Welfare of Women, Children and Senior Citizens is the Top Priority of the Mann Government: Dr. Baljit Kaur
Dr. Baljit Kaur directs officials to ensure timely and transparent delivery of welfare schemes to needy women, children and senior citizens
Orders issued for daily monitoring of Anganwadi Centres and expediting the work on Poshan Tracker
Chandigarh, June 18:Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur today reaffirmed the commitment of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government towards the holistic welfare of all sections of society, with special emphasis on the upliftment of women, children, and senior citizens. She stated that the true progress of any society is determined by the security, health, and education of its marginalized, elderly, and women populations.
Presiding over a detailed review meeting with departmental officials at Kisan Bhawan here today, Dr. Baljit Kaur issued strict instructions to ensure that the benefits of various welfare schemes being run by the Punjab Government reach the deserving beneficiaries in a transparent and timely manner.
During the meeting, the Minister reviewed the functioning of Anganwadi Centres, the status of vacancies for Anganwadi Workers and Helpers, initiatives under Early Childhood Care and Education, the ongoing Child Begging Rescue and Rehabilitation Campaign under Mission Vatsalya, the progress of the Poshan Tracker application, the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, and the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao scheme. She also discussed the construction of Anganwadi Centre buildings and toilets under MGNREGA and directed the official to complete the work of remaining Anganwadi centres and toilets as soon as possible.
Dr. Baljit Kaur directed that daily monitoring of Anganwadi Centres should be the personal responsibility of all district officers. She emphasized that immediate action must be taken against those centres that are not functioning regularly. She also instructed for the expeditious completion of pending work related to the Poshan Tracker app and the upgradation of Anganwadi Centres to be fast-tracked without delay.
The Minister laid special emphasis on personally leading the state’s Child Begging Rescue and Rehabilitation Campaign being run under Mission Vatsalya. She also directed for a comprehensive review of the functioning of Specialized Adoption Agencies and sought detailed information on all adoptions that have taken place in the state during the past three years.
Further, Dr. Baljit Kaur instructed the department’s Director to felicitate officers who are performing exceptionally well in the discharge of their duties by awarding them appreciation certificates, to encourage a culture of commitment and healthy competition. She categorically stated that disciplinary action must be initiated against district officials whose performance is found to be unsatisfactory, ensuring strict implementation of government schemes without any negligence.
The Minister asserted that the Punjab Government is fully committed to the empowerment of women, care for senior citizens, and development of children. She added that these continuous efforts will play a significant role in realizing the dream of a vibrant and progressive ‘Rangla Punjab.’
The meeting was attended by Special Chief Secretary of the Department Raji P. Shrivastava, Director Dr. Sheena Aggarwal, Special Secretary Keshav Hingonia, Additional Secretary Vimmi Bhullar, Joint Secretary Anand Sagar Sharma, and other senior officials.
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PUNJAB LEADS THE WAY: ACHIEVED NATION’S LOWEST PENDENCY IN SERVICE DELIVERY
• 99.88% services delivered in stipulated timeframe, over 48 Lakh citizens benefitted, says Aman Arora
• Officials with zero pendency to be rewarded: Good Governance Minister
Chandigarh, June 18:The Punjab Government has achieved a remarkable milestone in citizen-centric governance by successfully delivering 99.88% of essential services to citizens within the stipulated timeframe, thereby ensuring the lowest pendency in service delivery across the country, announced Mr. Aman Arora, State President of AAP and Minister for Good Governance & Information Technology (GG&IT), Punjab.
Addressing a press conference here at MGSIPA following a review meeting with senior officials of the department and Deputy Commissioners, Mr. Aman Arora informed that the Punjab Government has achieved a remarkable milestone in service delivery, with over 48.85 lakh citizens availing of various citizen-centric services between June 18, 2024 and June 17, 2025. An impressive 99.88% of services were delivered within the stipulated timeframe and only 5868 services (0.12%) delivery exceeded the prescribed timeline. This achievement underscores the effectiveness of the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government's robust service delivery system, which was recognised by the Government of India by ranking Punjab first in timely service delivery.
He further stated that the government is mulling to reward officials with zero pendency, while all Deputy Commissioners have also been directed to take strict action against habitual delayers and officials raising unwarranted objections.
Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, the Good Governance Minister stated that the state government has implemented another pioneering project to eliminate delay and corruption and ensure transparency in service delivery. The state has onboarded around 98% of officials & local representatives, including Patwaris, Municipal Councillors (MCs), Sarpanches and Namberdars, allowing them to digitally verify certificate applications. The project aims to reduce citizens' hassles and increase efficiency by eliminating the need for physical visits for document verification.
