LUDHIANA GOVT SCHOOLS’ TEACHERS & STAFF DONATE ₹31.53 LAKH FOR FLOOD RELIEF

• Teachers delegation presents cheques to EM Bains to contribute in CM Flood Relief Fund

• Educators’ act showcases commitment to community beyond classroom walls, says Harjot Singh Bains

Chandigarh, September 15:–In a heartwarming display of unity and compassion, the teaching and non-teaching staff of Government Senior Secondary Schools in Ludhiana district collectively contributed a substantial amount of Rs. 31,53,000 to the Punjab Chief Minister Flood Relief Fund, bolstering the state's ongoing flood relief works.

The collective contribution was formally presented to the Punjab School Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains at Nangal today by a delegation led by District Education Officer (Secondary), Ludhiana Ms. Dimple Madan, who handed over the cheques on the behalf of Ludhiana's education community. The delegation comprised Deputy DEO Mr. Amandeep Singh, State Sports Committee Member Mr. Ajit Pal, and Physics Lecturer Mr. Dinesh Modi.

S. Harjot Singh Bains lauded the initiative, stated, "This generous contribution from our educators showcases their compassion and commitment to the community. By supporting the state's relief efforts, they're demonstrating their dedication extends beyond the classroom walls and this solidarity will greatly aid in providing relief and rehabilitation to those affected by the floods."

The Education Minister said that this selfless act highlights educators as pillars of society, while underscoring the Punjab Government's commitment, under CM S. Bhagwant Singh Mann's leadership, to aiding those impacted by the floods.

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Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan condoles sudden demise of Richi Kaypee, only son of former MP Mohinder Singh Kaypee

Chandigarh, September 15:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan expressed grief over the untimely demise of Richi Kaypee only son of former MP Mohinder Singh Kaypee in a road accident at Jalandhar.

Speaker Sandhwan said that he is deeply saddened to hear the news of his passing away and he pray to the God to grant peace to the departed soul. Almighty may give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss in this hour of distress.

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Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema Assures Early Release of Sugarcane Dues to Farmers

Holds Meeting with Representatives of Sugarcane Farmers

Also holds meetings with Gram Panchayat Jal Supply Pump Operators Association, Punjab Police Corona Warriors, Freedom Fighters Uttradikari Sanstha, and Danga Pirdit Welfare Society

Chandigarh, September 15-Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal SinghCheema on Monday assured the representatives of the sugarcane farmers' associations that the balance of the Punjab Government's share in the price of their sugarcane purchased by private mills would be released at the earliest. The farmers' organizations expressed their gratitude to the Finance Minister for the meeting and the assurance.

During the meeting with representatives of sugarcane farmers' organizations here at his office, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema reaffirmed the state government's commitment to supporting the agricultural community. He acknowledged the financial difficulties faced by sugarcane growers due to any delay in payments and assured them that the government is taking swift action to pay the pending payments. "The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwan Mann, is committed to ensuring that our farmers receive timely payment for their produce," he added.

Prior to the meeting with sugarcane farmers, the Finance Minister held detailed discussions with representatives of various associations, including the Gram Panchayat Jal Supply Pump Operators Association, Punjab Police Corona Warriors, Freedom Fighters Uttradikari Sanstha, and Danga Pirdit Welfare Society. These meetings focused on addressing the demands and issues raised by these organizations. The Finance Minister directed the concerned departments to resolve all legitimate demands and issues on a priority basis.

During these meetings, Balwinder Singh Raju, President of the Majha Kisan Sangarsh Committee; Jangvir Singh Chauhan, President of the Doaba Kisan Committee; Gurbaz Singh, President of the Punjab Police Corona Warriors; Beant Singh, President of Gram Panchayat Jal Supply Pump Operators; Chittin Singh Mansa and Major Singh, co-presidents of two wings of the Freedom Fighters Uttradikari Sanstha; and Surjit Singh, President of the Danga Pirdit Welfare Society, and their association members presented their cases.

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’ONE HEALTH APPROACH’: TO CURB INDISCRIMINATE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS, ACTION PLAN ON ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE LAUNCHED IN PUNJAB

— HEALTH MINISTER DR BALBIR SINGH UNVEILS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO COMBAT THE GLOBAL THREAT OF DRUG RESISTANCE

— PUNJAB BECOMES SEVENTH STATE TO LAUNCH STATE ACTION PLAN ON ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE

— ACTION PLAN FOCUSES ON SURVEILLANCE, HYGIENE, INTER-SECTORAL COORDINATION, AND RATIONAL USE OF ANTIBIOTICS

CHANDIGARH, September 15:In a significant move to counter the growing threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Monday launched the dedicated Punjab State Action Plan for the containment of Antimicrobial Resistance (PUNJAB-SAPCAR). With this, Punjab has become the seventh state in India and a leading state in the region to adopt a dedicated policy aimed at curbing the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, a critical global health challenge.The comprehensive plan is anchored in the ‘One Health’ approach, which unites efforts across human health, animal health, agriculture, and environmental sectors to holistically respond to the AMR challenge, aligning the state with national and global health priorities.

