PUNJAB GOVERNMENT WILL COMPENSATE FOR EVERY SINGLE PENNY LOST DUE TO THE FLOODS: CM

BHAGWANT MANN ORDERS SPECIAL GIRDAWARI FOR THE FLOOD-AFFECTED AREAS

UNDERTAKES WHIRLWIND TOUR OF FLOOD AFFECTED KAPURTHALA DISTRICT

SAYS HE IS REGULARLY MONITORING THE SITUATION IN THE STATE IN WAKE OF FLOODS

Sultanpur Lodhi (Kapurthala), August 22:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday announced to provide adequate compensation to the people for every loss suffered by them due to the flood in the state besides finding ways and means to avert loss due to such natural disasters in future.

Interacting with the people during a whirlwind tour of the flood affected areas in Kapurthala district, the Chief Minister said that incessant rains in the hill states has brought this situation in the state. However, Bhagwant Mann said that his government is committed to bail out the people in this hour of grave crisis and no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause. He said that human life is most important due to which every effort is being made to safeguard it adding that the state government is duty bound to ensure that people do not face any sort of inconvenience.

Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to bail out people in flood affected areas, the Chief Minister said that he is regularly monitoring the situation unfolding in the state due to the natural disaster. He said that the state government is duty bound to ensure relief to the masses adding he asked the officers to find ways and means to ensure that loss of people due to such natural disasters can be averted/ minimized. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is solidly with the people in hour of distress and they are being provided succor by all means.

The Chief Minister said that massive relief and rescue operations are already going on in the flood torn areas to ensure that people do not face any sort of problem. He said that special thrust is being laid to ensure relief in the flood affected areas of the state so that people do not face any sort of problem. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed to the well being of the people in these testing times.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has already ordered a special Girdawari to ascertain the loss incurred to people due to floods in the state. He said that the officers have been directed to ensure that the Special Girdawari is done in a fair manner so that people are duly compensated for their loss. Bhagwant Singh Mann assured the people that his government will compensate the people.

The Chief Minister said that every loss of crop, cattle, house or anything will be covered in the special girdawari to fully compensate the people for this colossal loss. He said that the loss in these low lying areas where water has caused havoc will also be ascertained and people will be duly compensated. Bhagwant Singh Mann assured the people that his government will compensate the people for loss of every single penny incurred by them during the floods.

Earlier, the district administration and officers of the Water Resources department apprised the Chief Minister about the ongoing situation due to floods. Meanwhile, Bhagwant Singh Mann also conducted an aerial survey of flood affected areas from Makhu to Harike Patan.

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

CM Launches Policy for Empanelment of Certified Professionals to Make Punjab an Industrial Hub of the Country

Envisions Acceleration of Industrial Growth and New Employment Opportunities for Youth

Asserts that the Trend of Brain Drain Has Reversed to Brain Gain

Chandigarh, August 22:Launching the Policy for Empanelment of Certified Professionals, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday expressed confidence that the initiative will position the state as a leading industrial hub in the country.

“The policy will provide a much-needed impetus to industrial growth, thereby accelerating the state’s progress and creating new avenues of employment for the youth”, said the Chief Minister, while addressing the gathering after unveiling policy.

Calling it a landmark initiative, the Chief Minister said the policy aims to streamline regulatory approvals for industries while upholding environmental safeguards. Highlighting Punjab’s robust industrial growth in sectors such as food processing, textiles, auto components, hand tools, bicycle manufacturing, IT, and tourism, he said the state has emerged as a preferred destination for global investments. Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated the Punjab Government’s commitment to good governance, transparent regulations, and enhancing the ease of doing business.

The Chief Minister listed that the state government has introduced key reforms like time-bound clearances within 45 days and in-principle approvals within just three days under the Punjab Right to Business Act, calling them benchmark decisions by the state. He explained that the new policy introduces a structured and transparent system for third-party validation by empanelled professionals. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these professionals primarily include retired Environmental Engineers from State Pollution Control Boards, Pollution Control Committees, or State Environment Departments, as well as retired Associate Professors with relevant engineering qualifications.

The Chief Minister hoped that these certified professionals will facilitate industries—specifically those in the White, Green, and Orange categories located in industrial estates—with regulatory approvals such as Consent to Establish/NOC, Consent to Operate, and compliance monitoring under environmental laws. Emphasising that this is the first policy of its kind in the country, he said it strikes a balance between faster industrial approvals and robust environmental safeguards. Bhagwant Singh Mann stressed that the initiative will not only reduce compliance burdens for industries but also ensure cleaner air and water, sustainable development, and greater employment opportunities for Punjab’s youth—all while protecting natural resources for future generations.

The Chief Minister urged industries, professionals, and the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to work together in building a future-ready, globally competitive, and environmentally sustainable Punjab. He said that by empanelling new environmental experts, the state government is removing hurdles and empowering certified professionals—similar to notaries—with the authority to approve industrial proposals. Bhagwant Singh Mann noted that their expertise will be leveraged for the benefit of industry, bringing greater transparency to government operations and expediting the pace of industrialization.

Calling it a historic day for industrialists, the Chief Minister said that while Punjab is traditionally an agrarian state, the government is committed to accelerating industrial development to create ample employment opportunities for the youth. He expressed pride in the reversal of the brain drain trend, declaring that Punjab has now entered an era of “brain gain.” Bhagwant Singh Mann made a clarion call to industrialists to support this noble initiative and urged professionals to contribute wholeheartedly to this unique effort.

Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Secretary for Science, Technology & Environment Priyank Bharti, PPCB Chairperson Reena Gupta and others.