Punjab Records Highest Labour Cess Collection in Four Years, Touches Rs 310 Cr: Sond

- Funds to be utilized for the welfare of construction workers: Labour Minister

Chandigarh, August 27:Punjab has registered a record labour cess collection of Rs 310 crore in the financial year 2024–25, the highest in the past four years. This marks a significant increase from Rs 203.94 crore in 2021–22, Rs 208.92 crore in 2022–23, and Rs 180 crore in 2023–24.

Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that this achievement reflects the concerted efforts of the Punjab Government to enhance compliance, improve transparency, and strengthen monitoring mechanisms related to labour welfare. The Labour Department, under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has streamlined cess collection processes, and leveraged digital platforms to ensure accountability and efficiency.

He said that the government has reiterated its commitment to utilizing the collected funds for the welfare of construction workers, including better access to healthcare, education, skill development, and social security schemes. Sond further said that the robust increase is not only a financial milestone but also an indicator of improved governance and proactive policy implementation in the labour sector. It is pertinent to mention that the Labour Cess is primarily collected from construction-related activities and projects within the state to ensure safety, health and welfare of workers.

Labour Minister said that the Punjab Building & Other Construction workers welfare board & the Punjab Building Workers Welfare Board has simplified the terms and conditions of the various welfare schemes including Stipend Scheme, LTC Scheme, Shagun Scheme and all services/industrial schemes provided by Labour department under various Acts have been digitized.

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PUNJAB’S ANIMAL HUSBANDRY DEPT RECEIVES ACCOLADES FROM CENTRE FOR INNOVATIVE PRACTICES

•PS Rahul Bhandari Leads Animal Husbandry Department to Showcase Success in Livestock Health & Development at Regional Review Meeting for Northern States & UTs

Chandigarh, August 27:In a significant recognition to Punjab's exemplary work in animal husbandry, the Government of India has lauded the state's Animal Husbandry department for its innovative use of social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook to disseminate crucial information and promote extension activities among livestock farmers. The Centre has also appreciated the department's doorstep artificial insemination services and exhorted other northern states to adopt this successful model.

The Punjab Animal Husbandry department received accolades during the Regional Review Meeting (RRM) for Northern states and Union Territories, hosted by the Punjab Government and chaired by Ms. Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India. The meeting reviewed the progress of the Livestock Health Disease Control Program and National Livestock Mission. Eight northern states and UTs - Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Ladakh, Chandigarh and Punjab - came together to review the progress of livestock health and development schemes for 2024-25 and formulate plans for 2025-26, aligning with their approved annual action plans.

Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, Punjab, Mr. Rahul Bhandari, highlighted the department's key achievements, which include procurement of 3.75 lakh doses of sex-sorted semen for producing female calves to tackle stray cattle issues and achieving 100% FMD vaccination coverage of the target population. The department has made significant strides by conducting 22.26 lakh Artificial Inseminations (AIs) in FY 2024-25, supported by the production of 18.50 lakh semen straws (6.47 lakh for cows and 12.03 lakh for buffaloes), he added.

Mr. Rahul Bhandari also presented the physical and financial progress reports for 2024-25 and 2025-26. The centre’s team led by Ms. Varsha Joshi, comprising Additional Secretary DAHD (GoI) Mr. Rama Shankar Sinha, Joint Secretary DAHD (GoI) Dr. Muthukumarasamy B., and Adviser (Statistics) DAHD (GoI) Mr. Jagat Hazarika, commended the Animal Husbandry Department, Punjab's efforts and assured additional funding for approved schemes. They also lauded Punjab's effective implementation of the Punjab Bovine Breeding Act, which regulates breeding activities in cattle and buffalo.

Expressing gratitude to the Centre's team for their support and appreciation, Mr. Rahul Bhandari noted that the meeting provided a valuable platform to participating states and UTs to share experiences, best practices, and challenges in implementing various programs and policies. The discussions aimed to identify areas for improvement, explore collaboration opportunities, and find solutions to common problems, ultimately fostering inter-state cooperation, idea exchange and knowledge sharing among the participating entities.

He reaffirmed the Punjab Government’s commitment on collaborating with other states and UTs to drive growth and development in animal husbandry, dairy development and fisheries. The meeting was also attended by senior officials from participating states and UTs engage in productive discussions, fostering a spirit of cooperation and collective progress in the region.

