FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS OF GREAT MARTYRS TO SERVE PUNJAB AND PUNJABIS: ASSERTS CM

RECALLS STELLAR ROLE OF PUNJABIS IN NATIONAL FREEDOM STRUGGLE

PAYS HOMAGE TO SHAHEED BHAGAT SINGH DHADHOGAL ON HIS DEATH ANNIVERSARY

LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF TWO ROADS IN MEMORY OF ICONIC PRAJA MANDAL LEADER

Dhadhogal (Sangrur), August 10:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday said that the state government was following the footsteps of legendary martyrs to ensure the development of the state and well being of the people especially from the economically weaker and underprivileged sections of society.

Addressing the gathering during a function to mark the death anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Dhadogal here today, the Chief Minister said that as a fact of matter every inch of this sacred land has the footprint of great Gurus, saints, seers, martyrs and poets. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjabis have been blessed with an indomitable spirit of hard work and resilience due to which they carve out space for themselves. He said that the social bonding in the state is so strong that any seed could grow on the fertile land of Punjab but the seed of hatred will not germinate here at any cost.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab is a sacred land of great Gurus, saints and seers who have shown us the path of mutual love and tolerance. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjabis have always opposed tyranny, injustice and oppression by cementing the bond of love and harmony. He said that the state government is making concerted efforts to realize the dreams of martyrs to ensure that the fruits of freedom are percolated to every household.

The Chief Minister said that it is unfortunate that even after more than 75 years of freedom the benefits of freedom have still not reached every household. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that those in power had misused the freedom to spread the tentacles of chitta (drugs), amass wealth by plundering the masses, encouraging corruption along with other menaces. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the dreams of martyrs have still not been realized as these people have never made any concerted effort for this.

The Chief Minister said that Punjabis have played a great role in national freedom and no NOC from those in power is required for their patriotism. He said that such type of disrespect to these great patriots and national leaders cannot be tolerated at any cost. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the earlier governments had never bothered about the people and had ruined the system due to which youth wanted to move abroad.

The Chief Minister said that ironically due to poor performance of the previous regimes the youth of our state wanted to go and work in the same country, the rulers of which were ousted by our martyrs and nationalists. Training his guns at his predecessors, he said that these leaders had built huge palaces by amassing whopping wealth by misusing their official positions. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the walls of these palatial palaces were high and the gates usually remained closed for the people and these leaders remained inaccessible to the people due to which they were ousted by the masses.

The Chief Minister bemoaned that the state had lagged behind in the pace of development due to the apathetic attitude of the traditional political parties. He said that the leaders of these parties ruined the younger generations of the state by misusing their power. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders had never worried about the welfare of the people but they were focused on the prosperity of their own families.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister to commemorate the historic occasion of the 350th Martyrdom Day of the ‘Hind Di Chadar’ (Protector of India), Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji, the Punjab Government will organize grand and historic events. He said that comprehensive development of places having the footsteps of the Guru Sahib will be ensured for which a detailed plan has been already chalked out. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed for perpetuating the glorious legacy of Guru Sahib for our coming generations.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government will adopt no leniency towards the ‘Jarnails’ who were the perpetrators behind the genocide of youth through the curse of drugs. He said that the Jarnails who had patronized the drug trade have already been put behind bars adding that these leaders not only used to patronize drug trade across the state but ironically they even sold/ supplied the drugs in their official government vehicles. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in the past no one had previously dared to arrest these affluent leaders, but now his government has done so and they will have to pay the price for their sins.

The Chief Minister said that when he assumed office, only 21% of agricultural land across the 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.

Paying to Shaheed Bhagat Singh Dhadhogal ji, the Chief Minister said that the nation is indebted to those martyrs who, for the love of their country, gave up all worldly pleasures, wealth, property, and attachments, and inspired others with a passion for freedom. He said that Shaheed Sardar Bhagat Singh Ji Dhadhogal was one of those brave souls who considered it his duty to fight against the tyranny, oppression, injustice, and discrimination of the princely states and ultimately sacrificed their lives for the nation. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Shaheed Bhagat Singh ji was a leading figure of the Parja Mandal movement and was very close to Sewa Singh Thikriwal ji.

