*Dr. Baljit Kaur Announces Final Opportunity Till September 17 for Pending Post-Matric Scholarship Cases of SC Students for Academic Session 2025-26*

*Revised Verification Schedule Issued to Ensure Timely Disposal of All Pending Scholarship Applications*

*Punjab Government led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Committed to Ensuring No Deserving SC Student is Left Behind in Building ‘Rangla Punjab’*

Chandigarh, September 11:Providing a major relief to Scheduled Caste (SC) students, Cabinet Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur, today announced that the Dr. Ambedkar Post-Matric Scholarship Portal has been reopened till September 17, 2026, for completion of verification of pending fresh and renewal scholarship cases for the academic session 2025-26.

The Minister said that this is the final opportunity for students, educational institutions and concerned authorities to complete the pending verification process so that eligible beneficiaries do not face any inconvenience in receiving scholarship benefits.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is working with full commitment to ensure that no deserving student is deprived of higher education due to financial constraints or delays in official procedures. She said this initiative reflects the government’s resolve to empower SC students through education and create a ‘Rangla Punjab’ where every youth gets equal opportunities to fulfil their aspirations.

The Cabinet Minister appealed to students, educational institutions, sanctioning authorities and concerned departments to take the revised timeline seriously and complete all pending formalities within the stipulated period, ensuring that no eligible student is left out of the scholarship scheme.

Sharing details of the revised verification schedule, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that educational institutions have been directed to rectify all deficiencies and forward complete cases to the sanctioning authorities by September 14, 2026. The sanctioning authorities will forward online proposals to the concerned departments by September 16, 2026, while the concerned departments will submit the verified proposals to the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities by September 17, 2026.

Highlighting the progress made under the scheme, the Minister said that the Punjab Government had set a target to benefit 2.70 lakh SC students under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme during the academic session 2025-26. She informed that verification of 2,45,154 cases has already been completed on the portal, and the State Government has released its 40 percent share amount to 2,41,970 students.

Reiterating the government’s student-centric approach, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Punjab Government remains fully committed to the educational, social and economic upliftment of SC students. She urged all stakeholders to complete the verification process as per the new schedule, so that every deserving student receives scholarship support and contributes towards fulfilling Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann’s vision of a progressive, educated and ‘Rangla Punjab’.

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*Vigilance Bureau registers criminal case against concerned employees of Nagar Council Mansa and Contractor*

*Rs. 2.62 Lakh Financial loss was caused to the state exchequer in connivance with contractor and Nagar Council Concerned Employees of Mansa*

Chandigarh, 11 September 2026:The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), as part of its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has been registered a criminal case against a road construction contractor and concerned employees of the Nagar Council Mansa for causing a financial loss of ₹2.62 lakh to the state exchequer through the use of substandard materials in road construction and misappropriation of funds.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the case has been registered based on a complaint lodged by a resident of Ward No. 5, New Kacheri Road, Mansa.

Giving details, the spokesperson informed that the Mansa Municipal Council had floated a tender for the repair of the road stretching from 'Gagowal-wali Gali' on New Kachehri Road, Mansa, up to the municipal boundary at Mansa Khurd. Work commenced following the issuance of the work order by the Council. However, instead of repairing the entire stretch covered by the tender, only the section of the road from 'Gagowal-wali Gali' towards Chhoti Mansa was newly constructed.

He added that a committee constituted with the orders of the Deputy Commissioner of Mansa to conduct a physical inspection of the road. Laboratory reports of the samples collected during this inspection revealed that the material used lacked the required compressive strength. Furthermore, an inspection report prepared by the Executive Engineer, Punjab Mandi Board, Bathinda, indicated that the rates actually applied for the work were significantly higher than government-approved rates, leading to an overpayment of ₹2.62 lakh.

The spokesperson stated that substandard material was used during the road construction due to collusion between the concerned Municipal Council concerned officials and the contractor, resulting in a deliberate financial loss to the state exchequer.

In this regard, a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the accused officials and the contractor at the VB Police Station, Bathinda. Further investigation into the case is under progress.

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*Punjab Speeds Up Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Card Distribution; 33 Lakh Cards To Reach Districts Soon*

*Dedicated Camps In 2,008 Villages & Wards To Distribute Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Cards Within One Week*

*ASHA Workers To Get ₹10 Per Card For Door-To-Door Delivery; Punjab Targets Full Distribution In 2 Weeks*

*Over 2,008 locations with 400+ beneficiaries identified for distribution camps as Bhagwant Mann Govt sets time-bound plan for universal coverage: Dr. Balbir Singh*

CHANDIGARH, September 11:The distribution of Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana cards is set to pick up pace across Punjab, with around 33 lakh cards expected to be available in districts shortly, as the state government works towards covering all eligible beneficiaries.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said around 31 lakh Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana cards had already reached the districts, while another 2 lakh cards were expected soon.

The government has identified around 2,008 villages and wards where at least 400+ beneficiaries are eligible for the cards. Dedicated distribution camps will be organised at these locations to speed up the process and make it easier for beneficiaries to collect their cards locally.

Beneficiaries will be informed in advance about the camps. ASHA workers, ASHA facilitators, Sehat Mitras and other field staff will be deployed to mobilise beneficiaries and ensure maximum participation.

The camp-based distribution will begin after the formal launch of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana card distribution programme under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. The government has set a target of completing the distribution at these camps within one week of the launch.

For villages and wards with fewer than 400 beneficiaries, the existing door-to-door distribution system will continue. Cards that remain undelivered after the camps will also be distributed at beneficiaries’ homes through ASHA workers and ASHA facilitators.

