kalia, had made casteist remarks against her. The District Attorney has also recommended the registration of a case, but no action has been taken by the police so far.

The spokesperson further informed that the Commission has scheduled the next hearing for August 4, 2025, and has instructed SSP Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Mr. Harmandeep Singh Hans, to appear in person.

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SC Commission summons Commissioner of Police, Amritsar

Chandigarh, August 2:Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman Sardar Jasvir Singh Garhi has ordered the Commissioner of Police, Amritsar, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar to appear in person before the Commission and submit a report in the matter.

A spokesperson for the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission said that Mrs Parminder Kaur, wife of Mr Bhushan Kumar and resident of House No. 610, Street No. 4, Shaheed Udham Singh Colony, Shahrwar Gate, District Amritsar, filed a written complaint with the Commission on 17-03-2025. She alleged that an individual was harassing her by using caste-based slurs, uttering obscene words when she left for work, and making illegal videos.

The Commission sought a report from the Director, Bureau of Investigation, Punjab; however, no appropriate action has been taken against the accused to date.

After reviewing the matter, the Chairman has directed the Commissioner of Police, Amritsar, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar to appear in person on 04-08-2025 and submit a comprehensive report.

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SECURITY BEEFED UP ACROSS PUNJAB AHEAD OF INDEPENDENCE DAY

— PUNJAB POLICE LAUNCHES FORTNIGHT LONG SPECIAL OPERATION TO KEEP VIGIL AROUND ANTI-SOCIAL ELEMENTS

— CPs/SSPs DIRECTED TO KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON SUSPICIOUS ELEMENTS, TAKE PROMPT ACTION IN CASE OF ANY SECURITY BREACH: SPL DGP ARPIT SHUKLA

— YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH CONTINUES AS POLICE ARREST 107 DRUG SMUGGLERS WITH 14KG HEROIN ON DAY 154

— AS PART OF ‘DE-ADDICTION’, PUNJAB POLICE CONVINCE 68 PERSONS TO UNDERGO DE-ADDICTION TREATMENT

CHANDIGARH, August 2:In order to ensure peaceful celebrations of forthcoming Independence Day-2025 as mandated by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police has heightened the security across the state and a fortnight long special operation has been launched to keep vigil around the criminal and anti-social elements.

As per the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, all the CPs/SSPs have been instructed to heighten security measures, increase patrols, and intensify night domination operations in their respective districts.

Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that in these two weeks, CPs/SSPs will conduct different operations on regular basis including anti-terrorist/gangster operations, checking of jails, deployment of nakas at strategic locations, combing operations, etc, will be conducted. The CPs/SSPs have also been instructed to keep a close watch on suspicious activities and individuals, and to take prompt action in case of any security breaches, he said.

The Special DGP has also issued directions to CPs/SSPs to bolster police presence at public venues and intensify surveillance and patrolling across critical areas in their respective jurisdictions. CPs/SSPs have also been directed to increase the number of police checkpoints in their respective jurisdictions and ensure the checking of a maximum number of vehicles at every Naka, which will help in curtailing terrorist and criminal activities, he added.

Meanwhile, Police teams have continued its cordon and search operation (CASO) against drugs on Day 154, and conducted raids at 481 locations on Saturday leading to the arrest of 107 drug smugglers after registration of 80 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 24,325 within 154 days.

The Special DGP said that the raids have resulted in recovery of 13.9 kg heroin, 500 grams opium and Rs 34,820 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.

He informed that over 180 Police teams, comprising over 1300 police personnel, under the supervision of 87 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state and checked as many as 511 suspicious persons during the day long operation.

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 68 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

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SECURITY BEEFED UP ACROSS PUNJAB AHEAD OF INDEPENDENCE DAY

— PUNJAB POLICE LAUNCHES FORTNIGHT LONG SPECIAL OPERATION TO KEEP VIGIL AROUND ANTI-SOCIAL ELEMENTS

— CPs/SSPs DIRECTED TO KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON SUSPICIOUS ELEMENTS, TAKE PROMPT ACTION IN CASE OF ANY SECURITY BREACH: SPL DGP ARPIT SHUKLA

— YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH CONTINUES AS POLICE ARREST 107 DRUG SMUGGLERS WITH 14KG HEROIN ON DAY 154

— AS PART OF ‘DE-ADDICTION’, PUNJAB POLICE CONVINCE 68 PERSONS TO UNDERGO DE-ADDICTION TREATMENT

CHANDIGARH, August 2:In order to ensure peaceful celebrations of forthcoming Independence Day-2025 as mandated by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police has heightened the security across the state and a fortnight long special operation has been launched to keep vigil around the criminal and anti-social elements.

As per the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, all the CPs/SSPs have been instructed to heighten security measures, increase patrols, and intensify night domination operations in their respective districts.

Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that in these two weeks, CPs/SSPs will conduct different operations on regular basis including anti-terrorist/gangster operations, checking of jails, deployment of nakas at strategic locations, combing operations, etc, will be conducted. The CPs/SSPs have also been instructed to keep a close watch on suspicious activities and individuals, and to take prompt action in case of any security breaches, he said.

The Special DGP has also issued directions to CPs/SSPs to bolster police presence at public venues and intensify surveillance and patrolling across critical areas in their respective jurisdictions. CPs/SSPs have also been directed to increase the number of police checkpoints in their respective jurisdictions and ensure the checking of a maximum number of vehicles at every Naka, which will help in curtailing terrorist and criminal activities, he added.

Meanwhile, Police teams have continued its cordon and search operation (CASO) against drugs on Day 154, and conducted raids at 481 locations on Saturday leading to the arrest of 107 drug smugglers after registration of 80 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 24,325 within 154 days.

The Special DGP said that the raids have resulted in recovery of 13.9 kg heroin, 500 grams opium and Rs 34,820 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.

He informed that over 180 Police teams, comprising over 1300 police personnel, under the supervision of 87 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state and checked as many as 511 suspicious persons during the day long operation.

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 68 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.