*Mann Government extends over ₹1,164 crore assistance to 2.86 lakh beneficiaries; Zero tolerance towards any irregularity in Ashirwad Scheme: Dr. Baljit Kaur*

*Fair inquiry conducted into 62 alleged cases; strict action taken against those found responsible, verification ordered across the state*

Chandigarh, November 13:Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Ashirwad Scheme is a significant welfare initiative for economically weaker families, under which eligible beneficiaries are provided financial assistance for the marriage of their daughters. She said that the foremost priority of the government is to ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach only the eligible beneficiaries.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, has provided financial assistance of over ₹1,164 crore to 2.86 lakh beneficiaries under the Ashirwad Scheme during its tenure in a transparent manner.

The Minister said that any kind of irregularity, corruption or misuse of government funds in welfare schemes will not be tolerated under any circumstances. She said that the government took serious note of the 62 alleged cases of irregularities reported in Amritsar district, involving an amount of around ₹31.62 lakh. She added that a fair and transparent inquiry was conducted in these cases and departmental action has already been taken against the officials/employees found responsible after completion of the inquiry.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that to further strengthen transparency and accountability, the Department has been directed to conduct verification of the financial assistance released under the Ashirwad Scheme across all districts of the state. She said that the objective of this exercise is to ensure that every rupee released by the government reaches the right and eligible beneficiary and that government funds are utilised with complete transparency.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said, “Public money is meant for public welfare, and ensuring the proper utilisation of every single penny of government funds is the responsibility of the government. Strictest action will be taken against anyone involved in any irregularity in welfare schemes.”

=======================

*PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA SPEAKER KULTAR SINGH SANDHWAN GREETS PEOPLE OF PUNJAB ON THE BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF SHER-E-PUNJAB MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH*

Chandigarh, November 13, 2026:The Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, today extended warm greetings to the people of Punjab and Punjabis living across the globe on the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Speaker Sandhwan paid rich tributes to the legendary ruler, describing him as a great emperor, an unmatched warrior, and an able administrator who carved out a vast and sovereign Sikh Kingdom by uniting the various Sikh Misls. He noted that Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign stands as a golden era in history, remembered globally for its secular ethos, communal harmony, justice, and welfare-oriented governance.

"Maharaja Ranjit Singh was a visionary leader who governed with immense compassion and fairness, treating people of all faiths and backgrounds with equal respect," said S. Sandhwan. "His historic unification of the Misls not only established a powerful and prosperous empire but also instilled a lasting sense of pride and unity among Punjabis."

Urging the youth and citizens to draw inspiration from the glorious legacy of the Lion of Punjab, the Speaker called upon everyone to follow his ideals of peace, brotherhood, and selfless service to build a progressive and harmonious Punjab.

============================================

*SCIENTIFIC LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT KEY TO HIGHER MILK PRODUCTIVITY & FARMERS’ PROSPERITY: GURMEET SINGH KHUDIAN*

*•VETERINARY OFFICERS URGED TO PRIORITISE PREVENTIVE HEALTHCARE, SCIENTIFIC NUTRITION AND FARM-LEVEL BIOSECURITY*

*•STATE-LEVEL TECHNICAL SEMINAR FOCUSES ON MODERN DAIRY FARMING, DISEASE CONTROL AND REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY*

*Chandigarh, November 13:*In a significant initiative to strengthen Punjab’s dairy economy and promote scientific livestock management, the Department of Animal Husbandry organised a state-level technical seminar for Veterinary Officers on the theme “Modern Livestock Management: Nutrition, Disease Prevention, Reproduction and Farm Hygiene” here at Kisan Bhawan under the aegis of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian.

Addressing the gathering, the Cabinet Minister called upon Veterinary Officers to adopt a proactive and preventive approach to animal healthcare by moving beyond conventional curative practices. He said that Veterinary Officers serve as a vital link between scientific advancements and rural prosperity and have a crucial responsibility in translating modern veterinary knowledge into tangible benefits for dairy farmers. He urged them to guide farmers towards scientifically balanced feeding practices, improved genetic potential, efficient reproductive management, proper farm hygiene and comprehensive vaccination coverage. He added that timely preventive healthcare and sound livestock management practices are essential for protecting animal health, improving milk productivity and enhancing farmers’ incomes.

Reiterating the state government's commitment to strengthening veterinary services, the Animal Husbandry Minister stressed the need for efficient field-level service delivery, stringent seromonitoring protocols under the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) and effective translation of laboratory research into practical interventions at the farm level.

The technical sessions featured detailed deliberations by eminent veterinary experts on key aspects of dairy herd management. Dr. Jiwan Gupta highlighted the importance of effective cost management and preventive animal healthcare in ensuring the long-term sustainability and profitability of dairy farms. Drawing attention to often-overlooked concerns such as subclinical anaemia, fluctuations in ruminal pH and mycotoxin contamination in feed and water, he recommended periodic haemoglobin (Hb) profiling for early detection of health issues. He also stressed effective tick-control measures, including thermal disinfection through flame guns, to control tick vectors and prevent haemoprotozoan diseases.

Dr. Ravinder Grewal, while speaking on precision ruminant nutrition, said that the genetic potential of high-yielding animals could be fully realised only through scientifically formulated and stage-specific nutritional interventions. He cautioned that nutritional deficiencies during calf and heifer rearing could adversely affect future lactation performance. Highlighting the critical six-week transition period, spanning three weeks before and three weeks after calving, he stressed disciplined nutritional management to minimise metabolic disorders such as ketosis, fatty liver syndrome and hypocalcaemia.

Dwelling on reproductive efficiency and herd productivity, Dr. Karanbir Singh Bhinder highlighted the direct link between reproductive performance and the economic viability of dairy farms. He advocated timely postpartum examinations and early diagnostic interventions to manage uterine disorders, improve conception rates and reduce the calving-to-conception interval. He pointed out that efficient reproductive management is fundamental to achieving the productivity target of one calf per cow per year.

