₹29.33 crore released under Ashirwad Scheme for marriage assistance to 5,751 daughters: Dr. Baljit Kaur

Minister says – Punjab Government’s Ashirwad reaches daughters across 17 districts

Chandigarh, October 13:Punjab Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur, today informed that under the Ashirwad Scheme, the Punjab Government has released an amount of ₹29.33 crore as marriage assistance to 5,751 beneficiaries belonging to Scheduled Castes during the ongoing financial year 2025-26.

Providing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that under the Ashirwad Scheme for Scheduled Castes, applications of 5,751 beneficiaries were received through the Ashirwad Portal from 17 districts — Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Moga, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Patiala, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar, SBS Nagar, Sangrur, and Malerkotla. To cover all these beneficiaries, ₹29.33 crore has been disbursed.

She informed that through this allocation, 58 beneficiaries from Barnala, 633 from Bathinda, 67 from Faridkot, 349 from Ferozepur, 106 from Fatehgarh Sahib, 265 from Gurdaspur, and 70 from Hoshiarpur have received financial assistance. Likewise, 1,087 beneficiaries from Jalandhar, 839 from Ludhiana, 885 from Moga, 192 from Sri Muktsar Sahib, 357 from Patiala, 147 from Rupnagar, 65 from SAS Nagar, 359 from SBS Nagar, 210 from Sangrur, and 62 from Malerkotla have also been benefited.

The Minister said that under the Ashirwad Scheme, the Punjab Government provides a financial assistance of ₹51,000 for the marriage of daughters belonging to economically weaker families. She added that this initiative reflects the commitment of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann towards public welfare and social upliftment.

Dr. Baljit Kaur further explained that to avail the benefits of the scheme, the applicant must be a permanent resident of Punjab, belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, or other Economically Weaker Sections. The family’s annual income from all sources should not exceed ₹32,790, and assistance can be availed for a maximum of two daughters per eligible family.

The Cabinet Minister emphasized that the financial aid is transferred directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. She reiterated that the Punjab Government is continuously working to raise the living standards of people from all sections of society and empower them economically.

Dr. Baljit Kaur reaffirmed that under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is equally committed to the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, and Economically Weaker Sections, ensuring inclusive growth and social justice across the state.

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Meeting of the National Commission for Backward Classes to include Punjab castes in the Central List

National Commission for Backward Classes to hold public hearing at Hotel Mount view, Chandigarh, on October 14

Chandigarh, October 13:A government spokesperson informed that the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), New Delhi, will hold a public hearing on October 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Conference Hall, Hotel Mountview, Sector 10, Chandigarh, to discuss the inclusion of various castes from Punjab in the Central OBC List of the Government of India.

The spokesperson further stated that the public hearing was earlier scheduled to be held at the UT Chandigarh Guest House. However, the venue has now been shifted to Hotel Mountview, Sector 10, Chandigarh (Conference Hall).

He added that the primary objective of this public hearing is to provide an opportunity for representatives of the concerned communities to present their views, facts, and demands directly before the Commission.

The State Government has appealed to the representatives and members of the concerned caste groups to actively participate in the public hearing and share their valuable suggestions with the Commission.

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Central Teams to Visit Punjab Mandis to Assess Effect of Rains on Grain: Food Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak

Punjab Procures 17 Lakh MT Paddy Across the State — Minister Expresses Hope to Meet 172 Lakh MT Target for Central Pool Despite Adverse Weather

Chandigarh/SAS Nagar, October 13:Punjab Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak today said that Central Teams will soon visit Punjab Mandis to assess the impact of recent rains on paddy grains.

During his visit to Kharar Grain Market, the Minister expressed satisfaction over the ongoing procurement operations and lauded the efforts of farmers, agencies, and officials ensuring smooth purchase despite challenging weather conditions.

He said that Punjab has so far recorded an arrival of 18 lakh MT of paddy, out of which 17 lakh MT has already been procured. The Minister further informed that payments amounting to Rs 3,215 crore have been released to farmers against the procured paddy. He added that the State Government already has a Cash Credit Limit (CCL) of Rs 27,000 crore for the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season.