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15 MRSAFPI CADETS CLEAR SSB FOR NDA & TES COURSES

• Aman Arora congratulates cadets and wishes them best for future

Chandigarh, August 27:Setting yet another benchmark, the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (MRSAFPI) in SAS Nagar (Mohali) has achieved it’s highest-ever selection for the courses commencing in December 2025 as its fifteen cadets cleared the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview for the National Defence Academy (NDA)-155 and Technical Entry Scheme (TES)-54 courses. Currently, these young aspirants are undergoing medical test and are eagerly awaiting for the merit list. There are still a couple of cadets who have to attend the SSB for the TES-54.

The cadets and trainees who have cleared the SSB are Gurkirat Singh, Paramdeep Singh, Apaardeep Singh Sawhney, Abhay Pratap Singh Dhillon, Vishwaroop Singh Grewal, Agamjit Singh Virk, Rehaan Yadav, Hemant Sharma, Bhaskar Jain, Sukhpreet Singh, Nimit Amar, Shaurya Vardhan and Akaash Singh Kushwaha. Cadet Gurnoor Singh has cleared the SSB for the TES Course, while Prince Dubey has cleared for both the NDA and the TES courses.

Extending his warmest congratulations to the successful cadets, Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Mr. Aman Arora wished them the very best for brighter future and exhorted them to work diligently towards becoming exemplary officers. He emphasised that their success would bring pride to the state of Punjab.

The MRSAFPI Director Major General Ajay H. Chauhan, VSM (Retd), congratulated the successful cadets, stating that the institute is committed to becoming the premier feeder institution for the Armed Forces and this achievement is a testament to its relentless efforts.

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SC Commission seeks report from Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar in village Dhaleta case

Chandigarh, August 27:The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has sought a report from the Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar in the matter of encroachment of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji’s land by the civil administration and police administration at Dhaleta village in Jalandhar district.

Giving information in this regard, Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman S. Jasvir Singh Garhi said that earlier a report was sought from the Commissioner of Police Jalandhar in this matter, after which now the Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar has been asked to submit a report through an SDM level officer on September 2, 2025 in the same matter. He said that the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission is committed to protecting the rights of the Scheduled Caste communities of the state.

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STATE-WIDE FLOOD CONTROL ROOMS WORKING 24X7, PEOPLE CAN CONTACT IN ANY EXIGENCY: BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL

Chandigarh, August 27:Punjab Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today said that state-wide flood control rooms are working 24x7 for public assistance during emergency situations. He urged the people to contact these numbers in case of any emergency.

The Cabinet Minister said that district flood control room numbers are Ludhiana: 0161-2433100, Ropar: 01881-221157, Gurdaspur: 01874-266376 and 18001801852, Mansa: 01652-229082, Pathankot: 0186-2346944 and 97791-02351, Amritsar: 0183-2229125, Tarn Taran: 01852-224107, Hoshiarpur: 01882-220412, Jalandhar: 0181-2224417 and 94176-57802, SBS Nagar: 01823-220645, Sangrur: 01672-234196, Patiala: 0175-2350550 and 2358550, SAS Nagar: 0172-2219506, Sri Muktsar Sahib: 01633-260341, Faridkot: 01639-250338, Fazilka: 01638-262153, Ferozepur: 01632-245366, Barnala: 01679-233031, Bathinda: 0164-2862100 and 0164-2862101, Kapurthala: 01822-231990, Fatehgarh Sahib: 01763-232838, Moga: 01636-235206 and Malerkotla: 01675-252003.

All these control rooms are operational 24x7 to ensure immediate response during emergency situations, said Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal, adding that the state government has implemented robust flood mitigation measures and comprehensive preparedness protocols to tackle every potential scenario.

Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal said that the control rooms are equipped with modern communication systems and are manned by trained personnel who can coordinate rescue and relief operations effectively. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and immediately contact the control rooms in case of any emergency.

