*CM BHAGWANT SINGH MANN LED PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA PAYS TRIBUTES TO DEPARTED SOULS*

Chandigarh, August 3:The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Vidhan Sabha, on Monday paid heartfelt tributes to departed souls who had passed away since the last session of the Assembly.

During the onset of Monsoon session of the 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the House paid respects to the departed soul of former MLA Sh. Sahi Ram Bishnoi, Martyr Sepoy Sarabjit Singh, Freedom Fighter S. Seva Singh, Olympian Randhir Singh, Lyricist and Writer Sh. Bhula Ram, popularly known as Chann Goraya, S. Manjeet Singh Dhos (Uncle of MLA Devinderjeet Singh Laddi Dhos) and S. Bhupinder Singh Pahra (Uncle of MLA Barindermeet Singh Pahra). On the recommendation of MLA Sarvjit Kaur Manuke, the house also paid respects to the Army Man Martyr Sikander Singh. Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan also read brief accounts highlighting the life and personality of each of the departed souls.

The House also paid heartfelt tributes to the students who lost their precious lives while facing the atmosphere of uncertainty created across the country following the leakage of the NEET examination paper, and expressed deep sympathy and condolences to their families.

A two-minute silence was observed in the memory of departed souls as a mark of respect during the obituary references

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Punjab Government celebrating 650th Parkash Purab of Guru Ravidass Ji with full devotion and religious fervour: Tarunpreet Singh Sond

• Cabinet Minister reviews preparations for upcoming events across Punjab

• Four Shobha Yatras, State-level function at Khuralgarh Sahib and wide-ranging religious, cultural and educational programmes underway

• Directs all departments to ensure seamless arrangements for devotees and participants

Chandigarh, August 3:Punjab Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond today reviewed the progress of ongoing events and upcoming programmes being organised under the year-long celebrations being organised to commemorate the 650th Parkash Purab of Guru Ravidass Ji and directed all departments concerned to ensure comprehensive arrangements for the successful conduct of the programmes.

Chairing a high-level review meeting, the Minister was informed that a series of religious, cultural, educational and public outreach programmes are being organised across the State from July to November as part of the commemorative celebrations.

The meeting was also attended by MP Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal, Mr Deepak Bali, advisor to Punjab Heritage and Tourism Development Board among members of expert panel including Sant Pardeep Dass ji from Dera Ballan, Sant Nirmal Dass ji from Jalandhar, Sant Kewal Singh ji from Tap Asthan Khuralgarh, Sant Satwinder Singh Hira from Charan Chhoh Ganga Khuralgarh, Dr. Manjinder Singh from GNDU and Dr. Raj Kumar Hans from Amritsar.

The meeting was apprised that seminars and workshops on the life, philosophy and legacy of Guru Ravidass Ji are being organised in leading universities across Punjab. Special Kirtan Samagams are also being held at various locations to spread the message of equality, social justice and universal brotherhood.

As part of the celebrations, Guru Ravidass Ji's Bagichis are being established on 650 acres of land across Punjab, while a plantation drive involving 6.50 lakh saplings and the distribution of 6.50 lakh commemorative flags is also being undertaken. A "Run for Equality" Marathon at all district headquarters and Cycle Rallies across the State have also been scheduled.

The Minister was informed that four Shobha Yatras will be organised from Varanasi, Faridkot, Bathinda and Jammu to Sri Khuralgarh Sahib during the first week of October. This will be followed by a three-day State-level function at Sri Khuralgarh Sahib from October 9 to 11, featuring exhibitions on the life of Guru Ravidass Ji, Katha and Kirtan Darbars, Sant Sammelans, conferences on Guru Ravidass Ji's Bani, Begumpura Samagams and 3D projection shows at Minar-e-Begumpura.

Reviewing the preparations in detail, Sond directed all departments to work in close coordination to ensure foolproof arrangements for devotees and visitors. He instructed officials to make adequate provisions for accommodation, sanitation, drinking water, transportation, security, traffic management, medical assistance and other essential public services during all programmes.

The Cabinet Minister said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is committed to celebrating the 650th Parkash Purab of Guru Ravidass Ji in a befitting, dignified and memorable manner. He said the year-long celebrations would help disseminate Guru Ravidass Ji's timeless teachings of equality, fraternity, compassion and social harmony among people, particularly the younger generation.

