*Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh invites private hospitals to join Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna; leading healthcare providers show keen interest*

*— Punjab Govt committed to providing quality, accessible, and cashless healthcare up to ₹10 lakh per family: Dr Balbir Singh*

*— Universal healthcare push gains momentum as leading private hospitals engage with Punjab Govt on MMSY: Dr Balbir Singh*

*— Max, Fortis, Shalby, and Livasa among major hospitals express positive interest in empanelment under MMSY*

CHANDIGARH, January 6:In a major push to expand the reach of Punjab’s forthcoming ₹10 lakh cashless health insurance initiative, as envisioned by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh on Tuesday invited leading private hospitals to get empanelled under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna (MMSY) and partner with the state government in delivering universal health coverage to the people of Punjab.

The Health Minister, accompanied by Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare Kumar Rahul and Chief Executive Officer of the State Health Agency (SHA) Sanyam Aggarwal, was chairing a high-level meeting with representatives of prominent private hospitals at the office of the State Health Agency here.

Addressing the gathering, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh reiterated the Punjab Government’s firm commitment to ensuring that every family in the state has access to quality, cashless healthcare. “Under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, a comprehensive health insurance cover of ₹10 lakh per family is being provided to eliminate the financial burden of medical treatment on ordinary citizens,” he said.

The Health Minister further added, “Our objective is to create a robust healthcare ecosystem where no resident is deprived of treatment due to lack of funds. The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna is a transformative step in this direction, and the active participation of private hospitals is crucial to its success.”

Emphasising that private hospitals are vital partners in the successful implementation of MMSY, the Health Minister said the encouraging response from leading healthcare institutions would significantly strengthen the scheme’s outreach across Punjab. “The scheme has been designed to be transparent and efficient, ensuring that its benefits reach the grassroots,” he added.

Urging hospitals to complete the empanelment formalities at the earliest, Minister Dr Balbir Singh said this would enable citizens of Punjab to begin availing medical services at these facilities without any out-of-pocket expenditure.

The interaction witnessed enthusiastic participation from leading private healthcare providers, including Max Hospital, Fortis Hospital, Shalby Hospital and Livasa Hospital, among others. Representatives of these institutions expressed keen interest in joining the scheme and appreciated the state government’s proactive approach to building a collaborative, people-centric healthcare model.

During the session, Minister Dr Balbir Singh and CEO SHA (State Health Authority) Sanyam Aggarwal addressed a range of operational queries raised by the hospitals, including issues related to treatment packages, the empanelment process and the technical aspects of the cashless interface under the scheme.

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*Punjab to have 3,100 playgrounds soon as Punjab Govt is giving major push to sports culture in state: Harjot Singh Bains*

*Punjab emerging as national hub for school sports with hosting of 69th National School Games: Harjot Singh Bains*

*Punjab hosts 69th National School Games; over 1,000 athletes compete in Ludhiana as Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains inaugurates event*

*Sports policy delivering results; Punjab sees rise in medals as 69th National School Games begin in Ludhiana: Harjot Singh Bains*

CHANDIGARH / LUDHIANA, 6th January:Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Tuesday formally inaugurated the 69th National School Games at Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana, marking the start of a major national sporting event that has drawn young athletes from across the country. Players from all states and Union Territories, along with teams from Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and Vidya Bharati schools, are participating in the Games being held from January 6 to January 11.

Addressing the gathering, the Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “During the 69th National School Games, competitions will be organised in Judo Under-14 for boys and girls, Taekwondo Under-14 for girls and boys, Gatka Under-19 for boys and girls.” He added that the matches would be conducted at multiple venues across the city, saying, “These competitions will be held at BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, Government Senior Secondary School, PAU Ludhiana and the Open Air Theatre at PAU, Ludhiana.”

Calling the event a matter of pride for Punjab and the host city, S Harjot Singh Bains said, “It is a matter of great pride for Punjab and for Ludhiana that the 69th National School Games are being organised here. Around 1,000 sportspersons and more than 350 coaches have arrived from different parts of the country, including Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Andhra Pradesh and the North East.”

He said that the district administration had made elaborate arrangements for the participants, stating, “Despite the cold weather, adequate arrangements have been ensured for accommodation, food and transportation. PCR teams have been deployed for security and CCTV cameras have been installed at the playgrounds.”

Highlighting the state government’s focus on sports infrastructure, the Education Minister said, “The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is continuously striving to expand sports infrastructure in the state. Construction work of 3,100 playgrounds in villages and cities is underway at a war footing in the first phase, with the vision of ensuring that every village in Punjab will have its own sports ground.”

Referring to capacity building in sports, Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “Coaches are being recruited on a large scale in sports nurseries for boxing, hockey, kabaddi and other sports, and the diet of players has also been increased so that they can train and perform better.”

Speaking about the state’s sports policy, the Education Minister said, “Punjab has formulated a sports policy under which, for the first time, when a player is selected for the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships or the Olympics, the Punjab government provides advance financial assistance to the selected players. In other states, such incentives are given after winning medals, but Punjab supports its players in advance, and after the implementation of this policy, the number of medals won by Punjab has increased.”

Minister Harjot Singh Bains further said, “It is a matter of great pride for Punjab that the Indian men’s cricket team, Indian women’s cricket team and the Indian hockey team are performing brilliantly under the captaincy of Punjabis. The strong representation of Punjabi players in the Indian hockey team indicates that Punjab is steadily moving towards restoring its old identity as a leading state in the field of sports.”

