FINANCE MINISTER HARPAL SINGH CHEEMA ANNOUNCES INTEREST-FREE FESTIVAL ADVANCE FOR GROUP D EMPLOYEES
INITIATIVE AIMS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO NEARLY 35,894 EMPLOYEES
Chandigarh, October 1-Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday announced a significant benefit for Group D employees of the Punjab Government, offering an interest-free advance of Rs 10,000 each to celebrate the upcoming festival season. This initiative aims to provide financial support to nearly 35,894 employees.
Disclosing this in a press communique issued here, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema highlighted the Punjab Government’s commitment to its workforce. He said that during the Financial Year 2024-25, the state had 36,065 Group D employees, of whom 13,375 (approximately 37 percent) availed themselves of the same advance, which incurred an expenditure of Rs 13,37,50,000.
Finance Minister Cheema said that if all eligible Group D employees avail themselves of this advance this financial year, the total expenditure is estimated to be Rs 35.89 crore. He confirmed that an initial budget provision of Rs 20 crore has been made for this purpose for the Financial Year 2025-26. "Should additional expenditure be required to cover all applications, the necessary funds will be secured by obtaining additional allocation through the revised estimates for this financial year", said Cheema.
In view of the Diwali festival on October 20th, the Finance Minister announced that the disbursement of this amount is scheduled to be withdrawn from the treasury by October 17th. The repayment of this interest-free advance will be recovered in five equal monthly installments, with the deduction process commencing from the salary of November 2025.
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HARDEEP SINGH MUNDIAN HANDS OVER APPOINTMENT LETTERS TO 15 NEWLY RECRUITED EMPLOYEES
OVER 55,000 YOUTH PROVIDED GOVERNMENT JOBS UNDER CM BHAGWANT SINGH MANN-LED GOVT: WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION MINISTER
Chandigarh, October 1:Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian today handed over appointment letters to 15 newly recruited employees of the department at a brief ceremony held at Punjab Bhawan.
Congratulating the new recruits, the Cabinet Minister motivated them to discharge their duties with honesty, dedication and commitment. He said that by providing employment opportunities in the Water Supply and Sanitation Department, the Punjab Government has fulfilled its responsibility and expressed confidence that the employees will now serve with sincerity and diligence. He further said that their role would contribute to the holistic development of Punjab in the times to come.
S. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government has ensured that the interests of all sections of society are safeguarded while moving towards the overall progress of the state.
Notably, under the policy of providing jobs on compassionate grounds, the Water Supply and Sanitation Department has recruited 2 Junior Draftsmen, 2 Clerks, 8 Sewadars, 1 Safai Sewak and 2 Helper Technicals against Group-C and Group-D posts.
The Cabinet Minister informed that till date, the Punjab Government has provided government jobs to as many as 55,201 youth while over 2.77 lakh employment opportunities have been created in the private sector. He reiterated that the Punjab Government is committed not only to provide water and sanitation facilities to rural households through the Water Supply and Sanitation Department but also to extend employment opportunities to eligible youth under the Ghar-Ghar Rozgar Yojana.
He further shared that since 2022-23, the Water Supply and Sanitation Department has recruited 58 Junior Engineers, 77 Junior Draftsmen, 36 Clerks, 27 Stenotypists, 19 Junior Technicians, 75 Helper Technicals and 45 Sewadars.
The Water Supply and Sanitation Minister underlined that in order to ensure smooth execution of ongoing projects and timely completion of new projects, the Mann government initiated a recruitment drive to fill vacant posts in the department. Under this process, 15 more candidates were issued appointment letters today.
He added that the induction of these new employees will not only help bridge the gap of vacant posts but will also provide additional support in ensuring timely completion of both ongoing and newly launched projects in the Water Supply and Sanitation Department.
Prominent amongst others who were present on this occasion included Mr. Nilkanth S. Avhad, Principal Secretary, Ms. Pallavi, Head of the Department and Chief Engineers of the Department.
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Mann Government Committed to Welfare of Elderly – Over ₹2,055 Crore Pensions Released till August 2025: Dr. Baljit Kaur
Over 23 Lakh Elders Receive Pension Relief
Our Elders, Our Pride: No Delay in Pensions Will Be Tolerated – Dr. Baljit Kaur Issues Strict Directions
Chandigarh, October 01:Under its continued efforts for the welfare of senior citizens in the state, the Punjab Government has disbursed an amount of ₹2055.05 crore under the Old Age Pension Scheme till August 2025. This was disclosed by the Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister, Dr. Baljit Kaur.
The Minister informed that during this period, as many as 23.09 lakh elderly beneficiaries availed the benefits of the scheme. She further added that for the current financial year, the State Government has earmarked a budget of ₹4100 crore for the Old Age Pension Scheme.
Dr. Baljit Kaur said, “Under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is fully committed to the welfare of our senior citizens. Our approach is clear – ‘Our Elders, Our Pride’ – and any delay or interruption in pension disbursement will not be tolerated.”
Issuing strict directions to officials, Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that pensions must be credited to the beneficiaries within the stipulated time frame. She cautioned that any negligence or delay in this regard will invite stern action against the responsible officers, irrespective of their position or rank.
The Minister further stated that the social security schemes being run by the Punjab Government serve as a fundamental support for the social and economic security of the elderly. She assured that every entitled beneficiary will receive these benefits seamlessly and without hindrance.
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PUNJAB EYES ICONIC MiG-21 DISPLAY IN GOVT SCHOOLS TO INSPIRE STUDENTS
•Harjot Bains writes to IAF Chief to station five recently retired MiG-21 at Schools of Eminence
• Initiative to fuel dreams & ignite spirit of patriotism in future generations, says Bains
Chandigarh, October 1:In a significant move to ignite spirit of patriotism and fuel dreams among the students, Punjab School Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains has made a visionary appeal to the Indian Air Force to station five recently retired MiG-21 aircraft at prominent Schools of Eminence (SoE) across the state, inspiring students to soar new heights in life.
In a letter to Air Chief Marshal S. Amar Preet Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, IAF, the Education Minister S. Bains wrote, “Together, we can create a living tribute to the MiG-21 and ignite the spirit of service and patriotism in our future generations," while proposing five locations for the display of the retired MiG-21 fighter jets: Ludhiana, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Nangal and Kharar.
He further said that this initiative aims to inspire thousands of state government school students to pursue careers in defence, engineering, aerospace technology and related fields.
S. Harjot Singh Bains further informed that the Punjab Government plans to collaborate with the IAF for ceremonial deployment events at these schools to fostering a spirit of excellence and dedication in the students. By having these iconic aircraft on campus, the Education Minister expressed hope that it will motivate students daily to strive for greatness with courage and determination.
While saluting to the Indian Air Force (IAF) for its glorious service to the nation, S. Harjot Singh Bains extended warm congratulations on the recent ceremonial retirement of the premier MiG-21 aircraft, recognising it as an icon of courage, discipline and dedication in India's defence history. He further said that the MiG-21, which played a crucial role in the Indo-Pak War of 1965, the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and the Kargil War of 1999, will serve as a tangible reminder of its legendary legacy.
The Education Minister assured that the installation and display of these aircraft will be carried out with the utmost respect, under strict adherence to Indian Air Force protocols and traditions.
S. Bains said that this initiative aligns with Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s focus on innovative and transformative education, having previously initiated international training programs for school principals to raise educational standards.