Mr. Aman Arora lauded Punjab's service delivery system, highlighting the CM led Punjab government's dedication to citizen-centric governance. He also congratulated the Deputy Commissioners and GG&IT department’s team for their relentless efforts to achieve this milestone. The online service delivery has revolutionized service access, ensuring transparency, accountability, promptness, and making a tangible difference in citizens' lives.
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Earlier during the meeting, Mr. Aman Arora directed the GG&IT department officials to revamp the citizen service delivery portal (connect.punjab.gov.in) to enhance user experience, efficiency and accessibility. This initiative aims to provide citizens with a self-service platform, allowing them to apply for services online without visiting government offices. The Additional Chief Secretary GG&IT Mr. Vikas Pratap assured the minister that the portal would be redesigned at the earliest and robust public grievance redressal mechanism would be ensured to effectively address the public issues.
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PUNJAB HEALTH MINISTER ADVOCATES FOR NATURAL FOOD PRACTICES AT WORLD FOOD SAFETY DAY EVENT
— FDA MUST ENSURE THAT EVERY CITIZEN IN PUNJAB RECEIVES PURE AND UNADULTERATED FOOD: DR BALBIR SINGH
— HEALTH MINISTER EXHORTS PUBLIC TO MAKE MAXIMUM USE OF MOBILE FOOD TESTING VANS
Chandigarh, June 18:With an aim to realise the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to develop a healthy society and make the state a ‘Rangla Punjab’ again, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Wednesday, highlighted the importance of returning to natural farming practices, stating that in earlier times, agricultural fields thrived without chemical pesticides and fertilizers, relying instead on earthworms and frogs as natural fertilizers to produce nutritious food.
The Health Minister was addressing the event organised by Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Punjab to mark the ‘World Food Safety Day-2025’ in line with the global theme for the year, “Food Safety: Science in Action”. The event, organised at Mahatama Gandhi Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA) here, witnessed a series of expert-led sessions, shedding light on various aspects of food safety in the context of Punjab.
Emphasising the critical link between soil health and human well-being during his address, Dr Balbir Singh advocated for fresh and organic food, calling it the foundation of good health. Sharing his personal commitment to clean eating, he revealed that he practices kitchen gardening at home to ensure access to chemical-free and nutrient-rich food. He also stressed the importance of hygienic cooking and food preparation to prevent contamination and food borne illnesses.
Underlining the responsibility of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), the Minister directed officials to strengthen food safety mechanisms by upgrading laboratories and ensuring strict enforcement against adulteration. "Merely collecting food samples is not enough; the FDA must ensure that every citizen receives pure and unadulterated food," he asserted. He further instructed officials to conduct regular awareness drives to educate food vendors on maintaining hygiene standards.
To empower citizens in ensuring food safety, Dr Balbir Singh encouraged the public to make maximum use of Mobile Food Testing Vans, which are equipped to examine over 150 parameters in milk, paneer, spices, and other daily consumables. "These vans are a crucial tool in our fight against food adulteration—I urge every individual to get their food tested," he said.
The Minister also emphasised the need for balanced diets and informed dietary choices, urging the FDA to intensify public education campaigns on nutrition and government health initiatives.
Concluding his address, Dr Balbir Singh appealed to all Punjabis to adopt the "Eat Right, Stay Healthy" approach and contribute to building a healthier, and nutritionally secure Punjab.
Earlier, Commissioner FDA Punjab Dilraj Singh shared insights into the department's ongoing efforts in promoting food safety through scientific enforcement and public awareness.
Vice Chancellor of GADVASU Dr JPS Gill, during his address emphasised the integration of scientific practices with local food systems to ensure long-term safety and sustainability.
Dr Poonam Khanna from PGI Chandigarh presented data on the nutritional status of men, women, and children in Punjab, while Dr. Niharika from the Directorate of Health Services, Punjab, spoke about the prevalence and management of food-borne illnesses in the state. Dr Manvesh, Assistant Professor at GADVASU, addressed concerns related to adulteration in milk and milk products, identifying it as a major food safety issue in the region.
Representatives from the food industry also contributed valuable perspectives during the event with Director Scientific & Regulatory at Pepsico Shaminder Pal Singh and Managing Director of Nik Bakers Vinod Mittal highlighting the industry roles and initiatives in upholding food safety standards. The event also featured an engaging session with millet-based food entrepreneurs from Healthy Earth and a special chef talk by internationally acclaimed chef Vikas Khanna, who highlighted the intersection of food heritage, nutrition, and safety.
