*GURMEET SINGH KHUDIAN HANDS OVER JOB LETTERS TO 23 RECRUITS IN DAIRY DEVELOPMENT DEPT.*

•*98 youth given govt jobs in Dairy Development Dept since 2022, says Khudian*

CHANDIGARH, OCTOBER 14:Furthering the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government’s youth employment drive, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian handed over appointment letters to 23 recruits in the Dairy Development Department, taking the total recruitments in the department to 98 since 2022. The fresh batch comprises 20 Sewadars and 3 Sweeper-cum-Chowkidars.

Congratulating the newly appointed employees, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that the state government service is a solemn responsibility to serve people. He exhorted them to discharge their duties with utmost honesty, dedication and commitment to public welfare.

Highlighting the state government’s commitment to youth empowerment, S. Khudian said over 70,000 government jobs have been provided since Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann assumed office.

Providing a detailed breakdown of the recruitments made in the Dairy Development department since 2022, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian noted that the recruits include 56 Dairy Development Inspectors (Grade-2), seven clerks, three clerk IT, five stenotypists, two assistant chemists, two drivers, 20 sewadars and three sweeper-cum-chowkidars.

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*Punjab Taxation Department Cracks the Whip on Tax Evaders; Unearths ₹429-Crore GST Fraud Network: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*FIR registered in Ludhiana against a transporter and two associates for running a syndicate on forged invoices: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*62 interconnected bogus firms identified across multiple states, including 25 operating in Punjab: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*Honest taxpayers will be protected, but those playing fast and loose with public money will face the music, warns Cheema*

Chandigarh, 14th October 2026:In a massive crackdown designed to nip tax evasion in the bud, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday announced the unearthing of a highly organized, multi-state GST fraud network. Divulging the details, the Minister said, "The suspected tax evasion involves a staggering taxable value of ₹2,410.22 crore, leading to a corresponding GST fraud of ₹429.30 crore."

Asserting that no one is above the law and the state is committed to bringing the guilty to book, Finance Minister Cheema disclosed that acting on the meticulous intelligence gathered by the State Intelligence and Preventive Unit (SIPU), an FIR (No. 0185 dated October 13, 2026) has been registered at Police Station Division No. 4, Ludhiana. The Minister revealed, "The case has been slapped against Harsh Thapar, proprietor of Shree Balaji Transport Company, along with Sammy Dhiman, Jass, and other accomplices under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 132 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017."

Shedding light on how the authorities caught the culprits red-handed, the Finance Minister explained that the thread was pulled on September 30, 2026, when a State Tax Officer from SIPU, Ludhiana, intercepted a vehicle (DL01AR-1775) transporting goods purportedly from Delhi to Punjab. He said, "This interception proved to be merely the tip of the iceberg,."

The Minister further added that while the accompanying e-way bills and invoices indicated supplies to three Punjab-based firms, the declared recipients flatly denied placing any such orders or purchasing the goods when contacted.

Unveiling a sprawling house of cards, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema pointed out that the subsequent investigation exposed a well-orchestrated syndicate moving goods via non-genuine documents. He said, "By connecting the dots through advanced data analytics and e-way bill records, our department has identified a labyrinth of 62 interconnected firms operating across various states, with 25 of these firmly rooted in Punjab."

Adding further, Cheema said, "This syndicate operated predominantly during the financial years 2025–26 and 2026–27. The transporter allegedly acted as a linchpin by receiving fake invoices from other entities and filling Part-B of the e-way bills to grease the wheels of this illicit trade."

Promising to leave no stone unturned in recovering the state's dues, the Finance Minister declared that the matter has been handed over to the Police authorities for a sweeping criminal investigation into the entire network. Simultaneously, he has directed the Taxation Department to initiate a rigorous drive to scrutinize all linked beneficiary dealers, assess wrongful input tax credit, and recover every single penny of the tax, interest, and penalty due.

"The Punjab Government will not allow the state exchequer to be bled dry. We are increasingly focusing on intelligence-based enforcement to break the backbone of such cartels," said Finance Minister Cheema.

Issuing a stern warning, the Minister concluded, "Those generating or utilising fraudulent documents to evade taxes will face the music. Intermediaries and transporters who knowingly facilitate such white-collar crimes will also be brought within the ambit of accountability. We will strictly separate the wheat from the chaff, our honest taxpayers will be fully protected and facilitated, but deliberate tax evaders will be dealt with an iron hand."

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*Punjab Gives Fresh Momentum to SC Empowerment Mission; ₹17,700 Crore SCSP Budget to Drive Inclusive Growth : Dr. Baljit Kaur*

*Dr. Baljit Kaur reviews implementation of SCSP at Punjab Bhawan; calls for outcome-oriented utilisation of funds*

*₹13,987.16 crore allocated under SCSP in 2025-26 records 97.6% utilisation; ₹17,700 crore earmarked for 2026-27*

*Punjab, having the highest proportion of Scheduled Caste population in the country, focuses on targeted welfare and empowerment initiatives*

*Top-performing departments appreciated; others directed to improve pace, strengthen monitoring and expand beneficiary outreach*

*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government committed to ensuring equal opportunities, dignity and socio-economic progress for Scheduled Caste families*

Chandigarh, October 14:Reaffirming its resolve towards social justice and inclusive development, the Punjab Government today conducted a high-level review meeting of the State Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) at Punjab Bhawan under the chairpersonship of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur. Senior officers from various departments participated in the meeting and reviewed financial progress, implementation of welfare schemes, beneficiary coverage and future strategies for strengthening SC-focused interventions.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government is committed to ensuring that resources allocated for the welfare of Scheduled Castes are utilised effectively and translate into visible improvements in the lives of people. She said the Government’s approach is focused on empowering communities through better access to education, employment, skill development, livelihood opportunities and social security.