He also directed officials to regularly monitor the progress of preparations and ensure that every event is organised smoothly, enabling devotees from across the country to participate with convenience and devotion.During the meeting, Secretary Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department Kumar Amit, Secretary Information and Public Relations Puneet Goyal, Secretary Education Sonali Giri, Director Tourism Sanjeev Tiwari, Director Higher Education Kulwant Singh and members of expert panel were also present.

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*PUNJAB MINING GOES FULLY DIGITAL: BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL LAUNCHES PMMS PORTAL*

*PMMS PORTAL TO ENSURE END-TO-END TRACKING, TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND REAL-TIME MONITORING TO PUNJAB’S MINING SECTOR*

*MANN GOVT LAUNCHES INTEGRATED DIGITAL PLATFORM TO FURTHER STREAMLINE MINING OPERATIONS: BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL*

*Chandigarh, August 3:*Marking a major step towards technology-driven governance and streamlined management of mining operations in the state, Punjab Mines and Geology Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal on Monday launched the Punjab Mining Management System (PMMS) Portal at Punjab Bhawan here.

The Cabinet Minister said that the integrated digital platform will bring the entire mining ecosystem under a unified framework and facilitate end-to-end monitoring of mining activities, from the extraction of minerals at mining sites to their transportation, movement through check posts, processing at crusher units and delivery to consumers.

Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has adopted technology-based reforms and strengthened monitoring mechanisms to bring greater efficiency and accountability to the mining sector. He said that the state’s annual mining revenue has increased from around Rs.250 crore in the past to over Rs.825 crore.

He said that the PMMS Portal will replace fragmented and manual processes with a centralised digital system, enabling real-time access to information and ensuring seamless coordination among various stakeholders. The portal will also help reduce delays, improve record management and facilitate faster decision-making.

Highlighting the functioning of the mining module, the Mines and Geology Minister said that the digital system will cover the complete life cycle of mining operations, beginning with scientific planning under the District Survey Report (DSR). The process from submission of applications and obtaining environmental clearance to securing consent for operations will be managed through the online platform.

He said that all relevant records pertaining to a mining site, from the commencement of operations to its closure, will remain digitally available. The system will also provide real-time information regarding operational and non-operational mining sites and the permissible quantity of minerals available for extraction.

The Cabinet Minister said that the PMMS Portal will promote transparency by providing digital access to various stages of the mining process, including applications, technical assessments and agreements. The digital trail created through the platform will strengthen accountability and help build public confidence in the system.

Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal further said that smart inter-state check posts equipped with FASTag, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology will facilitate automated verification and monitoring of mineral-laden vehicles entering Punjab from neighbouring states.

He said that the integration of these technologies will enable automatic fee collection and prompt verification of digital weighment slips while reducing manual intervention and improving the accuracy of monitoring.

The Cabinet Minister said that crusher units have also been integrated into the digital ecosystem. Smart electricity meters installed at crusher units will be linked with Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to facilitate the assessment of production in accordance with electricity consumption. This will help curb under-reporting and ensure greater accountability in mineral processing.

He said that crusher owners will be able to monitor their raw material stock, maintain records of finished products and file monthly returns through the live dashboard. The digital platform will simplify compliance requirements and improve coordination between the government and the mining industry.

Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal said that the portal will also streamline the process for obtaining short-term permits. Applications for K-Permits for brick kilns, K-1 permits for road construction and K-2 permits for basement excavation can be processed through the online dashboard, reducing paperwork and eliminating the need for repeated visits to government offices.

The Cabinet Minister said that mining machinery and vehicles will be integrated with the VAHAN Portal. This will ensure that only authorised and duly verified vehicles are permitted to transport minerals and will help prevent unauthorised transportation.

Highlighting the financial component of the system, Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal said that the PMMS Portal has been linked with the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) through a secure digital payment gateway. Payments towards royalty, fees and penalties will be transferred directly to the appropriate government accounts in real time.

He said that the single-window payment facility, automated reconciliation and live financial dashboards will simplify transactions, minimise errors and facilitate efficient auditing and monitoring.

The Mines and Geology Minister said that the Mining Management System Portal is a significant initiative towards establishing a transparent, accountable and technology-enabled mining ecosystem in Punjab. The portal will strengthen regulatory oversight, improve service delivery and support the sustainable management of the state’s mineral resources.

He said that the NIC-developed integrated PMMS Portal will be rolled out in two phases. Phase-I, launched today, covers key mining-related modules and will process all new applications through the new digital platform, while ongoing cases will be migrated through legacy data integration. Phase-II, comprising the Crusher and Interstate Modules, will be launched on August 20, completing the digitisation of the Department’s core regulatory and service delivery functions.

