*Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal Inaugurates Rs.1.10 Crore Lift Irrigation Scheme in Samrala’s Poonia Village*

*• 8 km pipeline to deliver canal water to 767 acres of farmland, directly benefiting 120 farmers: Barinder Kumar Goyal*

*• Canal irrigation network is continuously expanding across Punjab: Water Resources Minister*

*Chandigarh/Ludhiana, July 21:*To support farmers and boost agriculture in the state, Punjab Water Resources, Mining, and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal inaugurated a Rs 1.10 crore Lift Irrigation Scheme at Poonia village in Samrala constituency. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister affirmed the Punjab government commitment to delivering canal water to every farmer's field to reduce reliance on groundwater and make farming sustainable in the long run.

The Water Resources Minister shared that Poonia village had been deprived of canal water for a long time, leading to a steady drop in local groundwater levels. Under this Rs 1.10 crore project, an 8 km pipeline has been laid, bringing canal irrigation to 767 acres of farmland. The scheme will directly benefit around 120 farmers and lower their overall irrigation expenses.

He noted that although the Sirhind Canal was built in 1985, this area never received its benefits. After taking office in 2022, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann promised to deliver canal water to every farm, a promise that is now being fulfilled. He added that seven lift irrigation schemes on the Sirhind Canal have brought canal water to 2,124 acres for the very first time.

Sh. Goyal further mentioned that Rs.43.50 crore has been spent on canal renovation and underground pipelines in the Samrala constituency, ensuring a regular supply of canal water for 12,630 acres. Across Punjab, the state government has spent nearly Rs.7,200 crore to expand canal irrigation—a historic step toward conserving groundwater, saving electricity, and improving soil fertility.

He highlighted that canal water usage was just 26% in 2022, but it has now reached 86%, with the state aiming for 100%. Additionally, canal water has reached 1,550 villages in Punjab for the first time since independence, marking a major transformation in the state's irrigation system.

To promote environmental purity, Barinder Kumar Goyal also planted saplings at the inauguration site in Poonia village.

Samrala MLA Jagtar Singh Diyalpura stated that the launch of this canal water project in Poonia will strengthen the financial position of local farmers and give agriculture a fresh boost. He noted that under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann's leadership, the Punjab government is systematically expanding the canal network to lessen dependence on groundwater.

He added that access to canal water will reduce farmers' expenses on diesel-powered irrigation, cutting farming costs and boosting incomes. Canal water also contains valuable nutrients that improve soil fertility. This project will make the farming system stronger, more sustainable, and eco-friendly for generations to come.

The event was attended by Manoj Kumar Bansal (Managing Director, Punjab Water Resources Management and Development Corporation), Superintending Engineer Maninder Singh, Executive Engineer Gaurav, along with officials from various departments, community leaders, local residents, and a large number of farmers.

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*SC Students Asked to Complete Aadhaar Seeding of Active Bank Accounts by August 15 to Receive Pending Post-Matric Scholarships*

*Social Justice Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur Urges Students to Complete the Process Without Delay*

*Mann Government Committed to Ensuring Every Eligible Student Receives Scholarship Benefits Through Direct Benefit Transfer*

Chandigarh, July 21:Punjab Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur has appealed to all Scheduled Caste students covered under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme to complete the Aadhaar seeding of their active bank accounts by August 15, 2026, so that their pending scholarship amounts can be credited directly through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

The Minister said that scholarship assistance under the scheme is released only through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism into the beneficiary's Aadhaar-seeded active bank account. Students whose bank accounts are not linked with their Aadhaar are, therefore, unable to receive the scholarship amount despite being eligible.

Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that the lists of Scheduled Caste students whose scholarship payments for the academic years 2022-23 to 2025-26 remain pending solely because their bank accounts are not Aadhaar-seeded have been uploaded on the Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Portal and the official website of the Government of Punjab. She urged all concerned students to check their names, verify their status and immediately complete the Aadhaar seeding of their active bank accounts with their respective banks so that their pending scholarship amounts can be released without further delay.

Emphasising that education is the strongest foundation for social empowerment and a brighter future, Dr. Baljit Kaur said the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to ensuring that no deserving student is deprived of scholarship benefits due to procedural shortcomings. She said every scholarship is an investment in a student's future, empowering deserving youth to pursue higher education with dignity and confidence while contributing to the vision of a 'Rangla Punjab'.

The Minister further appealed to all eligible students not to wait until the last date and to complete the Aadhaar seeding process well before the stipulated deadline. She cautioned that students who fail to complete Aadhaar seeding of their active bank accounts by August 15, 2026, will themselves be responsible for any delay or non-release of their scholarship amount, as no payment can be processed until the required formalities are completed.

Dr. Baljit Kaur reiterated that the Punjab Government is committed to ensuring that scholarship assistance reaches every eligible Scheduled Caste student in a transparent, timely and hassle-free manner and urged all students to complete the Aadhaar seeding process well before the deadline so that they can receive their scholarship benefits without any inconvenience.

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*Mohinder Bhagat Chairs Review Meeting to Ensure Welfare of Ex-Servicemen*

*Emphasises Creating More Employment Opportunities for Ex-Servicemen*

Chandigarh, July 21:The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is working expeditiously for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families. In line with this commitment, Defence Services Welfare, Freedom Fighters and Horticulture Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat today chaired a special review meeting in Chandigarh to review the progress of the Defence Services Welfare Department and the Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO).

During the meeting, the Cabinet Minister directed officials to ensure that ex-servicemen, the families of martyrs and their dependents receive the benefits of various government welfare schemes in a timely and transparent manner. He stressed the need to establish an effective mechanism for the prompt redressal of grievances of ex-servicemen.

Earlier, Principal Secretary, Defence Services Welfare, Mr. Sumer Singh Gurjar and Director, Brigadier Bhupinder Singh Dhillon (Retd.), gave a detailed presentation on the various projects being implemented by the department and their progress. The meeting also reviewed the status of ongoing projects, budget requirements, employee promotions, recruitment process and matters relating to the development of Sainik Schools.

The Minister also reviewed the progress of the Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO). Managing Director, PESCO, Major General Harmandeep Singh, briefed the Minister about the employment opportunities being provided to ex-servicemen through the Corporation and its overall progress. Mr. Bhagat directed the Corporation to create maximum employment opportunities for ex-servicemen and further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of PESCO.