*Bhagwant Mann Govt committed to resolving employees’ grievances with urgency & fairness: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Cabinet Sub-Committee intensifies engagement with unions, directs time-bound resolution of pending demands: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Punjab Govt stands firmly with employees, prioritises their welfare: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema holds marathon meetings with various employees & unions, assures swift action on legitimate demands*
CHANDIGARH, 25 March 2026:Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, serving as the Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee constituted to resolve employee grievances, on Wednesday convened a series of crucial meetings at his office to address the pending demands and concerns of various employee union representatives across Punjab.
During the meetings, the Finance Minister interacted directly with delegations from multiple unions including the Meritorious School Teachers Union, Adhyapak Insaf Committee, Fire Brigade Outsource Employees Union, Fire Brigade Contract Employees Union, and the Forest Workers Union.
The Finance Minister held detailed discussions on their issues in the presence of senior officers from the concerned departments and issued clear directions to ensure that all legitimate demands raised by the unions are addressed and resolved at the earliest.
“Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of employees and ensuring that their rightful demands are addressed in a time-bound manner,” stated Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
Reaffirming the Bhagwant Mann government’s commitment, he emphasised that the Cabinet Sub-Committee is actively engaging with employee representatives to ensure that their concerns are heard and resolved through a transparent and responsive mechanism.
The meetings witnessed active participation from union leaders including Dr. Tina and Ajay Kumar from the Meritorious School Teachers Union; Vikram Dev Singh, Digvijay Pal Sharma, Sukhwinder Singh Chahal, and Baz Singh from the Adhyapak Insaf Committee; Sahib Singh, Gurviryam Singh, and Sukhjit Singh from the Fire Brigade Outsource Employees Union; Sobha Singh from the Fire Brigade Contract Employees Union; and Makhan Singh Wahidpuri, Amrik Singh, Jaswinder Singh, Satnam Singh, Ravi Kumar, and Shinderpal Singh from the Forest Workers Union.
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*Punjab’s Youngest Critically Sick Child, 1-Year-Old Receives Life-Saving Care Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna*
*Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna ensures that treatment isn’t delayed by financial or administrative hurdles: Dr. Balbir Singh*
CHANDIGARH, March 25: With a growing number of newborns and young children accessing treatment under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, the Punjab Government under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is ensuring that medical care begins without delay during critical moments.
In Sri Muktsar Sahib, a 1-year-old child, Khwaish, was admitted with pneumonia requiring urgent medical attention. In many such cases earlier, families would have had to arrange funds, complete documentation, or wait for approvals before treatment could begin. However, under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, that gap has been removed.
With the Sehat Card already in place, treatment was initiated immediately at Deep Hospital under Dr. Monika Garg, without any upfront payment. The family did not have to arrange money or go through verification steps, allowing doctors to begin treatment at a critical time. In cases involving young children, even short delays can lead to complications, but immediate access to treatment ensured that the child received timely care and recovered safely.
Similar instances are being reported from districts such as Sangrur and Mansa, where newborns requiring specialised care, including treatment for low birth weight and other critical conditions, are receiving medical attention under the scheme without financial barriers. The increasing number of such cases reflects how access to treatment is becoming faster and more seamless for families across Punjab.
Highlighting the impact of the scheme, Punjab Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Balbir Singh said, “Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna ensures that treatment is not delayed by financial or administrative hurdles. In cases like this, where a young child required urgent care, even a short delay can have serious consequences. The scheme removes that risk entirely.”
The scheme provides cashless health coverage of up to ₹10 lakh per family annually, enabling access to treatment across empanelled government and private hospitals. With more than 26 lakh Sehat Cards already issued, patients are accessing treatment at over 900 empanelled hospitals, supported by more than 2,300 medical packages.
The growing number of newborn and child cases being treated under the scheme reflects a shift towards faster, more accessible healthcare delivery, where treatment begins without financial hesitation. The Punjab Government continues to encourage residents to enrol for the Sehat Card at designated centres to avail cashless treatment benefits under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna.
