*BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL INAUGURATES TWO NEW WATER CHANNELS AT SHAHPURKANDI*

*SAYS FARMERS WILL RECEIVE DIRECT IRRIGATION WATER*

*CABINET MINISTER VISITS RANJIT SAGAR DAM, SHAHPURKANDI DAM AND MADHOPUR HEADWORKS*

*MANN GOVT TAKEN HISTORIC STEPS TO CONSERVE GROUNDWATER BY EXPANDING CANAL IRRIGATION: BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL*

*ALL FLOOD PROTECTION ARRANGEMENTS ARE IN PLACE, PUBLIC NEED NOT PANIC: BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL*

*Chandigarh/Pathankot, July 8:*Punjab Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today inaugurated two newly constructed water channels at Shahpurkandi and said that these channels will ensure the direct supply of irrigation water to farmers. During his visit to Pathankot district, the Cabinet Minister also inspected the Ranjit Sagar Dam, Shahpurkandi Dam Barrage Project and Madhopur Headworks to review the reconstruction and development works undertaken after the damage caused by last year's floods. He was accompanied by senior departmental officers, including Superintending Engineer Gurpinder Sandhu, Ranjit Sagar Dam Chief Sher Singh and other officials.

Interacting with the media after the visit, Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal said that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is undertaking path-breaking initiatives to strengthen canal irrigation, make agriculture more profitable and conserve the state's rapidly depleting groundwater resources. He said that following the dedication of the Shahpurkandi Dam Project to the people on November 5, 2025, the commencement of canal water supply to agricultural fields through the Shahpurkandi Channels has fulfilled a decades-old demand of farmers in the Kandi region.

The Cabinet Minister said that nearly 6,900 acres of farmland earlier received water through a lift irrigation system, which had remained defunct for the past 15 years. The Mann Government has reconstructed Shahpurkandi Channels No. 3 and 4, bringing an additional 6,000 acres under canal irrigation. As a result, nearly 13,000 acres are now receiving assured canal water. Around Rs.38 crore has been spent on the reconstruction and concrete lining of approximately 25 kilometres of channels. This initiative has transformed barren and rocky land in 15 villages, including Jugial, Madhopur and Ranipur, into cultivable farmland, making canal-based cultivation possible in these areas after several years.

Sh. Goyal said that when the government had announced its decision to extend canal water to the Kandi region, many had questioned the feasibility of the project. Today, that commitment has been successfully fulfilled. He said that by ensuring canal water reaches farmers' fields, the government has not only provided significant relief to the farming community but has also taken a historic step towards conserving Punjab's groundwater reserves. He cautioned that continued depletion of groundwater would have posed a serious challenge for the state in the years ahead.

He further said that the Punjab Government has strengthened the irrigation network by constructing and rehabilitating thousands of kilometres of canals and watercourses. Earlier, only 26 per cent of Punjab's allocated canal water was being utilised for irrigation, whereas the utilisation has now increased to nearly 80 per cent. The government has set a target of increasing it further to 86 per cent in the coming years.

Sharing details about Madhopur Headworks, Mr. Goyal said that following the extensive damage caused by the devastating floods of August 27, 2025, the department carried out restoration works on a war footing. Protective embankments, each measuring around 500 metres, were constructed on both sides of the headworks. By creating a temporary ring bundh, the department restored the full-capacity supply of water to the canals of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir from October 1, 2025. He added that all 54 gates have been modernised and made electrically operated, while the three damaged gates were reconstructed in record time using a new design. Around Rs.50 crore has been spent on these restoration and modernisation works, he added.

The Cabinet Minister further informed that Rs.3.61 crore has been spent on the lining of 17 kilometres of watercourses, resulting in substantial water conservation and ensuring the availability of canal water right up to the tail-end reaches.

Speaking about the state's preparedness for the ongoing monsoon season, Sh. Goyal said that all strengthening and repair works at vulnerable and weak locations identified during last year's floods have already been completed. He asserted that the Punjab Government is fully prepared to tackle any flood-related situation and there is no need for the public to panic. He added that all necessary preventive and protective measures have been put in place to ensure that people do not face any inconvenience during the monsoon season.

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*Vigilance Bureau nabs Recovery Agent red handed accepting bribe of Rs. 10,000/-*

Chandigarh, 8 July 2026:The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Ravneet Singh Recovery Agent working in the company of Saviour Recovery Agency, Ludhiana, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 10,000/-.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of Kabir Nagar, Basti Jodhewal, Ludhiana.

