*Punjab Strengthens Anti-Drug Awareness Campaign; ₹1 Crore Token Grant to Expand Community Outreach Across 12 Districts*
*₹85 Lakh Allocated for District-Level Awareness and Prevention Activities; ₹15 Lakh Earmarked for State-Level Anti-Drug Event at Malout*
*Dr. Baljit Kaur Urges Youth, Educational Institutions and Civil Society to Join Hands in Realising Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann's Vision of a Drug-Free Punjab*
Chandigarh, August 11:In a significant step towards strengthening awareness and preventive initiatives against drug abuse, the Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development has received a ₹1 crore token grant for the financial year 2026-27. Of this, ₹85 lakh has been allocated for awareness and prevention activities across 12 districts, while ₹15 lakh has been earmarked for organising a State-level anti-drug awareness event at Malout in Sri Muktsar Sahib district during August 2026.
Punjab Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development Dr. Baljit Kaur said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is adopting a comprehensive approach to combating drug abuse by giving equal emphasis to awareness, prevention, rehabilitation and community participation. She said safeguarding young people from the menace of drugs and building a healthier, safer and more prosperous Punjab remain among the Government's highest priorities.
The Minister informed that focused awareness campaigns will be organised in Fazilka, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Faridkot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Pathankot, Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Ludhiana and Patiala. Schools, colleges, villages and urban communities will be actively engaged through awareness programmes highlighting the harmful effects of drug abuse while motivating young people to adopt a healthy and drug-free lifestyle.
Dr. Baljit Kaur further said that the State-level Anti-Drug Awareness Event at Malout, to be held under her chairpersonship, will witness the participation of government departments, educational institutions, youth organisations, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, reinforcing a united resolve against drug abuse.
She said the event will serve as a powerful platform to spread awareness about the devastating impact of drugs, strengthen preventive efforts among the youth and encourage every section of society to actively participate in the movement for a drug-free Punjab.
Emphasising that defeating the drug menace requires collective action, Dr. Baljit Kaur said, "The fight against drugs is not the responsibility of the Government alone. Families, educational institutions, social organisations and the youth must come together to protect our future generations. Only through collective resolve and active public participation can we realise the vision of a drug-free Punjab."
Reaffirming the State Government's unwavering commitment to building a drug-free Punjab, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that awareness and prevention initiatives will continue to be expanded in collaboration with all stakeholders. She added that the Government is determined to ensure that the message against drug abuse reaches every village, every town and every household, inspiring communities to become active partners in safeguarding Punjab's future.
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Forest Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak Announces: Rs 760.30 Crore 'Biodiversity and Natural Resource Conservation Project' to be Implemented in Punjab with Support from Japanese International Cooperation Agency 'JICA'
Special Focus on Agroforestry, Groundwater Conservation, and Ecotourism
Chandigarh, August 11:Expanding tree cover through agroforestry, conserving natural resources, and protecting as well as enhancing biodiversity are among the key priorities of the State Government. To achieve these objectives, the Punjab Forest Department has approached the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for collaboration.
Announcing this at a meeting here, Punjab Forest and Wildlife Conservation Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that with JICA's assistance, the 'Punjab Biodiversity and Natural Resource Conservation Project' is proposed to be implemented in the state. The main objectives of the project are to promote agroforestry, conserve natural resources, protect biodiversity, preserve groundwater, and undertake integrated watershed management in the Shivalik region.
Other important aspects include increasing farmers' income, curbing air pollution caused by stubble burning, and boosting the income of rural communities.
The project also aims to promote ecotourism to give a fillip to the local economy. In addition, conservation of biological diversity and improvement of the state's wetlands are also a vital part of this project.
For this purpose, along with environmental and forest conservation, animal husbandry will be developed alongside agriculture to enhance people's income.
Mr. Kataruchak further stated that the total estimated cost of the project is Rs 760.30 crore, with financial sharing in the ratio of 85:15. The project is proposed to be implemented over a period of 8 years and will be executed through a Society mode.
The Punjab Council of Ministers has already accorded approval to this important project. Besides this, the loan agreement for the project has also been signed between JICA and the Department of Economic Affairs under the Union Ministry of Finance.
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*Bhagwant Mann Govt to Train 21,850 Teachers Across 12 Districts To Fight Drug Abuse & Promote Student Mental Wellbeing*
*Teachers To Be Equipped To Identify Early Signs Of Mental Health Concerns & Drug Vulnerability in Classrooms*
*Over 500 Training Batches To Sensitise Teachers On Student Mental Health & Drug Abuse Under Yudh Nashean Virudh*
*Training will enable teachers to identify vulnerable students, encourage healthy coping mechanisms & provide stigma-free environment: Dr Balbir Singh*
CHANDIGARH, August 11:In a significant step to strengthen its fight against drug abuse and to promote mental wellbeing of the students, the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government began an extensive teachers’ awareness and capacity-building programme across 12 districts under its flagship anti-drug campaign, ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’, this past week.
