Sonalika Group helps to the tune of 4.5 Crores towards flood affected areas

50 Lacs to Chief Minister Rangla Punjab Fund under Mission "Chardi Kala",Says Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora

Chandigarh, 26 September 2025:Cabinet Minister Sh. Sanjeev Arora informed that Sonalika Leading Agri Evolution firm has already contributed about rupees 4.5 crores approx. to help the flood affected people of Punjab. Sonalika firm also donated Rs. fifty lakhs towards Chief Minister Rangla Punjab Fund under the Mission "Chardi Kala".

In this regard, Sh. J S Chauhan Senior Vice President, Corporate Relations and Sh. Rajnish Jain Senior Vice President Accounts and Finance of Sonalika Leading Agri Evolution firm personally handed over the cheque of amount Rs. fifty lakhs to cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora.

Furthermore, he revealed that Sonalika Leading Agri Evolution firm is also donating twelve fully equipped ambulances to Punjab Health Systems Corporation. These ambulances are under branding process and will be delivered in next 2-3 days. The cost of these are around 2.00 Crores.

In this regard, he added that more than two crores contributed has gone in the form of tractors being distributed. This firm has spent Rs. 4.5 crores approximately in the form of donation.

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PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA PAYS TRIBUTES TO 59 CITIZENS LOST LIVES IN DEVASTATING FLOODS

Chandigarh, September 26:Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Friday paid tributes to 59 citizens who lost their lives in the recent devastating floods across the State.

At the outset of the special session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan along with all members of the House also observed solemn remembrance for other departed souls, which included Punjab Ex-Minister Harmail Singh Tohra, former MLA Raghubir Singh, Lieutenant Colonel Shaheed Bhanu Pratap Singh Mankotia, ALD Shaheed Daljit Singh, Lance Naik Shaheed Rinku Singh, Lance Naik Shaheed Pritpal Singh, Sepoy Shaheed Harminder Singh, noted actor & comedian Jaswinder Singh Bhalla, renowned music composer Charanjit Ahuja and Ram Prashad Sharma, brother of MLA Ashwani Sharma, whose demise was deeply mourned.

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World Tourism Day: Punjab invites the world to experience its unmatched cultural vibrancy, heritage, and hospitality - Sond

Chandigarh, September 26:On the occasion of World Tourism Day, Punjab’s Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to positioning Punjab as a leading cultural and heritage destination for global tourists.

Sond said that during the year 2024, the tourism department organized several major cultural fairs and festivals including Maghi Mela, Basant Festival, Kapurthala Heritage Festival, Kila Raipur Rural Olympics, Nature Festival, Bathinda Virasati Mela, Patiala Heritage Festival, Hola Mohalla, and Nihang Olympics. These events showcased Punjab’s diverse traditions while drawing significant domestic and international visitors.

Similarly in 2025, our festivals are being celebrated on a grander scale, drawing tourists from across the globe,” said the Minister. This year began with vibrant events such as the Basant Mela in Ferozepur, Kila Raipur Rural Olympics, Patiala Heritage Festival, Inquilab Festival in SBS Nagar and many more.

Looking ahead, he informed that Punjab will commemorate the 350th Martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji in November 2025 with a series of events to pay tribute to Guru Sahib and to spread his message of sacrifice and humanity. The Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs has been designated as the nodal department for planning and organizing this historic commemoration.

“Punjab is the land of saints, martyrs, and poets. On World Tourism Day, we invite the world to experience our unmatched cultural vibrancy, heritage, and hospitality,” Sond added.

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Mohinder Bhagat assures full support for horticulture growth; interacts with cold storage owners and farmers

Chandigarh, September 26-The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is working proactively to further strengthen the horticulture sector in the state and enhance farmers’ incomes. In line with this objective, Horticulture Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat held a special meeting with cold storage unit owners and farmers from various districts of Punjab at Punjab Bhawan, Chandigarh.

During the meeting, cold storage unit owners and farmers apprised the Minister in detail of the difficulties they face. Mr. Bhagat listened attentively and assured them that their genuine demands would be addressed promptly. On the occasion, the cold storage owners also expressed their gratitude to the Punjab Government for the financial benefits being extended under various schemes.

The Horticulture Minister informed that under the National Horticulture Mission, the government is providing financial assistance for new plantations, cold storages, pack houses, technical support, and marketing facilities. These measures are helping connect farmers with modern technology, thereby ensuring sustained growth in productivity and income.

Mr. Bhagat further stated that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is fully committed to the welfare of farmers and all stakeholders associated with the horticulture sector. He emphasized that every possible step will be taken to develop horticulture in Punjab so as to raise farmers’ incomes and create new employment opportunities.

Those present at the meeting included cold storage unit owners, farmers from different districts, Horticulture Secretary Mr. Basant Garg, Director Mrs. Shailender Kaur and senior officers.