Chairman Food Commission Punjab Bal Mukand Sharma, Joint Commissioner Food Safety Dr Amit Joshi and Director Labs Food Safety Punjab Ravneet Kaur were among the other prominent persons, who attended the event.
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ECI to fast-track EPIC delivery
- Electors to get EPICs within 15 days of update in the electoral rolls
Chandigarh, June 18:To ensure faster delivery of Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) to the electors, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) enabling the delivery of EPICs within 15 days of an update in the electoral rolls, including new enrolment of an elector or change in any particulars of an existing elector. The initiative is in line with the various measures being undertaken by the ECI for the convenience of electors as envisaged by the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi.
The new system will ensure real-time tracking of each stage right from the EPIC generation by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) till the delivery of EPIC to the elector through the Department of Posts (DoP). Electors will also receive notifications via SMS at each stage, keeping them informed about the status of their EPICs.
For this purpose, ECI has introduced a dedicated IT module on its recently launched ECINet platform. The new IT platform will replace the existing process by re-engineering the current system and streamlining the workflow. DoP's Application Programme Interface (API) will be integrated with the ECINet for seamless delivery. This initiative aims to enhance service delivery while maintaining data security.
Providing prompt and efficient electoral services to all its electors is a major focus area for the ECI. It may be recalled that in the past four months, the Commission has taken a slew of initiatives for the benefit of electors and other stakeholders.
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Fazilka Police Takes Major Step in War Against Drugs
Two More Drug Smugglers' Houses Demolished in Arniwala
“This will be the fate of all those involved in drug trade” – SSP Fazilka
Chandigarh/Fazilka, June 18:Under the leadership of Gaurav Yadav, IPS, Director General of Police, Punjab; Harmanbir Singh Gill, IPS, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ferozepur Range; and Gurmeet Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police, Fazilka, a special campaign is being run by Fazilka Police to crack down on drug smugglers.
As part of this ongoing mission, today Fazilka Police demolished the house of Joginder Singh, son of Dalip Singh alias Dara Singh, resident of Arniwala, and his wife Amarjit Kaur. Both husband and wife were actively involved in drug smuggling and had illegally constructed a house on panchayat land. Upon receiving a request for police protection from the civil administration, SSP Fazilka, Shri Gurmeet Singh, himself reached the site and supervised the demolition of the property.
Joginder Singh has multiple NDPS Act cases registered against him:
• FIR No. 11 dated 28/01/2021 under Sections 22/61/85 NDPS Act, PS Arniwala
• FIR No. 122 dated 30/08/2021 under Sections 22/61/85 NDPS Act, PS Arniwala
• FIR No. 64 dated 17/05/2025 under Sections 21/61/85 NDPS Act, PS Arniwala
His wife, Amarjit Kaur, also has one case registered under FIR No. 59 dated 11/05/2025 under Sections 22/61/85 NDPS Act, PS Arniwala.
Addressing the media, SSP Fazilka stated that no drug smuggler will be spared, and anyone involved in such anti-social activities will face similar action. Such demolitions will continue in collaboration with the civil administration. Fazilka Police has previously demolished four other drug smugglers’ properties as part of this ongoing crackdown.
Fazilka Police has played a significant role in this war against drugs. The department has consistently tightened the noose around drug traffickers, seized various narcotics, and worked diligently to rescue the youth from the trap of addiction.
In addition to arresting smugglers, Fazilka Police is also helping rehabilitate drug addicts by facilitating their admission to de-addiction centers.
Fazilka Police appeals to the general public to support this mission. If anyone witnesses drug selling or smuggling activities in their area, they are encouraged to report it immediately by calling the Fazilka Control Room at 85588-00900 or messaging the Safe Punjab Chatbot at 97791-00200. The identity of the informer will be kept strictly confidential.
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SFJ OPERATIVE RESHAM SINGH HELD FOR VANDALISING DR BR AMBEDKAR’S STATUE, EXECUTING PRO-KHALISTAN GRAFFITIES
— DURING INDO-PAK ESCALATION, ARRESTED ACCUSED PAINTED INFLAMMATORY SLOGANS TO INCITE PUBLIC UNREST AND PROMOTE ANTI-NATIONAL SENTIMENTS: DGP GAURAV YADAV
— TILL NOW ACCUSED RESHAM HAS RECEIVED AROUND ₹8-10 LACS FROM HIS FOREIGN BASED HANDLERS: AIG SSOC RAVJOT GREWAL
Chandigarh, June 18:Amidst the ongoing campaign to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police’s State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) Mohali on Wednesday arrested Resham Singh, a key operative of banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and close aide of USA-based head of SFJ Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, for his involvement in vandalising the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar in Phillaur and executing a series of Pro-Khalistan graffiti across the state.
