Forest & Wildlife Preservation Department paying Special attention to dietary needs of animals in Chhatbir Zoo during winters

Chandigarh, December 28:Under the stewardship of the Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister, Punjab, Lal Chand Kataruchak, the department is taking special care of the dietary needs of the animals at Chhatbir Zoo in view of the winter season.

In this regard, 100 gm Honey to each bear is given every day during harsh winters besides Sugarcane in 1 kg quantity to each bear every day. Also, the rock salt lick for all herbivores is also ensured.

Further, Jaggery (Gur) in 100 gm quantity is given to each deer every day during harsh winters apart from 20 gm Jaggery to each monkey every day who are also fed 100 gm Sugarcane each day.

Not only this but Sugarcane in 100 kg quantity is given to each elephant every day in winter season and Alsee seeds and nutrition supplements to small birds are also being ensured.

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*Farmers can avail up to 40% subsidy for planting new orchards : Mohinder Bhagat*

-Pujajb Government committed to welfare of farmers and enhancing their income

Chandigarh, December 28-Punjab Horticulture Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat today said that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is actively promoting crop diversification by encouraging farmers to adopt horticulture through attractive subsidy schemes.

The Minister informed that under the National Horticulture Mission (NHM), farmers can avail upto 40 percent subsidy for planting new orchards as well as for other horticulture activities. He said the initiative aims to reduce dependence on the traditional wheat–paddy cycle, conserve groundwater and enhance farmers’ income through high-value crops.

Explaining the application process, the Horticulture Minister said that interested farmers can apply for the subsidy through their respective District Horticulture Offices. Farmers may also seek guidance from departmental field staff, who will assist them in preparing applications, fulfilling eligibility conditions and completing required formalities.

Mr. Bhagat emphasised that the Mann Government is fully committed to ensuring that the benefits of all farmer-centric schemes reach the farmers at grassroots level in a transparent and timely manner. He urged farmers to take maximum advantage of horticulture schemes and diversify towards fruit and vegetable cultivation for better returns.

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*FROM PRIMARY CARE TO LIVER TRANSPLANT: PUNJAB SCALES NEW HEIGHTS IN HEALTHCARE DURING 2025*

*— HEALTH COVERAGE ALL SET TO BE DOUBLED TO ₹10 LAKH PER FAMILY*

*— PUNJAB CELEBRATES FIRST SUCCESSFUL LIVER TRANSPLANT IN PUBLIC SECTOR*

*— OVER 4.59-CR PEOPLE AVAIL TREATMENT AT 881 AAM AADMI CLINICS, SAYS DR BALBIR SINGH*

*— FREE DIAGNOSTICS, MEDICINES & SUPER-SPECIALITY CARE REACH EVERY CORNER OF PUNJAB*

*— NEARLY 6L PEOPLE BENEFITED FROM FLAGSHIP “CM DI YOGSHALA” INITIATIVE*

CHANDIGARH, December 28: Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government has undertaken transformative steps in 2025 to ensure accessible, affordable, and advanced healthcare for every citizen. From primary healthcare to liver transplants, the year has witnessed unprecedented expansions in infrastructure, coverage, and human resource strengthening.

Punjab Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education & Research Minister Dr Balbir Singh, stated that the flagship Aam Aadmi Clinics have revolutionised primary healthcare, with 881 clinics recording over 4.59 crore patients’ visits, which includes 1.59 crore unique patients since established. A total of 107 medicines and 47 diagnostic tests are being provided free of cost at these clinics, significantly reducing out-of-pocket expenditure of the Punjabis. “An additional 235 Aam Aadmi clinics are in the pipeline, ensuring even wider reach,” he said.

In a landmark decision, the Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojna coverage is all set to be enhanced from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh per family per year in coming month, providing cashless treatment at government and empanelled private hospitals across Punjab and Chandigarh, said the Health Minister, while adding, “This is a step towards providing universal health care and ensuring that people get cashless treatment worth ₹10 lakh. Punjab will be the first state in the country where every family will be entitled to cashless treatment of up to ₹10 lakh.”

Dr Balbir Singh said that the Free Drug Initiative has been strengthened with the Essential Medicines List expanded from 276 to 360 medicines. Over ₹104 crore worth of medicines and supplies have been procured since April 2025, he said, while adding that CMOs/SMOs has been authorised to procure EDL- Non EDL drugs at local level and funds to the tune of Rs 16 crores have been utilised for this purpose since 01-04-2025, ensuring uninterrupted availability of medicines across health facilities, he added.