He stated that the complainant has been operating a garment factory under the name "G.N.W." on the first floor of his residence since 2007. The complainant had secured a Cash Credit (CC) limit/loan of ₹40 Lakhs for the factory from IDBI Bank. Due to non-payment, the loan matter is currently sub-judice before the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) in Chandigarh.

On 25-05-2026, an individual named Ravneet Singh approached the complainant. Introducing himself falsely as an employee of Tehsil East, Ludhiana. Ravneet Singh served a notice bearing the signature of the Tehsil East authority to the complainant. He informed the complainant that IDBI Bank was scheduled to take over the property on 28-05-2026. Accused Ravneet Singh then demanded a bribe of ₹60,000 to delay the possession, promising that he would arrange a three-month extension to settle the loan.

He further stated that Ravneet Singh had already accepted a first instalment of ₹20,000, allegedly on behalf of other officials, to facilitate the settlement. Ravneet Singh was further demanding a second instalment of ₹10,000. The complainant recorded the conversation while demanding bribe.

Unwilling to pay the illegal gratification, complainant approached the VB range Ludhiana. Acting on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused recovery agent was arrested red handed while accepting bribe money of Rs 10,000/- from the complainant in presence of two official witnesses.

During the investigation Accused Ravneet Singh was not found an employee of Tehsil East District Ludhiana. Ravneet Singh was found to be working as a recovery agent in Savior Recovery Agency Ludhiana. If the role of any officer/employee of IDBI Bank or Tehsil East comes to light, then it will be considered during the investigation.

In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Ludhiana and further investigation into this case is under progress.

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*Under Leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, Verka Achieves New Milestone; Touches Record Turnover of ₹551 Crore in June*

*Milk procurement up by nearly 2 lakh litres per day, nearly double the national growth rate: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Verka’s Value Added Products Shows Robust Growth, Indication of Rising Consumer Confidence: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Punjab Govt Committed to Further Strengthening Cooperative Dairy Sector & Boosting Farmers’ Income: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

CHANDIGARH: 7th July, 2026:Verka (Milkfed Punjab) recorded a turnover of ₹551 crore in June 2026, up from ₹480 crore during the corresponding month last year, registering a growth of 14.79%. The achievement comes as the CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government continues to focus on expanding the cooperative dairy sector through higher milk procurement, improved processing capacity and greater emphasis on value-added dairy products.

On this, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Milkfed Punjab has recorded a turnover of ₹551 crore during June 2026, compared to ₹480 crore during the same month last year. This extraordinary increase of ₹71 crore represents a 14.79% year-on-year growth and reflects the growing strength of Punjab’s cooperative dairy sector along with the ever-increasing consumer confidence in the Verka brand.”

“Milk procurement has also increased by nearly two lakh litres per day during June, registering around 11% growth over last year. This growth is nearly double the national average growth rate of 5 to 6%, demonstrating the remarkable progress being made by Punjab’s cooperative dairy movement,” said the Chief Minister.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further said, “This achievement is fully aligned with our government’s vision of strengthening the cooperative movement and improving the economic well-being of dairy farmers across Punjab. We have consistently focused on expanding processing capacity, promoting value-added dairy products, improving market access and ensuring better returns for milk producers.”

“The strong performance during June has been further reinforced by impressive growth in several value-added dairy products. Table Butter registered a growth of 94%, UHT Cream 213%, UHT Milk 20%, Ice Cream 22%, Tetra Pack Lassi 30%, Ghee 41% and Dairy Whitener 58%. This clearly reflects the growing consumer preference for Verka’s high-quality dairy products across the State,” he added.

The Chief Minister noted, “This outstanding performance has been driven by a better product mix, improved market execution and increasing consumer preference for Verka’s value-added products. Our government remains fully committed to further strengthening Milkfed through continued investment in dairy infrastructure, technology adoption, product innovation, cold-chain expansion and market development.”

“Punjab’s cooperative dairy movement is emerging as a strong engine of rural prosperity, employment generation and farmer empowerment. I congratulate the management of Milkfed, its employees, cooperative societies and lakhs of milk producers whose collective dedication and hard work have made this remarkable achievement possible,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the Chief Minister stated, “We will continue making sustained investments in milk procurement, modern processing infrastructure, cold-chain development, product innovation and market expansion. These initiatives will further strengthen the cooperative dairy sector, enhance the income of dairy farmers, reinforce Verka’s leadership in the Indian dairy market and ensure that consumers continue to receive safe, nutritious and high-quality dairy products.”