The objective of the initiative is to equip more than 21,850 teachers with the capacity and practical skills needed to identify early signs of mental health concerns and drug abuse among students and to intervene in time. The drive was kicked off in Fazilka and Tarn Taran on Monday, where over 800 teachers participated in the workshops last week.
The programme follows from the success of sensitisation programmes of the government in schools. Earlier in January this year, a training programme was carried out for Principals and Headmasters of Senior Secondary and High Schools across nine districts. The training focused on border districts of the state which are especially vulnerable to the menace of substance use.
Further, a pilot teacher training programme was conducted in Amritsar, in which more than 2,800 teachers participated. Over 75% of participants reported feeling inspired to contribute toward creating a healthier school environment. Based on the successes of these initiatives, the Bhagwant Mann government has now launched a phased expansion of the training module starting with Fazilka, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Faridkot, Mohali, Ropar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana and Patiala.
Teachers are often the first to notice when a student is in distress, yet such behaviour is frequently mistaken for indiscipline rather than recognised as a health concern. With rising anxiety, stress and substance use among adolescents, school-based prevention offers a scalable and sustainable route to early identification and timely support. The teacher sensitisation builds on the sensitisation of Heads of Schools to institutionalise a whole-school approach to student wellbeing.
On this, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said, “Every child who slips into the darkness of drugs is a child we could have reached earlier. Our teachers spend more time with our children than most; they notice the silences, the absences, the changes no one else sees. The training module is so designed that the teachers have a better idea of adolescent issues, their mental health and emotional wellbeing. The teachers would also be made aware of the risks associated with drug abuse. The training will enable them to provide support as and when necessary. They will learn to recognise the early signs of distress and drug vulnerability, to respond with compassion instead of punishment, and to connect struggling students to help before it is too late. No child in Punjab should suffer in silence or be met with stigma, and under the Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign, we are determined that they will be met with care and support.”
This is a massive cross-departmental undertaking, with the Directorate of State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) ensuring implementation in conjunction with the Department of Social Security and Women and Child Development. The state’s Data Intelligence and Technical Support Unit (DITSU), which is leading a comprehensive response against substance use, will provide the implementation support, develop training material and ensure quality assurance throughout the campaign. Nodal Officers have been identified at the district level to ensure all senior secondary and high school teachers are able to participate in and benefit from the sessions. The sessions are being executed with the support of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) and National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).
The one-day awareness-cum-capacity-building sessions will be conducted in over 500 batches across the 12 districts in a phased manner starting from August 2026, and will be delivered by expert resource persons through a psychosocial lens to the issue of substance use. To ensure that the learnings translate into classroom practice, every teacher will take a pledge to be a sentry between their students and drugs and conduct activities with students in the weeks following the training. The programme’s reach and effectiveness will be tracked through participant feedback and a structured monitoring framework.
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The Punjab Government has also approved the formation of the 'Punjab Biodiversity and Natural Resource Conservation Society' for the effective implementation and management of this project.
This project will prove to be a significant step towards sustainable natural resource management, environmental conservation, protection of biodiversity, and increasing the income of farmers and local communities in Punjab.
Present on the occasion were Kamal Kishor Yadav Secretary Department of Forests and Wildlife Preservation, Dharminder Sharma Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), Saurav Gupta PCCF Chief Project Director, Basanta Rajkumar Chief Wildlife Warden, Nidhi Srivastava Chief Conservator of Forests (Plains), Satinder Sagar Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and other officials.
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*Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana 265 Cashless Burn Treatments Worth ₹1.39 Crore Provided Across Punjab*
*75 Post-Burn Contracture Treatments Worth ₹38.90 Lakh Provided Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana*
*Cashless Burn Treatment Helps Patients Focus On Recovery Rather Than Hospital Bills: Dr Balbir Singh*
*Bathinda Records Highest Number Of Burn Beneficiaries; Post-Burn Contracture Emerges As Common Procedure*
CHANDIGARH, August 11:A fire can last minutes. The damage can last much longer. For someone who suffers serious burns, getting out of the flames is only the beginning. There can be repeated dressings, procedures, reconstruction and months of recovery. Punjab’s latest burns data under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY) puts a number on that difficult journey. 265 treatments worth ₹1.39 crore were provided.
