*Punjab State Food Commission to Hold Two Seminars on PDS Reforms & Nutrition on Sept 7; Awards Function on Sept 8 at MGSIPA*
Chandigarh, September 3:The Punjab State Food Commission (PSFC) in a meeting held here today at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA) decided to organize two seminars on September 7th at MGSIPA.
Divulging more details, the Chairman of the Commission Mr. Bal Mukand Sharma said that the first seminar would be focussing on the theme 'Public Distribution System Reforms, Transparency, Technology and Portability'.
The second seminar would dwell on the topic of Promoting nutrition in Government sponsored food schemes.
Apart from this, the first Seminar cum Awards function has also been decided to be held on September 8th in the auditorium of MGSIPA. The event would held jointly by the Punjab State Food Commission and the Punjab Trade Promotion Council. This one day seminar would bring policy makers, industrial doyens, MSMEs, Start Ups and the Institutional Stakeholders together to concentrate their energies on the food processing sector.
The Start Up ecosystem of the State, Facilitation of Enterprises and the fiscal as well as the Institutional support under the Industrial and Business Development Policy 2026 with Punjab Food Processing Policy 2026 would also come into the spotlight at the function, added Mr. Bal Mukand Sharma.
Among others present on the occasion included the Members of the Commission Jasvir Singh Sekhon & Vijay Dutt and the Member Secretary Kanu Thind.
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*Industry & Academia Unite At Regional Industry-Academia Conclave To Make Punjab No. 1 In Technical Education*
*•Punjab Moves From 27th To 3rd In Technical Education, Targets No. 1: Harjot Singh Bains*
*•Bhagwant Mann Govt Transforming ITIs, Polytechnics Into Employment Engines: Harjot Singh Bains*
*•Industry Partnership Key to Building Globally Competitive Institutions & Skilled Workforce: Harjot Singh Bains*
*•Govt Polytechnics Transformed into Innovation Hubs with Industry-Grade Labs at Khunimajra, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Badbar & Talwara: Harjot Singh Bains*
*•Conclave Focuses on Curriculum Alignment, Industry Exposure, Modern Laboratories, Placements & Continuous Employer Engagement*
CHANDIGARH, September 3:After making Punjab No. 1 in school education, the Bhagwant Mann Government has now turned its focus to technical education, with a major push to transform Government Polytechnics and ITIs into industry-aligned, innovation-driven and employment-oriented institutions. The Punjab State Board of Technical Education and Industrial Training (PSBTEIT) on Thursday organised a Regional Industry-Academia Conclave, bringing together leading employers and industrialists to align technical education with real-world industry requirements.
Addressing the gathering, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the conclave was part of a larger overhaul underway in Punjab’s Government Polytechnics and ITIs, aimed at ending the disconnect between academic qualifications and actual employable skills. “For decades, our higher and technical education system has been a factory of unemployment, producing degree-holders who can recite theory but cannot hold a tool. The tragic irony of India is that those who have the skills do not have certificates and those who have certificates do not have skills. In Punjab, we are breaking that cycle. We are not just building labs, we are building a bridge between the classroom and the factory floor,” he said.
Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “We have moved from 27th to 3rd in the country, and our goal is to make Punjab number 1 in Technical Education and no student should leave our institutions empty-handed.”
The Education Minister said, “ITIs and polytechnics are being transformed into engines of employment, where students will learn not merely from outdated books but on the very machines and technologies they will operate in their professional lives. Industry participation in curriculum design would ensure that what students learn remains relevant to rapidly changing workplace requirements.”
Inviting industry leaders to witness and become part of this transformation, he said the partnership between industry and educational institutions would be critical to building a skilled workforce capable of powering Punjab’s industrial growth. “When you invest in Punjab’s technical education, you are not just building your business, you are building the future of India. Make in India will truly succeed when we make it in Punjab, with skilled hands and brilliant minds leading the way,” he said.
Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the initiative forms part of Punjab Sikhya Kranti, the State Government’s comprehensive reform agenda to create world-class learning ecosystems across schools, polytechnics and ITIs. “Punjab has been recognised by NITI Aayog as the top-performing state in classroom learning outcomes for 2026-27 and has also ranked No. 1 in the country in the Government of India’s PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024, surpassing Kerala,” he added.
Building on this transformation in school education, the Education Minister said, “The Bhagwant Mann Government is now extending the same reform-oriented approach to technical education to create globally competitive institutions and a future-ready workforce. A full-semester internship has been made compulsory for diploma students, while 40-plus hours of annual faculty training has been mandated.”
He pointed out, “Polytechnics are being upgraded through Centres of Excellence, modern machinery and Innovation Labs. Principals and senior officials are being trained at IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Amritsar, while faculty development programmes are being undertaken at IIT Ropar, IISER and NIFT. Industry immersion at organisations such as Tata Steel is also being promoted to ensure that Government institutions are led by confident and future-ready leaders.”
Minister Harjot Singh Bains said state-of-the-art Innovation Labs at five Government Polytechnics at Khunimajra, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Badbar and Talwara were inaugurated on Thursday. These industry-grade spaces will provide students with opportunities for hands-on learning, prototyping and real-world problem-solving. “These Innovation Labs will transform our polytechnics into dynamic innovation hubs that equip students to build, innovate and lead Punjab’s industrial future,” he said Harjot Singh Bains.
Emphasising the importance of sustained industry engagement, Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “Our goal is clear. Every Government Polytechnic and ITI must be meaningfully connected with industry. Through regular dialogue, expert engagement, industry visits, live projects and workplace exposure, we will ensure our students are ready for employment, entrepreneurship and the demands of the modern economy.”
The Minister added that sustained engagement with industry would be essential for building technical institutions capable of competing at the global level and preparing students for the demands of the modern economy.
Additional Chief Secretary, Technical Education and Industrial Training, Vikas Pratap said Punjab’s technical education system was rapidly moving beyond conventional models and adopting technologies and practices relevant to the future. “Punjab’s technical education is no longer playing catch-up, it is leapfrogging into the future. Today we have inaugurated five Innovation Labs with 3D printers and modern machinery to train our students on tomorrow’s technologies,” said Vikas Pratap.
Vikas Pratap said the Industry-Academia Conclave marked the beginning of a continuous partnership between the State’s technical education institutions and industry, rather than being a one-time consultation. “This conclave is not a one-time dialogue but the start of a continuous partnership. Every suggestion will be acted upon,” he said.
“We will keep innovating, upgrading and consulting you, because true transformation happens when the classroom meets the factory floor,” added Vikas Pratap.
Chairman, Punjab State Board of Technical Education and Industrial Training, Prof. (Dr.) Sandeep Kansal, reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to making technical education more relevant, practical and closely aligned with industry requirements.
Prof. (Dr.) Sandeep Kansal said the conclave provided a common platform for Government Polytechnics and industry representatives to identify areas of collaboration, particularly in internships, placements, curriculum inputs, laboratory upgradation and expert-led learning initiatives. “The objective is to ensure that the deliberations at this conclave translate into actionable, long-term partnerships between industry and our technical institutions,” said Prof. (Dr.) Sandeep Kansal.
Prof. (Dr.) Sandeep Kansal said discussions focused on strengthening internship and placement ecosystems, identifying emerging skills and curriculum requirements, aligning laboratories and workshops with modern industry practices, and creating structured roles for industry experts in student learning and faculty development.
The Regional Industry-Academia Conclave witnessed participation from leading industry organisations and employers from manufacturing, automotive and auto components, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, electronics, information technology, steel and engineering sectors. Representatives from Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited, Hartek Power, Tynor Orthotics Private Limited, Gilard Electronics Private Limited, Tata Electronics, Cheema Boilers, Hella India Lighting, Akzo Nobel/JSW Dulux and other organisations participated in the deliberations.
