CM LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF 500 MODERN PANCHAYAT GHARS AND COMMON SERVICE CENTRES ACROSS THE STATE TO COME UP AT A COST OF RS 125 CRORE

ENVISIONS THAT THESE PANCHAYAT GHARS AND COMMON SERVICE CENTRES WILL HERALD NEW ERA TO FACILITATE VILLAGERS

DESCRIBES CONGRESS AND AKALI DAL AS DIVIDED HOUSE SQUABBLING FOR POWER

ASSERTS THAT PUNJAB WITNESSING UNPRECEDENTED DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH IN EVERY SECTOR

Fatehgarh Sahib, August 13:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday virtually laid the foundation stone of construction of 500 modern Panchayat Ghars and Common Service Centres across the state at a cost of Rs 125 crore.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the project to construct Panchayat Ghars and Common Service Centres (CSCs) in Punjab is being started from the holy land of Fatehgarh Sahib. He said that in every village with a population of more than 2800, a Panchayat Ghar and a Common Service Centre will be constructed adding that the cost of constructing a Panchayat Ghar will be Rs 20 lakhs and that of a Common Service Centre will be Rs 5 lakhs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in the first phase 500 villages, both Panchayat Ghars and CSCs are being constructed.

The Chief Minister said that those villages have been selected where no Panchayat Ghar exists so far adding that this project will bring many facilities to the villagers. He said that the Panchayat Ghar will not just be an office but a central hub for discussions and planning for village development. Similarly, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Common Service Centres will become the backbone of the digital revolution in villages, helping villagers access various online services.

The Chief Minister said that in today’s digital era, services like applying for government schemes, getting admission to educational institutions, creating Aadhaar cards or passports, and many more are available online. Hence, he said that these CSCs will play a crucial role in making these services easily accessible to the public. Bhagwant Singh Mann also expressed hope that this project will provide panchayats a common platform to come together and take collective decisions.

The Chief Minister bemoaned that though Panchayats are called the foundation of democracy, but earlier, there wasn’t even a proper place for them to sit. However, he said that now Punjab is witnessing complete transformation in every sphere as the work of common man is being done. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 90% of households in Punjab are receiving zero electricity bills, which has provided huge economic relief to the public.

The Chief Minister expressed pride that canal water has now reached even the remotest villages at the tail ends of the state adding that since assuming charge of office, the government has revived 15,947 water channels across Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that unemployment is the root cause of several social problems due to which the state government is focusing on eradicating this malady and so far around 55,000 government jobs have been provided to the youth. He said that the jobs have been provided completely on the basis of merit to the youth and that too in a transparent manner.

The Chief Minister said that the drug mafia was patronized by the earlier governments but his government has launched a crusade- Yudh Nasheyan Virudh against drugs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said meticulous planning has been done to wipe out the menace of drugs from the state and now war against drugs has begun in a full-fledged manner. He said that apart from snapping the supply lines of drugs the state government has put the big fishes involved in this crime behind the bars adding that now the property of the drug peddlers is being seized and destroyed.

The Chief Minister said that people of the state have wholeheartedly supported this campaign which now has been transformed into a mass movement. He said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that 700 panchayats of Fatehgarh Sahib District have signed pledges to protect their villages from the scourge of drugs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the day is not far away when with the active support and cooperation of the people Punjab will become a completely drug Free State.

Taking a jibe on the leaders of traditional parties, the Chief Minister said that these political parties are a divided house with every leader desperate to wrest power. 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. He said that the multiple groups in Congress and Akalis are squabbling to get the power so that they can plunder the wealth of the state whereas the incumbent government is honestly working for the development of the state and well being of its people.

The Chief Minister said that these leaders had ruined the state with their misdeeds due to which disheartened youth had left for foreign countries. However, he said that a reverse trend is now being witnessed in the state with youth of the state becoming an active partner in the socio-economic progress of Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab is heralding a new era of economic progress as now the government is not of the leaders but it is the government of the common man.

The Chief Minister said that it is unfortunate that even after more than 75 years of freedom the benefits of freedom have still not reached every household. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that those in power had misused the freedom to spread the tentacles of chitta (drugs), amass wealth by plundering the masses, encouraging corruption along with other menaces. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the dreams of martyrs have still not been realized as these people have never made any concerted effort for this.