The key features of Punjab's AMR Action Plan include strengthened surveillance through monitoring and testing of samples from government health facilities via laboratory networks to track resistance patterns. It mandates high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in hospitals, clinics, and among food vendors to reduce public infection risks. A core component is robust interdepartmental coordination between health, veterinary, agriculture, and food safety departments for integrated action.

The plan strongly advocates for the rational use of antibiotics by promoting strict, prescription-based use in compliance with clinical guidelines to prevent misuse. It also focuses on expanding grassroots awareness drives at other government health facilities including District Hospitals, Sub-Divisional Hospitals, Primary Health Care centres including Aam Aadmi Clinis, in order to educate citizens on the dangers of self-medication and the critical importance of completing full treatment courses.

Further, it aims to curtail non-therapeutic antibiotic use in livestock and agriculture while encouraging safe alternatives, and strengthens primary healthcare under Universal Health Coverage to ensure equitable access to diagnostics and treatment, thereby reducing unnecessary antibiotic use.

Speaking on the occasion, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh said, “Punjab's AMR Action Plan marks a decisive step in safeguarding the future of healthcare. By adopting a One Health approach and aligning with global priorities, we are determined to preserve the effectiveness of life-saving treatments for generations to come.” He further emphasised, “Grassroots awareness is essential. At Government Health Facilities, we will intensify efforts to sensitise people discouraging them for self-medication and incomplete treatment courses, as both fuel antibiotic resistance.”

Principal Secretary Health Kumar Rahul stated that monitoring and surveillance from Aam Aadmi Clinics to laboratories, combined with strict hygiene and standard treatment protocols, will be central to the state's efforts. He highlighted that cleanliness in hospitals and among food vendors is key to reducing infection risk in communities.

Mission Director National Health Mission (NHM) Ghanshyam Thori emphasised that the Action Plan hinges on interdepartmental coordination, requiring health, veterinary, agriculture, and food safety departments to function in lockstep. He affirmed that rational prescribing of antibiotics, in accord with clinical guidelines, will be crucial to preventing misuse.

The event was attended by experts and officials from leading institutions, including Dr. Jasbir Singh Bedi – Professor & Director, Centre for One Health, GADVASU; Dr. Anita Sharma – Director, Lab Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Mohali; Dr. Varsha Gupta – Professor & Head, Dept. of Microbiology, GMCH 32, Chandigarh; Dr. Loveena Oberoi – Professor & Head, Microbiology, GMCH Amritsar; Dr. Nusrat Shafiq – Professor, Pharmacology, PGIMER Chandigarh (Online); Dr. Parvinder Chawla – Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Fortis Mohali; Prof. Rupinder Bakshi – Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, GMCH Patiala; Dr. Ritu Garg – Professor & Head, AIMS Mohali; and Dr. Amit Mandal – Fortis Hospital. Officials from Department of Health Services and NHM Punjab including Director Health Dr Hitinder Kaur, Dr Rohini Goyal, Dr Manju Bansal, Dr. Harpal Singh, Yugesh Kumar Rai, Srijita Chakrabarti and Dr. Neha Chaudhary were present.

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Housing Societies Told to Clear Govt Dues Within 21 Days: RCS

Cooperative Housing Societies Face Supersession for Non-Payment of Statutory Dues within stipulated time

Chandigarh September 15:After observing that a number of cooperative housing and house building societies have not remitted statutory dues to the respective Urban Development Authorities, despite having collected such amounts from their members the Registrar Cooperative Societies Girish Dayalan under the directions of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann has ordered to send notices to all these societies. These dues include, but are not limited to, External Development Charges (EDC), Change of Land Use (CLU) charges, and other statutory payments.

The non-remittance of these dues constitute a serious breach of trust on the part of managing committees and office bearers. Such defaults not only endanger the legal standing of the societies but also put the interests of their members at risk.

In order to safeguard the rights of members and ensure compliance with statutory requirements, all cooperative housing and house building societies are hereby directed that all outstanding amounts payable to the concerned Urban Development Authority must be deposited within 21 days of this notice. Where individual members have not paid their share, the managing committee must ensure recovery and deposit of the same within 30 days.Each society must furnish a No-Dues Certificate from the concerned authority to the office of the DRCS within 30 days.

He further said that failure to comply with these directions shall be treated as persistent default or negligence under Section 27 of the Cooperative Societies Act. Strict action, including but not limited to, supersession of the managing committee will be initiated in case of non compliance.

Mr Dayalan said that these measures are being undertaken in the larger public interest to protect the rights of members and to ensure transparency and accountability in the functioning of cooperative housing societies.