*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Meets Governor For 10-Day Parole To Jagtar Singh Hawara*

*Jagtar Singh Hawara Should Be Granted Parole on Humanitarian Grounds To Meet His Ailing Mother: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Case Is Being Heard In Delhi, Therefore, Centre Will Take Decision On Parole on Governor’s Recommendation: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*After 31 Years, Mother’s Hope To Meet Her Son Has Grown, Centre To Decide Duration Of Parole: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Punjab Govt Had Earlier Recommended To Governor That Jagtar Singh Hawara Be Granted Parole: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

CHANDIGARH; 12th August 2026:Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and sought his intervention for granting 10-day parole to Jagtar Singh Hawara on humanitarian grounds, saying that after 31 years, his ailing mother has a renewed hope of meeting her son. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the matter requires the Governor’s recommendation as the case is being heard in Delhi, while assuring that the Punjab Government will take full responsibility for ensuring that law and order is not affected if Hawara is granted parole.

Calling upon the Governor to consider the matter on humanitarian grounds, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Jagtar Singh Hawara has been lodged in Jail for the last 31 years. His mother is old and suffering from age-related health issues and is currently semi-conscious. In view of her deteriorating health condition, I have requested the Governor to kindly consider granting 10 days’ parole to Jagtar Singh Hawara at the earliest so that he can meet his mother.”

He stated, “Being the Administrator of Chandigarh, the recommendation of the Governor is necessary for a decision in this regard. Therefore, considering the humanitarian aspect of the matter and the deteriorating health condition of Jagtar Singh Hawara’s mother, I have urged the Governor to take a decision at the earliest.”

Assuring the Governor of the Punjab government’s complete responsibility for maintaining law and order, the Chief Minister said, “The state government takes full guarantee for the law and order situation in the wake of Jagtar Singh Hawara’s visit to his home. His supporters and family members have also assured their fulsome support to the state government in this regard.”

He further said, “The state government is fully committed to maintaining law and order and protecting the hard-earned peace of Punjab. No stone will be left unturned for this noble cause. I have also assured the Governor of fulsome support and cooperation from the state government in pursuing this matter with the Centre.”

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*Vigilance Bureau nabs 14 persons red handed in 14 bribery cases during July*

Chandigarh, 12 August 2026:The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing crusade against corruption in the state, has been able to apprehend 12 government officials and 2 private persons red handed while accepting bribes in 14 different trap cases during the month of July.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the VB has put up its best efforts to eradicate corruption amongst public servants and others in every sphere during the period.

He informed that the Bureau had submitted challans pertaining to 16 vigilance cases in various competent courts in the last month. Besides, 2 vigilance enquiries have also been registered to throughly probe the corruption cases and one disproportionate asset case was also registered. He added that 5 criminal cases were also registered against 7 accused which include 5 government employees.

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*PUNJAB GOVT TO ILLUMINATE ALL VILLAGES WITH 3 LAKH SOLAR STREETLIGHTS WORTH ₹470-CR: AMAN ARORA*

*•Funding ratio revised to 70:30 (Govt:Panchayat) to ease burden on village bodies, says New & Renewable Energy Minister*

*• Transparency built-in: Every streetlight to be geo-tagged with IVRS grievance & remote monitoring*

*•Automated AMC alerts to ensure solar streetlight repairs within 72 hours, says Aman Arora*

CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 12:Punjab is set to illuminate every village with 3 lakh new LED-based solar streetlights at a cost of Rs 470 crore, announced Mr. Aman Arora, Minister for New and Renewable Energy Sources, Punjab. In a major rural infrastructure push covering all 23 districts, the state government is equipping gram panchayats with clean energy lighting to enhance safety, connectivity and sustainability in rural areas.

Addressing a press conference after handing over work orders to the selected seven agencies here at Punjab Bhawan, Mr. Aman Arora said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led state government will contribute 70% of the project cost, while gram panchayats will bear the remaining 30%. This is a big shift from the earlier 30:70 ratio that put an excessive financial burden on village bodies. The decision was taken considering the limited financial resources at the panchayat level and to ensure equal opportunity for all panchayats to participate in the programme.

Mr. Aman Arora said the initiative reflects CM Mann led Punjab government’s intent to enhance safety, improve rural infrastructure and promote clean energy in gram panchayats. With 62.51% of Punjab’s population, around 173.20 lakh people are residing in rural areas. Dark streets raise risks of accidents and crime while limiting post-sunset economic and social activity, with women, children and the elderly bearing the brunt. The project will also help villages near major economic hubs extend working hours, giving a boost to the state’s rural economy.

The Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) will serve as the nodal agency for implementation. It will oversee the installation of new solar streetlights as well as the comprehensive repair and renewal of existing systems. Based on feedback from panchayats, the maintenance support period has been extended from five years to seven years to ensure long-term functionality, he added.

Outlining the governance framework, Mr. Aman Arora said the programme incorporates several transparency and accountability measures including geo-tagging and unique identification of each streetlight, QR code and IVRS-based grievance redressal, and remote monitoring systems to track functionality. The system will also trigger automated Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) alerts to ensure repairs are carried out within 72 hours of any malfunction.

Mr. Aman Arora said that site selection will prioritise public spaces- village phirni, schools, Anganwadi centres, government health facilities, religious institutions- and densely populated areas. This approach underlines Punjab Government’s commitment to inclusive rural development, besides ensuring that lighting benefits reach the most vulnerable sections first, he added.

Mr. Arora said the programme will be implemented on an opt-in basis, giving gram panchayats the freedom to join as per local needs. Panchayats can also determine the number of lights, including options with and without poles, to manage costs effectively. To ensure timely execution, 50% of the work must be completed within 120 days and the balance within 180 days from the date of the work order, he added.

“This initiative will light up thousands of villages across Punjab while keeping cost, quality and accountability at its core. The revised 70:30 funding pattern will significantly ease the burden on our gram panchayats. The rates discovered through the transparent process ensure that public money is used efficiently. With mandatory geo-tagging, remote monitoring and a strengthened grievance redressal system, every single light installed will be traceable and accountable,” he stated.

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