On the occasion, MLA Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal, Director Secondary Education Gurinder Singh Sodhi, Mayor Principal Inderjit Kaur, Senior Deputy Mayor Rakesh Parashar, Deputy Mayor Prince Johar, District Education Officer Dimple Madan, District Sports Officer Kuldeep Chugh, along with senior officers from various departments, were present.

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SIDHWAN CANAL TO REMAIN CLOSED FOR 21 DAYS FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK OF BRIDGES*

Chandigarh, January 6:The Punjab Water Resources Department has decided to close the Sidhwan Canal for a period of 21 days.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson said that in view of construction work of bridges, the Sidhwan Canal will remain closed from January 7 to January 27, 2026, both days inclusive.

These orders have been issued under Rule 61 of the rules framed under the Punjab Canal and Drainage Act, 2023 (Part-3). A notification in this regard has already been issued.

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Genuine efforts of Punjab Government bear fruit

Over 5 lakh people visited Chhatbir Zoo in one year

Government school students pegged at 62000

Chandigarh, January 6:In view of the ever increasing curiosity among the people in general and student community in particular to know more the varied wildlife of Punjab, the visitor count at the Chhatbir Zoo has witnessed an upswing during the past one year. From January to December 2025 more than 5 lakh people visited the Chhatbir Zoo with the number of students of Government schools of the State pegged at the maximum i.e. more than 62000.

The Forests and Wildlife Preservation Department has made herculean efforts in this regard guided by the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and under the leadership of Minister incharge Lal Chand Kataruchak. This has led to the renewed interest among the people to visit Chhatbir Zoo also known as Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park.

The number of private primary school students visiting the zoo stands in excess of 18000 while the private high school students number more than 16000.

The huge footfall exhibits demonstrates that the younger generation of Punjab is very keen to learn more about the varied Wildlife species of the State besides developing empathy for them as the diversified wildlife is also an important part of the nature.

It is noteworthy to mention that various kinds of activities are undertaken in the zoo which came into existence in 1977. The activities include blood donation camps, Run for Wild, and zoo education program. The aim is sensitize youth about different flora and fauna of Punjab.

The biggest and the longest walk in aviary of the country has become the centre of attraction at the zoo besides an ultra modern dinosaur park which has been set up. In the Wildlife safari area of around 1200 metres, the boundary wall has been strengthened apart from installation of a solar plant having 260 KV capacity.

A critical care unit stands constructed at the lion safari for the carnivorous animals besides an open air zoo Education plaza for the assistance of the visitors especially the school children.

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*DEPUTY SPEAKER JAI KRISHAN SINGH RAURI INAUGURATES LINK ROADS IN 28 VILLAGES OF GARHSHANKAR*

*NEW LINK ROADS TO BOOST RURAL CONNECTIVITY AND AGRARIAN ECONOMY IN GARHSHANKAR CONSTITUENCY: JAI KRISHAN SINGH RAURI*

*Garhshankar/Hoshiarpur, January 6:*Punjab Vidhan Sabha’s Deputy Speaker and MLA from the Garhshankar constituency, S. Jai Krishan Singh Rauri, today formally inaugurated newly constructed link roads in various villages of the constituency, including Ghagon Rorhanwali, Bhammian, Mehtabpur, Dugri, Garhi Matto, Pahlewal, Birampur, Sadhowal, Sauli, Purkhowal, Rampur Bilron, Salempur, Satnaur, Pakhoval, Padrana, Badesaron, Akalgarh, Golian, Bhajjalan, Lallian, Kalewal, Mohanowal, Rawalpindi, Fatehpur Kala, Denowal Kala, and Dogarpur.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Deputy Speaker Rauri said that the link roads are the backbone of rural development and with the construction of these roads, transportation in villages will become more efficient. He stated that the Aam Aadmi Party led government is fully committed to providing basic amenities in villages on the lines of urban areas.

Deputy Speaker informed that with the completion of link roads in these 28 villages, farmers will find it easier to transport their produce to markets, students will have better access to schools and colleges, and the general public will save both time and money. He said that quality roads are not only a symbol of development but also play a vital role in strengthening the rural economy.

He further stated that special emphasis is being laid on quality during the construction of roads by the Punjab Government. In this regard, he issued strict instructions to officials of the concerned departments that no negligence in development works will be tolerated and that all works must be carried out in a transparent manner.

Deputy Speaker Rauri said that development works are continuously underway in the Garhshankar constituency. Whether it is education, healthcare facilities, water supply, electricity, or roads, the needs of the people are being addressed on a priority basis. The main objective of the government is to ensure that every resident of the villages directly benefits from development, he added.

During the event, local residents and village representatives especially thanked Deputy Speaker Rauri and said that the demand for these link roads had been pending for many years and has finally been fulfilled.

Mr. Rauri said that the Aam Aadmi Party led government is working with firm determination to fulfill every promise made to the people, and that the Garhshankar constituency will be developed as a model constituency.

On this occasion, Market Committee Chairman Baldeep Singh Saini, Zila Parishad Member Inderjit Singh Baryana, Dr. Harbhajan Mehmi, Block Samiti Member Dr. Parmjit Pal, Manjit Kaur, Sarpanch Jujhar Singh Nagra, Numberdar Hari Krishan Singh Gangar, along with sarpanches, panches, party leaders, officials, and a large number of villagers from various villages were present.