Braving cold weather, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann holds Lok Milni in Jalandhar, says Lok Milnis will act as catalyst in accelerating Punjab’s development*

*Direct interaction with people is key to transparent & responsive governance: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Punjab will soon re-emerge as frontrunner state through sustained pro-people initiatives: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*From free power to jobs & healthcare, Our Govt focused on easing common people's burden: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Education & healthcare reforms under Our Govt drawing national appreciation: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

JALANDHAR, 12th January 2026:Braving the biting cold, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday held a Lok Milni in Jalandhar, directly engaging with people from various Assembly constituencies and patiently listening to their grievances. Emphasising that such direct interaction is central to transparent and responsive governance, the Chief Minister said that sustained pro-people initiatives, ranging from free electricity and large-scale employment to healthcare and education reforms, are steadily easing the burden on common families and firmly placing Punjab on the path to reclaim its position as a frontrunner state in the country.

Interacting with people from various Assembly constituencies of Jalandhar, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Lok Milnis will be a regular feature of governance as they help the government understand ground realities and resolve public grievances effectively. “The basic aim of these Lok Milnis is to resolve issues faced by the people by streamlining the entire process, thereby giving a fillip to the overall development of the state. Our government is fully committed to providing transparent, effective and responsive governance to every citizen,” said the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister said that the Punjab government is making strenuous efforts to ensure the progress of Punjab and the prosperity of its people. “We are working consistently to restore the pristine glory of Punjab. The day is not far when, due to these sustained efforts, Punjab will once again emerge as a frontrunner state in the country,” he said.

Outlining the long-term vision of his government, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a comprehensive plan has already been rolled out to carve out a “Rangla Punjab” (happy & prosperous Punjab) for coming generations. “My predecessors remained confined to their palatial palaces, but I have been visiting every nook and corner of the state to usher in a new era of peace, progress and prosperity. This campaign will continue in the coming days so that development and prosperity gain further momentum,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that the core purpose of Lok Milnis is to interact directly with people and chalk out a strategy for holistic development. “This programme has no parallel in the country. No other state government spares so much time to solve people’s problems at their doorsteps. Lok Milnis not only ensure quick resolution of public issues but also help assess the performance of government officers and officials,” he said.

Calling it a pro-people initiative suited to present needs, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Lok Milnis facilitate citizens in getting their day-to-day work done with ease while strengthening good governance. “This helps improve the functioning of offices and gives the administration a clear understanding of ground realities. Our motive is to ensure that benefits of government schemes reach people at their doorsteps. We are leaving no stone unturned to accelerate development and enhance prosperity,” he said.

Listing major pro-people initiatives, the Chief Minister said that 90 percent of households are receiving free electricity, significantly reducing financial pressure on families. “More than 63,000 youth have been given government jobs in a completely transparent manner, without recommendation or corruption,” he said, adding that his government has also closed 17 toll plazas, saving the common man around ₹64 lakh every day in toll fees.

On healthcare, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened across Punjab, providing free treatment and medicines. “Very soon, the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna will be rolled out, enabling cashless treatment up to ₹10 lakh. In the education sector too, revolutionary measures have been taken which have attracted national appreciation,” he said.

He further said that 118 Schools of Eminence are being established, which will play a crucial role in securing a bright future for underprivileged children. “Students are being provided free uniforms, and free bus service for girls ensures that no girl is deprived of education. Special coaching is also being given for entry into the armed forces and competitive exams like NEET, JEE, CLAT and NIFT,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Highlighting achievements in education, the Chief Minister said that 265 students from Schools of Eminence and other government schools qualified for JEE Mains, 44 cleared JEE Advanced, and 848 qualified for NEET. “Teachers and principals have been sent to world-acclaimed institutes to upgrade their teaching skills. The Sadak Surakhya Force formed by our government has been praised across the country and even in Parliament,” he added.

Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

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*Punjab becomes 2nd state to roll out E-Sanad for digital verification of educational documents*

*•No more queues: now, get your education documents verified online: Harjot Singh Bains*

*• PSEB’s E-Sanad service to cut document verification time from 45 days to a few days: Bains*

*•Punjab Govt launches E-Sanad platform to ensure paperless, citizen-centric document authentication: Harjot Singh Bains*

*• Thousands of PSEB students and alumni to benefit as Punjab introduces E-Sanad digital verification system: Harjot Singh Bains*

*• E-Sanad to boost global credibility of PSEB certificates and ease access for students going abroad: Harjot Singh Bains*

CHANDIGARH, 12th January 2026:Ending long queues, paperwork and weeks of waiting that students have long been forced to endure, the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday rolled out E-Sanad, a fully digital platform for verification and authentication of educational documents, making Punjab only the second state in the country to introduce the reform.

