SRI ANANDPUR SAHIB ADORNS WHITE FOR SRI GURU TEGH BAHADUR JI’S 350TH MARTYRDOM ANNIVERSARY

•Harjot Singh Bains leads ambitious project with paintbrush to turn the holy city white

• Over 20K litres of white paint contributed

Chandigarh/ Sri Anandpur Sahib, November 12:In a landmark initiative to elevate the spiritual and historical vibes of the historic city Sri Anandpur Sahib, a transformative 'White City' project has been kicked off today to commemorate 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ji with grandeur.

After performing Adras by Baba Satnam Singh Ji of Kar Sewa wale, Qila Anandgarh Sahib, Punjab Education Minister and MLA from Sri Anandpur Sahib S. Harjot Singh Bains started the ambitious project with paintbrush, starting from the local bus stand to paint the entire city white.

Articulating the vision behind the project, S. Harjot Singh Bains stated, "Today, we embark on a journey to make Sri Anandpur Sahib a beacon of beauty, peace and devotion. This project is a promise to our rich heritage and our future generations. The divine aura of the holy city is already being felt as we are cleaning every street & corner, renovating every road and coating the city in a white."

Highlighting the overwhelming community support, the Education Minister shared that philanthropic individuals have contributed over 20,000 litres of white paint for the initial phase. He emphasised that this initiative is a powerful testament to the spirit of inclusiveness and collective efforts.

While urging the youth and panchayats to participate in this massive Sewa, the Education Minister said, “We will cover every street and every neighbourhood for the next five to seven days, ensuring that the transformative touch of white paint makes the city spotless.”

S. Harjot Singh Bains assured the full support from Rupnagar district administration for this project, saying that 'White City' project is envisioned as a continuous campaign, with the current phase set to be sustained to ensure the complete and lasting beautification of Sri Anandpur Sahib to make it a radiant symbol of the Guru’s legacy for the millions of pilgrims expected for the Ninth Guru Sahib’s 350th Martyrdom Anniversary commemorations.

Evoking the spirit of the Guru’s teachings, S. Harjot Singh Bains stated, “On this hallowed ground, where Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji laid the foundation of a spiritual citadel, we begin a humble Sewa to reflect the Guru Sahib’s divine light.”

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Sangrur emerges on top in arrival & procurement of paddy

Patiala leads in lifting

Chandigarh, November 12:Sangrur District has emerged Numero Uno in the ongoing Paddy procurement season in terms of both arrival and procurement.

Living up to its commitment of a smooth and seamless procurement season, the Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has been successful in ensuring a solid mechanism in the mandis aimed at safekeeping the interests of all the stakeholders viz. Farmers, Arhtiyas, Labourers.

Out of the total 15376697.06 Lakh Metric Tonne (LMT) paddy arriving in the mandis till November 11th, 15269488.62 LMT of the produce has been procured with the figure crossing 99 percent mark. As far as the lifting is concerned, 13854981.49 MT has been lifted out of the procured crop thus surpassing 90 percent mark.

Sangrur has accounted for top positions on both the arrival as well as the procurement parameters with the arrival placed at 1330792.77 MT and procurement at 1328302.88 MT. Bathinda has occupied the 2nd spot from both arrival & procurement point of view with arrival figure standing at 1303454.28 MT and procurement ar 1253400.2 MT. The Patiala district is at the third position in both arrival and procurement with arrivals placed at 1120786.79 MT and procurement at 1120772.77 MT.

In terms of Lifting, Patiala has achieved top spot so far with 1087806.56 MT and Sangrur coming 2nd with 1083766.01 MT. With 1070364.39 MT, Bathinda occupies 3rd position in lifting category.

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Punjab Government’s Strong Commitment to Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Marginalized Sections: Dr. Baljit Kaur

Strict Monitoring of SC Sub-Plan Directed to Ensure Effective Utilization of Funds

Faster Disbursal under Post-Matric and Aashirwad Schemes Ordered

Chandigarh, November 12:Punjab Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is firmly committed to the welfare and upliftment of Scheduled Castes and marginalized sections of society.

Presiding over a meeting with senior officers of the Social Justice Department, Dr. Baljit Kaur reviewed the progress of works being undertaken under the SC Sub-Plan. She directed that all departments must promptly submit reports detailing the steps being taken to ensure that funds released under the plan directly benefit members of the Scheduled Caste community. The Minister emphasized that the allocated SCSP budget should be utilized solely for the welfare of the SC population, and officers must ensure strict monitoring of works executed under this plan.