Twenty-four-year-old Arjun Kumar was injured when a short circuit triggered a fire at his home. He was taken to Bathinda for treatment worth nearly ₹50,000, provided cashlessly under the scheme. “Everything happened so fast,” he recalled. Once he knew the treatment would be cashless, he said, he could concentrate on healing rather than hospital expenses.
As per data received from the State Health Agency (SHA), Punjab, under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, men aged 31 to 45 years accounted for 61 treatments, the highest among the groups, with expenditure of ₹31.82 lakh. Boys aged 0 to 18 years recorded 39 treatments, while girls in the same age group accounted for 27.
Among women, the highest numbers were recorded in the 19-30 age group, with 26 treatments, followed by 21 treatments among women aged 31-45. In simple terms, much of the treatment was on children, young adults and working-age people.
The Punjab figures also echo what medical research has found about the longer shadow of burn injuries. As per PubMed, a study of 892 burn patients at a tertiary hospital in Punjab found that 79 per cent of patients were between 15 and 45 years old, showing how heavily burns can affect people in their working years. The study also highlighted the need for accessible and affordable burn care in India.
On this, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said, “A burn injury does not end when the flames are put out. For many patients, recovery can mean repeated procedures, rehabilitation and long-term care. Our priority is to ensure that financial hardship does not become another injury for these families. Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, patients should be able to focus on healing, recovery and rebuilding their lives, rather than worrying about how they will pay for treatment.”
One of the most revealing figures is post-burn contracture, which accounted for 75 treatments and ₹38.90 lakh in expenditure.
Post-burn contracture can occur when scar tissue tightens after a burn injury, restricting movement and making even ordinary actions difficult. In this way, the impact of a burn can extend long after the skin itself has healed.
Other procedures included treatment for total body surface area burns, tissue expanders, electrical and chemical burns, antibiotic dressings, skin flaps, debridement and ear/nose reconstruction. These are not cosmetic concerns. For some patients, they are about regaining movement, function and confidence.
Among the districts listed, Bathinda reported the highest number of beneficiaries, with 57 people receiving 63 treatments. The treatment expenditure there stood at ₹33.51 lakh. Faridkot followed with 40 beneficiaries, while Patiala recorded 39. At the other end were Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar and Fatehgarh Sahib, with one beneficiary each.
Dr Balbir Singh added that the treatment data highlights the importance of providing timely and comprehensive care to burn patients, particularly children, young adults and working-age people who form a significant share of the beneficiaries. “A burn can change a person’s life in seconds, but recovery often takes much longer. For a burn victim, cashless treatment can therefore mean something very practical; when the fire is finally out, the family does not have to face another fire, that is, the hospital bill,” he said.
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*Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj’s Bani Carries Timeless Message of Equality, Dignity & Social Justice: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Values of equality, liberty & non-discrimination reflected in Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj's Bani 650 years ago, long before their institutional recognition in West: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Freedom of speech being curtailed by political forces in power at national level, contrary to Guru Ji Maharaj’s message of equality & human dignity: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*State-of-Art Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Bani Adhyayan Centre to be established at Faridpura Naugaza at cost of ₹25 crore: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Minister Harpal Singh Cheema addresses State-Level Seminar on ‘Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj Bani & Social Equality’ at Amity University, Mohali*
CHANDIGARH/SAS NAGAR; 11th August, 2026:Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema today said that the sacred Bani of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj carries a timeless message of equality, human dignity, social justice and universal brotherhood, which remains profoundly relevant in contemporary society.
Addressing a state-level seminar on ‘Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj Bani and Social Equality’ organised at Amity University, Mohali, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Guru Ji Maharaj's teachings transcended the barriers of caste, creed and social status and emphasised the inherent dignity and equality of every human being.”
Speaking about Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj vision of society, he said, “Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj envisioned a society based on equality, justice, compassion and mutual respect. His Bani inspires people to reject discrimination and work towards creating an inclusive society where every individual gets equal opportunities and respect.”
Highlighting the Bhagwant Mann Government’s recent initiative, he stated, “The Punjab Government, led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, has recently initiated the setting up of a State-of-the-Art Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Bani Adhyayan Centre at Faridpura Naugaza in Dera Ballan. The centre would be established at a cost of ₹25 crore, apart from approximately ₹11 crore incurred on procurement of land, and would serve as an important centre for research, study and dissemination of the profound teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj.”
Reflecting on the universal and progressive character of Guru Ji Maharaj's philosophy, the Minister emphasised, “Values such as freedom of expression, equality and non-discrimination, which began gaining institutional recognition in several Western countries from the 19th century onwards, were reflected in the teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj and other great ‘sants' nearly 650 years ago. The egalitarian vision embodied in their teachings was far ahead of its time and continues to guide humanity towards a society based on dignity and equality.”