However, the Chief Minister said that the state government is making concerted efforts to realize the dreams of martyrs to ensure that the fruits of freedom are percolated to every household. He said that now, the work of common man is being done in government offices without bribes, children from ordinary families are becoming officers, work is being done in Police Stations without corruption and others. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed to build a Rangla Punjab—a vibrant, inclusive, and progressive state.

The Chief Minister said that due to concerted efforts of the state government, Punjab is today witnessing a paradigm shift to a progressive Punjab from the regressive one during the previous regimes. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that though during the earlier regimes Punjab had got several negative tags, his government is committed to carving out a prosperous, progressive and happy Punjab. He said that after cleaning the mess of previous regimes for three years, the state government is now on the path of restoring the pristine glory of Punjab.

On the occasion, Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh and others were also present.

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CM PAYS OBEISANCE AT GURUDWARA SRI FATEHGARH SAHIB

VOWS TO FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEPS OF GREAT SIKH GURUS AND MARTYRS TO ENSURE THE WELL BEING OF EVERY SECTION OF THE SOCIETY

Fatehgarh Sahib, August 13:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday paid obeisance at Gurudwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib and vowed to follow the footsteps of great Sikh Gurus and martyrs to ensure the well being of every section of the society.

The Chief Minister said that this sacred land is a source of inspiration not only for the Sikhs but for the entire humanity as chotta sahibzadas of Dashmesh Pitaah, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh were bricked alive by the tyrant rulers at this place. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh along with Mata Gujri ji at this pious land had since ages inspired Punjabis to fight against injustice, tyranny and oppression. He said that the younger generations need to be made aware of this supreme sacrifice to inspire them to make selfless sacrifices for the country.

The Chief Minister said that the chotta sahibzadas displayed exemplary courage and fearlessness to stand up against the might of the erstwhile Mughal Governor of Sirhind. He said that the sahibzadas had inherited the traits of valor and selfless service from Dashmesh Pitaah, who fought relentlessly for the sake of humanity. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the supreme sacrifice made by the chotta Sahibzadas at such a young age hardly finds any parallel in world history.

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Punjab Labour department simplifies several schemes: Sond

- MNREGA workers are being encouraged to register with Welfare Board

Chandigarh, August 13:Punjab Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that several schemes have been simplified to ensure ease of access for workers. He said that in ‘Shagun Scheme’ of the Punjab Building Workers Welfare Board, the earlier requirement of a marriage certificate issued by a Tehsildar has been removed. Now, a certificate from the religious institution where the marriage was solemnized, along with a self-declaration from both families, will suffice.

Sond said that under this scheme, an amount of Rs 51,000 is provided. Similarly, maternity benefits of Rs 21,000 for female construction workers and Rs 5,000 for male workers are now provided upon submission of the child’s birth certificate only, removing the earlier requirement of a child’s Aadhaar card.

Similarly, the condition of registered marriage certificate in Punjab Labour Welfare Board had also done away to get the benefit of shagun scheme. Now labourers could avail the benefit of shagun scheme by submitting photographs of religious place and religious personalities, who got the marriages solemnized.

Labour Minister further said that Punjab Labour Welfare Board has also abolished two year service condition of labourers under ‘stipend scheme’ for their children. Labourers could get the benefit of stipend scheme from the day of making contributions.

Sond further informed that MNREGA workers who have completed over 90 days of work are being encouraged to register with the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board to avail all associated benefits. He said that a budget of Rs 1 crore has been passed for the awareness of Welfare Schemes in 55th Punjab Labour Weflare Board meeting in February 2025.

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PUNJAB ON HIGH ALERT AHEAD OF INDEPENDENCE DAY, SECURITY BEEFED-UP

— PUNJAB POLICE CONDUCTS FLAG MARCHES, SEARCH OPERATIONS AT RAILWAY STATIONS, BUS STANDS, MALLS, ETC

— PUNJAB POLICE WILL ENSURE FOOLPROOF SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS IN STATE, SAYS SPL DGP ARPIT SHUKLA

— YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH CONTINUES AS POLICE ARREST 73 DRUG SMUGGLERS WITH 2.4KG HEROIN ON DAY 165

— AS PART OF ‘DE-ADDICTION’, PUNJAB POLICE CONVINCE 61 PERSONS TO UNDERGO DE-ADDICTION TREATMENT

CHANDIGARH, August 13: In order to ensure peaceful celebrations of the forthcoming Independence Day as mandated by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police have beefed up the security across the state and all the field units have been directed to remain on high alert.

