1,700 Security Guards to Be Deployed to Strengthen Security in Jails Across Punjab: Mohinder Bhagat

Minister Directs PESCO to Expedite Recruitment Process

Mann Government Committed to Provide Job Opportunities to Youth of Punjab

Chandigarh, September 9:The Punjab Government has decided to deploy 1,700 security guards in jails across the state to further strengthen security arrangements. Defence Services Welfare Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat disclosed this during a review meeting with the Defence Services Welfare Department at the Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh, today.

Mr. Bhagat said that the new recruitment will cover both ex-servicemen and non-ex-servicemen, with posts open for male as well as female candidates. “This decision will not only provide more security guards for our prisons but also create dignified employment opportunities for ex-servicemen and the youth of Punjab,” he said.

During the meeting, Managing Director of PESCO, Major General Harmandeep Singh (Retd.), apprised the Minister that 900 security guards have already been recruited out of the total sanctioned strength. He further informed that the remaining posts will be filled shortly to ensure robust security in all jails.

Mr. Bhagat directed PESCO to expedite the recruitment process so that the remaining posts could be filled at the earliest. He further emphasized that the Punjab Government is committed to the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families. Managing Director of PESCO, assured the Minister that the recruitment work would be completed at the earliest.

Mr. Bhagat added that under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab government is committed to provide job opportunities to Punjabi youth on fair and transparent manner.

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PUNJAB TO INTRODUCE 447 ELECTRIC BUSES IN MAJOR CITIES WITH MODERN CHARGING INFRA; DR. RAVJOT SINGH INFORMS

* Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala & SAS Nagar will first to witness this robust infrastructure

* 200 women joined e-auto fleet in Amritsar since March 2024

Chandigarh, September 9:Punjab Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh today informed that the State Government will soon introduce 447 electric buses in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala and SAS Nagar (Mohali) with modern charging infrastructure to expand clean public transport.

Addressing the gathering during "Punjab Conclave on E-Mobility and Sustainable Public Transportation" here, the Cabinet Minister informed that in early next year, the state would witness complete transformation in the direction of clean public transportation. He said that Punjab’s cities are engines of growth and their sustainable development is central to our vision. He said that transitioning from diesel to electric autos not only cuts pollution but increases driver incomes and empowers women, 200 of whom have joined the e-auto fleet in Amritsar since March 2024.

During this conclave, which was organised by CEEW in collaboration with the Government of Punjab on World EV Day, Dr. Ravjot Singh said that Amritsar has already witnessed an encouraging surge in electric auto (e-auto) adoption. The conclave brought together policymakers, city leaders, experts and e-auto drivers from Amritsar to take the conversation forward on clean and equitable mobility.

In his inaugural address, Kulwant Singh, Director, Department of Local Government, Punjab, said, “Punjab’s vision for a prosperous and sustainable future belongs to all its citizens. The conversion of 1,200 diesel autos to electric in Amritsar has been an inspiring journey, driven by focused policy and community engagement. Building on this success, we are now accelerating the electric bus rollout, covering major cities like Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala and SAS Nagar (Mohali). Route rationalisation, charging infrastructure and modernisation are being carefully planned by PMIDC in close coordination with the government. Precision, pace and passion will guide us to meet challenges and drive Punjab’s clean mobility forward”, he added.

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PEDA HOSTS ONE-DAY CONFERENCE TO EXPLORE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS

“Investment Bazaar for Energy Efficiency” brings together key stakeholders to discuss & promote investment in this crucial sector

Chandigarh, September 9: Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) today hosted a one-day conference 'Investment Bazaar for Energy Efficiency,' to explore investment opportunities in energy efficiency projects within Punjab's industries and MSMEs. The event brought together key stakeholders, including industries, financial institutions, banks, designated consumers, MSMEs and equipment manufacturers , to discuss and promote investment in this crucial sector.

While addressing the conference here at Kisan Bhawan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) PEDA Ms. Neelima emphasised upon importance of energy efficiency & implementation of new and innovative energy efficient technologies in Industries & MSMEs in the State. She also focused on the investment potential in Industries & MSMEs which can enhance the infrastructure at the state level, while stressing upon the dynamics of industry, transport, buildings and agriculture sectors are bringing new opportunities.

She also deliberated upon importance to bridge the communication and knowledge gap between project implementers and funding agencies for the implementation of energy efficient activities within Industries & MSMEs.

Highlighting the role of industries and MSMEs in state-wide energy efficiency projects in promoting economic growth and encouraging financial support, Ms. Neelima said that under the leadership of New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister Mr. Aman Arora, the state is leading country in energy transition by focusing on clean energy solutions and the conference was aimed to make energy efficiency more market-driven. During the conference, the successful energy efficiency projects were presented to inspire broader adoption among stakeholders in industries and MSMEs.

