*Punjab’s Own IPL; Top Players To Feature In Sher-e-Punjab T20 League From August 30 To September 13: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*More Than 450 Punjab Players To Take Part In Sher-e-Punjab T20 League Auction On August 9: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Sports Are Principal Weapon In Battle Against Drugs: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Star Players Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh And Ramandeep Singh Present At Sher-e-Punjab T20 League Announcement*

CHANDIGARH; 8th August 2026:Punjab is set to get its own IPL-style T20 league, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday unveiling the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League, featuring six franchise teams and star Punjab cricketers including Gill, Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, Ramandeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar. The league will be played from August 30 to September 13 at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali, with more than 450 Punjab players set to enter the auction on August 9, giving emerging talent a major platform alongside established players.

During this, Indian cricketers Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh and Ramandeep Singh. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab has always produced talented players for the country and that the government is working continuously to connect young people with sports and further strengthen the state in the sporting arena. He also highlighted sports as a principal weapon in the campaign against drugs.

Sharing a few snippets featuring players, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “It was a great pleasure to meet the players of the Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup. The land of Punjab has always produced talented players for the country. Our government is continuously working to connect the youth with sports and further strengthen Punjab in the field of sports. Six teams are participating in this T20 Cup. All matches will be played at the PCA Stadium, Mohali, from August 30 to September 13. A Sporting Punjab, A Progressive Punjab.”

Calling the league “Punjab’s own IPL”, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “During a meeting with representatives of the Punjab Cricket Association and national-level players here today, the league will feature six franchise teams. Indian Cricket Team Captain Shubman Gill will represent Fazilka Falcons, Arshdeep Singh will play for Ludhiana Lions, Abhishek Sharma for Amritsar Soormaaz, Prabhsimran Singh for Jalandhar Warriors, Ramandeep Singh for Mohali Kings, and Gurnoor Brar for Bathinda Royals. The players who have brought glory to India will add to the prestige of the tournament. The league will be held from August 30 to September 13, with all matches to be played at the PCA Cricket Stadium in Mohali.”

The Chief Minister stated, “Punjab is currently the backbone of the Indian cricket team, with 21 players from the state featuring in the IPL. All of them will now be among the major attractions of Punjab’s own league. All players participating in the Punjab Cricket League will be from Punjab.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “For this purpose, a pool of more than 450 players from Punjab has been created, who will participate in the auction on August 9. The prominent names among these players include Anmolpreet Singh, Mayank Markande, Naman Dhir, Vihaan Malhotra, Imanjot Singh Chahal, Ashwani Kumar and Krish Bhagat. The league will be played on a round-robin basis, with each team playing eight league matches.”

He said, “The league will provide young players from Punjab with valuable experience of playing on a major platform. Likewise, it will give them an opportunity to share the dressing room with established players thereby giving them experience. A comprehensive campaign has been launched to eradicate drugs from Punjab, and sports are the principal weapon in this battle.”

The Chief Minister noted, “The ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ sporting event is being successfully organised every year across the state. Likewise, more than 3,100 sports grounds are being developed to promote sporting culture in the state. Punjab will host the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy for the first time in October-November, and now the state’s own cricket league is also set to begin.”

On the occasion, Punjab Cricket Association President Amarjit Mehta, Secretary Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and Vice-President Deepak Bali presented a T-shirt bearing the league’s logo to CM Bhagwant Singh Mann as a token of honour.

Indian cricketers Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh and Ramandeep Singh, who are part of the Indian team, also presented a cricket bat and ball to CM Bhagwant Singh Mann as a mark of respect.

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*‘No Cash, No Farmaish’: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Hands Over Govt Job Appointment Letters To 866 Youth*

*636 appointments in Health, 101 in Sugarfed, 57 in Finance, 51 in Defence Services Welfare, 11 in Cooperation and 10 in Home Department: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Our Govt has provided 69,094 govt jobs with complete transparency in 4.5 years: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Under previous govts, cash & recommendations were considered essential qualifications for getting govt job: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

MOHALI (SAS NAGAR); 8th August 2026:The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government is continuing its mission of providing government jobs to Punjab’s youth, with CM Bhagwant Singh Mann handing over 866 more appointment letters handed over in Mohali on Saturday, taking the total number of government jobs provided in just four-and-a-half years to 69,094. The Chief Minister said the transparent recruitment process had replaced the old system where cash and recommendations were considered essential for securing a government job.

