Be the ‘generals’ in the war against drugs- CM to Members of Defence Committees

Distributes Identification cards to members of Defence Committees

“We will restore Punjab’s pride, honour, and self-respect”

“Traditional political parties must clarify whether they stand with or against drug traffickers” – CM throws down the gauntlet

Important evidence found against jailed political leader in Nabha jail, will be presented in court

Ludhiana, August 4:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday said that the ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign in the state has reached its final phase, and the newly formed Defence Committees in villages and cities will uproot drug trafficking from the state.

Addressing the members of these Defence Committees, the Chief Minister said the Punjab government launched the campaign on February 4 this year and has achieved major success in eliminating the root of the drug problem. He added that the backbone of the drug supply chain has been entirely broken. Bhagwant Singh Mann profusely thanked the people of Punjab for their enthusiastic support in this noble mission to save the future generations.

The Chief Minister said that to keep villages and cities drug-free in the future, the government has formed Defence Committees. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he is fully confident that these defence committees will act as generals in this war against drugs and safeguard our villages and cities. We have dreamt of making Punjab vibrant again, and with your cooperation, no power in the world can stop us from realizing this dream, he added.

The Chief Minister said that he had pledged to restore Punjab’s pride, honour, and self-respect adding that no stone will be left unturned for it. Bhagwant Singh Mann explained that each Village or Ward Defence Committee will be formed with four core members: the village sarpanch or ward councillor, a representative from the anti-drug campaign, the BDPO or their representative, and the SHO or their representative. He said that these committees will include 10 to 20 members depending on the population adding that only individuals with clean records and reputations—such as retired army personnel, teachers, and village headmen—will be included.

The Chief Minister categorically said that each committee will be officially notified by the local SDM and committee members will be issued special government ID cards. He said that it will facilitate communication with the administration regarding drug-related information or anti-drug activities. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Villages and wards will have 24/7 surveillance to ensure no trafficker dares to operate.

The Chief Minister envisioned that committee members will also assist in drug rehabilitation efforts and help reintegrate former addicts into society. He said that Any village or ward that achieves 100% drug-free status will receive formal recognition and certificates of appreciation from the government. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that These committees will raise awareness through street plays and door-to-door campaigns adding that schools will also conduct awareness programs for children.

The Chief Minister noted that more than 10,000 village-level meetings have already been held, and many Panchayats have passed resolutions to declare their villages drug-free. Squarely blaming traditional political parties for dragging Punjab into the swamp of drug addiction, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the current government is forced to launch such extensive campaigns to wipe out this stigma. “If the previous governments had restrained drug traffickers, we wouldn’t need to conduct such programs today. Governments usually form development committees—not defence committees, he added.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has been forced to form these committees to fight the war against drug dealers. He said that While the incumbent state government is fighting them, traditional parties were hand in glove with them and were offering them protection. Targeting leaders of traditional parties who supported a former Akali minister currently in Nabha jail on drug charges, Bhagwant Singh Mann said it’s shocking that Congress leaders Charanjit Singh Channi, Partap Singh Bajwa, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, BJP leader Captain Amarinder Singh, and Ravneet Singh Bittu are openly speaking in his favour.

The Chief Minister said that this exposes the collusion between traditional political parties adding that when in power, they’ve covered up each other’s wrongdoings. He once again challenged them to make it clear to the people of Punjab that whether they are with the drug traffickers or against them. Bhagwant Singh Mann also revealed that important evidence has been found against the jailed former Akali minister and it will be presented in court.

Making another major announcement, the Chief Minister said that after the monsoon season ends, the government will begin extensive repair work on 20,000 km of link roads across the state, describing them as Punjab’s economic lifelines. Highlighting the Aam Aadmi Party government’s achievements over the past three and a half years, Bhagwant Singh Mann said many pro-people decisions have been made as for the first time, canal water is reaching the tail ends of fields, resolving irrigation issues. He further said that over 55,000 government jobs have been given solely on merit adding that by closing several toll plazas across the state is saving Punjabis ₹64 lakh daily, a major economic relief.

During the event, identification cards were officially distributed to Defence Committee members.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, and other dignitaries were also present.

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PUNJAB TO ESTABLISH SPECIAL FRAUD DETECTION UNIT TO BOLSTER GST ENFORCEMENT: HARPAL SINGH CHEEMA

SFDU WILL LEVERAGE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES INCLUDING AI

UNIT WILL COMPRISE EXPERIENCED TAX OFFICERS, SKILLED IT PROFESSIONALS, CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT, AND LEGAL OFFICER

TEAM WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH REAL-TIME ACCESS TO CRITICAL DATASETS

SFDU WILL PLAY PIVOTAL ROLE IN SAFEGUARDING STATE'S REVENUE AND PROMOTING CULTURE OF TAX COMPLIANCE

Chandigarh, August 4-In a significant move to institutionalise tax enforcement, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday announced the proposal to establish a State-Level Special Fraud Detection Unit (SFDU) headquartered at Patiala. He said that this dedicated unit will streamline the detection and bring consistency in investigating complex cases involving Goods and Services Tax (GST) violations.