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Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema holds Meetings with Employee Unions to Address Their Issues

Chandigarh, August 27-Punjab Finance Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee for resolving employees' issues, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, today met with delegations from the various Art and Craft Teachers' Unions, ETT TET Pass Adhyapak Association (Jai Singh Wala), AIE Kacche Adhyapak Union, Associate Pre Primary Adhyapak Union, All Punjab DST/CTS Contract Instructor Union and Beruzgar Multipurpose Health Worker Union. During these meetings held at the Finance Minister’s office in the Punjab Civil Secretariat, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema listened to the issues and demands raised by the union leaders with sympathy and discussed with senior officials from the concerned departments to find solutions.

In a joint meeting with the Art and Craft Teachers' unions, Minister Cheema urged the leaders to create a Common Minimum Program to help identify a suitable solution. He also asked them to submit their arguments and supported documents to the Education Department, which will then initiate further action. The Finance Minister also heard the concerns of leaders from the ETT TET Pass Teachers Association (Jai Singh Wala), AIE Temporary Teachers Union, and the Associate Pre-Primary Teachers Union. He gave directives to the Education departments to resolve their legitimate demands soon.

Similarly, during his meeting with the All Punjab DST/CTS Contract Instructors Union and the Unemployed Multipurpose Health Workers Union, the Finance Minister directed the concerned departments to ensure swift action is taken to address the unions' genuine demands.

In meeting with the Art and Craft Teachers' unions, President Sandeep Singh of the Berujgar Drawing Masters Sangharash Committee, President Ranjit Singh of the B.Ed PST TET Pass Arts and Craft Teachers Union, President Harjinder Singh of the Art and Craft TET Pass Berujgar Adhyapak Union, and President Rakesh Kumar of the Berujgar PS TET Pass Art and Craft Sangharsh Union, presented their respective cases.

Representatives from other unions including Kamal Thakur (President), Sohan Singh (General Secretary), and Gurmukh Singh (Committee Member) from the ETT TET Pass Adhyapak Association (Jai Singh Wala); Tejinder Kaur (President), Kiranjeet Kaur (Secretary), and Tejinder Singh (Treasurer) from the AIE Kacche Adhyapak Union; Sukhchain Singh (President), Makhan Singh (Secretary), and Sukhbir Kaur from the Associate Pre Primary Adhyapak Union; Sandeep Singh (President) and Jaswinder Singh (General Secretary) from the All Punjab DST/CTS Contract Instructor Union; and Sukhwinder Singh Dhilwan (President) and Raman Kumar (Convener) from the Beruzgar Multipurpose Health Worker Union also presented their demands and issues.

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SC Commission summons Director Social Justice and Empowerment

Chandigarh, August 27:The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has summoned the Director Social Justice and Empowerment , taking suo moto notice of the news regarding Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Careers and Courses, Mohali.

Giving information in this regard, the Chairman of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission said that it has come to his notice through the newspaper that the Punjab Government's Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Careers and Courses, Mohali located in Mohali is in a dilapidated position, for which the Commission has taken suo moto notice and has asked the Director Social Justice and Empowerment to appear in person on September 2, 2025.

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CEO Punjab announces rationalization of Polling Stations in Tarn Taran Assembly Constituency

Chandigarh, August 27: Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, Sibin C informed that the Election Commission of India has approved the proposal for rationalization of polling stations in 21-Tarn Taran Assembly Constituency, where bye-election is due shortly.

He said that the rationalization exercise was carried out by the Electoral Registration Officer (E.R.O.), 21-Tarn Taran under the supervision of the District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Tarn Taran, strictly ensuring that the limit of 1200 electors per polling station was not exceeded.

During this process, seven polling stations were created with active consultation with Political Parties. With this revision, the total number of polling stations in the constituency now stands at 222.

Adding further, Sibin C stated, “The rationalization has been undertaken to facilitate smoother conduct of elections and to provide greater convenience to voters. Every step has been taken with complete transparency and after active consultations with political parties.”

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Punjab Government Goes All Out: Rescue & Relief on War Footing

Mann Government Deploys Full Cabinet to Save Lives, Protect Property

Zero Tolerance for Delays – Punjab Ministers Camping in Flood Zones

Chandigarh, August 27:In a swift and comprehensive response to the ongoing flood crisis, the Punjab Government has mobilized its entire cabinet to the affected districts to oversee relief operations and ensure the safety of residents.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has directed all the Ministers to remain in the field until the situation is under control. This hands-on approach underscores the government’s commitment to a coordinated and effective response.