Similarly, the Health Minister said that under the Diagnostic Initiative, X-ray and ultrasound facilities are being provided at all secondary healthcare facilities or empaneled diagnostic centres at nominal government fixed rates.

To bridge the human resource gap, he said that 3,620 health professionals have been recruited over the last three years, including specialists, medical officers, nurses, and frontline workers. Special initiatives such as re-employment of specialists up to 65 years and hiring on empanelment basis are further boosting specialist availability, he added.

In the field of medical education and research, Dr Balbir Singh said that Punjab achieved a historic milestone with the first successful liver transplant in the public sector at the Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (PILBS), Mohali. Additionally, PG and MBBS seats have been increased across government medical colleges in Amritsar, Patiala, Mohali, Faridkot, and Chandigarh, enhancing tertiary care training capacity.

Under the CM Di Yogshala initiative, more than 6 lakh unique participants have benefited, with over 1.64 lakh people attending 5,347 daily classes across 23 districts. Guru Ravidas Ayurved University also launched a one-year Diploma in Meditation & Yoga Sciences to train 3,300 yoga instructors.

The Health Minister informed that the “Har Shukarvaar Dengue Te Vaar” campaign proved highly effective in 2025, with 70% reduction in dengue cases and 90% fewer deaths compared to 2023.

Significant strides were made in non-communicable disease control through the Punjab STEMI and Stroke projects, which are now expanded across all 23 districts. The STEMI project aims to provide timely and effective treatment for STEMI (heart attack) patients, with a focus on thrombolysis. The Tenecteplase injection— helps to dissolve blood clots in the heart—, which costs between Rs 25000 to Rs 35000, is being administered free of cost under this project. Similarly, the Punjab Stroke Project aimed at providing free mechanical thrombectomy to stroke patients suffering from ischemic stroke.

The Punjab Government has also launched the AI-based Cancer Screening Project in five districts, and District Day Care Cancer Centres became operational in Bathinda and Jalandhar.

Under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program over 5.09 lakh people were screened for Hepatitis C and 3.69 lakh for Hepatitis B, with free treatment initiated for thousands. Hepatitis testing kits were made available at 2,400 Health and Wellness Centres and all Aam Aadmi Clinics.

Infrastructure upgrades included the revamp of the emergency wing at Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, new trauma centres in Amritsar and Patiala, and the development of super-speciality blocks, child blocks, and cafeterias in Faridkot. New burn units, hostels, and staff housing projects are also underway in medical colleges across the state.

“Our government is committed to building a robust, compassionate, and forward-looking health ecosystem,” Dr Balbir Singh reaffirmed.

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*5,121 Women Victims of Violence Provided Free Support through One Stop Centres — Dr Baljit Kaur*

*Women’s Safety and Dignity a Top Priority of Mann Government — Dr Baljit Kaur*

*Comprehensive Support from Medical Aid to Legal Assistance Ensured for Women Survivors*

Chandigarh, December 28:The Punjab Government has provided free medical and legal assistance to as many as 5,121 women victims of violence through One Stop Centres established across the state during the current financial year up to November. This was stated by Punjab’s Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur.

Sharing further details, Dr Baljit Kaur said that the Punjab Government is fully committed to ensuring that every woman in the state is able to live a life of dignity, respect and safety. With this objective, the One Stop Centres are providing comprehensive services under one roof, including free medical treatment, legal aid, police assistance, counselling and temporary shelter to women affected by violence.The Minister emphasised that every woman who approaches a One Stop Centre is not merely a statistic, but a person carrying emotional trauma, insecurity and a strong hope for justice. She said it is the moral and social responsibility of the government to stand firmly with every such woman and provide not only protection, but also confidence, emotional support and an opportunity to rebuild her life with dignity. Through these centres, the government is ensuring that no woman faces her suffering alone and that she receives justice and the right to live with self-respect.

Dr Baljit Kaur further stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Mann Government has made women’s safety and empowerment a core governance priority, rather than limiting it to policies alone. The government is ensuring timely access to support for every woman affected by violence, enabling her to move forward towards justice, security and self-reliance.

Reiterating the government’s commitment, the Cabinet Minister said that the Mann Government will continue to strengthen and expand such initiatives in the future to ensure the safety, dignity and rehabilitation of women across Punjab.

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*Year Ender 2025: Power Department*

*Punjab Simplifies Power Connections; ‘Roshan Punjab’ Lays Foundation for a Future-Ready Grid*

Chandigarh, December 28, 2025-Cabinet Minister for Power, Industries & Commerce, Investment Promotion and NRI Affairs, Sh. Sanjeev Arora, today said that the Power Department has undertaken wide-ranging reforms during 2025 to ensure reliable power supply, consumer-friendly services and a modern, resilient power infrastructure across Punjab.