Member, Punjab Development Commission, Anurag Kundu, Director Technical Education, Moneesh Kumar, Director (Academics), PSBTEIT, Dr. Bharat Naresh Bansal, and other senior officials from various State Government departments also attended the conclave.
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*Punjab Government Prevents Five Child Marriages, Safeguards Children's Future: Dr. Baljit Kaur*
*Statewide drive against child marriage gathers momentum; 172 awareness campaigns conducted across Punjab*
*Public urged to report suspected child marriages immediately through Child Helpline 1098 or the nearest Child Marriage Prohibition Officer*
Chandigarh, September 3:Reaffirming its unwavering commitment to protecting children's rights, the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, has intensified its campaign to eliminate the social evil of child marriage. As a result of timely intervention and coordinated action by the authorities, five child marriages have been successfully prevented, protecting the future and well-being of the children involved.
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*Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema Holds Meeting with Employee Unions; Directs Officials to Expedite Legitimate Demands*
*Employee welfare key priority for Bhagwant Mann Govt: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Harpal Singh Cheema directs departments to fast-track proposals on employees’ legitimate demands*
CHANDIGARH, 3rd September 2026:Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who also serves as the Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee constituted to resolve employees' issues, held crucial meetings today with various employee unions. Listening sympathetically to their demands and concerns, the Finance Minister issued immediate directions to the relevant departments to find suitable resolutions.
Considering the issues raised by the unions with empathy, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema directed the concerned departments to send proposals regarding the resolution of genuine demands to the Cabinet Sub-Committee. Furthermore, he instructed, “Proposals involving financial implications must be forwarded to the Finance Department on a priority basis to ensure swift necessary action.”
He assured the union representatives that their legitimate demands would be addressed promptly, and is a key priority for CM Bhagwant Mann-led government.
During the meeting, the Finance Minister held detailed discussions with the representatives of several unions, including the P.W.D. Field and Workshop Worker Union, Jal Supply Ate Sanitation Worker Union (Reg No 26), Gram Panchayat Jal Supply Pump Operators Association, Veterinary Pharmacist Action Committee, Sanjha Divyang Morcha, Punjab Divyang Action Committee, Sanjha Front C.H.O. Punjab, Community Health Officers Association, and the 180 E.T.T. TET Pass Adhiapak Association (Jai Singh Wala).
During the proceedings, demands and issues were shared in detail by various representatives on behalf of their respective organizations. Representing the P.W.D. Field and Workshop Worker Union were Makhan Singh Wahidpuri, Baljinder Singh, Phumman Singh Kathgarh, and Balraj Singh. The Jal Supply Ate Sanitation Worker Union was represented by Darshveer Singh, Kuldeep Singh, and Gurpreet Singh, while Beant Singh, Avtar Singh, Bohar Singh, and Sahib Singh spoke for the Gram Panchayat Jal Supply Pump Operators Association.
Additionally, the Veterinary Pharmacist Action Committee's issues were put forward by Davinderpal Singh Lasoi, Jaswinder Singh, and Manpreet Singh. Lal Singh Dhuri, Angrez Singh Mallke, Lakha Sanghar, and Hazoor Das represented the Sanjha Divyang Morcha, alongside Lakhvir Singh, Balwinder Singh, Kuldeep Singh, and Palwinder Singh from the Punjab Divyang Action Committee.
The Sanjha Front C.H.O. Punjab was represented by Sukhpreet Kaur, Manjit Singh, Gurwinder Singh, Navdeep Kaur, Balkaran Singh, and Gursimran Singh, and the Community Health Officers Association by Dr. Sunil Targotra, Dr. Pareet Makhija, Dr. Balvir Singh, and Dr. Diljit Kumar. Finally, Kamal Thakur, Sohan Singh, Gurpreet Singh, and Gurmukh Singh shared the concerns of the 180 E.T.T. TET Pass Adhiapak Association (Jai Singh Wala).
Disclosing this, Punjab's Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur, said the successful interventions reflect the State Government's resolve to ensure that every child enjoys a safe, secure and dignified childhood.