Dr. Baljit Kaur instructed the officials that the Department of Social Justice is dedicated to the welfare of economically weaker and disadvantaged sections of society. Therefore, any kind of negligence or laxity in implementing these schemes will not be tolerated, and action will be taken against any officer found guilty of dereliction of duty.

The Minister reiterated that the Punjab Government strongly believes in the principles of social justice and equal opportunity. She said that every welfare initiative of the State Government is aimed at improving the lives of common people, particularly those belonging to backward and marginalized sections. Dr. Baljit Kaur added that the Government is committed to ensuring that no eligible beneficiary is left out of the ambit of welfare schemes and that assistance reaches every household in a timely manner.

During the meeting, Dr. Baljit Kaur also reviewed the progress of key schemes, including the Post Matric Scholarship, Aashirwad Scheme, and the construction and renovation of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhawans. She directed officials to ensure timely verification of applications received on departmental portals and prompt disbursal of payments. Departmental officers apprised the Minister that approximately 2.45 lakh applications have been received on the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar portal for the Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students Scheme for the year 2025–26, and the process of verification and payment is underway.

Dr. Baljit Kaur further directed that awareness camps be organized in every district to disseminate information about government welfare schemes so that a larger number of eligible beneficiaries can avail themselves of these benefits.

Prominent among those present in the meeting included Principal Secretary Mr. V.K. Meena, Additional Secretary Mr. Ravinder Singh, Director Mrs. Vimmi Bhullar, Deputy Director Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Mannan, and Nodal Officers Mr. Ravinderpal Singh, Mr. Suksagar Singh, Mr. Harpal Singh Gill, and Mrs. Livpreet Kaur, Research Officer.

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Punjab Government committed to welfare of ex-servicemen and their families: Mohinder Bhagat

Cabinet Minister reviews progress of Defence Services Welfare Department

Chandigarh, November 12:The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is working actively for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families. In line with this objective, Defence Services Welfare Minister Shri Mohinder Bhagat today reviewed the progress of various welfare initiatives for ex-servicemen and their families, as well as the ongoing work related to the renovation of war memorials, during a meeting with senior officers of the Defence Services Welfare Department.

During the review meeting held at the Punjab Civil Secretariat, the officers briefed the Minister about the various welfare activities being carried out for ex-servicemen. They informed that all possible assistance is being provided to ex-servicemen and their families, with special focus on resolving their issues at the district level.

The officers further stated that pensions and other benefits are being disbursed to ex-servicemen and their families in a timely manner. They also apprised the Minister that the renovation works of war memorials are being carried out expeditiously.

Minister Shri Mohinder Bhagat said that ex-servicemen have made great sacrifices for the nation. He directed the department to ensure that all matters related to ex-servicemen and their families are given top priority.

The Minister also instructed that the renovation work of war memorials must be completed within the stipulated time. He assured that there will be no shortage of funds from the government for these works.

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3,100 VILLAGES IN PUNJAB TO GET SPORTS STADIUMS WORTH ₹1,100-CR: AMAN ARORA

•“Sports stadiums to be built in 29 villages of Sunam constituency at a cost of ₹11.5 crore, says Arora

•Aman Arora inaugurates work for construction of sports stadiums worth ₹5.32 crore in 11 villages of Sunam constituency

“To be completed within three months”

Chandigarh/ Sunam, November 12-Under the vision of making Punjab a vibrant and progressive state, the Punjab Government is making consistent efforts to engage youth in sports and provide state-of-the-art sports infrastructure in every village. Taking another step in this direction, Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister and State President of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Mr. Aman Arora inaugurated the construction work of sports stadiums in 11 villages of the Sunam constituency, to be built at a total cost of Rs 5.32 crore. These stadiums are expected to be completed within three months.

Mr. Aman Arora informed that sports stadiums are being constructed in 3,100 villages across Punjab at a total cost of approximately Rs 1,100 crore, while in the Sunam constituency, stadiums will be constructed in 29 villages at a cost of around Rs 11.5 crore.

He said these stadiums will provide an excellent platform for young players to hone their sporting skills and bring laurels to the state, besides channelising the energy of Youth. Under the leadership of Chief Minister, Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is implementing the “Har Pind Khed Maidan” (Sports Ground in Every Village) initiative in mission mode to encourage youth towards a healthy and active lifestyle at the village level.