With the launch of the Punjab School Education Board’s E-Sanad service, students and alumni can now get their mark-sheets and certificates verified online within days instead of 40–45 days, a move the government says will benefit thousands of Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) pass-outs every year, strengthen the global credibility of Punjab’s educational certificates and make document verification for studies and employment abroad faster, paperless and citizen-centric.

Launching the E-Sanad service on Monday, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that the facility is now available for students and alumni of the Punjab School Education Board who require verification of PSEB-issued mark-sheets and certificates for higher education, employment, professional requirements and official use abroad. “Punjab has become the second state in the country to implement the E-Sanad service, reflecting PSEB’s strong commitment to digital governance and ease of service delivery, while also enhancing the global credibility of educational certificates issued by the Board,” he said.

Explaining the scope of the initiative, the Education Minister said that nearly three lakh students pass out from PSEB-affiliated schools every year and, along with past pass-outs, can now seamlessly avail this service. “Under E-Sanad, documents are digitally verified by PSEB against its records and are then authenticated by the Ministry of External Affairs. The service covers both Hague Convention countries through Apostille and non-Hague countries through MEA attestation, with embassy attestation wherever required,” he said.

Highlighting the impact of the reform, Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that the launch of E-Sanad would benefit thousands of students and alumni annually and has drastically reduced service delivery timelines from 40 to 45 days to just a few days. “This ensures far greater efficiency, transparency and convenience for applicants, especially those seeking opportunities abroad,” he said.

Providing details on the application process, PSEB Chairman Dr. Amarpal Singh said that the E-Sanad portal link, online payment gateway and detailed step-by-step instructions have been made available on the official website of the Punjab School Education Board at www.pseb.ac.in. “The entire process is completely online and paperless and applicants are not required to visit the PSEB Head Office at any stage,” he added.

=========================================*Farmers can establish small mushroom production unit with ₹2 lakh investment; Mann government providing subsidy up to ₹80,000: Mohinder Bhagat*

Punjab Government committed to promoting horticulture and increasing farmers’ income

Chandigarh, January 12-Under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is working continuously to motivate farmers to shift from traditional farming to horticulture and to increase their income, making horticulture more profitable and sustainable. Punjab Horticulture Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat said that the state government is providing a subsidy of up to ₹80,000 to farmers for setting up small mushroom production units costing ₹2 lakh.

Sharing more details, the Horticulture Minister said that farmers can earn higher profits with low investment through mushroom cultivation which requires limited land and water. He added that a small mushroom unit can generally be set up in an area of about 200 square feet.The Punjab Horticulture Department is offering a subsidy of up to 40 per cent on the project cost of ₹2 lakh for this initiative.

Explaining the procedure to avail the subsidy, Mr. Bhagat said that interested farmers can contact their nearest District Horticulture Officer and get registered under the scheme. Farmers will be required to submit their Aadhaar card, land-related documents, bank account details and photographs. The department also provides technical guidance and support to farmers under the scheme.

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*HARDEEP SINGH MUNDIAN HANDS OVER APPOINTMENT LETTERS TO NEWLY INDUCTED EMPLOYEES*

*PREVIOUS CONGRESS GOVERNMENT FAILED TO DELIVER COMPASSIONATE JOBS TO NEEDY FAMILIES: HARDEEP SINGH MUNDIAN*

*Chandigarh, January 12:*Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, on Monday, handed over appointment letters to 12 newly inducted Group-D employees of the Water Supply and Sanitation Department, here at Punjab Bhawan. The appointments were made under the Punjab Government policy for compassionate employment to support families facing distress due to the death of the sole earning member.

The Cabinet Minister informed that among the 12 appointees, one has been appointed as Clerk, eight as Sewadars, one as Safai Sewak and two as Helper Technical. He said, these appointments are decisive step by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government to ensure timely support to affected families while strengthening the departmental workforce.