Sh. Goyal also thanked the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and the Department’s team for developing such an integrated portal.

Prominent amongst others who were present included Additional Chief Secretary (Mining) Mrs. Jaspreet Talwar, Director (Mining) Mr. B. Srinivasan, Chief Engineer (Mining) S. Hardeep Singh Mendiratta, Sh. Vivek Verma, Deputy Director General/State Informatics Officer from NIC, Sh. Anil Kumar Dogra, Senior Director (IT), Sh. Devendra Kumar Singh, Joint Director(IT) and Sh. Lokesh Dwivedi, Joint Director (IT) and other senior officers of the Mines and Geology Department.

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*Punjab Is Changing, and Education Is Becoming Its Defining Identity: Harjot Singh Bains*

*•Punjab Is Now India’s No. 1 State in School Education & First to Introduce AI From Classes I to XII: Harjot Singh Bains*

*•Opposition Ran Away From Debate to Hide Its Own Failures, Resorted to Petty Politics to Defame Punjab: Harjot Singh Bains*

*•Punjab Police Busted Haryana-Based Technology-Driven Cheating Syndicate; Not Single Paper Leak in 4.5 Years: Harjot Singh Bains*

*•Punjab’s Govt Schools Have Delivered Record Results Under Sikhya Kranti, With 882 Students Qualifying NEET-UG 2026: Harjot Singh Bains*

CHANDIGARH, August 3:Speaking during the discussion on the censure motion in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha over repeated paper leaks across the country and the atrocities against protesting students, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Monday said the Opposition avoided the debate because it had no answers to the transformation brought about by the Bhagwant Mann government in the education sector. He said that while the Opposition was trying to defame Punjab through false narratives, the facts told a different story.

Punjab has emerged as India’s No. 1 state in school education, become the first state to introduce Artificial Intelligence as a mainstream subject from Classes I to XII, recorded 882 government school students qualifying NEET-UG 2026 under Sikhya Kranti, and maintained a clean record of not a single paper leak in the last 4.5 years. “Punjab is changing, and education is becoming its defining identity,” he asserted.

Addressing the Vidhan Sabha, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that he had stood in the House to answer every question raised by the Opposition. “I was a law student. I understand the universal principle of natural justice, that even in the worst of systems, no one is punished without being heard. It is very easy to raise questions. I have stood here to answer the Opposition,” he said.

Explaining how the racket operated, the Education Minister said the Haryana-based cheating syndicate used modified mobile phones, hidden wireless earpieces and other advanced gadgets to facilitate cheating during the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences pharmacy examination. “This was not a paper leak. This was a technology-driven cheating operation busted by Punjab Police. For years the Haryana Government looked away while this syndicate destroyed the future of thousands of students,” he said.

He advised Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to fix his own backyard before coming to Punjab to set political agendas.

Recalling Punjab’s rich legacy of knowledge, courage and sacrifice, Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that from the hymns of the Rigveda to the world’s first university at Takshila, Punjab had always been a land of learning. “From Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s darbar to the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, we have given the world the message of equality and education. From Shaheed Bhagat Singh who taught us to question power, to Dr. Har Gobind Khorana who won a Nobel, to Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany who gave the world fibre optics, to Dr. Gurtej Singh Sandhu who revolutionised semiconductor memory, this soil has produced giants,” he said.

“This is Punjab. This is our heritage. This is our pride. And we will not let anyone defame it, distort it or drag it down,” he added.

Presenting the achievements of the Punjab Government under the Sikhya Kranti initiative, the Education Minister said Punjab’s government schools had delivered record academic results.

He informed the House that a total of 882 students from Punjab’s government schools had qualified NEET-UG 2026, registering a cumulative increase of more than 100 per cent from 437 qualifiers in 2024.

Highlighting national recognition, the Education Minister said Punjab had climbed from the 27th position in 2020 to become the No. 1 ranked state in the NITI Aayog School Education Quality Report 2026, overtaking Kerala.

He further informed the House that Punjab has become the first state in India to introduce Artificial Intelligence as a mainstream subject from Classes I to XII. The initiative would cover 25,172 schools and nearly 31.5 lakh students, with the curriculum developed after studying best practices from Singapore, Finland, the UAE and the United States.

Detailing the government’s investment in education, Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the education budget had increased from ₹12,657 crore in 2021-22 to ₹19,279 crore in 2026-27, reflecting a rise of 52 per cent. “The Bhagwant Mann government has also launched the ₹3,500 crore Sikhya Kranti 2.0 mission and established 118 state-of-the-art Schools of Eminence. Punjab is changing, and education is becoming its defining identity,” he said.