"Every child deserves the opportunity to study, grow and realise his or her dreams. Child marriage deprives children of these basic rights, and the Punjab Government will not allow this illegal practice to jeopardise their future," said Dr. Baljit Kaur.
The Cabinet Minister said the State Government has adopted a proactive approach to preventing child marriages through sustained awareness and timely intervention. As part of this initiative, 172 awareness campaigns have been organised across Punjab to educate parents, Panchayats, schools, social organisations and the general public about the harmful social and health consequences of child marriage, as well as the legal provisions relating to its prohibition.
She further said the Punjab Government follows a zero-tolerance policy in matters concerning the safety and welfare of children. Coordination among the district administration, police, Child Welfare Committees, Child Marriage Prohibition Officers and other concerned departments has been further strengthened to ensure every complaint is acted upon promptly, effectively and in accordance with the law.
Emphasising that preventing child marriage is a shared responsibility, Dr. Baljit Kaur appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspected child marriage immediately by calling Child Helpline 1098 or contacting the nearest Child Marriage Prohibition Officer. Timely reporting, she said, can save a child from an illegal marriage and secure a brighter future.
The Minister informed that 2,076 officers have been designated as Child Marriage Prohibition Officers across Punjab. These include Principals of Government Senior Secondary Schools and Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs), who are playing a crucial role in preventing child marriages at the grassroots level.
Dr. Baljit Kaur reiterated that the Punjab Government remains firmly committed to ensuring every child in the state grows up in a safe, nurturing and rights-based environment. She said the Government will continue working closely with communities, educational institutions, civil society organisations and enforcement agencies to realise the vision of a Child Marriage-Free Punjab.
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*Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan Extends Heartfelt Greetings To Punjabis On Auspicious Occasion Of Sri Krishna Janmashtami*
Chandigarh, 3 September 2026:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Sardar Kultar Singh Sandhwan today extended warm greetings to all Punjabis on the auspicious occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami.
Speaker Sandhwan said that this holy festival is celebrated with immense devotion and grandeur across the country to mark the divine incarnation of Lord Krishna. He emphasized that the appearance of Lord Krishna symbolizes the eternal triumph of righteousness, reminding humanity of the ultimate victory of good over evil.
The Speaker exhorted the people to follow the path of righteousness, love, and compassion shown by Lord Krishna. He urged everyone to lead a life rooted in mutual love, peace, and social harmony.
Reflecting on the deeper spiritual essence of the day, Speaker Sandhwan stated that the teachings of Lord Krishna inspire everyone to perceive the divine light within themselves. He added that true spiritual connection is achieved through sincere devotion and worship.
"This holy day reminds us to constantly meditate on the Almighty and spend our lives in divine remembrance," said the Speaker, while adding that one must always cultivate pure intentions and never harbor ill will or evil thoughts against anyone.
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*PUNJAB GOVERNMENT ADVANCES TECHNICAL EDUCATION WITH INNOVATION LABS ACROSS FIVE GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES*
*•Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains inaugurates initiative under ‘Punjab Sikhiya Kranti’ to promote hands-on learning, prototyping and industry-ready skills*
*•MP Malvinder Singh Kang lauds Bhagwant Singh Mann Government’s efforts to transform Punjab’s traditional education system into a modern, excellence-driven ecosystem*
Chandigarh/ SAS Nagar, September 03:In a significant step towards modernising technical education and preparing students for the future world of work, the Punjab Government has launched Innovation Labs across five Government Polytechnic Colleges in the State under the flagship ‘Punjab Sikhiya Kranti’ initiative.
The Innovation Labs were formally inaugurated by Punjab Technical Education and Industrial Training Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains at Government Polytechnic College, Khunimajra, Kharar, in the presence of Member of Parliament Malvinder Singh Kang.
The initiative has been undertaken in collaboration with Vibha India and the Maker Bhavan Foundation, bringing together government support and technical expertise to provide students with modern infrastructure, advanced tools and experiential learning opportunities.