Dr. Harshit Sethi discussed herd immunisation standards under the National Disease Control Programme (NDCP), with particular focus on standard operating procedures for Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination and seromonitoring. He explained the role of DIVA diagnostics in monitoring field virus activity and called for heightened vigilance against potential incursions of exotic viral strains, including the FMD SAT-1 serotype. He also underscored the need to strengthen biosecurity measures at the farm level to minimise the risk of disease transmission.

the Animal Husbandry department resolved to intensify the statewide implementation of scientific livestock management practices by encouraging farmers to maintain proper farm records, adopt phase-specific ration balancing and work towards 100 per cent vaccination coverage across dairy clusters. The participating Veterinary Officers were also urged to strengthen disease surveillance and ensure that scientific recommendations reach farmers at the grassroots level.

The seminar concluded with a collective commitment from the administrative leadership and Veterinary Officers to accelerate preventive animal healthcare, improve field-level disease monitoring and promote modern dairy farming practices for better livestock welfare, higher milk productivity and the economic sustainability of Punjab’s dairy sector.

===================================================

*MANN GOVT DISTRIBUTES 2.07 LAKH QUINTALS CERTIFIED WHEAT SEED ON 50% SUBSIDY: GURMEET SINGH KHUDIAN*

*• 2.18 lakh farmers already registered to avail subsidy benefit on wheat seeds; Sri Muktsar Sahib tops state with 19,110 registrations*

*•Over 2.42 Lakh Farmers to Benefit under ₹50-Crore Scheme: Khudian*

*•No shortage, no black marketing or tagging, Gurmeet Khudian orders strict monitoring for Rabi sowing*

Chandigarh, November 13:In a bid to ensure higher yield and higher income to the state farmers in Rabi season, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Friday announced that the state has distributed over 2.07 lakh quintals of wheat seed against a target of 2,42,218 quintals under the Rs 50-crore assistance scheme that provides certified PAU and ICAR-recommended wheat seeds to farmers at half price, with the subsidy capped at Rs 2,000 per hectare.

S. Khudian said that over 2.42 lakh farmers will benefit from the scheme. More than 2.18 lakh farmers have already registered on http://agrimachinerypb.com to avail the benefit of subsidy on wheat seed till date. Sri Muktsar Sahib leads the state with 19,110 registrations, followed by Fazilka (18,369), Bathinda (16,832), Sangrur (16,022) and Patiala (12,982), showing massive farmer enthusiasm for certified seed.

S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian disclosed this while chairing a high-level video conference with all Chief Agriculture Officers (CAOs) to review the progress of subsidised wheat seed distribution across the state.

He emphasised that the 50% subsidy on certified wheat seeds is aimed at encouraging farmers to adopt high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties recommended by the Punjab Agricultural University and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The Rs 50-crore assistance scheme is a direct investment in the prosperity of the annadatas. CM Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government is ensuring better yields and higher returns for farmers.

The Agriculture Minister directed department officials to ensure seamless distribution so that no farmer is deprived of the benefit. The supply chain must function with precision and without bottlenecks.

S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian also reviewed the availability of fertilisers in Punjab. Director, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Gurjit Brar apprised the Minister that adequate stocks of DAP, urea and other essential fertilisers are available in the state. Against a requirement of 5.50 lakh MT, as much as 5.87 lakh MT of DAP is available to meet the demand.

The Agriculture Minister directed him to maintain close monitoring of the supply chain to prevent any shortage, black marketing or tagging, besides ensuring that farmers face no difficulty during the ongoing Rabi crop sowing season.

==================================================

*MAJOR CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL MINING*

*POCLAIN MACHINE AND TIPPER SEIZED IN VILLAGE RASULPUR; FIR REGISTERED*

*ILLEGAL MINING WON'T BE TOLERATED; STRICT LEGAL ACTION AGAINST VIOLATORS TO CONTINUE: BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL*

*Chandigarh, November 13:*Punjab Mines and Geology Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today said that the Mining Department was taking stringent measures to curb illegal mining activities and safeguard natural resources. He said that regular raids were being conducted at various locations as part of the ongoing drive against illegal mining.

The Cabinet Minister informed that the team of Mining Department during its patrol this morning seized a Poclain machine and a tipper being used for illegal mining activities in village Rasulpur of Ludhiana district. The team immediately initiated legal proceedings and handed over both the Poclain machine and the tipper to the police. In this connection, the police registered FIR No.- 200 under relevant legal provisions at Ladhowal Police Station.

Sh. Goyal categorically stated that illegal mining would not be tolerated under any circumstances. The strict legal action would continue against those involved in mining activities in violation of government regulations, he added.

The Mines and Geology Minister further said that the department was maintaining continuous patrolling, checking and surveillance in the area. The campaign against illegal mining would continue with full vigour and strictness in the days ahead.

====================================

*Total 3 Nomination Papers received on first day for Municipality Re-Elections to be held in Patiala and Moga districts*

CHANDIGARH, November 13, 2026:The State Election Commission, Punjab, informed that to elect the members of 30 wards of Municipal Corporation, Patiala (Dist. Patiala), 15 wards of Municipal Council Bagha Purana, and 7 wards of Municipal Council Dharamkot (Dist. Moga), total number of 3 Nomination Papers have been received on first day of the nominations i.e. on 13.11.2026.

SEC further informed that 3 nomination papers have been received for the election of 15 wards of Municipal Council Bagha Purana district Moga. No nomination papers have been received for the election of 30 wards of Municipal Corporation, Patiala and 7 wards of Municipal Council Dharamkot district Moga on first day of filing nomination papers.