Propaganda regarding Ludhiana Bus Stand baseless and misleading: Laljit Singh Bhullar

Claims of bias or irregularities regarding leasing of different parts of Ludhiana Bus Stand termed absolutely farcical

Chandigarh, November 6:Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar has termed as baseless the claims of bias or irregularities regarding the leasing of different parts of Ludhiana Bus Stand, saying that Ludhiana Bus Stand was on overall lease before December 10, 2021, whereas now different parts of the place have been leased. He said that this policy is being followed since the time of previous governments and on the same lines other bus stands of Punjab have also been leased.

The Transport Minister clarified and appealed for refraining from unfounded news and misleading propaganda, saying that the construction work of the Ludhiana bus stand was done by the Wellsampan Company in the year 2006 on BOT (Bundle Operate and Transfer). This company operated the bus stand on BOT basis till the year 2016. After this, the Ludhiana bus stand was again given to the Mess.LRY Company in the year 2018 on MOT (Maintenance Operate and Transfer) basis.

He said that due to the Corona pandemic in the year 2020, the concession fee due by the Mess.LRY company was not deposited with the department, due to which the agreement of this company was suspended by the department and the maintenance of the bus stand Ludhiana was being done by Punbus at its own level from December 10, 2021.

He further said that the collection of the fee of this bus stand is also done by the department at its own level. To collect this bus stand fee, 15 employees (conductors-sub-inspectors) were deployed by the depot at different points of the bus stand. The bus stand fee was collected daily by these employees and the expenses of salary and stationery etc. of these employees were also borne by the department itself.

Laljit Singh Bhullar said that as per the orders of the head office, online e-auction was conducted by the depot 08 times to pay this bus stand fee on contract.

Accordingly, an e-auction was conducted on 01 August, 2025. A total of 04 bidders participated in this online e-auction and out of these 04 bidders, Arjun Yadav & Company bid the highest price of Rs. 4401000 plus GST. 51,93,180/-. The Arjun Yadav & Company has deposited the amount of Rs. 100298340/- (One Crore Two Lakh Ninety Eight Thousand Three Hundred Forty Rupees) in two installments in the account of the Advance Depot.

The contract for the Adda fee has been made with this company for a period of 06 months or till the time of taking up the overall bus stand contract. This entire process of advance e-auction has been done by the MSTC Company as per the government instructions. After the work of Adda Fee Collection was outsourced, the conductor and sub-inspector staff of the depot who were deployed on Adda Fee collection have been redeployed to their earlier duties.

Laljit Singh Bhullar further informed that to ensure efficiency and transparency, the Transport Department conducted seven e-auctions for the leasing of Adda on contractual basis and in the most recent eighth auction held on August 1, 2025, Arjan Yadav & Company (#156, New Grain Market, Salim Tabri, Ludhiana-141008, Punjab) emerged as the highest bidder. Thus, after a transparent and stipulated process, the successful bidder has deposited the due amount. He informed that as per the agreement, the contractor has taken over the work of collecting bus stand fee from November 1, 2025.

Laljit Singh Bhullar assured that every step has been taken with utmost transparency and in accordance with the rules. The decision to outsource the collection of Adda fee was taken with the aim of streamlining the process, reducing administrative burden and generating revenue for the government exchequer. He also reiterated his commitment to serve the people of Punjab with full dedication and transparency.

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Paddy procurement season 2025

Over 10 lakh farmers benefitted from Minimum Support Price so far

Patiala remains on top

Chandigarh, November 6:Leaving no stone unturned to ensure a smooth paddy procurement season, the pro active approach of the Punjab Government led by the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has led to 10,11,149 Lakh farmers being benefitted from the Minimum Support Price (MSP) till November 5th.

Under the guidance of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, the procurement, lifting and payments are going on in full swing. The Patiala District so far leads the way with 95021 farmers deriving the benefit of MSP.

As regarding the arrival, a total of 13869759.05 MT of paddy has reached the mandis throughout the State till November 5th evening. Out of this, 13597879.27 MT stands procured and the figure touches 98 percent. The total lifting figure is 11729851.90 MT making the lifting touch 86 percent mark of the total procured crop so far.