The Minister said that Innovation Labs have been established at Government Polytechnic College, Khunimajra; Government Polytechnic College, Bathinda; Government Polytechnic College, Ferozepur; Government Polytechnic College, Badbar; and Government Polytechnic College, Talwara, at a total cost of Rs 1.5 crore.
Designed to complement conventional classroom learning, these Innovation Labs will function as dynamic, hands-on maker spaces where students will gain access to modern technologies and tools. The facilities will enable students to experiment, develop prototypes and transform ideas into practical solutions while addressing real-world challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Speaking on the occasion, S. Harjot Singh Bains said that polytechnic students constitute Punjab's future technical workforce and that the State Government is committed to equipping them with quality education as well as the tools, technology and opportunities required to innovate and excel.
“Our objective is to ensure that our technical institutions do not remain limited to classroom-based education. Students must have opportunities to experiment, innovate and create. These Innovation Labs will provide young people with a platform to transform their ideas into practical solutions and prepare themselves for the rapidly changing requirements of industry,” he said.
Elaborating on the objectives of the newly established labs, the Minister said that these facilities will promote essential 21st-century skills, including creative thinking, problem-solving, collaboration and applied technical proficiency. The labs will also provide structured opportunities for student engagement through technology-driven projects, prototyping exercises and innovation challenges.
He said the initiative will further strengthen the alignment between technical education, emerging industrial requirements and graduate employability. The collaborative implementation involving the Punjab Government, Vibha India and Maker Bhavan Foundation will also help create and sustain a robust maker ecosystem across Government Polytechnic Colleges.
S. Harjot Singh Bains said that the establishment of Innovation Labs marks an important milestone in transforming Punjab's Government Polytechnic Colleges into vibrant centres of technical innovation, entrepreneurship and industry-ready talent development.
He said that the Innovation Labs will help replace outdated models of practical technical education and bridge the gap between academic learning and job-oriented skill development.
Highlighting other initiatives undertaken by the Punjab Government in the field of technical education, the Minister said that Air Hostess Courses have been introduced for the first time in the history of technical education in Punjab. He added that, as a result of the sustained efforts of the Bhagwant Singh Mann Government, student enrolment in Government technical institutions has doubled.
Member of Parliament Malvinder Singh Kang lauded the efforts of the Bhagwant Singh Mann Government in bringing about transformational changes in Punjab's education system. He said that the State Government's sustained focus on modern infrastructure, skill development, innovation and technology-based learning is helping transform the traditional education system into a modern and excellence-driven ecosystem.
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*Bhagwant Mann Govt To Raise DA To 60%, Giving Major Janmashtami Gift To Employees*
*Bhagwant Mann Govt To Ensure DA Parity With Centre For Employees Recruited Post-July 2020*
*Employees Are Backbone Of Good Governance, Their Rights & Dignity Our Priority: Aman Arora*
*Bhagwant Mann Govt Committed To Ensuring No Employee Gets Less Than Central Counterpart: Aman Arora*
*Congress & BJP Should First Ask Their Own Govts About Employee Pay Parity: Aman Arora*
*This Govt Has Kept Its Promise To Stand With Punjab’s Employees: Aman Arora*
CHANDIGARH; 4th September 2026:Giving a major Janmashtami bonanza to Punjab Government employees, the Bhagwant Mann Government has decided to use its powers to raise the Dearness Allowance (DA) from 42% to 60% for 85,000 employees recruited after July 17, 2020, bringing their DA in line with the Central Government’s rate. The decision fulfils the government’s consistent stand, reiterated at multiple occasions and forums, that employees who are entitled to the benefit should receive it and those not covered by the applicable provisions should not.
With this decision, the government has once again ensured that Punjab Government employees continue to remain the highest paid employees in the country. The decision covers employees recruited under the post-2020 regime whose pay is based on the Central Government’s 7th Pay Commission pattern and has not been revised through court orders.
The three-member Cabinet Sub-Committee, comprising Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Industries and Commerce Minister Aman Arora and Social Security Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, has decided to recommend increasing DA from 42% to 60% for employees recruited after July 17, 2020. The recommendation will now be sent to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for final approval.
