*By inserting names of Guru Sahibs in Atishi’s fake video, BJP has committed beadbi: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Congress & Akali Dal also joined BJP’s dirty politics and became partners in the beadbi of Guru Sahibs: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Punjab Police action over beadbi of Guru Sahibs is fully justified: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

BATHINDA, 11th January 2026:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann launched a strong rebuttal to the BJP over the tempering of former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi’s Delhi Assembly video, declaring it a deliberate conspiracy to provoke communal unrest in Punjab. The Chief Minister said the video was edited with false subtitles, an act of beadbi (sacrilege), and pointed out that forensic findings have conclusively established that Atishi never used the word “Guru.”

Defending the Punjab Police action over beadbi of Guru Sahibs, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the falsified clip does not figure anywhere in the official Assembly records and pointed out that the BJP is pursuing an anti-Punjab agenda on issues ranging from Chandigarh and BBMB to Panjab University, while opposition leaders, he remarked, were scrambling to defend lies in the absence of any real issue against the state government.

Addressing a press conference in Bhatinda, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Ever since its inception, the BJP has pursued the politics of communalism, divisiveness and hatred. With the Assembly elections approaching, the party has started implementing this agenda in Punjab to divide people on sectarian lines. The BJP had morphed the video of the former Delhi Chief Minister by inserting its own subtitles. Even the forensic investigation has clearly established that the word ‘Guru’ was never used by the AAP leader.”

The Chief Minister said that misrepresenting facts to suit political needs was an old strategy of the saffron party and that this act had deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh sangat. “By morphing the video, they have committed sacrilege. This is intolerable and they will be punished for their sins,” he said, adding that the video being morphed was evident as the words attributed to the former Delhi Chief Minister did not appear in the official proceedings of the House.

Referring to BJP leader Kapil Mishra, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The leader who uploaded the morphed video on social media will have to face the consequences of his actions. The Punjab Police had rightly registered a case against him. There is no issue of any Delhi Assembly privilege here. He has been booked for hurting the sentiments of the common people and he will face action strictly as per law.”

Citing the BJP’s anti-Punjab stand on issues such as Chandigarh, BBMB, Panjab University, Republic Day tableaus and other matters, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the saffron party’s mindset towards Punjab was hostile. “Former CM Captain Amarinder Singh, state BJP President Sunil Jakhar and Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu are in an awkward situation today as they are forced to justify the BJP’s enmity towards Punjab through a bundle of lies,” he added.

The Chief Minister said the BJP and its leadership had little respect for the great Sikh Guru Sahibs, adding, “The Prime Minister never even found time to accept the invitation to attend events commemorating the 350th Shaheedi Diwas (martyrdom anniversary) of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Neither the Prime Minister nor any senior central leader visited Punjab to pay obeisance during these events. This reflects a narrow and myopic mindset towards Sikhs and our great Guru Sahibs.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Congress, Akali Dal and BJP were following the same line against Punjab and its government. “These parties even issue identical press notes at different times during the day only to spread venom against the state government,” he added.

Slamming Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Sukhbir Badal is shedding crocodile tears over Punjab’s issues, but these are the same leaders who consented to granting central university status to Panjab University and who hailed Modi for the draconian farm laws.”

He said these parties were responsible for patronising drug smugglers and gangsters in the past, adding, “Even today, they continue to give party tickets to gangsters.” Taking a jibe at former Congress Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Randhawa should remember that his father had congratulated former PM Indira Gandhi for Operation Bluestar. The sitting Lok Sabha MP from Gurdaspur represented the same Congress party that had carried out Operation Bluestar at the holiest Sikh shrine.”

The Chief Minister said that in the absence of any real issue against the Punjab government, opposition leaders had lost their mental balance. “Despite this, my government remains fully committed to the welfare of every section of society and no stone is being left unturned to ensure inclusive development,” he said.

Highlighting achievements in education, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Government schools are being upgraded into Schools of Eminence and, due to the sustained efforts of the state government, Punjab has secured the top position nationwide in the National Assessment Survey conducted by the Government of India, surpassing Kerala for the first time. From government schools, 848 students have qualified NEET, 265 have cleared JEE Mains and 45 have cleared JEE Advanced.”

The Chief Minister said principals and teachers were being sent to Singapore, Finland and Ahmedabad for professional training. On religious matters, he said, “I will appear before Sri Akal Takht Sahib on January 15 with all facts. Sri Akal Takht Sahib is sacred for every Sikh and is the highest temporal seat of our community.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann unequivocally asserted, “For me, Sri Akal Takht Sahib Ji is above everything and any order received from there will be obeyed in true letter and spirit. Its command was, is and will always remain supreme for me and my family. It is a highly revered place from where Sikhs derive divine peace and strength.”

