LIST ONE ACHIEVEMENT OF YOUR LONG MISRULE IN THE STATE: CM DARES SUKHBIR

DESCRIBES AKALI REGIME FROM 2007-2017 AS THE DARKEST PERIOD OF THE STATE

SAYS OPPORTUNIST CONGRESS LEADERS SQUABBLING FOR POWER TO SECURE THEIR VESTED INTERESTS

DEDICATES SCHOOL OF EMINENCE AND GOVERNMENT NURSING TRAINING SCHOOL AT SANGRUR

FLAGS OFF 12 MOBILE CANCER SCREENING BUSES FROM WORLD CANCER CARE

Sangrur, August 11:Squarely blaming the Badals for ruining the state politically, economically and religiously, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday dared the Akali leader Sukhbir Singh Badal to list one of the achievements of their long misrule in the state.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister, while taking a jibe at Akali leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, said that Badals had only worked for expanding their business without bothering about the state and its people. He said that the period from 2007-2017 was the darkest period of the state when Transport, cable, sand, drug and other mafias flexed their muscles in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann dared the Akali leader to list one of the achievements of their government during this period adding that the drug menace spread its tentacles after it was patronized by the Akali regime.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is serving Punjab and its people with full missionary zeal and these leaders are now being made to pay for their sin. He said that now the leaders responsible for the heinous crimes against the state are being put behind the bars adding that one such example was the kingpin of drugs who is lodged in Nabha Jail. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that while the incumbent state government is fighting them, traditional parties were hand in glove with them and were offering them protection.

Targeting leaders of traditional parties who supported a former Akali minister currently in Nabha jail on drug charges, the Chief Minister said that it is shocking that Congress leaders Charanjit Singh Channi, Partap Singh Bajwa, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, BJP leader Captain Amarinder Singh, and Ravneet Singh Bittu are openly speaking in his favour. He said that this exposes the collusion between traditional political parties adding that when in power, they’ve covered up each other’s wrongdoings. Bhagwant Singh Mann once again challenged them to make it clear to the people of Punjab that whether they are with the drug traffickers or against them.

The Chief Minister said that these leaders didn’t even spare the religion and plundered the money for their vested interests. He also quipped that Sukhbir is neither having knowledge of Punjab’s culture, topography, religion nor even about the basic Punjabi language. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the son of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is desperate to grab power in the state adding that he had already predicted that Akali Dal was formed in 1920 and will be eliminated in 2019.

The Chief Minister said that the rich legacy of the Akali Dal which was full of sacrifices has been now relegated to the party of drug smugglers. Likewise, he said that the Congress is a divided house with every leader desperate to occupy the chair of the Chief Minister in the state in coming times. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders have no vision for the state as they are only bothered about satiating their greed for power and vesting it by hook or crook.

The Chief Minister said that he might not be having experience of plundering the wealth of people but he has an expertise to share the sorrows of the general public and resolve their issues. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he is dedicatedly working for the well being of the state and prosperity of its people. He said that some of the political leaders are not able to digest these things due to which they are repeatedly spitting baseless venom against him.

The Chief Minister said that such cheap tactics won’t deter him from serving the people of state and he will continue this noble task for the overall development of the state. He said that his predecessors had never bothered about the state or its people adding that these haughty leaders always gave pretence to their family and vested interests rather than working for the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this attitude of these leaders proved detrimental both for Punjab and its people.

The Chief Minister said that the traditional parties are envious of him because he hails from a common family. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders who believed that they have divine right to rule the state due to which they are not able to digest that a common man is running the state efficiently. He said that these leaders have befooled the people since long time but now people are not getting swayed by their misleading propaganda.

Earlier, the Chief Minister dedicated freedom fighter Jathedar Kartar Singh Darvesh Senior Secondary School, Sangrur which has been upgraded as a School of Eminence at a cost of Rs. 3.40 crore. He said that the students and teachers of this school have been provided with all the necessary equipment and facilities and various works have been carried out for the overall transformation of the school, including the construction and renovation of an auditorium hall, entrance gate, stage, park, shed, mid-day meal kitchen, workshops, laboratories, drinking water facilities, and classrooms. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this school is renowned across the world and the students who have studied here have made their mark in various fields at the global level.

The Chief Minister also dedicated the Government Nursing Training School, Sangrur to the people, which has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 7.81 crore. He said that this ultra-modern building offers a three-year GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) course and the institute is equipped with a hostel, modern laboratories, a mess with high-quality food, smart classrooms, a modern library, school bus service, and various other facilities. Bhagwant Singh Mann envisioned that this institution will prove to be a blessing for students from rural areas, as earlier, they had to travel to Bathinda, Patiala, or other distant places to pursue nursing education.