The Chief Minister said that due to his active involvement in the Akali Movement, he was sentenced to ten years, adding that after his release, he also took part in the Gurdwara Reform Movement. He said that following the establishment of the Riyasati Praja Mandal (People’s Association of the Princely States), he emerged as a leading figure and spokesperson of the movement. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that today, the foundation stone has been laid for two road projects with a total cost of Rs. 17 crore and 21 lakh.

The Chief Minister said that first road is being constructed by the Punjab Mandi Board, connecting Link Road from Dhuri-Amargarh Road to Dhuri-Chheenta Wala Road and passing through Dhadhogal, Burj Gohra, Burj Seda, Cheema, Bhari Mansa, and Samundgarh Chhanna. Similarly, he said that second road is being constructed by the Public Works Department, connecting Amargarh to Dhuri-Bagrian Road and passing through Dhadhogal, Kheri Jattan, Lohar Majra, and EC (Electricity Colony). Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these roads will be 18 feet wide and the contractor will also be responsible for the maintenance of this road for five years.

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PUNJAB WITNESSING UNPARALLELED DEVELOPMENT IN EVERY SPHERE: CM

REVIEWS DEVELOPMENT WORKS IN DHIRBHA ASSEMBLY SEGMENT

SAYS THERE IS NO DEARTH OF FUNDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT WORKS ACROSS THE STATE

Satauj (Sangrur), August 10:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday said that the state is witnessing unprecedented development in every sphere as massive developmental works are going on across the state to accelerate the pace of the growth of the state.

The Chief Minister, who was here to review the ongoing development works in Dirbha assembly segment, the Chief Minister said that the work on these projects is going on in full swing and will be completed soon. He said that the projects have been conceived while keeping in view the larger public interests on one hand and to give fillip to the ongoing development of the state on the other. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that there is no dearth of funds for such development works and more such projects will be dedicated to the public in the coming days.

Speaking about the agricultural sector, the Chief Minister said he had promised to ensure paddy transplantation without the use of tubewells. He expressed pride that canal water has now reached even the remotest villages at the tail ends of the state adding that since assuming charge of office, the government has revived 15,947 water channels across Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann also mentioned that his government successfully safeguarded Punjab’s water resources from being diverted to other states.

The Chief Minister spoke about the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna — the first-of-its-kind scheme in the country that provides cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh for every resident family in Punjab. He proudly stated that Punjab is the first Indian state to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage, which will significantly ease the financial burden on the public while ensuring quality health services. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this historic move is aimed at providing universal health care to all the families of the state.

The Chief Minister said that agriculture and farmers have always been the top priority of his government and Continuous efforts are being made to make agriculture a profitable venture. He said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that farmers shared that there is no shortage of electricity or canal water, and they are receiving an uninterrupted supply. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is heartening to see smiles returning to the faces of the farmers.

Striking an emotional chord with the people, the Chief Minister said that all the villagers were very close to his heart due to which he loves enjoying every moment with them. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it gives him immense pride and satisfaction in joining the villagers on such occasions due to which he leaves no stone unturned for this. He also handed over a cheque worth Rs 1.76 crore to the village panchayat for further giving impetus to the development of the village.

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PUNJAB GOVT SCHOOL STUDENTS CELEBRATES RAKSHA BANDHAN WITH PRESIDENT AT RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN

• EM Harjot Bains congratulates students for the opportunity to interact with the President, creating cherished memories

Chandigarh, August 10:In a moment of great pride for Punjab, ten students from the state government schools were honoured to participate in the Raksha Bandhan celebrations at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, alongside President Smt. Droupadi Murmu.

Punjab School Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains extended his heartiest congratulations to the students and their teachers for participating in the prestigious event. He informed that a total of 10 students—Usha Rani, Mehakdeep Kaur, Pinky Kaur, Arshdeep Kaur, Bimandeep Kaur, Preetjot Kaur, Baljinder Kaur, Veerpal Kaur, Sunita Kaur, and Sehajdeep Kaur—had the privilege of interacting with the President, immersing themselves in India's rich cultural heritage and creating unforgettable memories.