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*TARUNPREET SINGH SOND CALLS FOR CARRYING FORWARD LEGACY OF SACRIFICE AND NATION BUILDING OF SHAHEED-E-AZAM SARDAR BHAGAT SINGH*
*PUNJAB STATE FOOD COMMISSION MARKS MARTYRDOM DAY OF ICONIC MARTYR*
*Chandigarh, March 25:*The Punjab State Food Commission today commemorated the Martyrdom Day of Shaheed-e-Azam S. Bhagat Singh with solemnity and patriotic fervour at Punjab Kala Bhawan, Chandigarh. Punjab Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Rural Development and Labour Minister S. Tarunpreet Singh Sond graced the occasion as Chief Guest.
Addressing the gathering, S. Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that the ideals of Shaheed-e-Azam S. Bhagat Singh continue to guide society towards justice, equality and fearless expression. He asserted that the younger generation must imbibe the spirit of sacrifice and commitment towards nation building. He also highlighted the role of cultural platforms in preserving the rich legacy of martyrs and strengthening collective identity. "His message encourages young minds to question injustice, pursue knowledge and contribute meaningfully towards the progress of the nation, making him a timeless source of inspiration for generations to come", he added.
Meanwhile, Punjab State Food Commission Chairman Mr. Bal Mukand Sharma, while outlining the initiatives of the Commission, stated that focused efforts are being made to ensure both food security and nutrition security across the State. He informed that nutrition gardens have been established in 5723 schools, enabling students to understand the importance of balanced diets and sustainable practices.
Paying rich tributes to Shaheed-e-Azam S. Bhagat Singh, speakers noted that his life stands as a symbol of courage, intellectual strength and unwavering dedication to the freedom struggle. His writings and actions continue to ignite a sense of responsibility among youth to uphold democratic values and social harmony. They further stated that S. Bhagat Singh’s vision of an equitable and progressive society remains relevant in contemporary times.
Prominent amongst others who were present included Members of the Commission Jasvir Singh Sekhon, Vijay Dutt and Chetan Parkash Dhaliwal, former Members Preeti Chawla and Indira Gupta and Member Secretary Kanu Thind.
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*Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana proves to be a boon for Punjabis with free treatment up to ₹10 lakh – Dr. Balbir Singh*
-Says 1.60 lakh people have availed free treatment worth ₹191 crore so far
-Bhagwant Singh Mann Government has achieved remarkable milestones in the health sector within four years – Health Minister
-“Punjab’s health model is now being replicated across the country”
-Health revolution in the state began with the transformation of Rajindra Hospital and Mata Kaushalya Hospital in Patiala
-Under ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’, demand for drugs reduced and strong infrastructure created for treatment of addicts – Dr. Balbir Singh
Chandigarh/Patiala, March 25:Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh stated that the unique scheme ‘Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana’, launched by the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, providing free treatment up to ₹10 lakh, is proving to be a boon for the people of Punjab. Highlighting the achievements of the health sector over the past four years, he informed that so far 1.60 lakh people have availed free treatment worth ₹191 crore under this scheme.
Dr. Balbir Singh said that Punjab’s health model is now being replicated in other states across the country. He added that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Aam Aadmi Party government has prioritized health, education, and employment over the past four years, and the results are evident.
He further stated that the transformation of Government Rajindra Hospital and Mata Kaushalya Hospital in Patiala marked the beginning of a health revolution in the state, and the government has achieved unprecedented success in the health sector during this period.
The Health Minister informed that under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, health cards are to be issued to 65 lakh families covering around 3 crore people, out of which 25 lakh cards have already been issued. He appealed to the public to get their health cards made proactively rather than waiting for illness.
He also shared that 9 new medical colleges are being established in the state, including those already operational at Fatehgarh Sahib and ESI Ludhiana. Additionally, upcoming colleges at Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Sangrur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Lehragaga, Malerkotla, and Ludhiana will add 600 new MBBS seats. The shortage of human resources in medical education has also been addressed, and promotions also granted to professors.
Dr. Balbir Singh said that to strengthen infrastructure, equipment worth ₹200 crore is being procured for all government medical colleges, and 22 critical care blocks with 50 beds each are being set up across districts.
He added that along with free medicines, diagnostic services are being expanded. MRI facilities will be made available in all district hospitals this year, CT scan facilities in 8 more hospitals, and 7 maternal and child hospitals with 250 beds each will be made operational soon. Over 200 empanelled private diagnostic centres are also providing X-ray and ultrasound services.