The Chief Minister also flagged off 12 mobile cancer screening buses from World Cancer Care which will go door-to-door, conducting camps in various villages and towns to screen people and raise awareness about cancer. He lauded the Chairman of organization, Dr. Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal for organizing 350 free cancer screening and awareness camps across Punjab to commemorate the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that during these camps, World Cancer Care will offer free tests including Mammography for breast cancer screening in women, Pap smear for cervical cancer, PSA test for prostate cancer in men, Oral screening for mouth and throat cancer, Bone density tests, Blood tests, and other necessary diagnostics.

The Chief Minister said that it is a historic day as a crusade against cancer has been launched in a new way by offering door to door cancer diagnostic and treatment facilities to the common man. He said that this menace had posed serious danger to the residents of the state especially those from the Malwa region adding that even a train from Bathinda to Bikaner was known as Cancer express. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed for the well being of every section of the society.

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HARDEEP SINGH MUNDIAN HANDS OVER APPOINTMENT LETTERS TO 504 PATWARIS

STRENGTHENING CITIZEN-CENTRIC SERVICES THROUGH CLEAN, TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE: MUNDIAN

Chandigarh, August 11:In line with Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government's commitment to provide clean, transparent and accountable services to the people, Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian today handed over appointment letters to 504 newly-recruited Patwaris.

Addressing the candidates at appointment letter distribution ceremony at the Municipal Bhawan here, S. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that these Patwaris, having completed their mandatory 18-month training program, are now being deployed in the field as regular Patwaris.

He said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann had allocated districts to eligible candidates based on merit following the recruitment of Revenue Patwaris in 2023. According to regulations, candidates underwent one year of training at Patwar Schools and six months of field training.

To facilitate the candidates during their one-year training period, 10 temporary Patwar Schools were established. These schools were staffed with experienced and retired PCS officers, District Revenue Officers, Tehsildars, Patwaris and Kanungos serving as Principals, Vice Principals and Kanungo Teachers, he added.

Notably, during their training, these Patwaris received comprehensive instruction in revenue computation, land records, surveying, record preparation, elections, settlement operations, agriculture and computer applications. Special training was provided in elections and agriculture. Election training primarily focused on voter list preparation, while agricultural training covered comprehensive knowledge of Kharif and Rabi crops, pesticides, fertilizers and crop seeds. Candidates received hands-on training on the ILMS (Integrated Land Management System) software for Jamabandi data entry, mutation recording, Roznamacha, Fard Badar and related operations.

The Cabinet Minister said that following government directives, DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System) equipment has been procured to train all Patwaris in the state for demarcation work. Training on demarcation using this equipment is being provided. He mentioned that training is being conducted for conducting revenue surveys through Digital Crop Survey.

S. Hardeep Singh Mundhian informed that the departmental examination for eligible candidates was conducted from May 26, 2025 to June 3, 2025. A total of 504 candidates passed this departmental examination and are being deployed in the field after receiving their appointment letters.

These Patwaris have been appointed with the objective of providing clean, transparent and accountable citizen-centric services to the people, said the Cabinet Minister, expressing hope that recruiting these young candidates will prove instrumental in creating a corruption-free society in the coming days.

He announced that recruitment for additional Patwari positions will be expedited to provide Punjab's youth with opportunities to serve the state.

He stated that our government is fully committed to eliminating every trace of corruption from the state to ensure a transparent and efficient administrative structure for the welfare of the people. He categorically warned that corruption among government employees will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Financial Commissioner Revenue Sh. Anurag Verma stated that the purpose of recruiting new Patwaris is to streamline the Revenue Department's operations for public convenience and ensure that people receive timely, hassle-free services without delays.

Sh. Verma welcomed the newly appointed Patwaris on their formal joining today and noted that deploying highly qualified Patwaris will help implement reforms like Easy Jamabandi and Easy Registry more effectively at the grassroots level.

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Vigilance Bureau nabs 10 Government officials in 8 bribery cases during July

Chandigarh, 11 August 2025:The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing crusade against corruption in the state, has been able to apprehend 10 officials red handed while accepting bribes in 8 different trap cases during the month of July.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the VB has put up its best efforts to eradicate corruption amongst public servants and others in every sphere during the period.

He informed that the Bureau had submitted challans pertaining to 28 vigilance cases in various competent courts in the last month. Apart from this, 6 vigilance enquiries have also been registered to thoroughly probe the corruption cases. He added that 8 criminal cases were also registered against 13 accused which include 9 government employees.

Giving more details, he added that different competent courts had decided five bribery cases filed and contested by the Bureau during the last month, in which seven persons were convicted and sentenced ranging from two years to five years imprisonment and fine from Rs. 10,000/- to 1,00,000/-.

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Punjab Power Minister urges PSPCL Employees to Resume Work as Government addressed most of demands

Chandigarh, August 11:Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO has made a fervent appeal to employees of Powercom carrying strike to end their agitation and return to work immediately in view of the larger public interest especially amid the ongoing summer season at the time of high power demand.