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RAJA WARRING SEEKS EXEMPTION THROUGH HIS LAWYER FROM PERSONAL APPEARANCE IN LATE BUTA SINGH CASE TILL BYE-ELECTIONS

DISTRICT ELECTION OFFICER TARN TARAN ALSO REQUESTS PUNJAB SC COMMISSION TO GRANT EXEMPTION

PUNJAB SC COMMISSION SEEKS REPORT COPY FROM SSP KAPURTHALA

Chandigarh, November 6:In connection with the remarks made regarding former Union Home Minister S. Buta Singh, Advocate Arshpreet Singh Khadial today appeared before the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission on behalf of Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, who had been summoned by the Commission. However, the advocate could not submit the power of attorney (vakalatnama) during the proceedings.

Through his counsel, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring has sought exemption from personal appearance before the Commission citing the ongoing bye-election and has requested a new date after the elections conclude.

Meanwhile, the District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Tarn Taran has also sought exemption from appearing before the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission today.

Providing the details, Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman S. Jasvir Singh Garhi said that the District Election Officer, through a formal communication, informed the Commission that a letter had been issued to Raja Warring seeking clarification in the matter, which is currently being verified by the police.

He said that the District Election Officer Tarn Taran has requested exemption from the November 6 appearance due to the ongoing bye-election in the Assembly constituency. Accepting the request, the Commission has granted time till November 17, 2025, he added.

S. Jasvir Singh Garhi further said that as per media reports, an FIR has been registered by Kapurthala Police against Raja Warring. Taking cognizance of this, the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has sought a copy of the report from the SSP Kapurthala regarding the action taken so far, to be submitted by November 10, 2025.

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350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji:

Light and Sound Shows to be held on November 8 in Gurdaspur, Faridkot, Fazilka and Hoshiarpur districts: Tarunpreet Singh Sond

- Cabinet Ministers, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha to attend along with devotees

- Shows held earlier in Patiala, Jalandhar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Pathankot received overwhelming response

Chandigarh, November 6:Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond informed that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is organizing the second phase of Light and Sound Shows dedicated to the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji on November 8 in Gurdaspur, Faridkot, Fazilka and Hoshiarpur districts. He said that various Cabinet Ministers, along with the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, will participate in these events with the devotees.

Sond said that in Gurdaspur district, the Light and Sound Show will be held at ITI Batala, where Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchakk will be present. The show in Faridkot will be organized at Nehru Stadium, where Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan will grace the occasion.

Similarly, the Light and Sound Show in Fazilka will take place at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports Stadium, where Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur will participate. In Hoshiarpur, the show will be organized at the Multipurpose Outdoor Stadium, Lajwanti, and will be attended by Deputy Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, Local Government and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh, and Member of Parliament Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal.

The Minister further said that these Light and Sound Shows use modern laser lights and 3D projection technology to depict the life, philosophy, and supreme sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji for the protection of religion and human values. The aim is to inspire the present generation to follow the noble path shown by Guru Sahib.

He added that the shows held earlier on November 4 in Patiala, Jalandhar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Pathankot were a grand success and received appreciation from devotees and the general public alike. Sond appealed to the people to attend the upcoming shows with their families on November 8.

It is worth mentioning that in the next phase, the Punjab Government will organize these Light and Sound Shows on November 11, 14, 17 and 20 in the remaining districts of the state.

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HARBHAJAN SINGH ETO PAYS OBEISANCE AT GURDWARA IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

URGES LOCAL SIKH COMMUNITY TO ATTEND COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS OF 350TH MARTYRDOM ANNIVERSARY OF SRI GURU TEGH BAHADUR SAHIB JI IN PUNJAB

Chandigarh/Thiruvananthapuram, November 6:Punjab Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO paid obeisance at Station Gurdwara Sahib in Thiruvananthapuram during the celebrations of Parkash Purb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The Cabinet Minister was in Kerala to formally invite Chief Minister Sh. Pinarayi Vijayan to the commemorations of the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, to be held at Sri Anandpur Sahib.

