*Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema Chairs High-Level Meetings with Employee Unions, Orders Early Resolution of Pending Issues*

*Bhagwant Mann Govt Committed to Employee Welfare, Genuine Demands Will Be Addressed Promptly: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*Cabinet Sub-Committee Actively Working to Resolve Employee Grievances Across Departments: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*Bhagwant Mann Govt Engages Multiple Employee Unions, Reviews Sector-Specific Concerns to Ensure Timely Redressal: Harpal Singh Cheema*

CHANDIGARH; 3rd June 2026 :Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who also chairs the Cabinet Sub-Committee constituted to address the grievances of state employees, presided over a series of high-level meetings on Wednesday to expedite the resolution of legitimate demands raised by various employee unions.

Reviewing the unique grievances raised by each delegation, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “The Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann remains firmly committed to the welfare of employees.”

He issued on-the-spot directions to the administrative heads of the respective departments, instructing them to thoroughly examine the genuine demands of the employees and ensure their resolution at the earliest possible time.

Emphasising the role of the Cabinet Sub-Committee, Harpal Singh Cheema said, “The Cabinet Sub-Committee is actively working to bridge gaps and create a supportive environment for employees across all state cadres.”

During these deliberations, the Finance Minister held comprehensive discussions with representatives from the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union, the Bazigar Vanjara Samaj Sangharsh Committee, the Computer Adhiypak Union, the Lal Jhanda Mid-Day Meal Workers Union, and the Water Supply and Sanitation Workers Union.

The Punjab State Ministerial Services Union presented a detailed memorandum highlighting the collective issues faced by Punjab Government employees. In addition to general employee welfare matters, the union brought forward specific concerns pertaining to the ministerial staff deployed across diverse sectors, including district administrative offices, the education department, the cooperative department, the excise department, the finance department, ITIs, the water supply and sanitation department, the soil and water conservation department, and the Commissioner's office.

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*Bhagwant Mann Govt expands Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana; 17 more procedures approved in private hospitals, cashless cover extended to those living alone*

*People living alone, senior citizens and parents of children settled abroad now covered under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana: Dr Balbir Singh*

CHANDIGARH, June 3:In a move expected to ease pressure on government hospitals and bring healthcare closer to thousands of patients, the Bhagwant Mann Government has allowed 17 additional medical procedures to be carried out at empanelled private hospitals under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY). The decision, coupled with the inclusion of individuals living alone in the scheme, marks a significant expansion of the state's universal health insurance scheme.

For countless families across Punjab, a hospital visit often means long queues, crowded wards and anxious waits for treatment. In an important step towards reducing that burden, the state government has broadened access to healthcare by permitting 17 medical procedures, previously restricted to government hospitals, to be performed at empanelled private institutions under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana.

The decision has effectively shortened the list of procedures reserved exclusively for government hospitals, opening the door for beneficiaries to seek treatment at a much larger network of healthcare providers. Health minister Dr Balbir Singh shared that the move will improve accessibility, particularly in districts where specialised services are scarce or government facilities are struggling with heavy patient loads. “This is expected to reduce pressure on major government facilities, shorten waiting times, and improve access to timely care,” he said.

The newly approved procedures cover a wide range of medical specialities, which will help people get treated closer to their homes instead of travelling long distances to overcrowded tertiary hospitals.

In Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) care, patients can now undergo fracture setting of the nasal bone and adenoidectomy at empanelled private hospitals. These are common procedures that often require timely intervention, especially among children and accident victims.

General Surgery has witnessed one of the largest expansions. Procedures such as hydrocele operations, incision and drainage of abscesses, appendicectomy, and both open and laparoscopic gall bladder surgeries have now been brought within the ambit of private hospitals participating in the scheme. For many patients, this could mean shorter waiting periods and treatment closer to home.

Women’s healthcare has also received considerable attention. The expanded list includes medical termination of pregnancy beyond 12 weeks, hysterotomy, hospitalisation for antenatal complications, and examination under anaesthesia for minor girls, unmarried sexually inactive women and survivors of sexual abuse.

These additions will help ensure more timely and accessible care for vulnerable patients. Similarly, eye care and orthopaedic services have been strengthened. Ophthalmology procedures such as pterygium excision and entropion correction can now be performed at empanelled private hospitals. Orthopaedic patients will also benefit from access to surgeries involving tendon release, treatment of small-joint injuries and corrective operations for ankle fractures. Package rates for the newly approved procedures range from ₹2,000 to ₹27,800.