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HARJOT BAINS RIPS INTO CENTRE’S INDIFFERENCE TOWARDS PUNJAB’S PLIGHT

• Questions BBMB’s lack of data about Bhakra Dam’s lifespan & siltation

EM urges opposition to prioritise welfare of people over political gains to rehabilitate flood-hit Punjab

Chandigarh, September 26:In the aftermath of the recent floods that ravaged the state, Punjab Education and Information & Public Relations Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains moved beyond political rhetoric to find a future-focused strategy to prevent such disasters in future and rehabilitation of the flood-hit state. He also raised the serious question on the working of the BBMB and false narrative created by the opposition to politicise the natural disaster.

In a poignant address during the special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha today, S. Harjot Singh Bains urged the opposition to prioritise the welfare of the people over political gains. He highlighted the devastating impact of the floods, which have claimed 59 human lives, destroyed houses, decimated thousands livestock, and dealt a severe blow to the state's agricultural sector. He emphasised that the true extent of the tragedy is far greater, with many lives lost to secondary causes such as snake bites, isolation due to disrupted connectivity in flood-hit areas. The Education Minister also drew attention to the severe strain on public infrastructure, with over 3,200 schools affected and more than 1,300 classrooms rendered unusable.

“Five lakh acres of crop have been destroyed. The economy of Punjab, which stands on these crops, has come to a standstill. The women who would not let anyone enter their homes with dusty shoes are now seeing their courtyards filled with mud,” he shared.

S. Harjot Singh Bains launched a scathing attack on the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), citing a misleading statement made by its Chairman in the High Court. S. Bains presented technical data from the Central Water Commission's April 24 report, revealing alarming water storage deficits in Punjab's key reservoirs (44.85% below normal) and Himachal Pradesh reservoirs (40.60% shortfall). He alleged that despite the critical water shortage, BBMB attempted to divert Punjab's share of water to Haryana when the Bhakra Dam's water level had plummeted to 1555 feet, imperilling the power house's operations.

Raising a critical question regarding the Gobind Sagar reservoir, S. Harjot Singh Bains stated, “It's shocking that the BBMB can't even provide information on the extent of siltation in the reservoir of Bhakra dam, which was designed with a 100-year lifespan. What is its remaining life now – 10 years, 15 years, or less?” He demanded the immediate constitution of an expert-led committee to assess the reservoir's capacity, sedimentation levels and structural stress, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of the critical dam.

The Education Minister emphasised the importance of constructing check dams in catchment areas of dams to mitigate sudden water inflows, a measure previously recommended by BBMB reports but regrettably overlooked. “We must have a meaningful discussion on climate change and infrastructure preparedness. It's imperative to study our dams and catchment areas and take proactive measures to avert this kind of tragedy in future,” he stressed.

"It's been 10 days, and our Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, hasn't received a single communication from the Prime Minister, who has managed to find time for roadshows in other states. This is the moment for the Centre to empathise with and understand Punjab's pain,' S. Harjot Singh Bains said while urging the Central Government to provide urgent support to flood-hit Punjab and adopt a bipartisan approach to address the pressing issues.

He also questioned the Prime Minister's behaviour towards his cabinet colleague, Hardip Singh Mundian, saying, When Sh. Mundian was pleading for help for flood-ravaged Punjab, the Prime Minister humiliated him by asking him don’t you understand Hindi. Would the Prime Minister dare to say the same in Tamil Nadu, asking someone, "You don't know Hindi?"

He said that Punjab has borne the weight of history's scars, and today its wounds are bleeding. Yet, in this hour of need, countless individuals have come together to support each other. He praised the volunteers, officials and citizens, while adding “We stood strong, prevented major breaches, and now we pray for Punjab's recovery. Our state lives on the values of compassion and service, and those who uphold these values will always be our guiding light.”

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FINANCE MINISTER CHEEMA DELIVERS SCATHING CRITIQUE OF BJP LED UNION GOVERNMENT OVER PALTRY FLOOD AID TO PUNJAB

SAYS, NOT A SINGLE RUPEE OUT OF RS 1600 CRORE PALTRY RELIEF PACKAGE HAS BEEN DISBURSED TO PUNJAB TO DATE

ACCUSES CONGRESS OF 'POLITICS OF CORPSES'

Chandigarh, September 26-Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema today used the floor of the Punjab Assembly to deliver a scathing critique of the BJP-led Central Government’s handling of the devastating floods that swept across the state in July and August, specifically calling out the Prime Minister for his delayed visit, paltry financial aid, and failure to meet the families of the deceased in Pathankot. The Finance Minister also accused the Congress party of engaging in opportunistic politics, stating that instead of supporting the state during this crisis, the Punjab Congress leadership is aligning itself with the BJP-led Union government.

Speaking in favour of the ‘Rehabilitation of Punjab’ resolution, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema painted a grave picture of the destruction, which started in Kapurthala district in August, and the state witnessed the worst floods by the end of August. While mentioning that the State Government mobilized all available resources for relief and rescue operations, with AAP MLAs and Ministers working tirelessly to support flood victims, Cheema questioned whether the Centre had fulfilled its responsibilities within the federal framework.