He informed that under AI-enabled screening in five districts, 9,294 women were examined, detecting 8 cases of breast cancer and 43 cases of cervical cancer. Similarly, AI-enabled eye screening of 1.07 lakh people revealed vision issues in 21,660 individuals.
The Health Minister said that under the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, the government has reduced the demand for drugs and broken supply chains, while also creating strong infrastructure for free treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts. Skill development initiatives for recovering addicts and expansion of clinics in jails have also been undertaken.
He further stated that 883 Aam Aadmi Clinics have provided free treatment to 1.69 crore people through over 5 crore OPD consultations. The ‘CM di Yogshala’ project has also brought a new revolution in preventive healthcare, benefiting around 2 lakh people daily through 8,000 yoga sessions. Additionally, 948 general doctors and 627 super-specialist doctors have been recruited, marking the largest medical recruitment in Punjab’s history.
Dr. Balbir Singh said that IVF services will soon be started in government medical colleges at Patiala, Amritsar, and Faridkot, along with PET scan facilities in Mohali and other Government medical colleges. Advanced procedures such as cochlear implants, liver and kidney transplants, and surgeries related to heart, brain, and spine are also being conducted in these hospitals.
He added that all operation theatres at Government Rajindra Hospital have been upgraded to modular OTs, and a trauma centre is also under construction. He reiterated that the government’s main objective is to ensure quality healthcare for all 3 crore residents of the state and to make government hospitals at par with private hospitals.
Dr. Balbir Singh further informed that ‘Mission Amrit STEMI’ has been launched across 23 districts to ensure timely treatment for heart attack patients. Under this initiative, 29,000 patients with chest pain were enrolled, and 800 patients received emergency cardiac care.
He added that under the Punjab Stroke Project, an AI-enabled stroke management system has been introduced through a hub-and-spoke model, benefiting 100 patients so far, with treatment provided to 40 patients. Additionally, mental health support is being provided across the state through Tele-MANAS helpline number 14416.
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*Punjab ranks 2nd nationally in SC scholarship disbursement, nearly 10 lakh students benefited under Bhagwant Mann Govt: Dr Baljit Kaur*
*Bhagwant Govt expands education access & welfare schemes, ensures scholarships and opportunities reach every district: Dr Baljit Kaur*
*Free textbooks & tool kits scheme to benefit 1506 ITI students, boosting skill development & self-reliance: Dr Baljit Kaur*
*From limited coverage to statewide reach, Minority Scholarship Programme expanded to all districts: Dr Baljit Kaur*
*Guided by ideals of Babasaheb Ambedkar, Bhagwant Mann Govt committed to uplifting weaker sections through education & empowerment: Dr Baljit Kaur*
CHANDIGARH / SAS NAGAR, 25 March 2026:Punjab Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Dr Baljit Kaur on Wednesday stated that the Bhagwant Mann Government has ensured a major push to educational empowerment in Punjab, with the state securing the second position nationally in the disbursement of scholarships for Scheduled Caste and other students, while simultaneously expanding welfare schemes to reach every district and beneficiary.
Chairing a Tool Kit Distribution and Awareness Programme at Kalkat Bhawan in Mohali covering six districts, Minister Dr Baljit Kaur highlighted the scale of educational progress under the present government and said, “Punjab has secured the second position at the national level in the disbursement of scholarships aimed at promoting education among Scheduled Caste and other students. Nearly 10 lakh students have pursued education in their desired fields during the tenure of the Bhagwant Mann government.”
Underscoring the Bhagwant Mann government’s focus on skill development and self-reliance, she said, “The distribution of tool kits to ITI trainees is part of the Free Textbooks and Tool Kits Scheme for SC students, which is 100% funded by the Punjab Government. A total of 1506 ITI students will benefit under this initiative, with 630 students from SAS Nagar, Rupnagar, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib and Ludhiana covered in the first phase across 32 Government ITIs.”
Emphasising the larger vision behind the initiative, Minister Dr Baljit Kaur added, “This initiative aims to promote entrepreneurship among youth, enabling them to achieve larger goals through skill-based employment.”