The Chief Minister pointed out that the growing confidence of the youth in the system and the declining trend of migration abroad reflected the impact of providing opportunities on the basis of merit. Highlighting Punjab’s progress in education, he said the State had surpassed Kerala to rank first in the country, with 882 government school students clearing NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) serving as proof of the transformation.

Sharing a few snippets from this occasion, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated on X: “Today, appointment letters were handed over to 866 youth in Mohali. Our government has so far provided 69,094 government jobs with complete transparency. The confidence of the youth in the system has increased, while the trend of moving abroad has declined.”

“In education, Punjab has today surpassed Kerala to rank first in the country. The success of 882 government school students in NEET is proof of this. The potential of our youth is immense; we are only providing them with the right direction. The wings are yours, and we will provide you with the sky. Congratulations to everyone,” the post concluded.

Addressing the gathering after distributing theappointment letters, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “These 866 appointments include 636 candidates of the Health & Family Welfare Department, including 614 Staff Nurses and other staff comprising 03 Pharmacists, 13 Multi-purpose Health Workers (Male), 02 Ward Attendants, 01 Class-IV employee and 03 Sweepers. Besides, 101 candidates have been appointed in Sugarfed, 57 as Junior Auditors, 51 in the Defence Services Welfare Department, 11 in the Cooperative Department and 10 candidates as Law Officers in the Home Department.”

Speaking about the recruitment process, the Chief Minister said, “Hard work and dedication have been the sole criteria for selection. Gone are the days when jobs were given on the basis of bribery or recommendations. Today, the State Government gives jobs to eligible candidates. All appointments have been made purely on the basis of merit, transparency and fairness, without any recommendation or political influence.”

Referring to the earlier situation in Punjab, he said, “The previous governments totally ignored the interests of the people and were only concerned with their own welfare, so how could they think about the common people? They indulged in rampant corruption and favouritism in doling out jobs only to their near and dear ones.”

Talking about the impact of transparent recruitment, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann affirmed, “The immensely talented youth of Punjab were forced to move abroad, thereby jeopardising the socio-economic development of the State. However, we reversed this trend after assuming power in 2022. The State Government has succeeded in creating employment opportunities for youth in every village, town and city of Punjab.”

Highlighting the role of education in empowering the youth, he said, “Special attention has been paid by the present government towards improving the lot of government schools, which was undertaken with a missionary zeal. Government school teachers were sent abroad to Singapore and Finland, besides IIM Ahmedabad, for advanced training so that they could acquaint themselves with the latest methods of teaching and improve the learning outcomes of students.”

Talking about infrastructure upgrades, the Chief Minister Mann noted, “Structural upgrades have also been carried out in government schools in terms of new furniture, IT-enabled teaching modules, well-equipped libraries and sanitation facilities. Campus managers have also been appointed in government schools to take care of their development-related needs.”

Highlighting the results of these efforts, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The concerted efforts of the State Government have borne fruit. In the 2026 NEET examination, as many as 882 students cleared the exam, whereas in 2021, a mere 80 students were able to do so.”

Speaking about Punjab’s performance in school education, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The strenuous efforts of the State Government have led to Punjab beating Kerala to occupy the top spot in terms of education and infrastructural upgrades of government schools. The State Government has prioritised education and taken path-breaking initiatives in the sector to transform the lives of people.”

Emphasising the importance of education, he asserted, “No freebie or concession card can eliminate poverty or other social maladies in the State, but education is the key that can pull people out of this vicious circle by raising their standard of living. Education is the light that illuminates the world by dispelling darkness. The State Government is therefore laying special thrust on it and firmly believes that every child deserves access to quality education irrespective of his or her economic background.”