Highlighting the significant delay in the Prime Minister's visit, which occurred almost a month after the floods commenced, the Finance Minister Cheema contrasted this with the swift response in extending relief to Afghanistan, questioning the disparity in approach. "What's even more troubling is the Prime Minister's announcement of a paltry Rs 1600 crore relief package, of which not a single rupee has been disbursed to Punjab to date," Cheema added, underscoring the perceived inadequacy of the central government's response

Mentioning the profound human cost of the disaster, the Finance Minister recounted the heartbreaking incident of August 26th in which a single family was tragically struck. The flood claimed the life of 15-year-old Meenu and resulted in the disappearance of her younger siblings, 9-year-old Laddi and 6-year-old Lachhu. The Finance Minister said that their father, Bagh, suffered the compounded tragedy of losing not only his three children but also his livestock. He also acknowledged other young victims in the district, naming 7-year-old Sahil and 12-year-old Keshv Kumar.

In a scathing indictment of the Prime Minister’s tour of flood-hit areas, the Finance Minister said, "The Prime Minister failed to even console the family who lost three of its members to the floods, limiting his tour to a mere photo-op."

The Finance Minister reminded the House that the Chief Minister of Punjab had written to the Prime Minister in late August, seeking the release of Rs 60,000 crore in outstanding funds. He highlighted a concerning disparity, noting that the Prime Minister is inaccessible to the elected Chief Minister but readily meets with appointed ones. The Finance Minister also expressed regret over the absence of BJP MLAs from the assembly, suggesting they could have provided clarity on the utilisation of the Rs 1600 crore relief package, out of which not a single penny has been transferred to the state exchequer. "Today, the BJP's stance has been exposed nationwide," he added.

The Finance Minister also rebuked the opposition for spreading rumours and clarified that the Rs 240 crore the state received is part of the Rs 481 crore already due to it from the Union Government under the Disaster Management budget for the financial year 2025-26. Clarifying the facts about the disaster management fund, the Finance Minister said that the funds allocated for disaster management are received annually, and If these funds remain unutilized, an interest of 8.15% is payable on them. He stated that the Disaster Management Act was enacted in 2010. Between 2017 and 2022, the Union Government allocated Rs 2,061 crore for disaster management in Punjab, of which the Congress government utilised Rs 1,678 crore. He said that during the Aam Aadmi Party's tenure, Rs 1,582 crore was received in three years, with Rs 649 crore being spent.

The Minister said that the Congress party's rhetoric on disaster management funds is counterproductive to Punjab's interests. He criticized the Congress leaders, suggesting that their educational background should have equipped them with better economic understanding. Cheema also questioned the Congress party's stance on demanding the dismissal of Sher Singh, asking if this reflected a bias against Dalits.

In a sharp critique, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema accused the Congress party of what he termed "politics of corpses." He specifically stated that the Leader of the Opposition, representing the Congress, appealed in the Vidhan Sabha for the public to withhold aid from Punjab and to cease contributions to the state government's ‘Rangla Punjab Chardi Kala Fund’. Cheema asserted that this action reveals the Congress party's willingness to sacrifice flood victims' well-being for political advantage by obstructing assistance. He drew historical parallels, mentioning the 1984 events and the 1988 floods as previous instances of the Congress using tragedy for political ends.

The Finance Minister delivered a stern warning to the BJP-led Union Government, urging them to end their "step-motherly" treatment of Punjab. He emphasised that the immediate release of relief funds is a fundamental necessity and a rightful entitlement for millions of Punjabis, given the state's significant contributions to national food security and its unparalleled sacrifices during the 1962, 1965, and 1971 wars, as well as recent events in May. Drawing from personal experience, the Minister recalled his late father, Mehar Singh, an Indian Army soldier who fought bravely in the 1962 and 1971 wars

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Demand for Reconstruction of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Historical Site in Baghdad

Sant Seechewal Writes to Prime Minister

New Delhi/Chandigarh/September 26-Rajya Sabha member and environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the reconstruction of the historical site of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Baghdad, Iraq. In his letter, Sant Seechewal mentioned that during his Udasis (travels), Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited the city of Baghdad in 1511 AD. The sacred site suffered damage during the Second World War as well as during the US-Iraq war.

Sant Seechewal stated that Guru Nanak’s followers are spread across the globe, and their deep devotion is tied to this site being restored to its original form. He appealed to the Prime Minister to use his influence to establish contact with Iraq’s supreme leader, Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei, and ensure the reconstruction of this sacred place for the Sikh community.

It is noteworthy that on January 23, 1990, Iraq’s then-President Saddam Hussein, after a meeting with Sikh religious leaders, granted permission for the Gurdwara’s reconstruction.

Speaking to the media, Sant Seechewal said that the Sikh community in Iraq had contacted him by telephone and urged that the fallen historical site of Guru Nanak Dev Ji be rebuilt. He further highlighted that Guru Nanak Dev Ji, during his Udasis, gave the message of universal brotherhood and peace, and by following that path, peace can be brought to the entire world.

Sikh youth living in Iraq, Sukhpal Singh and Rashpal Singh, expressed concern that Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s historical site no longer exists in its original form. They added that the Sikh community in Iraq faces many challenges in practicing its religious freedom. For a long time, the Sikh community in Iraq has been appealing to Sikh religious leaders worldwide to help ensure the reconstruction of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s sacred site