These students participation in the Raksha Bandhan celebrations at Rashtrapati Bhavan, embodying the sacred bond between siblings, highlights the commitment of the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government to fostering young talent and promoting cultural awareness, he added.

Notably, the students represented various government schools in Punjab, joining a larger contingent of students from across India who came together to celebrate the festival. This gathering showcased the country's rich cultural diversity and underscored the spirit of unity that binds its people.

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Punjab’s “Bill Liao Inam Pao” Scheme Registers Resounding Success with Over ₹3.3 Crore in Prizes Awarded: Harpal Singh Cheema

Scheme Leads to ₹9.07 Crore Penalties, 135 New Registrations

257 Winners won ₹15,30,015 in July 2025 Draw of Scheme

Chandigarh, August 10-In a major boost to citizen engagement and tax transparency, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday announced the remarkable success of the state’s flagship “Bill Liao Inam Pao” scheme. Launched to encourage responsible consumer behaviour and strengthen tax compliance, the initiative has witnessed enthusiastic public participation, with a total of 1,76,832 bills uploaded on the ‘Mera Bill app’ from its launch in September 2023 to July 2025. This surge in engagement has resulted in 5644 winners receiving prizes amounting to ₹3,35,80,215.

In a press communique issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema revealed that the scheme's focus on encouraging citizens to demand bills has had a profound impact on tax enforcement. He said that penalties worth ₹9,07,06,102 have been levied against entities found guilty of irregularities in bill issuance. “Of this, ₹7,30,92,230 has already been recovered, marking a significant step forward in ensuring fiscal accountability”, said Finance Minister Cheema while adding that the scheme has further expanded the tax base by facilitating 135 new registrations.

The Finance Minister also shared details of the latest lucky draw for July 2025, held on August 7 at the department’s head office in Patiala. The draw, which involved 6,345 bills uploaded on the 'Mera Bill' app in July 2025, resulted in 257 winners being selected and collectively receiving ₹15,30,015 in prize money. He emphasised that the department promptly transfers the prize amount to winners’ bank accounts upon receipt of the necessary details, including account numbers. Urging winners to submit their information at the earliest, the Finance Minister reiterated the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led Punjab government’s commitment to transparency and efficiency.

Encouraging continued public participation, Finance Minister Cheema appealed to the people of Punjab to actively engage with the “Bill Liao Inam Pao” scheme by demanding bills for their purchases. He underscored that every bill uploaded not only offers a chance to win but also contributes meaningfully to the state’s efforts in curbing tax evasion and promoting a culture of compliance.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema clarified that bills pertaining to petroleum products (including crude oil, petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel, and natural gas), liquor, out-of-state purchases, and B2B transactions are excluded from the scheme's eligibility criteria. He stressed that only bills for purchases made in the preceding month are considered for the draw, thereby ensuring the scheme's fairness and operational effectiveness.

The Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the success of this initiative stands as a testament to the power of citizen-driven governance and reflects the AAP-led Punjab Government’s resolve to build a more accountable and participatory fiscal ecosystem. He said that the scheme’s dual impact is not only rewarding vigilant consumers but also tightening the state’s tax enforcement mechanisms.

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’YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH’: ON DAY 162, PUNJAB POLICE CONDUCTS RAIDS AT 391 SITES; 68 DRUG SMUGGLERS HELD

— OPERATION LEADS TO REGISTRATION OF 50 FIRs, RECOVERY OF 1.4KG HEROIN

— AS PART OF ‘DE-ADDICTION’, PUNJAB POLICE CONVINCE 43 PERSONS TO UNDERGO DE-ADDICTION TREATMENT

CHANDIGARH, August 10:Continuing the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 162nd day, Punjab Police conducted raids at 391 locations on Monday leading to the arrest of 68 drug smugglers after registration of 50 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 25,343 in 162 days.

The raids have resulted in recovery of 1.4 kg heroin and 1594 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 110 Police teams, comprising over 900 police personnel, under the supervision of 67 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 414 suspicious pers

ons 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 43 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.