Defending the students who protested against paper leaks, Minister Harjot Singh Bains described the Jantar Mantar agitation as a “Gen Z movement for policy change” and criticised those who branded the demonstrators as anti-national.

Recalling his visit to the protest site, the Education Minister said he was the only Education Minister in the country to stand with the students. “I did not speak from any stage. I sat among the students. I stood with them even during the lathi charge. Why? Because I said it then and I say it now, this is not about politics. This is about policy,” he said.

Minister Harjot Singh Bains said students from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Punjab had travelled to Delhi carrying backpacks, with many forced to sleep on footpaths. “These were not students who went against the country. But in our country, a narrative has been built that anyone who raises their voice is anti-national. These students have shattered that lie. You cannot fool them with leaks and lies anymore,” he asserted.

In a direct message to the BJP-led Union Government, the Education Minister said the time has come for the government to apologise instead of expecting forgiveness. “When a customer does not get service, they will curse. When a citizen does not get service from the government, they will protest. This is not the time to forgive, this is the time to apologise,” he said.

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*PUNJAB GOVT TO PRESENT GRAND THEATRICAL PRODUCTION "HUMARE RAM" ACROSS THE STATE: TARUNPREET SINGH SOND*

*41 PERFORMANCES TO BE ORGANISED IN 12 CITIES DURING AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2026*

*WILL SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF SANATANA WITH THE HELP OF HISTORICAL EPICS OF RAMAYAN: TARUNPREET SINGH SOND*

*Chandigarh, August 3:*In a significant initiative to promote rich cultural heritage and civilisational values, the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, will organise the grand theatrical production "Humare Ram" across Punjab during August and September 2026.

Disclosing this here today, Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister S. Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that the Punjab government has planned an extensive series of performances to enable people across the state to witness the spectacular stage production depicting the timeless ideals of Lord Ram through a contemporary theatrical presentation. He added that Punjab government will disseminate the message of Sanatana to masses through the historical epics of Ramayan.

The Minister said that the Punjab Government, under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, honours people's freedom to practise their personal faiths and has continuously been organising remarkable events beyond religious lines.

S. Sond informed that the play, Humare Ram, was being acclaimed on national and international level especially by the youth and now Mann government will bring it to the viewers of Punjab. He said that adequate arrangements of light and sound will be made during the screening of this show.

He informed that now the production will be staged in Mohali at Amity University on August 7 and 8, in Bathinda at Balwant Gargi Auditorium on August 9 and 24, in Jalandhar at CT Group of Institutions on August 28 and 29, in Ferozepur at Genesis Institute of Dental Sciences and Research on August 30, in Hoshiarpur at Cambridge School on September 4 and 5, in Gurdaspur at Sukhjindra College on September 6 and 11, in Pathankot at Deen Dayal Auditorium on September 12 and 13, in Amritsar at GNDU campus on September 16 and 17, in Patiala at Punjabi University campus on September 18 and 19, in Khanna on September 20, in Ludhiana at Manmohan Singh Auditorium on September 25 and 26 and in Sangrur at SLIET Longowal on September 27, with a total of 41 performances.

S. Sond said that Humare Ram, produced by Felicity Theatre, is a monumental Hindi stage production that brings the epic Ramayana to life through immersive visuals, aerial performances and state-of-the-art stagecraft. The production features renowned actor Ashutosh Rana as Ravan and Rahull R. Bhuchar in the role of Lord Ram.

Highlighting the uniqueness of the production, the Tourism Minister said that unlike traditional adaptations, Humare Ram will present the Ramayana from rare and unexplored perspectives. The narrative begins with Luv and Kush confronting Lord Ram following Sita's departure and is presented through the celestial perspective of Lord Surya, offering audiences a fresh interpretation of the revered epic.

S. Sond said that the performances are aimed at promoting India's spiritual, cultural and moral heritage among the younger generation while encouraging appreciation for world-class theatrical arts. He said the initiative reflects the Punjab Government's commitment to preserving and promoting the country's rich cultural traditions through innovative and engaging mediums.

The Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister said that the grand production combines theatre, music, visual effects and modern technology to create a unique cultural experience and will attract audiences from all sections of society.

Meanwhile, Advisor, Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board Mr. Deepak Bali appealed to the people of Punjab to participate in large numbers and witness the spectacular presentation celebrating the life, ideals and enduring message of Maryada Purushottam Lord Ram.