During the review meeting, the Minister informed that under the State Scheduled Castes Sub Plan for 2025-26, against the total budget provision of ₹13,987.16 crore, 97.6 per cent funds have been utilised. She said that for the financial year 2026-27, ₹17,700 crore has been provided for Scheduled Castes welfare, which constitutes 35.23 per cent of the State’s total development budget, reflecting the Punjab Government’s commitment towards equitable growth and social upliftment.

Reviewing the progress for the period from April 1, 2026 to September 30, 2026, Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that 36.6 per cent expenditure has been incurred against the budget estimates during the first half of the financial year. She directed departments to accelerate implementation, complete pending targets within timelines and ensure efficient utilisation of the remaining funds.

The Minister appreciated the departments that have shown commendable performance in implementing SCSP initiatives and achieving effective fund utilisation. She also directed departments with comparatively lower progress to accord special attention towards planning, execution and monitoring of SCSP-related schemes. Highlighting the significance of focused efforts, she said that Punjab has the highest proportion of Scheduled Caste population among all States in the country, therefore every department must work with greater responsibility and sensitivity to ensure maximum outreach of welfare initiatives.

During the review of major schemes, it was informed that Post Matric Scholarship Scheme achieved 103.81 per cent budget utilisation, Dairy Farming Scheme recorded 100 per cent utilisation and Ashirwad Scheme registered 93.58 per cent utilisation. Dr. Baljit Kaur appreciated the departments for their performance and emphasised that successful implementation of welfare programmes should be measured through the positive impact created among beneficiaries.

The Minister directed all departments to maintain updated and verified beneficiary records, including district-wise and scheme-wise details, to strengthen monitoring and enable effective assessment of SCSP outcomes. She said accurate data would help in identifying gaps and ensuring that future interventions are designed according to the actual needs of Scheduled Caste communities.

To enhance accountability, Dr. Baljit Kaur instructed that the progress of departments showing slower utilisation should be reviewed regularly. She also directed that District-Level Monitoring and Vigilance Committees should hold four meetings annually to ensure effective supervision, proper utilisation of funds and timely corrective measures wherever required.

Emphasising the importance of sustainable empowerment, the Minister called upon major departments to formulate innovative and need-based schemes for Scheduled Castes in sectors including education, skill development, employment, self-employment, housing, agriculture, entrepreneurship and economic advancement. She said such initiatives would create stronger opportunities for SC youth, women and families to achieve self-reliance and participate actively in Punjab’s growth story.

Dr. Baljit Kaur further directed departments to nominate dedicated SCSP Nodal Officers for timely reporting, data reconciliation and improved coordination. She said a robust monitoring framework is essential for ensuring transparency, efficiency and better delivery of government initiatives.

Reiterating the Punjab Government’s commitment, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the State will continue to strengthen social justice programmes and create pathways for inclusive progress.

"The priority of the Punjab Government is that every rupee allocated for Scheduled Castes welfare is utilised with complete transparency and reaches the intended beneficiaries. By strengthening education, employment opportunities, economic empowerment and social security, we are working towards building a more equitable and empowered Punjab," she added.

On the occasion, Special Chief Secretary, Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Ms. Raji P. Srivastava, Director Ms. Vimmi Bhullar, along with senior officers of the Department of Social Justice and representatives from various other departments, were present in the meeting.

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*650TH PARKASH PURAB OF GURU RAVIDASS JI: OVER 5.5 LAKH STUDENTS TAKE PART IN COMPETITIONS IN 4,500 SCHOOLS: TARUNPREET SINGH SOND*

•*Competitions being held from May to October across Punjab to propagate Guru Ravidass's message of equality and social harmony: Tourism Minister*

Chandigarh, October 14:Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that as many as 5,52,677 students from nearly 4,500 schools across the state have participated in school-level competitions being organised as part of the year-long celebrations marking the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj. The competitions, running from May to October 2026, include quizzes, painting, essay writing and debates aimed at connecting youth with the teachings of equality, social harmony and justice propagated by the great saint.

Disclosing this, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that the school-level competitions aim to familiarise students with the life, teachings and philosophy of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj and to inspire them to follow the ideals of equality, social harmony, fraternity and justice.

The Minister said that various activities, including online and offline quizzes, painting competitions, essay-writing competitions and debates, are being organised for students. A pledge to uphold constitutional values and promote an egalitarian society also forms part of these activities.

Mr. Sond said that the teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj continue to hold immense relevance in contemporary society, particularly his message of equality, human dignity and freedom from social discrimination. Through these competitions, students are being encouraged to understand and imbibe these universal values and contribute towards building an inclusive and harmonious society.

The Minister further said that the participation of over 5.5 lakh students reflects the extensive reach of the school-level initiative. The programme seeks to connect the younger generation with Punjab's rich spiritual and cultural heritage while encouraging them to express their understanding of the teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj through knowledge, creativity and constructive dialogue.

He added that the Punjab Government is commemorating the 650th Parkash Purab through year-long programmes at various levels to ensure widespread public participation and to spread the message of the revered Guru among all sections of society.

The Minister urged students and educational institutions to participate enthusiastically in the celebrations and take inspiration from the teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj to uphold the values of equality, brotherhood and social justice.