*Clarifying the constitution of an SIT to probe the 328 missing saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Chief Minister said, “There is no politics behind forming the SIT. Only those who have committed this sin are afraid of the probe. The SGPC was elected around 14 years ago and has continued to function despite many members having passed away or moved abroad,” and said misleading statements were made by SGPC authorities whenever it suited their interests.*

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*Punjab Government provides online facility to people of state for installation of High Security Registration Plates: Laljit Singh Bhullar*

*Says, Vehicle owners can apply for High Security Registration Plates through an online portal from their homes*

*High Security Registration Plates installed on a total of 64,24,336 vehicles in Punjab: Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar*

Chandigarh, January 11:Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has provided an online facility for the people of the state to get High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) installed on their vehicles. Under this initiative, HSRP has already been installed on a total 64,24,336 vehicles across the state so far.

Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, while sharing this information, said that the work of installing HSRP on vehicles registered in the state was being carried out through an online process by M/s Agros Impex India Private Limited, whose tender expired on January 8, 2026. To save the general public from inconvenience, the Punjab Government took immediate initiative and, while continuing the same online process, entrusted the work to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) to ensure uninterrupted public convenience.

The Cabinet Minister said that vehicle owners can now apply online for installing HSRP on their vehicles through the SIAM/High Security Registration Plate portal, http://www.siam.in. He added that the entire process is completely online, enabling vehicle owners to apply for HSRP from their homes.

Transport Minister stated that this initiative of the state government will reduce harassment of vehicle owners and free them from repeated visits to RTO offices. He added that due to this step taken by the Punjab Government, people will not need to approach any agent or middleman to get HSRP installed.

Mr. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that so far, HSRP have been installed on a total of 64,24,336 vehicles across the state. He appealed to the remaining vehicle owners to take advantage of the prescribed process and ensure installation of HSRP on their vehicles at the earliest to avoid challans and other penalties.

Transport Minister said that in the interest of the general public, the Punjab Government has set a goal to bring transparency in every process, eliminate public harassment, and curb agents and corruption. He added that as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, and the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and rules framed thereunder, installation of HSRP as per the prescribed procedure has been made mandatory.

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*Punjab Launches First Mining Auctions in 3 Years; Cabinet Approves Shift to Price-Based Bidding to Raise Revenue & Speed Operations*

*By shifting to transparent online auctions, we’re protecting state revenue, creating level playing field for genuine operators, and curbing illegal mining: Barinder Kumar Goyal*

*Chandigarh, January 11:*Reinforcing its commitment to transparency and responsible resource management, the Punjab Government has launched fresh auctions for mining sites across the state and notified major reforms to the auction framework under the amended Punjab Minor Mineral Rules.

Speaking on the reforms, Mining and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said, “Our government is committed to ending opacity in mining and ensuring that natural resources are used for the benefit of the people. By shifting to transparent online auctions, we are protecting state revenue, creating a level playing field for genuine operators, and curbing illegal mining.”

In Phase 1, the government has auctioned 29 new Commercial Mining Sites (CMS) through an open and competitive online bidding process. These auctions, floated in October–November, resulted in 16 successful bids and generated ₹11.61 crore in revenue. Notably, these are the first mining auctions conducted by the state in the last three years.

The Cabinet-approved reforms mark a decisive break from earlier volume-based auction systems, where bidders competed by offering to operationalise the maximum share of a site. In practice, many bidders quoted identical volumes, often 100 percent, leading to selection by draw of lots. Over time, this approach resulted in reduced revenue realisation, proliferation of non-serious bidders, limited investment commitment, and delays in operationalising mines, as environmental clearances were the government’s responsibility.

To address these systemic flaws, the Cabinet has approved a series of structural reforms aligned with best practices followed across India. Auctions will now be based on competitive price bidding, ensuring fair allocation and improved revenue outcomes. Bidders will be required to make upfront payments to demonstrate seriousness, and royalty payments will be collected in advance to ensure steady revenue flows.

Responsibility for obtaining Environmental Clearances has been shifted to bidders, a move expected to significantly reduce delays in making mines operational. Clear dead rent provisions have also been introduced to prevent speculative bidding by ensuring minimum payments even if mines are not operationalised. Additionally, lease tenures have been extended from three years to five years, providing greater stability and planning certainty to operators.

The government has clarified that while 29 sites have been auctioned in Phase 1, nearly 100 additional sites will be brought to auction in staggered phases. These reforms are expected to expand legal supply of raw materials, accelerate operational timelines, strengthen regulatory clarity, and substantially increase government revenues.

The government affirmed that the combined impact of policy amendments, CRMS/LMS introduction, and auction reforms represents a comprehensive overhaul of Punjab’s mining sector, aimed at eliminating opacity, preventing monopolies, curbing illegal mining, and ensuring that natural resources are utilised for public benefit.

The Punjab government emphasised that transparent online auctions, coupled with legalisation of mining through CRMS and LMS, are central to protecting state revenue, creating a level playing field for genuine operators, and restoring public confidence in the mining governance framework.