Talking about the transformation in Punjab’s school education ranking, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “When I assumed charge of office, the State was on 27th rank in school education. It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that today Punjab is number one in this field.”

Speaking about equal opportunities for children from common families, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The State Government is making concerted efforts to give impetus to the education sector. The government’s initiatives are aimed at ensuring that children from common families get the same opportunities to excel as anyone else. Education is the strongest tool for empowering future generations and building a prosperous Punjab, and the State Government will leave no stone unturned to strengthen it.”

Highlighting the credibility of the recruitment process, the Chief Minister said, “Several young candidates have successfully secured government jobs multiple times in different departments, reflecting the credibility and competitiveness of the recruitment process. This is neither the first such achievement nor will it be the last. These officers will continue to achieve new milestones and bring laurels to the State in the years to come.”

Congratulating the newly appointed youth, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The children of ordinary families are proving that with dedication, perseverance and proper guidance, no goal is beyond reach. The future of Punjab is bright as the achievements of these youth are a reflection of the talent, determination and aspirations of our people.”

Highlighting the achievements of girl students, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Daughters are excelling in every sphere of education and competitive examinations. Girls have consistently outperformed in every field in the State and are rapidly emerging as role models for society, provided they are given a chance. These daughters are demonstrating extraordinary talent and determination and their achievements send a powerful message that, given equal opportunities and encouragement, girls can accomplish anything they set their minds to.”

Urging the newly appointed youth to remain humble, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “You have worked hard and burnt the midnight oil to achieve these positions, and the sky is the limit for you. Continue striving for higher jobs and greater success, but do not feel proud of your achievement. Stay humble, remain grounded and continue to work hard.”

Calling upon the new recruits to serve society, the Chief Minister said, “You have now become an integral part of the Government family. Use your pen to help the needy and underprivileged sections of society and ensure maximum welfare of the public so that every section of society benefits from your service. This is the real service of mankind, for which every new appointee should play a key role.”

Wishing the appointees success in their future endeavours, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “I wish every one of you the very best for life. Continue dreaming big and working hard to turn those dreams into reality. Utilise this platform to become successful, but besides that, strive to become a fine human being and contribute to society.”

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*On Humanitarian Grounds, Jagtar Singh Hawara Should Be Granted 10-Day Parole To Meet His Ailing Mother: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Writes To Governor Gulab Chand Kataria Seeking 10-Day Parole For Jagtar Singh Hawara*

*It Is Imperative In Wake Of Deteriorating Health Condition Of Jagtar Singh Hawara’s Mother: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

CHANDIGARH; 8th August 2026:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday urged Governor of Punjab Gulab Chand Kataria to grant 10 days’ parole to Jagtar Singh Hawara to enable him to meet his ailing mother.

In a letter to the Governor, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Owing to her old age, the mother of Jagtar Singh Hawara is facing age-related health issues. This has resulted in deterioration of her health, which is a major cause of concern for everyone.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Jagtar Singh Hawara has also filed CRWP No. 3868/2026 before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh, seeking directions for his release on parole.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The High Court has also directed that his parole application be considered.”

Therefore, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann requested the Governor of Punjab to kindly consider granting 10 days’ parole to Jagtar Singh Hawara at the earliest on humanitarian grounds. “It is imperative because of the deteriorating health condition of his mother,” he said.

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*Punjab Sikhya Kranti Takes Technical Education Leadership To IIM Ahmedabad*

*34 Technical Education Leaders Complete 5-Day Institutional Leadership Programme, Furthering Bhagwant Mann Govt's Vision Of World-Class Education*

*IIM Ahmedabad Training Strengthens Punjab’s Mission To Build Future-Ready Technical Institutions: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Empowered Principals Are Backbone Of Successful Technical Education System: Harjot Singh Bains*

*Punjab’s Education Reforms Opening New Avenues For Faculty, Students And Industry Partnerships:: Raksha Kiran, Principal, Government Polytechnic College, Khunimajra*

*Stronger Leadership, Better Planning To Transform Punjab’s Technical Education Ecosystem: Kuldeep Singh, Principal, Government ITI, Bassi Pathana*

CHANDIGARH; 8th August 2026:Punjab Sikhya Kranti under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has taken another significant step towards strengthening leadership and governance in technical education, with 34 officials from the Department of Technical Education and Industrial Training (DTEIT) completing an intensive five-day residential Institutional Leadership and Performance Excellence Programme at the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad from August 3 to 7, 2026.