Revealing further, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema elaborated that the SFDU will be tasked with uncovering and probing high-value GST frauds, with particular focus on breaking down circular trading operations, unearthing benami (anonymous) transactions, and eliminating the practice of fake invoicing. “The unit will be empowered to initiate stringent enforcement actions, including cancellation of suspicious GST Identification Numbers (GSTINs), blocking wrongful claims of Input Tax Credit (ITC), and recommending prosecution against offenders to uphold legal accountability”, he added.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema highlighted that the SFDU will leverage advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), data analytics, and centralised backend operations, to enhance its detection capabilities. The Unit will conduct comprehensive data mining and pattern recognition across the state to identify anomalies in tax returns, transaction networks, and goods movement. The Finance Minister further added that the Unit will use data-driven red flags to selectively verify only dubious or miscreant taxpayers, protecting honest taxpayers from unnecessary scrutiny. This strategic approach, Cheema emphasised, aims to strike a balance between effective enforcement and taxpayer facilitation, ensuring a more efficient and taxpayer-friendly administration

Detailing the composition of the SFDU, Cheema stated that the unit will comprise a multidisciplinary team consisting of experienced tax officers, skilled IT professionals, a Chartered Accountant, and a legal officer. He said that this team will be equipped with real-time access to critical datasets such as GSTN information, e-way bill tracking, toll records, and RFID trail analytics, enabling prompt and precise action against tax evasion.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema informed that the Special Fraud Detection Unit (SFDU) will be empowered by robust legal provisions under Sections 67, 70, 74, and 132 of the CGST/PGST Acts, complemented by relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He said that this will enable the SFDU to function as a technologically advanced, intelligence-driven enforcement agency. “This initiative marks a decisive step toward safeguarding the state's revenue and dismantling elaborate tax fraud networks that threaten economic integrity”, said Cheema.

Emphasising that the establishment of the Special Fraud Detection Unit (SFDU) underscores AAP led Punjab Government’s firm resolve to cultivate a tax environment that is not only more accountable and transparent but also resilient to fraudulent activities, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the SFDU will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the state's revenue and promoting a culture of compliance by taking proactive measures to detect and prevent tax evasion, ultimately contributing to the state's economic stability and growth.

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Finance Minister Cheema Engages with Forest and Education Department Unions, Assures to Resolve Legitimate Issues

Chandigarh, August 4-Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee formed to address employee issues, met with various unions from the Forest Department and Education Department today. He was also accompanied by Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains during the meetings with the education department unions

The meetings, held at the Finance Minister's office in the Punjab Civil Secretariat, aimed to resolve legitimate demands and issues raised by the unions. During the meetings, representatives from the Janglat Workers Union, ETT Test Pass Adhiyapak Association (Jai Singh Wala), Murhbahal Kache Adhiyapak Union, and Berujgar B.Ed TET Pass Adhiyapak Union presented their demands and concerns.

During the meeting with the Janglat Workers Union, Secretary, Forest Department Priyank Bharti briefed the Finance Minister Cheema on the status of the union's demands. After detailed discussions with the union, the Finance Minister directed the department to consider the union's key demands in the Officers' Committee and subsequently place the proposal before the Cabinet Sub-Committee.

In the meetings with the Education Department unions, Finance Minister Cheema and Education Minister Bains assured the union leaders that most of their demands are already under consideration. They affirmed their commitment to fulfilling all legitimate demands in a timely manner.

Prominent amongst others, Union President Amrik Singh, Senior Vice President Ravi Kant amd Vice President Satnam Singh from Janglat Workers union, Union President Vikas Sahni, Vice President Lakhwinder Kaur and Secretary Amandeep Kaur from Murhbahal Kache Adhiyapak Union, Union President Jaswant Singh, Nashattar Singh, Kuldeep Singh from Berujgar B.Ed TET Pass Adhiyapak Union, and Union President Kamal Thakur, General Secretary Sohan Singh and Cashier Gurmukh Singh from ETT Test Pass Adhiyapak Association (Jai Singh Wala) were present in the meetings.