Divulging details, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that acting on the directions of USA-based Surinder Singh Thikriwal—a wanted criminal in multiple UAPA cases—and SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, the arrested accused, who belongs to village Hamidi in Barnala, had vandalised the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar at Nangal in Phillaur in the first week of June 2025.
He said that accused Resham Singh, who is also accused of repeatedly defacing public property with Pro-Khalistan and Pro-SFJ graffiti in districts including Patiala, Faridkot, Jalandhar and other districts, had been absconding since the incident.
“During the Indo-Pak escalation in May 2025, he (Resham Singh) painted inflammatory slogans such as ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ and ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ to incite public unrest and promote anti-national sentiments,” said the DGP, while adding that evidence also indicates the accused was receiving foreign funding to carry out these unlawful activities.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the arrested accused had previously been arrested in two UAPA cases—registered in Karnal (Haryana) and Sangrur— for painting anti-national graffiti. Further investigation is underway to establish forward and backward linkages in this case, he said.
Sharing operation details, AIG SSOC Mohali Ravjot Grewal said that police teams had received a reliable input about the involvement of accused Resham Singh in painting graffities on walls and bridges containing content specifically targeting actions intended to excite secession, armed rebellion, or subversive activities. Based on inputs and sustained surveillance, the SSOC Mohali team launched an intelligence-led operation and arrested accused Resham from Kharar in Mohali, where he was provided hideout by his handler Surinder Thikriwal, she said.
She said that during sustained interrogation, accused Resham Singh revealed that he was first introduced to the SFJ network in 2019 through Harpreet Singh alias Rana, who hosted the media channel “Politics Punjab” (now banned) operated from the USA. Harpreet Rana was instrumental in connecting Resham to key SFJ members including Bikramjit Singh (USA), JS Dhaliwal, and Gurpatwant Singh Pannu himself, she added.
The AIG said that after being released from Sangrur Jail in May 2024 after around two years, the accused resumed his anti-national activities under the influence of Surinder Thikriwal, who is an ex-terrorist from Village Thikriwal in Barnala and had fled to USA in 2022.
She said that probe has revealed that after each act, accused Resham used to record videos and send them to his handlers abroad, who used them to fuel secessionist propaganda. Till now the accused has received around Rs 8 to 10 Lacs from his foreign based handlers, she added.
In this regard, a case FIR No. 08 dated 18.06.2025 has been registered under Sections 151, 196 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station SSOC, SAS Nagar.
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Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains extends greetings to the public on the 360th Foundation Day of Sri Anandpur Sahib
Sri Anandpur Sahib, June 18 -All the Sikh Gurus, from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, blessed small villages and transformed them into thriving religious and historical places .
On June 19, 1665, the Ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji reverently known as " Hind Di Chadar", established Sri Anandpur Sahib, foundation of which was laid by Baba Gurditta Ji. Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains has extended heartiest greetings to the public on the 360th Foundation Day of Sri Anandpur Sahib.
S.Bains shared that the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji will be commemorated with great devotion and religious fervour in 2025 at Sri Anandpur Sahib. He informed that a proposal has been passed by the Municipal Council to rename the VIP Road leading to Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib as Baba Jujhar Singh Marg.
Expressing his gratitude, he said it is by the Guru’s grace that he has been given the opportunity to serve Sri Anandpur Sahib. The Punjab Government is making extensive efforts for the all-round development of the region. He added that on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the Ninth Guru, massive arrangements will be made in Sri Anandpur Sahib for the convenience of devotees and pilgrims. Comprehensive development of both Sri Anandpur Sahib and Kiratpur Sahib will be undertaken.
S.Bains stated that the martyrdom commemorations will be held in November, and the Punjab Government will celebrate these events on a grand scale. It is expected that thousands of devotees from different parts of the country as well as the world would throng to pay their obeisance.He emphasized that it is a matter of great pride to be able to serve during the 350th martyrdom commemorations of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, and that this service is being undertaken with devotion and humility.
He further stated that a detailed plan is being prepared by the Punjab Government for the holistic development of the Guru's city. Each year, lakhs of devotees from India and around the world visit Sri Anandpur Sahib for spiritual pilgrimages, hence the comprehensive development of this sacred city is being ensured meticulously.