*Ease of Power Connections & Consumer-Friendly Reforms*

Sh. Arora said that PSPCL will now release electricity connections without requiring any No Objection Certificate (NOC), subject to submission of a mandatory undertaking by the applicant. Application forms have been simplified and digitisation of records is being undertaken on a priority basis.

To further promote Ease of Doing Business, PSPCL has exempted the submission and verification of Test Reports for all consumer categories (except Agriculture). Applicants seeking new connections, additional load or reduction in load up to 50 kW under the LT category are not required to submit any test report or self-certification from a licensed contractor.

He further informed that a statewide project is underway to straighten hanging overhead wires, minimise roadside poles, and improve safety and aesthetics. The project includes installation of new underground cables, distribution boxes and upgradation of transformers wherever required. A pilot project has already been completed in one sub-division, and tenders have now been floated for the remaining 86 sub-divisions across Punjab.

*Free Power to Domestic Consumers*

The Minister reiterated that the Punjab Government is providing free electricity up to 300 units per month or 600 units bi-monthly to all Domestic Supply (DS) consumers using electricity for residential purposes, irrespective of their sanctioned load. As a result, around 90% of domestic consumers have received zero electricity bills across the State.

*Agriculture & Uninterrupted Power Supply*

Punjab ensured more than 8 hours of uninterrupted power supply to the agriculture sector during the paddy season. Notably, no power cuts were imposed on industrial, residential or commercial consumers throughout the period.

*‘Roshan Punjab’ Initiative: ₹5,000-Crore Power Infrastructure Push*

Highlighting the flagship ‘Roshan Punjab’ initiative, Sh. Arora said the comprehensive programme involves an investment of ₹5,000 crore, partially funded under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). The initiative aims to create a future-ready and resilient power grid by 2027, supporting industries, homes and farms across the State.

*Key Components under Roshan Punjab:*

Substation Strengthening Construction of 70 new substations

Major strengthening of 200 existing substations

Line Network Expansion:Erection and upgradation of over 25,000 km of power lines to enhance capacity and significantly reduce technical losses

Feeder & Transformer Upgrades:

Addition of 2,000 new feeders and augmentation of 3,000 existing feeders

Installation of 3,600 new distribution transformers.

Upgradation of 4,300 old transformers to stabilise voltage and minimise localised failures

*Industry-Friendly Measures*

The Minister said that existing industrial consumers are now allowed up to 10% additional Contract Demand (or 500 kVA, whichever is less) within 15 days, once in three years. Further, no feasibility clearance is required for demand above 500 kVA and up to 2000 kVA, significantly reducing connection timelines for industries.

*Record Power Demand Successfully Met*

Punjab successfully met its highest-ever peak power demand of 16,670 MW on July 5, 2025, which was 11.42% higher than the demand recorded on the same day last year (14,961 MW).

This surpassed the previous peak of 16,428 MW on June 28, 2025, and the earlier record of 16,058 MW on June 29, 2024.

*Strengthening of PSPCL & Employment Generation*

Sh. Arora said that 8,984 candidates have been recruited in PSPCL/PSTCL since 2022, reflecting the Government’s strong commitment to employment generation. In FY 2024-25, PSPCL recorded a profit of ₹2,630 crore, significantly strengthening its financial position. A One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme was also launched for defaulting consumers (except Agriculture) to clear outstanding dues.

*Acquisition & Revival of Guru Amardas Thermal Plant*

After its acquisition by PSPCL in February 2024, the Guru Amardas Thermal Plant (GATP), Goindwal Sahib, has shown a remarkable turnaround. The Plant Load Factor increased to about 82% in July 2025, compared to an average of only 34% during April 2016 to January 2024 prior to acquisition.

*Enhanced Transmission Capacity*

Punjab’s transmission capacity (ATC/TTC) has increased from 7400/8000 MW in April 2022 to 10,400/10,900 MW, enabling higher power imports from the national grid.

An expenditure of ₹4,620.5 crore (power and civil components, including IDC) has been incurred till April 2025.

*Enhanced Safety, Compensation & Medical Benefits for Employees*

The Minister disclosed that

Ex-gratia compensation for regular employees in fatal duty accidents has been increased from ₹30 lakh to ₹35 lakh.Compensation for outsourced employees has been enhanced to ₹30 lakh.Medical advance for regular employees injured on duty has been increased from ₹3 lakh to ₹10 lakh.

Medical advance up to ₹3 lakh has been extended to outsourced employees.