The announcement comes alongside another noteworthy expansion of the scheme. People living alone, including senior citizens, widows and others residing independently, are now eligible for coverage.

Previously, the universal health insurance programme was limited to families with at least two members. The benefit has also been extended to parents whose children are settled abroad. Applicants will be required to provide valid Punjab Aadhaar and Voter Identity cards, while those below 18 years must furnish birth certificates. Independent residents seeking enrolment must submit a declaration that will be verified by local elected representatives before approval.

According to a report from the State health agency (SHA) nearly 65 lakh families are already covered under the scheme. At present, 824 hospitals, including government, central government and empanelled private institutions, are providing treatment. Covering nearly 2,300 diseases and medical procedures, the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana continues to evolve as a vital healthcare lifeline, bringing the promise of cashless treatment within reach of more Punjabis than ever before.

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*Vigilance Bureau nabs ASI red handed accepting bribe of Rs 1,30,000/-*

Chandigarh, June 3, 2026:The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Assistant Sub Inspector Gurjit Singh alias Goldy posted in C.I.A staff district Ferozepur red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 1,30,000/-.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of village Naurang Ke Lelli district Ferozepur .

He informed that the complainant is engaged in the business of purchasing and selling of cattles. A case was registered against the complainant's relative by CIA at Ferozepur Cantt. In this connection, accused ASI met the complainant and threathened that his relatives will be arrested soon in this case. Complainant alleged that accused ASI Gurjit Singh demanded a bribe of Rs. 2.5 lakh in lieu of delaying arrest of his relative in this case so that his relative can get bail. The accused ASI also claimed that this amount was to be handed over to the Incharge of the CIA Staff, Mohit Dhawan.

He further informed that the deal was eventually settled at Rs. 2.3 lakh after request. Complainant had given Rs. One lakh bribe amount to the accused ASI as first installment.

Unwilling to pay the remaining illegal gratification, complainant approached the VB Flying Squad Mohali. Acting on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused ASI was arrested red handed while accepting bribe money of Rs 1,30,000/- from the complainant in presence of two official witnesses.

In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Mohali and further investigation into this case is under progress.

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*Retired IAS Officer Sanjay Gupta Assumes Charge as Chairperson of Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission*

•*Sanjay Gupta sworn in by Power Minister Sond*

Chandigarh/Mohali, June 3:Retired IAS officer Mr. Sanjay Gupta today assumed charge as Chairperson of the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC).

Punjab Power Minister S. Tarunpreet Singh Sond administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Sanjay Gupta at Vikas Bhawan, Mohali. Mr. Gupta was a 1988 batch retired IAS officer who has also served as Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh and several other prominent positions.

Congratulating Mr. Gupta on assuming the prestigious responsibility, Power Minister S. Sond expressed confidence that his vast administrative experience and deep understanding of governance would further strengthen the regulatory framework of the power sector in Punjab. He said that the Punjab Government, under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to ensuring transparent, consumer-friendly and efficient power regulation in the state and the Commission has a pivotal role in achieving these objectives.

On this occasion, newly appointed Chairperson Sanjay Gupta thanked the Punjab Government for reposing faith in him and assured that the Commission would continue to work in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003, while safeguarding the interests of consumers and promoting the overall development of the power sector.

Mr. Gupta said that he would work to ensure availability of quality power to consumers with minimum power cuts. He added that the desired results could be achieved by controlling transmission losses and resolving the issues.

CMD PSPCL Dr. Basant Garg, members PSERC Ravinder Singh Saini and Ravi Kumar, Director distribution Inderpal Singh among other senior officers of the Power Department, PSERC, family members of newly appointed Chairperson and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

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*MANN GOVT LAUNCHES LARGEST SEWERAGE CLEANING DRIVE; 2200 KM SEWERS, 1,400 HOTSPOTS TO BE CLEARED BEFORE MONSOON: HARJOT BAINS*

*• JEs & staff trained, super-suction machines, high-capacity jetters on ground to tackle monsoon overflow, says Local Govt Minister*

*• Mega drive’s progress to be monitored via digital dashboards: Bains*

CHANDIGARH, 3,June -In a major pre-monsoon push to end sewage overflow and urban water-logging, Punjab Local Government Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains on Wednesday unveiled the state’s largest-ever sewerage delisting drive, announcing that 2,200 km of sewer lines and 1,400 chronic hotspots across all cities and towns will be cleared before the rains hit.