To encourage last-mile delivery, ASHA workers will receive ₹10 for every Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana card successfully delivered, while ASHA facilitators will get ₹2 per card. Records of door-to-door distribution will be maintained, with the concerned health officials responsible for processing the incentive claims.

The remaining cards are expected to be distributed through the door-to-door mechanism within two weeks after completion of the camp-based exercise.

The State Health Agency has already supplied districts with cards and information, education and communication (IEC) material, including card jackets, envelopes and brochures.

Officials have also been directed to monitor the exercise closely and ensure adherence to the prescribed timelines and standard operating procedure.

The state government aims to complete the Yojana card distribution across Punjab within the stipulated period, with the focus on ensuring that eligible beneficiaries are not left out.

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*RIMC Admission Open for July 2027 Term; Entrance Exam on December 6*

Chandigarh, September 11:Applications have been invited from eligible boys and girls for admission to the July 2027 term of the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Dehradun.

An official spokesperson informed that the written entrance examination for admission to the July 2027 term will be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on December 6, 2026 (Sunday). Candidates born between July 2, 2013 to January 1, 2015 are eligible for this examination. They should either be studying in Class VII or have passed Class VII from a recognised school. Selected candidates will be given admission to Class VIII.

The spokesperson further said that the written examination will comprise three papers—English, Mathematics and General Knowledge. The viva-voce/interview will be conducted only for those candidates who qualify the written examination, while the date for the viva-voce will be intimated later.

The online application process for the RIMC Entrance Examination is available at this link (https://examinationservices.nic.in/ExamSys26Part2/Root/Home.aspx?enc=Ei4cajBkK1gZSfgr53ImFQBut9oTMxhETt9bNm6zcP2ghS+a59eor30/A5h2io4z). The same information is also available on the official RIMC website i.e www.rimc.edu.in.

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*Chief Secretary KAP Sinha reviews preparations in State Level Census Coordination Committee meeting*

Chandigarh, September 11-The 4th Meeting of the State Level Census Coordination Committee (SLCCC) for Census 2027 was held today under the Chairmanship of Punjab Chief Secretary Mr. KAP Sinha at Chandigarh.

The meeting was convened by convener Navjot Khosa IAS, Director Census Operations Punjab and was attended by State Nodal officer Shri Ghanshyam Thori IAS and all the members of the SLCCC. All the Deputy Commissioners / Commissioners, Municipal Corporations-cum-Principal Census Officers (PCOs) participated through Video Conferencing.

Mr. KAP Sinha appreciated the PCOs for completing the work diligently and within timeline. He directed that finalisation of Field Trainers be completed by 15th September, 2026 and finalisation of Enumeration Blocks and Supervisors / Enumerators by 30th September, 2026. All preparatory activities for Phase-II shall be completed before 10th November, 2026.

The Committee deliberated upon guidelines regarding formation of Enumeration Blocks, enumeration of houseless, institutional households and coverage of all settlements. Roles of PCOs, SDMs and Charge Officers were reiterated with clear accountability at each level. The Chairman directed that exemptions from census duty shall not be approved below the level of SDM.

The PCOs were directed to ensure complete coverage of all areas, conduct the Census with full accuracy ensuring that there is no omission or duplication. Besides, the PCOs were also directed to prepare a concrete action plan for enumeration of houseless population, ensure coverage of all institutional households, slums, isolated settlements and newly developed areas, conduct regular inspections and weekly reviews, and go in for the mission mode execution of Population Enumeration.

The Chief Secretary instructed the Administrative Secretary-cum-Nodal Officer, Department of Local Government to ensure disbursement of honorarium to all census functionaries of Phase-I on priority and to submit the Utilisation Certificates of Phase-I work to the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India at the earliest.

He further directed that budget requirement for the second phase of Population Enumeration be worked out and submitted to the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India for timely release of funds and also extensive publicity for Self-Enumeration and Population Enumeration must be undertaken.

The Chairman emphasized that close inter-departmental coordination among all SLCCC members is the key to success of Phase-II and directed all departments to extend full support.

Earlier Director, Census Operations, Punjab-cum-Convenor, SLCCC Dr. Navjot Khosa apprised the Committee that Phase-I i.e. House listing and Housing Census (HLO) has been successfully completed in the State.

The Convenor further informed that Government of India has notified the timeline for Phase-II vide Notification No. S.O. 4919(E) dated 5th September, 2026.

As per notification, Self-Enumeration will be held from 16th to 30th November, 2026, Population Enumeration from 1st December, 2026 to 4th January, 2027, Revisional Round from 5th to 9th January, 2027 and Reference Date will be 00.00 hours of 5th January, 2027. The Chairman directed that the notification be republished in the State Gazette at the earliest.

The Training Plan for Phase-II was also approved. Training of Master Trainers is being organised at NITTTR, Chandigarh from 9th to 12th September, 2026, Training of Charge Officers is scheduled from 15th to 18th September, 2026, Training of Field Trainers at District Headquarters by Master Trainers will be completed from 21st to 30th September, 2026 and Training of Enumerators and Supervisors at Charge level will be conducted from 5th October to 10th November, 2026.It was highlighted that Census 2027 will be the first Digital Census, to be conducted through Mobile App on BYOD model, Self-Enumeration Portal in 16 languages and CMMS Portal. PCOs were directed to prepare district-wise Self-Enumeration plans so that more and more people participate.

Secretary Local Government cum Nodal Officer Ghanshyam Thori was also directed to instruct all PCOs to ensure timely completion and accurate verification of District Census Handbook (DCHB), Village Directory and Town Directory data through Charge Officers by the first week of October, 2026 and to submit compliance report thereof.

It was decided to hold a Conference of Principal Census Officers on 21st September, 2026 under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Punjab.