Emphasising the relevance of Guru Ji Maharaj’s teachings today, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “The message of equality given by the great Guru Ji Maharaj remains especially significant in the present era. Freedom of speech is being curtailed in the country by certain political forces in power at the national level, which is contrary to the fundamental message of equality, liberty and human dignity propagated by the great Guru Ji Maharaj.”
Speaking about India’s diversity and social harmony, the Minister asserted, “Although the people of India belong to different faiths, castes and communities and have diversity in colour and culture, the spirit of unity and fraternity among the people would not allow divisive efforts to succeed. I call upon the people, particularly the younger generation, to draw inspiration from the universal teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj and strengthen the bonds of social harmony and equality.”
Elaborating on the concept of ‘Begampura’, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj vision of ‘Begampura’ represents an ideal social order free from discrimination, exploitation and inequality. The principles reflected in Guru Ji Maharaj's Bani can serve as a guiding force in building a just, peaceful and harmonious society.”
Urging students and scholars to engage more deeply with Guru Ji Maharaj's teachings, the Minister said, “Students and scholars should study Guru Ji Maharaj's Bani deeply and understand its contemporary relevance. Academic institutions have a significant role to play in promoting research, dialogue and intellectual engagement with the teachings and philosophy of great spiritual personalities and social reformers.”
The event witnessed insightful addresses by prominent speakers, including Prof. Manjinder Singh, Head of the Department of Punjabi, Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar, and Sant Kewal Singh Ji of Tap Asthan Sri Guru Ravidas Ji, Khuralgarh. The speakers enlightened the audience on the profound relevance of Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj's ideals to modern society and their continuing inspiration for efforts aimed at eliminating discrimination and promoting social equality.
Distinguished academic leaders present on the stage included Dr. Puneet Sharma, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Amity University, Mohali, and Dr. Dalip Kumar, Registrar, Amity University, Mohali. Dr. Dalip Kumar delivered the formal vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to the government departments, visiting scholars, faculty members and participating students for their contribution to the successful organisation of the seminar.
The occasion was also graced by Damandeep Kaur, SDM, Mohali, and Dr. Manish Sharma, Deputy Director, Department of Higher Education, Punjab, besides faculty members and students of Amity University.
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*Vigilance Bureau nabs Patwari red handed accepting bribe of Rs 15,000/-*
Chandigarh, 11 August 2026:The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Patwari Puneet Kumar Yadav posted at Revenue Estate of Rurka, tehsil Dehlon district Ludhiana red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 15,000/-.
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 tehsil Dehlon district Ludhiana.
He informed that the accused Patwari demanded a bribe of Rs one lakh in lieu of doing division of complainant's land. In this connection, accused Patwari has already received a bribe of Rs 35,000/- from the complainant.
Unwilling to pay the illegal gratification, complainant approached the VB EOW Ludhiana. Acting on his complaint, the VB EOW team laid a trap during which the accused Patwari was arrested red handed while accepting bribe money of Rs 15,000/- 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 EOW police station Ludhiana and further investigation into this case is under progress.
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*British Deputy High Commissioner Alba Smeriglio Meets Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh*
*Discusses issues concerning Punjabi diaspora in UK and concerns of NRIs with Punjab links*
Chandigarh, August 11:British Deputy High Commissioner Alba Smeriglio, and Madhu Mishra, Senior Adviser (Economics, Climate & Development), British High Commission, today called on Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh at his office in Punjab Civil Secretariat-1, Chandigarh.
During the meeting, Dr. Ravjot Singh held detailed discussions with the British delegation on various issues concerning the Punjabi diaspora residing in the United Kingdom and NRIs having links with Punjab. He said that the Punjab Government is committed to maintaining continuous engagement with Punjabis living abroad and addressing their genuine concerns in an effective manner.
Dr. Ravjot Singh urged Punjabis residing in the UK to remain vigilant against fraudulent and unauthorised travel agents. He said that NRIs and their families should not fall prey to individuals making false promises regarding visas, immigration, overseas travel or other related services. He emphasised that creating greater awareness among the public is essential to protect people from fraud and exploitation by unscrupulous travel agents.
The Minister also informed the British delegation that the Punjab Government is organising an NRI Milni in Bathinda on August 26, which will provide platforms for interaction with NRIs. He invited Punjabis living abroad, particularly those from Bathinda and adjoining areas, to participate in the NRI Milni and place their issues and suggestions directly before the Punjab Government.
During the meeting, various concerns of Punjabis residing in the UK and NRIs having links with Punjab were also discussed, including matters relating to their continued association with Punjab and issues affecting their interests.
Both sides emphasised the need to further strengthen mutual communication and cooperation on matters concerning the Punjabi diaspora.