Assailing the previous Congress government, Hardeep Singh Mundian said, "despite clear provisions, compassionate appointments were ignored and delayed." He pointed out that two of the newly appointed candidates lost their fathers in 2017 and 2018, respectively but were denied employment during the Congress regime. He said the Mann government has corrected this injustice by taking prompt and fair decisions.

Expressing happiness while handing over the appointment letters, the Cabinet Minister said the Mann government is committed to inclusive development with equal focus on the welfare of all sections of society. He congratulated the new appointees, saying that the government has fulfilled its responsibility by providing them secure employment. He expressed confidence that the new employees will discharge their duties with honesty and dedication and contribute to the overall development of Punjab.

Prominent amongst others who were present included Harpreet Singh, Head of Department and Chief Engineer of the department. The newly appointed candidates along with their family members expressed gratitude to the Cabinet Minister and the Punjab Government on receiving the appointment letters.

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*HARJOT SINGH BAINS HANDS-OVER REGULARISATION CERTIFICATES TO 21 CONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEES OF PSEB*

*• EM Bains extends heartiest congratulations to newly-regularised employees*

Chandigarh, January 12:–In a significant move highlighting Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government's commitment to its workforce, Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains, on Monday, handed over regularisation certificates to 21 contractual employees, who were working in Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) on contractual basis.

S. Harjot Singh Bains informed that 16 Packers, 2 Cooks, 2 Waiters and a Driver have been integrated into government service under the "Policy for Welfare of Adhoc, Contractual, Daily Wages, Work-Charged and Temporary Employees".

Extending heartiest congratulations to the employees, S. Harjot Singh Bains stated, “these letters are about handing over dignity, job security and social respect to individuals who have been the vital part of our system. This regularisation is a fulfilment of our moral and electoral promise to ensure that no eligible employee is left in a perpetual state of uncertainty. Their tireless service will now be met with the stability and benefits they rightfully deserve.”

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*YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH 2.0: DR BALBIR SINGH BATS FOR MASS MOVEMENT AGAINST SUBSTANCE ABUSE & SKILL DEVELOPMENT FOR REHABILITATION*

*• Health Minister reviews progress of ongoing Padyatras organised in villages under Yudh Nasheyan Virudh-2.0*

*• Directs DCs to collaborate with ITIs, NGOs & Industries to equip recovered individuals with job-oriented skills to bring them back into mainstream*

Chandigarh, January 12:In a bid to completely eradicate the drug menace from the state as mandated by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Monday reviewed the progress of ongoing Padyatras being organised in villages under Yudh Nasheyan Virudh 2.0. The Health Minister was chairing a meeting with Deputy Commissioners via video conference.

While emphasising the need for sustained community participation, Dr Balbir Singh stressed on making these padyatras impactful and inclusive, marking a shift from enforcement-led approach to a large-scale mass movement.

Highlighting the importance of empowering individuals for long-term recovery and social acceptance, Dr Balbir Singh directed all the Deputy Commissioners to collaborate with ITIs, Krishi Vikas Kendras, NGOs and industries to provide job-oriented skills training to individuals recovering from drug addiction. "Skill development and livelihood opportunities are crucial for successful rehabilitation and reintegration," he stressed.

Dr Balbir Singh asked the Deputy Commissioners to ensure maximum mobilisation of communities for the padyatras, underlining that the campaign does not belong to any political party nor linked to electoral gains. “This initiative is about saving our future generations. For such a noble cause, we must rise above all political and other prejudices and work collectively to secure a drug-free Punjab,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of stigma reduction, the Minister stated that these padyatras form a vital component of the government’s Stigma Reduction initiative, as social stigma remains one of the biggest barriers preventing drug users from seeking help and rehabilitation. He called upon all sections of society to actively participate and convert this campaign into a mass movement.

The meeting was also attended by CEO, State Health Agency cum Nodal Officer, Mental Health Programme Sanyam Aggarwal, Director ESI Dr Anil Goyal and Deputy CEOs SHA Dr Jatinder Kansal and Dr Surinder Kaur among other senior officials.

The Education Minister emphasized that this step transcends administrative action, representing a core principle of CM Mann led state government’s ethos—to protect its employees and provide equitable growth opportunities. This regularisation brings immense relief to the employees and their families, granting them access to PSEB service benefits. It reinforces the government's resolve to address long-standing demands and improve the livelihoods of those serving in non-permanent roles.

Chairman Punjab School Education Board Dr. Amarpal Singh and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.