“Despite the inclement weather causing damage to crops in some areas, Punjab will fulfill its target of contributing 172 lakh MT of paddy to the Central Pool. The farmers of Punjab are facing the challenges of weather with great courage and resilience,” said the Minister.

Reviewing the local procurement arrangements, District Food and Supplies Controller Dr. Navreet apprised the Minister that 75,996 MT of paddy has been procured in SAS Nagar district against the expected arrival of 2,01,199 MT. She informed that payments of Rs 172.72 crore have already been credited to farmers’ accounts, which amounts to 109% of the dues payable within 48 hours as per norms.

The Minister also interacted with farmers, arhtiyas, and labourers present in the mandi. Farmers expressed gratitude for the timely and transparent procurement system. The Minister assured the arhtiyas that all their legitimate concerns will be duly considered.

The Minister was accompanied by Deputy Director (Ropar) Rajnish Kaur, DFSC SAS Nagar Dr. Navreet, Chairman Market Committee Kharar Hakam Singh, Secretary Gurnam Singh, and other officials.

Sh. Kataruchak reiterated that the Kharif Marketing Season is progressing smoothly across Punjab, and that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s Government is fully committed to ensuring hassle-free procurement and prompt payments to farmers.

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Punjab holds meeting with Tamil Nadu Water Investment Company (TWIC) as part of its ongoing mission to find sustainable solutions for Buddha Dariya and dyeing cluster pollution

Chandigarh, October 13:Continuing its strong drive to clean and rejuvenate Buddha Dariya and resolve the effluent problems of Ludhiana’s dyeing industry, the Government of Punjab held a detailed interaction on October 8 at MGSIPA, Chandigarh, with the Tamil Nadu Water Investment Company (TWIC) — a joint venture of the Government of Tamil Nadu and IL&FS, known for setting up Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) based Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) in major textile clusters such as Tirupur and Erode.

The meeting, convened by Vaibhav Maheshwari, Member (Industries & Commerce), Punjab Development Commission (PDC), was part of the wider efforts being guided by the High-Level Committee constituted under the chairmanship of Industries & Commerce Minister Shri Sanjeev Arora to address Buddha Dariya pollution and modernize pollution control systems in Punjab’s industrial clusters.

Senior officers including Ms. Reena Gupta, Chairperson PPCB; Ms. Seema Bansal, Vice Chairperson PDC; Mr. Priyank Bharti, IAS, Secretary (Science & Technology); Shri Aditya Dhachwal, IAS, Municipal Commissioner Ludhiana; and representatives from Punjab Pollution Control Board, Punjab Water Supply & Sewerage Board, and Department of Local Government attended the meeting.

Mr. Sajid, CEO of TWIC, shared the company’s successful experience in developing ZLD-based CETPs and spoke about technologies for water recycling, salt recovery, and low-cost operation models suitable for MSME-driven dyeing clusters.

Representatives from Ludhiana’s dyeing industry associations also participated, discussed their on-ground issues, and showed strong interest in exploring modern, affordable, and sustainable technologies.

It was agreed that TWIC will soon share a technical concept paper suggesting possible options for Punjab’s CETP upgradation and long-term environmental management.

Industries & Commerce Minister Shri Sanjeev Arora said:“This meeting with TWIC is part of Punjab’s continuous effort to look beyond state boundaries and learn from the best examples in the country. Under the High-Level Committee formed for Buddha Dariya, we are working to save our environment, protect our industries, preserve jobs and strengthen our economy together. Punjab is committed to finding practical, affordable, and sustainable solutions for industrial and environmental harmony.”

This interaction reflects the Punjab Government’s proactive, solution-oriented approach — combining environmental restoration with industrial growth to build a cleaner and stronger economic future for the state.