Extending greetings to the Sikh sangat gathered on the auspicious Gurpurb of the First Sikh Guru, Harbhajan Singh ETO urged Punjabis living thousands of miles away from their homeland to continue spreading the divine message and teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

He also invited the local Sikh community to be part of the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary events of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, being organized at Sri Anandpur Sahib under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

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Punjab Assembly Structure to be Completed by November 20 to mark Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s Martyrdom Anniversary: Speaker

*Special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha dedicated to martyrdom day of Guru Sahib will commence after the Nagar Kirtan reaches Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib on November 24: Harjot Singh Bains*

*Cabinet Ministers and MLAs, along with their families, will arrive at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 23 with devotion to participate in the religious events: Tarunpreet Singh Sond*

*Cabinet Ministers and MLAs will humbly join the sangat (devotees) as sevadars (selfless volunteers) in the events: Deepak Bali*

Chandigarh/Sri Anandpur Sahib, November 6:

The temporary structure of Punjab Vidhan Sabha being constructed to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the Ninth Guru, Hind Di Chadar Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, will be completed by November 20, announced Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan while chairing a meeting with the Group of Ministers and senior officials at Virasat-e-Khalsa.

The Speaker said that this special session of the Punjab Assembly, dedicated to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s supreme sacrifice, has been envisioned by the Punjab Government with the aim of spreading the Guru’s divine philosophy to every corner of the world.

He recalled that after Guru Sahib’s martyrdom in Delhi, Bhai Jaita Ji brought Guru Sahib’s sacred head to Gurdwara Bibangarh Sahib (Kiratpur Sahib). From there, Bhai Jaita Ji, along with Mata Gujri Ji and ‘Bal Guru Gobind Ji’, carried it to Sri Anandpur Sahib, where the cremation was performed. The site now stands as Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib.

Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains stated that on November 24, a Nagar Kirtan will commence from Gurdwara Bibangarh Sahib (Kiratpur Sahib). The procession will be welcomed at various locations by ministers and MLAs. Upon its arrival at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, the special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha will formally begin.

Cabinet Minister S. Tarunpreet Singh Sond informed that special arrangements have been made for Cabinet Ministers and MLAs to stay at Bhai Sati Das Pandal, so they and their families can arrive at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 23 and participate in the religious events with devotion.

He added that for MLAs who wish to attend the session directly, separate transport and logistical arrangements are being made to ensure smooth participation without traffic or other difficulties.

Advisor to the Tourism Department Shri Deepak Bali said that Cabinet Ministers and MLAs will participate in the commemorative events as humble sevadars (volunteers) along with the sangat (devotees), honoring the supreme sacrifice of Guru Sahib. He further shared that following the Assembly session, a special drone show will be organized — a unique attraction expected to captivate all devotees.

After the meeting, former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi and Punjab In-Charge Shri Manish Sisodia and Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, along with the Group of Ministers and Tourism Department Advisor Deepak Bali, reviewed the preparations for the Vidhan Sabha session at Bhai Jaita Ji and issued the necessary directions.

Additional Chief Secretary, Parliamentary Affairs Shri D.K. Tiwari Secretary, Water Supply Department S. Harpreet Singh, Secretary Tourism Department Dr. Abhinav Trikha, Special Secretary Public Works Department Mrs. Hargunjeet Kaur; MD Infotech S. Jaspreet Singh, Director Local Government S. Kulwant Singh, Director Hospitality S. Tej Singh Saini, ADGP S. Surinderpal Singh Parmar, DIG Ropar Range S. Nanak Singh, Deputy Commissioner Ropar Shri Varjeet Walia, SSP Ropar S. Gulneet Singh Khurana, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mrs. Pooja Syal Garewal, Executive Engineer PWD S.S. Bhullar, Executive Engineer Public Works Shri Vivek Dureja, Executive Engineer Water Supply S. Harjitpal Singh, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.