The programme brought together Principals and Heads of Department from Government Polytechnic Colleges and Government ITIs, along with senior officers from the Directorate of Technical Education and Industrial Training.

The initiative was part of Punjab Sikhya Kranti, the State Government’s wider education reform agenda aimed at creating world-class learning ecosystems across schools, polytechnics and ITIs. Under this vision, the State has introduced a semester-long internship for diploma students to bridge the industry-academia gap and provide sustained, on-the-job exposure in modern workplaces; rolled out a minimum of 40+ hours of annual faculty training in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to strengthen pedagogy and academic leadership; and started strengthening polytechnic education through Centres of Excellence and machinery upgradation, with six Government Polytechnics already modernised and more to be covered in a phased manner. Building the leadership capacity of Principals and senior officials has been identified as a key pillar of these reforms so that government technical institutes are led by confident, data-informed and future-ready institutional leaders.

The IIM Ahmedabad programme formed an important part of this leadership-focused approach under Punjab Sikhya Kranti. The five-day programme was specially designed for Principals and Heads of Department of Government Polytechnics and ITIs. Participants underwent 20 intensive teaching sessions delivered by IIM Ahmedabad faculty using interactive methods such as case-based discussions, real-world institutional examples, simulations, group projects and practical reflections.

The sessions covered institutional leadership and governance in public technical education, data-driven decision-making and performance management, building stronger industry linkages and placement ecosystems, strengthening student employability and workplace readiness, and leading change by motivating faculty and building high-performing teams.

On this, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann highlighted that exposure programmes for educators and institutional leaders were an important pillar of Punjab’s education reforms across both schools and technical institutes. “When principals and senior officials learn from globally recognised institutions such as IIM Ahmedabad, they return with new ideas, innovative practices and renewed motivation, strengthening the mission to build world-class government polytechnics and ITIs and ensuring that students receive training that matches international standards,” he said.

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “This initiative reflects the vision of CM Bhagwant Mann and our belief that empowered principals and institutional leaders are the backbone of a successful technical education system. By giving our Principals and Heads of Department the opportunity to learn at an institution of global repute like IIM Ahmedabad, we are investing in their leadership, confidence and capacity to bring real change to our classrooms, workshops and training labs,” he said, emphasising that such national and international training programmes are crucial for developing global perspectives in education leadership.

Participants described the IIM Ahmedabad programme as a milestone in their professional journey, similar to earlier cohorts of school principals and headmasters. Raksha Kiran, Principal, Government Polytechnic College, Khunimajra, shared that the sessions on institutional leadership and industry partnerships would give them new strategies to motivate faculty and students and deepen collaboration with companies for internships and placements, calling the experience at IIM Ahmedabad “a turning point” in her understanding of leadership.

Kuldeep Singh, Principal, Government ITI, Bassi Pathana, emphasised that exposure to real-world problem-solving, data-led institute planning and case-based learning at a premier management institute would help them lead more accountable, student-centred institutions and take these lessons back to their entire training ecosystem in Punjab.

The training was part of a broader series of faculty and leadership development initiatives being undertaken during the academic year 2026-27 at institutions such as IIT Ropar, IIM Amritsar, IISER and NIFT, along with industry exposure opportunities with organisations such as Tata Steel. These partnerships are helping build a cadre of visionary leaders across Punjab’s 26 Government Polytechnic Colleges and 137 Government ITIs, who can drive institutional improvement and ensure that students receive training aligned with modern industry requirements.

With this initiative, the Government of Punjab has reiterated its commitment to nurturing visionary institutional leadership in technical education and building a modern, efficient and student-centred polytechnic and ITI system that reflects the true spirit of Punjab Sikhya Kranti.