The decision was announced by Industries and Commerce Minister and AAP Punjab President Aman Arora at a press conference at Punjab Bhawan. The move addresses the disparity between employees recruited before July 17, 2020, who continue to be governed by Punjab’s historically higher pay structure, and those recruited after that date under the Central/7th CPC pay pattern.
Addressing the press conference, Industries and Commerce Minister and AAP Punjab State President Aman Arora said, “Employees are the backbone of good governance. The Bhagwant Mann government has always stood for the rights and dignity of every employee. Today, on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, we are fulfilling another promise by ensuring that our post-2020 recruits get the DA they truly deserve.”
The Industries and Commerce Minister said the issue stems from the change in the pay structure for fresh recruits. “In December 2020, the Punjab Cabinet approved bringing the pay scales / matrix for fresh recruitments and appointments made after July 17, 2020, at par with the Central Government’s 7th Pay Commission scales. This created two broad categories of employees: existing employees governed by Punjab’s historically higher State pay structure and post-2020 recruits whose entry pay scales are based on the Central Government’s 7th CPC pattern,” he added.
“Employees recruited before July 17, 2020 continue to benefit from Punjab’s higher basic pay scale. However, employees recruited after that date were brought under the Central Pay Scale pattern but continued to receive Punjab’s DA at 42%. This distinction could not be ignored,” Aman Arora said.
He further said that Punjab Government employees have historically drawn substantially higher salaries than their Central Government counterparts, with employees in several major cadres receiving 30% to 70% higher pay under Punjab-specific pay scales. “But the situation is different for employees recruited under the post-2020 pay structure because they do not enjoy those historically higher Punjab entry pay scales. Therefore, the argument that the lower DA is offset by substantially higher basic pay is far less applicable to this category,” Aman Arora said.
Aman Arora emphasised that the AAP government, under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, has maintained that no Punjab Government employee should take home less salary than their counterpart in the Central Government. He said the government has undertaken large-scale recruitment in recent years, providing employment opportunities to the state’s youth. “Our government has made it clear that employees of Punjab should not be disadvantaged in comparison with their Central Government counterparts. The increase in DA for post-2020 employees is a step towards addressing that disparity,” Aman Arora said.
The AAP Punjab President stated, “The Punjab Government has also placed its position regarding the DA of post-2020 employees on record before the Punjab and Haryana High Court and subsequently before the Supreme Court in the Special Leave Petition filed by the State. The issue was also reiterated publicly by Cabinet Ministers during the press conference on September 3, 2026.”
Taking a sharp dig at the Opposition, Aman Arora challenged the Congress and the BJP, which have been invoking Article 14 of the Constitution to demand pay parity for Punjab Government employees. “If they truly believe in Article 14, let them first ask their own state governments to bring their employees’ pay and allowances at par with the Central Government before preaching to Punjab,” he asserted.
*Bhagwant Mann Govt Raises DA For Its Employees*
Punjab has historically followed pay scales that are substantially higher than those of the Central Government, with salaries in several major cadres being 30% to 70% higher than their Central counterparts. However, employees recruited after July 17, 2020 were brought under the Central Government/7th Pay Commission pattern, while continuing to receive DA at 42%, making the lower DA rate particularly significant for this category.
The Punjab Government has now decided to provide 60% DA to employees recruited after July 17, 2020, whose pay is based on the Central/7th CPC pattern and has not been revised through court orders. The fact sheet states that 85,000 employees fall under this category, including teachers, constables, clerks, nurses, health workers, medical officers, patwaris and junior engineers.
The decision will benefit around 85,000 employees recruited under the post-2020 regime, including 11,685 constables, 20,603 teachers, 5,144 clerks, 2,355 nurses, 2,267 peons, 1,467 Multi-Purpose Health Workers, 1,248 Medical Officers (General), 1,214 patwaris and 1,129 Junior Engineers, among other categories.