Highlighting the expansion of welfare coverage, she said, “Earlier only two districts in Punjab were covered under the Minority Scholarship Programme of the Government of India, but due to persistent efforts of the Punjab Government, the scheme has now been extended to all districts.”
Reflecting on the broader social vision guiding these efforts, Minister Dr Baljit Kaur stated, “Social reformers like Babasaheb Ambedkar and the teachings of Sikhism have played a significant role in eliminating discrimination based on caste, and the Punjab Government is committed to uplifting economically weaker sections.”
MLA Kulwant Singh and MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa also appreciated the initiative and said, “The tool kits will help ITI trainees become self-reliant and earn livelihoods with dignity. The Punjab Government remains committed to providing quality education and healthcare facilities to all.”
Principal Secretary V. K. Meena elaborated on various welfare schemes of the department, while Director Vimmi Bhullar welcomed the dignitaries and highlighted key aspects of the scheme.
ADC (Rural Development) Sonam Chaudhary delivered the vote of thanks and reiterated the district administration’s commitment to effectively implementing welfare schemes for weaker sections.
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*Bhagwant Mann Govt pushes Punjab classrooms into future as AI hackathon trains over 1,000 govt school students in cutting edge technology*
*• AI is today’s language; Punjab Govt prepares students to lead technological revolution: Harjot Singh Bains*
*• This is not just competition but movement to build future entrepreneurs: Harjot Singh Bains*
*• Punjab Govt students ready to compete at highest level: Harjot Singh Bains*
*• We are expanding AI education to every corner of Punjab: Harjot Singh Bains*
CHANDIGARH, March 25:In a pioneering step to integrate emerging technologies into school education, the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) organised an AI Hackathon that served as the grand finale of a first-of-its-kind pilot project that will promote Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills among students. The project was launched in collaboration with the First Academy of Artificial Intelligence (FAAI) and Skilleareum, covering more than 1,000 students and 22 teachers across 22 schools in Punjab.
Congratulating the PSEB and winners of the event, Punjab Minister of School Education, Harjot Singh Bains stated, “The initiative was designed to promote innovation, technical skills, creativity and leadership qualities among young learners while encouraging them to become future entrepreneurs. The initiative focused on imparting technical skills for the effective use of AI-driven applications, with students undergoing 12 weeks of live, interactive online classes conducted by AI experts.”
He shared, “The Education Department plans to expand the AI skill development programme to more schools across the state in the coming academic session. This is not just a competition. It is about preparing our children for the future. AI is no longer a subject of tomorrow. It is the language of today. Through this pilot project and hackathon, we are ensuring that students in Punjab’s government schools are not left behind in the technological revolution.”
He emphasised that the AI Hackathon would enhance students’ technical skills and foster a culture of innovation. The enthusiasm and quality of projects we witnessed today show that when given the right exposure and mentorship, our students can compete at the highest level. This is just the beginning. The event reinforced CM Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government's commitment to tech-driven education.
Meanwhile, PSEB Chairman Dr Amarpal Singh stated, “The AI Hackathon witnessed enthusiastic participation from 20 schools, with 60 students (three from each school) competing in the event. Each team was given one hour to present their innovative projects, which were evaluated by a panel of AI experts. Participating teams showcased their expertise in areas such as technical innovation, video creation, business planning and web development, effectively utilising modern AI tools.”
He said that the top three teams were awarded cash prizes along with certificates. The first prize of ₹11,000 was won by Punjab School Education Board Adarsh Senior Secondary School, Khatkar Kalan (S.B.S. Nagar). The second prize of ₹5,100 went to Ravinder Khullar Memorial G.M. Model Senior Secondary School, Model Town (Jalandhar). The third prize of ₹3,100 was bagged by Shaheed Udham Singh Wala Govt. Senior Secondary School (Boys), Sunam Udham Singh Wala (Sangrur), he added.
The Chairman further informed that a consolation prize of ₹3,100 was awarded to G.T.B. Khalsa Senior Secondary Public School, Dasuya (Hoshiarpur). In the all-girls category, Govt. Girls Sr. Sec. Mandi Gobindgarh (Fatehgarh Sahib) also received a consolation prize of ₹3,100.