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Punjab to Become the First State in the Country to Empanel Sign Language Interpreters, Translators, and Special Educators: Dr. Baljit Kaur

A Historic Step by the Mann Government to Ensure Justice and Communication for Children with Special Needs

Chandigarh, August 4:In a landmark move to ensure accessible and sensitive justice for all, the Punjab Government is set to become the first state in the country to formally empanel Sign Language Interpreters, Translators, and Special Educators under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. This information was shared by Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development.

Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that this initiative, undertaken under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann, is a strong effort to empower children with special needs by eliminating communication barriers in legal, educational, and daily life settings.

She emphasized that this empanelment under the Juvenile Justice Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 will bridge communication gaps and strengthen access to justice and rights for children. These trained professionals will play a supportive role during court proceedings, thereby ensuring impartial and transparent outcomes.

The Minister added that Punjab is committed to building an inclusive society where every child feels heard, understood, and respected. This effort reflects the government’s firm commitment to child welfare and rights-based governance.

Dr. Kaur further informed that the empanelled professionals will be deployed district-wise and will be compensated as per the provisions of the Acts. Timely and continuous assistance will be ensured wherever required.

It is worth mentioning that the Punjab Government has already set a precedent by broadcasting important proceedings of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in sign language. This step not only removes communication barriers for specially-abled children and individuals (especially those who are speech and hearing impaired), but also strengthens their active participation in the processes of social justice and inclusion. The empanelment of Sign Language Interpreters, Translators, and Special Educators is yet another major initiative in this direction by the Government of Punjab.

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PUNJAB BAGS COVETED TECHNOLOGY SABHA EXCELLENCE AWARD IN DATA ANALYTICS

•ACS DK Tiwari received prestigious award at a glittering ceremony in Jaipur

Aman Arora congratulates GG&IT Dept’s team for the feat

Chandigarh, August 4:In a major national-level recognition, the Punjab Government has bagged the coveted Technology Sabha Excellence Award 2025 in the Data Analytics category, showcasing its trailblazing initiatives in harnessing technology and data analytics to deliver enhanced citizen services and streamline governance.

This prestigious award was received by Additional Chief Secretary of Punjab’s Good Governance and Information Technology Mr. DK Tiwari at a glittering ceremony organised by the Indian Express Group in Jaipur (Rajasthan). This honour underscores the Punjab government's commitment to leveraging technology for good governance.

Notably, the Technology Sabha, a leading e-Governance platform, unites top government ICT professionals and policymakers nationwide, besides facilitating knowledge sharing, showcasing successful tech initiatives and sparking discussions on India's digital governance future. It recognises government departments and entities for their innovative use of technology to deliver tangible benefits to stakeholders.

Extending his heartiest congratulations to the department’s officials, Punjab Good Governance and Information Technology Minister Mr. Aman Arora termed it as a proud moment for the entire state and it validates Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann's visionary leadership in leveraging technology to revolutionise governance. He reaffirmed the Punjab government's commitment to delivering citizen-centric services with transparency, efficiency and accountability, underscoring its dedication to good governance.

“This award for our work in data analytics demonstrates that we are not just talking about good governance, but actively building it, brick by brick,” Mr. Aman Arora said while adding that the data analytics is a game-changer in modern governance. It allows to understand citizen needs more deeply, identify bottlenecks in service delivery and make evidence-based decisions to improve the lives of the citizens.

The recognition by the Indian Express's Technology Sabha is an encouragement for all of us to continue our journey of digital transformation with even greater zeal, he added.

The award marks a major milestone for the Punjab government, showcasing its effective use of advanced data analytics to optimise administrative processes, elevate public services, and foster a more responsive and accountable administration by enhancing public services and create a more responsive and accountable government. It reinforces the CM Mann led government's pledge to build a "Rangla Punjab" by harnessing the power of technology for the welfare and prosperity of its citizens.

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’YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH’: ON DAY 156, PUNJAB POLICE CONDUCTS RAIDS AT 356 SITES; 87 DRUG SMUGGLERS HELD

— OPERATION LEADS TO REGISTRATION OF 63 FIRs, RECOVERY OF 967-GMs HEROIN, 267KG POPPY HUSK

— AS PART OF ‘DE-ADDICTION’, PUNJAB POLICE CONVINCE 55 PERSONS TO UNDERGO DE-ADDICTION TREATMENT

CHANDIGARH, August 4: Continuing the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 156th day, Punjab Police conducted raids at 356 locations on Monday leading to the arrest of 87 drug smugglers after registration of 63 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 24,592 in 156 days.

The raids have resulted in recovery of 967 grams heroin, 267 kg poppy husk and 1869 intoxicant tablets/capsules from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.

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 1200 police personnel, under the supervision of 75 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 377 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 55 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

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