The Minister emphasized that uninterrupted power supply is crucial for households, agriculture, and industrial sectors thus the agitating employees should resume the duties. He said that the prolonged strikes could cause significant hardship to millions of consumers, which should not be suffered at any cost. He assured the employees that the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has shown utmost sincerity and responsiveness in addressing their concerns.

Giving details on recent developments, Harbhajan Singh ETO said that a crucial meeting was convened on August 10, at local Punjab Bhawan between the PSPCL administration and representatives of the Powercom employees Joint Forum and Bijli Mulazam Ekta Manch chaired jointly by him and the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. During the deliberations, the PSPCL administration gave its consent to accept almost all key demands put forth by the employees.

The demands includes the creation of new posts and filling of existing vacancies, an increase in ex-gratia amount, Stoppage recovery in compassionate cases till the final decision, provision of cashless medical facilities to employees, release of pending allowances, clearance of overdue overtime payments for grid substation staff and some cases of pension revisions, said ETO. The government has also promised special attention towards repairing and maintaining PSPCL buildings, he added.

“Given that most of the demands have been addressed thus it is now neither fair nor reasonable for employees to continue strike,” said the Minister. He stressed that the state government has committed for the well-being of its employees and always ready to resolve their issues amicably. Harbhajan Singh ETO further stated that while the bulk of the demands have been met, the doors of the state government always open for constructive dialogue on any remaining matters. He appealed to the employees to rise above the agitation and consider the welfare of the public, reiterating that unity between the workforce and the administration is essential for ensuring Punjab’s power sector further strong, efficient, and consumer-friendly.

The Power Minister expressed confidence that the striking employees would respond positively to the government’s gesture of goodwill. He said that with the state government having given its consent to most of their legitimate demands, he hoped the employees would reciprocate by ending the agitation and resuming duties without further delay. Harbhajan Singh ETO added that such cooperation would not only ensure normalcy in power supply but also strengthen mutual trust between the workforce and the administration, paving the way for continued progress in Punjab’s power sector.

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Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains expresses condolences to family of Martyr Lance Naik Pritpal Singh

Punjab Government committed to supporting families of martyrs

Chandigarh / Samrala (Ludhiana), August 11

Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Monday visited the family of martyr Lance Naik Pritpal Singh in Manupur village, to offer his condolences. Lance Naik Pritpal Singh was martyred during an encounter with terrorists in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

During the visit, Bains met with the martyr’s wife, Manpreet Kaur, father Harbans Singh, mother, and brothers, sharing their grief. He assured them that the Punjab Government stands firmly with the family and will provide all possible assistance. He conveyed that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has also expressed his condolences to the families of both Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and martyr Harminder Singh.

Bains expressed deep sorrow over the fact that Pritpal Singh, who was married in February, had returned to duty in April with a promise to celebrate Diwali with his family. Bains added he felt immense pride witnessing the resilience of the martyr’s family and the villagers, reflecting the unwavering spirit of Punjab’s youth in sacrificing for peace and harmony of country.

The Minister prayed to God to grant the family strength to bear this loss. He reaffirmed the Punjab Government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises by providing all possible support to the family.

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Punjab Government agrees with Farmers’, Withdraws Land Pooling Policy- Hardeep Singh Mundian

Chandigarh, August 11-Punjab Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian on Monday said that Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government has always been a government of the farmers—placing their interests at the forefront from day one.

The Cabinet Minister said that Whether it was waiving off farm loans, fighting for better prices for crops, improving irrigation facilities, or providing relief in electricity bills—every step has been taken with the welfare of farmers in mind. He said that in line with this vision, the Land Pooling Policy 2025 was also introduced. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that the objective was to make farmers active stakeholders in development, significantly increase the value of their land, and connect them with modern infrastructure and facilities.

However, the Cabinet Minister said that Punjab government believes that real development is only achieved when farmers are happy and satisfied. He said that if there is disagreement among farmers regarding any policy, imposing it forcefully goes against public interest and democratic principles. Therefore, Hardeep Singh Mundian said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the government has taken a major and historic decision to withdraw the Land Pooling Policy, giving the highest importance to farmers’ voices.

Cabinet Minister said that this move proves that for the Punjab government, farmers are not just voters—they are family. He said that when a family member is unhappy, listening to them and changing course is the true mark of service and sensitive leadership. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that government has shown that it doesn’t believe in stubbornness, but in trust and participatory governance.

The Cabinet Minister said that behind this decision lies a clear message that every farmer in Punjab can rest assured that their land, their rights, and the fruits of their hard work are completely protected. He said that policy will not be implemented without farmers’ consent and involvement adding that this is not merely the withdrawal of a policy—it is a renewed commitment to strengthen the bond of trust, respect, and partnership with the farmers. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that once again, the Bhagwant Mann government has proven that the true identity of Punjab lies in its soil, its labor, and its pride adding that the prosperity of the farmers is the prosperity of Punjab—and that is the government’s highest goal.