As directed by Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, Police teams have also conducted flag marches at all the sensitive areas in all the 28 police districts simultaneously, followed by, cordon and search operations (CASOs) at all the vulnerable spots.

Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that Police teams led by CPs/SSPs conducted Flag Marches in the sensitive and vulnerable areas of their respective districts. The exercise was aimed to boost the confidence of the general public, besides, preparing police personnel to tackle any untoward situation, he said.

The Special DGP said that the CPs/SSPs were also directed to conduct a special Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) under the supervision of SP-rank officer at all the crowded places including Railway Stations, Bus Stands, Markets, Shopping Malls, Public Parks, etc across the state. “We had strictly instructed all the Police Personnel to deal with every person in a friendly and polite manner while frisking them during the course of this operation,” he added.

He said that around 250 Police Teams, involving over 1500 Police Personnel, were deputed across the state to look for suspicious persons in the state, while ensuring minimum inconvenience to the general public.

Apart from this, Police teams have continued its cordon and search operation (CASO) against drugs on Day 165, and conducted raids at 374 locations on Wednesday leading to the arrest of 73 drug smugglers after registration of 53 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 25,719 within 165 days.

The Special DGP said that the raids have resulted in recovery of 2.4 kg heroin and Rs 42,800 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.

He informed that over 120 Police teams, comprising over 1100 police personnel, under the supervision of 73 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state and checked as many as 406 suspicious persons during the day long operation.

The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced 61 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

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Child Marriage Successfully Prevented in Faridkot; 16-Year-Old Girl Rescued: Dr. Baljit Kaur

Minister Says Swift Action by District Child Protection Unit and Child Welfare Committee Ensured Minor’s Safety, Education, and Future

Chandigarh, August 13:Acting promptly on a complaint received through the Child Helpline, the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) and other stakeholders successfully prevented the proposed child marriage of a 16-year-old girl at Village Sangrahoor (Sadiq), District Faridkot.

Punjab’s Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister, Dr. Baljit Kaur, commended the swift action taken by officials and stakeholders, stressing that strict enforcement of child protection laws is essential to safeguard the rights of minors.

Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that the intervention was carried out under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. The rescued minor was produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which provided counselling and issued necessary directions.

The child was handed over to her parents after they provided a written undertaking to ensure her safety, education, and overall well-being. Regular follow-up and monitoring will be undertaken to safeguard the best interests of the child.

Reiterating the unwavering commitment of the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, to making the state child marriage-free, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that continuous efforts are being made to strengthen the system for awareness generation, prevention, and effective enforcement of laws, so that every child can enjoy a safe and bright childhood.

The Minister also appealed to the public to extend full cooperation to the government in making Punjab free from child marriage. She urged that if anyone has information about a child marriage taking place in their vicinity, they should immediately inform the Child Helpline at 1098, assuring that the identity of the informant will be kept strictly confidential.

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Mohinder Bhagat Reviews Progress on War Memorials Construction, Sainik Rest Houses Renovation

Chandigarh, August 13:The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is working swiftly for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families. In line with this commitment, Defence Services Welfare Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat today reviewed the progress of war memorial construction projects and the renovation of Sainik Rest Houses in the state.

Chairing a review meeting at the Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh with senior officers of the Defence Services Welfare Department and the Public Works Department, Mr. Bhagat said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the state government is committed to improving the living standards of freedom fighters, ex-servicemen, and their dependents. He directed officers to ensure effective implementation of all welfare schemes run by the state government.

During the meeting, Special Secretary of the Public Works Department, Hargunjit Kaur, apprised the Minister in detail about the ongoing work related to the construction of war memorials in the state. The Minister instructed the Public Works Department to further speed up the work. On this occasion, Director of Defence Services Welfare Department, Brigadier Bhupinder Singh Dhillon (Retd.), presented a comprehensive report on activities undertaken during the past three months, including developments in financial assistance, educational benefits, medical aid for ex-servicemen, and renovation of Sainik Rest Houses.

The Minister directed that the renovation and maintenance work of Sainik Rest Houses in the state be completed within the stipulated time frame. He assured that there would be no shortage of funds for developmental works and warned that any negligence by officials in carrying out these tasks would not be tolerated.

Mr. Bhagat also emphasised that all matters related to ex-servicemen should be given top priority. He asked officers to conduct awareness campaigns about government schemes so that eligible beneficiaries can avail themselves of the full benefits.

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