Local Government Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains informed that the drive covers 800 kms of main trunk lines and 1,400 kms of branch lines inside mohallas. The department has identified 1,400 chronic hotspots where sewage overflow is reported every monsoon.

“Every year, when rains come, every city and every mohalla has some points where sewage overflows. This time, under the vision of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, we have been given a clear target, no sewage overflow anywhere in Punjab’s cities and towns,” S. Bains stated.

Sharing the city-wise breakdown, S. Bains said the drive will cover 108 km of sewer lines and 47 hotspots in Jalandhar, 93 km in Patiala, 40 km and 42 hotspots in Ludhiana, 55 km and 39 hotspots in Bathinda, 36 km in Mohali, 14 km and 15 hotspots in Zirakpur, 11 km and 11 hotspots in Kharar, 7 km and 3 hotspots in Dhuri, 21 km in Kotkapura and 7 km in Nangal, where desilting is being done for the first time.

All local body and Sewerage Board JEs and other staff have been given special training for the drive, said the Local Government Minister, while stating, “We have deployed super-suction machines and high-capacity jetting equipment. Separate control rooms and digital dashboards are being set up for real-time information.”

He further shared that P rogress will be monitored daily through a dashboard and accountability has been fixed from JE to SE level. The drive will be completed in mission mode

Sharing a startling example, S. Bains said, “In Ludhiana’s Bhattian area, our team found concrete had been poured inside a sewer line from a house built nearby. That line was choked for six years, causing trouble for the entire locality. Such negligence will not be tolerated.”

Local Government Minister S. Bains said he would personally remain on the field and all officers have been ordered to do the same. “We are involving all our MLAs and MCs as well. Our aim is that this time, you will see a real difference, no water-logging, no sewage back-flow, no dengue-spreading from water stagnation,” he said.

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*MRSAFPI CADETS CLINCH AIR 2 & 6 IN AFCAT; BOTH ALSO CLEAR CDS*

*• “Cadet Sukhraj & Jasnoor made Punjab Proud”, Aman Arora lauds AFCAT achievers*

Chandigarh, June 3:In a remarkable feat, two cadets from the 10th course of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (MRSAFPI), Mohali, have clinched the 2nd and 6th All-India ranks in the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) II examination.

The achievers are Sukhraj Singh Heera, who bagged AIR 2, is son of government school teacher from Ropar district and cadet Jasnoor Singh of Pathankot, secured AIR 6.

Notably, both the cadets have already been selected for Combined Defence Services (CDS) courses set to commence later this month. In the CDS merit list, Jasnoor Singh stood first in the Air Force category, while Sukhraj Singh Heera secured the fourth rank in the Army merit list. Their dual success in AFCAT and CDS underscores the rigorous training and mentorship provided at the institute.

Congratulating the cadets, Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Mr. Aman Arora said the achievement reflects the talent and grit of Punjab’s youth. Sukhraj and Jasnoor have made the entire state proud. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government is committed to strengthening defence preparatory institutes like MRSAFPI and Mai Bhago AFPI so that more youth from ordinary backgrounds can earn commissions in the armed forces. The state Govt’s aim is jobs for youth and a uniform for those who dream of serving the nation, he added.

Director of MRSAFPI Major General Ajay H. Chauhan, VSM (Retd.), lauded both the cadets, while stating that around 24 cadets of the institute are in the process of receiving joining letters for courses commencing shortly at training academies across the country.

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*403 total nominations received for 4 Municipal Councils General Elections*

Chandigarh 3 June 2026:The State Election Commission, Punjab informed that total 403 nominations received for MC Gurdaspur, MC Dinanagar, MC Qadian and MC Sham Chaurasi. Elections to these 4 MCs will be held on 13.6.2026, between 8 AM and 4 PM.

He further said that election will be held using EVMs. Counting will take place on 13.6.26, at the polling station itself, immediately after completion of poll. Detailed list of nominations is attached.

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