The Cabinet Ministers are actively monitoring the distribution of essential supplies, managing evacuation efforts, and addressing the immediate needs of those displaced by the floods.

"Our top priority is to save every life and protect every property," said Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema while reviewing the current situation and giving directions in detail to the Deputy Commissioners of Sangrur & Mansa Districts on conference call to leave no stone unturned in mitigating the problems of affected people in flood hit areas.

Similarly, Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO oversaw the flood relief operations in Ramdas, Tarntaran, Sri Goindwal Sahib, Ajnala, Barinder Kumar Goyal in Ajnala, Tarntaran, Sri Goindwal Sahib, Gurmeet Singh Khuddian in villages of District Kapurthala, Lal Chand Kataruchak in villages of Pathankot District, Laljit Singh Bhullar also in Tarntaran, and Hardeep Singh Mundian in villages of Tehsil Sultanpur Lodhi.

The government is also coordinating with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other central agencies to enhance rescue capabilities. Efforts are focused on providing medical aid, food, and shelter to the affected population.

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Punjab Government hosts Technology Exchange Workshop on Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Horticulture

JICA delegation discusses collaboration under PCRESHP with Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat

Chandigarh, August 27:The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, continues to take significant strides to strengthen the horticulture sector. In this direction, Punjab and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) jointly organised a Workshop on Innovative Technology Exchange with Stakeholders for “Promotion of Climate-Resilient and Environmentally Sustainable Horticulture in Punjab (PCRESHP)” at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Complex, Sector 31, Chandigarh. The event brought together experts, stakeholders, and a high-level delegation from JICA to explore sustainable practices and advanced technologies in horticulture.

While addressing the workshop,

Horticulture Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat warmly welcomed the distinguished JICA delegation, including First Secretary (Food and Agriculture) Mr. Hayase Takechiko, Senior Representative JICA India Mr. Eiji Wakamatsu, Team Leader of the JICA Survey Team Mr. Shinohara Togo, and Development Specialist JICA India Ms. Nishtha Vengurlekar. The Minister also welcomed Chairperson CII Chandigarh Mr. Amit Jain. He expressed his pleasure at the presence of the Japanese delegation, highlighting the importance of their expertise and collaboration in advancing Punjab’s horticulture sector through technology exchange and innovative practices.

The visiting 30 members JICA delegation called on Punjab Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat and discussed collaboration under the Punjab Crop Residue Efficient and Sustainable Horticulture Project (PCRESHP). The deliberations focused on advanced practices in crop diversification, sustainable resource management, and the use of upgraded technology for the welfare of farmers.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mohinder Bhagat said that Punjab’s horticulture is gaining global recognition, and the state government is committed to providing farmers with modern technology and international expertise. “With JICA’s support, Punjab aims to further strengthen crop diversification, reduce input costs, and enhance farmers’ income,” he added.

At the event, First Secretary (Food and Agriculture) Mr. Hayase Takechiko said Punjab has immense potential in horticulture and assured support with advanced Japanese technology, training, and sustainable practices to benefit farmers directly.

Various sessions were held during the workshop, covering themes such as New Technologies in Controlled Environment Horticulture, Providing Solutions Using Agri-Tech, Actions Towards Low-Carbon and Sustainable Horticulture, and Promoting Academic Collaboration Between India and Japan. These sessions provided a platform for expert presentations, discussions, and interactive exchanges, aimed at promoting innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration in Punjab’s horticultural sector.

Invitees included companies, research institutes, and universities from Japan and India with technologies relevant to horticultural value chain development, which can support the goal of developing sustainable and climate-resilient horticulture in Punjab.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Punjab State Food Commission is Mr.Bal Mukand Sharma and Punjab Horticulture Director, Mrs. Shailender Kaur, also highlighted the various support schemes and assistance available to farmers through the Horticulture Department, including technical guidance, financial aid, and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable and climate-resilient horticultural practices across the state.

The workshop concluded with a commitment from both sides to further deepen Punjab–Japan cooperation in the horticulture sector, paving the way for sustainable and farmer-centric growth in the state.

The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Mohinder Singh Sidhu, Chairman, PUNSEED, along with senior officers of the Horticulture Department, agricultural scientists and representatives of various farmer organisations.

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