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HARBHAJAN SINGH ETO, DR. RAVJOT SINGH AND MAHINDER BHAGAT MEET FAMILY OF LATE IPS OFFICER Y. PURAN KUMAR

PUNJAB GOVT FULLY COMMITTED TO ENSURE JUSTICE FOR THE BEREAVED FAMILY, ASSERTS HARBHAJAN SINGH ETO

Chandigarh, October 13:Punjab Cabinet Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO, accompanied by his cabinet colleagues Dr. Ravjot Singh and Sh. Mahinder Bhagat, today met the family of late IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar and conveyed their heartfelt condolences over the tragic demise.

S. Harbhajan Singh ETO assured the family that the Punjab Government stands firmly with them and is fully committed to ensuring justice in the case.

He said it was deeply distressing that such a capable and dedicated officer was subjected to caste-based discrimination, which goes against the very principles of the Indian Constitution.

The Punjab Cabinet Minister further said that the anguish of Y. Puran Kumar’s family has only intensified by witnessing the hardships they continue to face after his demise. He urged the Haryana Government and Chandigarh Administration to expedite the investigation and related proceedings so that the grieving family’s faith in justice is restored.

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HARBHAJAN SINGH ETO DIRECTS OFFICIALS TO ENSURE SAFE AND CONVENIENT PASSAGE OF NAGAR KIRTANS

PWD MINISTER REVIEWS ROAD NETWORK LEADING TO SRI ANANDPUR SAHIB

SEEKS FIRST-HAND REPORT ON CONDITION OF NATIONAL HIGHWAYS ACROSS THE STATE

Chandigarh, October 13:Taking a proactive step ahead of the forthcoming 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of the Ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Punjab Public Works Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO today directed officials to ensure a safe and convenient passage of the Nagar Kirtans being organised across the state.

The PWD Minister reviewed the entire road network leading to Sri Anandpur Sahib and sought a first-hand report on the condition of National Highways and key connecting routes during the meeting held at Punjab Roads and Bridges Development Board, SAS Nagar. He assessed the road network forming part of the Nagar Kirtan routes across Punjab in connection with the sacred commemorations.

The Cabinet Minister informed that the routes of Nagar Kirtan had already been shared with all concerned departments for immediate and coordinated action. The PWD Minister was apprised that bids for repair and maintenance works had been invited and that all projects would be completed well in time for the sacred procession.

S. Harbhajan Singh ETO sought a first-hand status report on the condition of National Highways connecting major routes from the Punjab - Jammu & Kashmir border to Dasuya, Gurdaspur to Amritsar, Kapurthala to Sri Anandpur Sahib via Banga and Balachaur, Talwandi Sabo to Banur via Bathinda, Barnala, Sangrur, Patiala and Faridkot to Sirhind via Ferozepur, Moga, Jagraon, Ludhiana, Khanna and Banur to Sri Anandpur Sahib via Kurali and Rupnagar.

The Cabinet Minister directed officials to ensure that service roads along these stretches are properly maintained, as the Nagar Kirtans will primarily use service lanes during the processions. Project Directors of NHAI submitted that in most areas the roads were in good condition and assured that all repair works including pavement markings, signage and highway lighting would be completed on schedule.

S. Harbhajan Singh ETO instructed that every measure must be taken to ensure safe and convenient passage of the Nagar Kirtans. He said that all roadside pucca drains should be cleaned to prevent waterlogging and covered with precast slabs to avoid mishaps. The PWD Minister also directed that overhead and side electricity transmission lines along the routes should be raised to a safe height to prevent any untoward incidents.

He further directed that pruning of tree branches along the routes should be carried out on priority. He asked PWD engineers to maintain close coordination with all stakeholders including NHAI, MoRT&H, PSPCL, PSTCL, drainage and forest departments and other related agencies to ensure smooth movement of the Nagar Kirtans.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Joint Secretary, Public Works, Sh. Amarbir Sidhu, Engineer-in-Chief Sh. Gagandeep Singh, Chief Engineers Sh. Ramtesh Bains and Sh. Anil Gupta along with other senior PWD (B&R) officers. Project Directors of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) were also present.