Mr Arora further mentioned that in the first phase, construction work of stadiums has started in 11 villages of the Sunam constituency, including Killa Hakiman, Sheron, Shahpur Kalan, Jharo, Togawal, Dhaddrian, Sahoke, Takkipur, Mander Kalan, Lohakhera, and Pindi Amar Singh Wali. These stadiums are being built at a combined cost of Ra 5.32 crore — with individual investments of ₹65.09 lakh at Killa Hakiman, ₹52.43 lakh at Sheron, ₹39.10 lakh at Shahpur Kalan, ₹117.16 lakh at Jharo, ₹41.56 lakh at Togawal, ₹26.28 lakh at Dhaddrian, ₹35.57 lakh at Sahoke, ₹23.94 lakh at Takkipur, ₹45.98 lakh at Mander Kalan, ₹41.02 lakh at Lohakhera, and ₹43.70 lakh at Pindi Amar Singh Wali.

The Cabinet Minister emphasised that the Punjab Government’s goal is not only to promote sports culture but also to steer the youth away from drugs and channel their energy towards a healthy, disciplined, and productive lifestyle. He added that these sports stadiums will also serve as centres of social unity and community engagement at the village level.

On this occasion, village sarpanches, officials from various Department, panchayat members, and a large number of villagers were present. People expressed their gratitude to the Punjab Government for taking this historic step to strengthen sports infrastructure in rural areas.

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MANN GOVT CONTINUES RELIEF DISTRIBUTION UNDER THIRD PHASE OF MISSION CHARDI KALA

SO FAR, PROVIDED COMPENSATION FOR ALL TYPES OF LOSSES INCLUDING DAMAGE TO HOUSES, CROPS AND LIVESTOCK ACROSS 1143 VILLAGES

OVER RS.35 CRORE DISBURSED IN TWO DAYS OF THIRD PHASE OF MISSION CHARDI KALA

Chandigarh, November 12:Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government has so far provided compensation for all types of losses including damage to houses, crops and livestock across a total of 1143 villages in the state.

On the second consecutive day of the third phase of relief distribution, the state government continued its massive outreach under Mission Chardi Kala, extending financial assistance to flood-affected families across the state and over Rs.35 crore has been disbursed in these two days.

Relief distribution events were organized at nearly 70 locations in the districts of Amritsar, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Mansa, Sangrur and SBS Nagar.

An official spokesperson informed that in Ferozepur district, Ranbir Singh Bhullar (MLA Ferozepur Urban), Rajneesh Dahiya (MLA Ferozepur Rural), Naresh Kataria (MLA Zira) and Fauja Singh Sarari (MLA Guru Har Sahai) distributed compensation amounting to over Rs.16.68 crores among around 3,000 farmers during separate events.

In Dera Baba Nanak, MLA Gurdip Singh Randhawa distributed over Rs.3.71 crores as compensation to 935 flood-affected families of villages Shahpur Goraya, Bhagtana Tulian, Agwan, Shakri and Machhrala.

In Sri Muktsar Sahib, MLA Jagdeep Singh Kaka Brar handed over section letters to 270 beneficiaries from villages Atari, Dohak, Jhabelwali, Khokhar, Kotli Sanghar, Lubanianwali, Marar Kalan, Man Singh Wala, Mukand Singh Wala, Thandewala, Udekaran and Vangal for compensation related to damage of their houses, during an event held at Thandewala village.

Likewise, compensation was also distributed to affected families from villages Alam Khanwala, Sherpur Dogra and Passan Kadeem in Sultanpur Lodhi constituency.

Under the Lopoke Sub-Division of District Amritsar, SDM Lopoke Sanjeev Sharma issued sanction letters worth around Rs.26 lakh for flood-affected families of villages Toot, Motla, Jai Ram Kot and Bhagupur Bet. He said that the sanctioned amount will be directly credited to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

Notably, Punjab has emerged as the only state in the country to provide the highest compensation to flood-affected families, ensuring that relief reaches every eligible household with efficiency and transparency.

He further said that financial assistance for damaged houses was enhanced from Rs.6,500 to Rs.40,000 per house, while farmers received Rs.20,000 per acre as crop loss compensation, the highest ever in India. The state has also compensated livestock losses at Rs.37,500 per milch animal, Rs.32,000 per non-milch animal, Rs.20,000 per calf and Rs.100 per poultry bird, extending crucial support to help families rebuild their livelihoods.

The Spokesperson said that for the first time in the nation’s history, Punjab empowered its farmers with the right to extract sand from their own fields under the landmark initiative “Jisda Khet, Usdi Ret”, helping them reclaim their land and prepare for the next sowing season.

He said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government is committed to ensure every deserving family receives full and timely compensation for losses to houses, crops and livestock.