Mr. Shyam Sunder, Director from Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, GoI, stressed on the importance of Energy Efficiency and shared insights on the various schemes offered by BEE for industries with special focus on the ADEETIE (Assistance in Deploying Energy Efficient Technologies in Industries & Establishments) Scheme.

PEDA senior officials and representatives from Industries, MSMEs, Financial Institutions / Banks, SIDBI, Union Bank of India, UCO Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Equipment Manufacturers also attended the conference.

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Vigilance Bureau arrests Assistant Sub Inspector, Constable for accepting Rs 50,000 bribe

Chandigarh, September 9, 2025:The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing drive against corruption, has arrested Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Rajwinder Singh (691/Kapurthala) and Constable Baltej Singh, both posted at Police Station City Sultanpur Lodhi, District Kapurthala, for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the arrests were made following a complaint lodged by an NRI woman, a resident of the United Kingdom presently living in Mumbai, on the Chief Minister’s Anti-Corruption Action Line.

He further informed that, as per the complaint, the accused ASI had demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000 from the complainant’s NRI friend at the time of his arrest in a police case, promising help in securing bail from the court. To obtain the bribe amount, the accused police personnel even allowed the detainee to withdraw money from a bank ATM. Later, the police official also asked the complainant to pay Rs 5,000 for assisting her friend in court proceedings, which she recorded and subsequently filed as an online complaint.

The spokesperson added that during verification, the allegations levelled in the complaint were found to be true. Accordingly, a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against both the accused police personnel at the VB Police Station, Jalandhar range and they have been arrested. Further investigation in this case is underway and the accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow, he added.

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Punjab Government committed to rehabilitation of flood-affected families – relief works in full swing

Harjot Singh Bains directs immediate girdawari, assessment of damaged houses, and restoration of basic infrastructure

Dr. Balbir Singh leads proactive health measures in flood-hit areas to prevent disease outbreaks

Tarunpreet Singh Sond dispatches another truck of relief material for flood victims

Barinder Kumar Goel personally monitors rescue and relief operations in Ghaggar belt

Chandigarh, September 9:Under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is making every possible effort to assist flood-affected people. Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, and the entire administrative machinery are working at the grassroots level, shoulder to shoulder with the people. Social organizations and volunteers are also extending wholehearted support during this crisis.

Cabinet Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains today visited several flood-affected villages in Sri Anandpur Sahib, reviewed relief operations at village Dadda, and distributed fodder for livestock. He instructed officials to complete girdawari at the earliest, assess damage to houses, repair roads, and ensure uninterrupted power and water supply. He emphasized that under the CM’s leadership, the Punjab Government is committed to resettling affected families and restoring normalcy at the earliest.

Cabinet Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, while reviewing health services in Ludhiana’s flood-hit areas, stressed on proactive steps to prevent waterborne and vector-borne diseases. He informed that health teams will conduct door-to-door surveys once floodwaters recede. Chlorination of water sources, fumigation, and installation of RO systems in schools are being undertaken to ensure access to clean drinking water and prevent diseases.

Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond dispatched another truck of relief material from Mandi Gobindgarh for flood-hit areas, including solar lights and tarpaulins, with special thanks extended to HF Super Milk Plant owner Vinod Kumar Dutt. Earlier, he had sent three trucks from Khanna to Fazilka.

Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goel spent the entire day monitoring relief and rescue operations in Ghaggar-affected areas of Lehra Gaga. He said the water level in Ghaggar is expected to recede by 4-5 inches by September 10. Continuous 24-hour monitoring is being ensured by departmental staff along the 18-km stretch.

Meanwhile, MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa flagged off two relief trucks from Lalru Anaj Mandi, carrying cattle feed and fodder for flood-affected families in Shahpur Jajan, Dera Baba Nanak. He stressed the need for collective efforts by people, institutions, and the government to help families return to normal life.

MLA Jagdeep Kamboj Goldy provided a boat worth Rs. 5.63 lakh for village Atoo Wala in his constituency, adding that the government is ensuring ration and cattle feed supplies, along with Rs. 20,000 per acre compensation for affected farmers.

In Fazilka, Senior IAS Officer Kanwalpreet Brar and Deputy Commissioner Amarpreet Kaur Sandhu visited relief camps in villages Mozam, Rana, and Salem Shah, distributing food for children and hygiene kits for women. Medical and veterinary teams are on duty, fodder for animals is arranged, and temporary classes with a mobile library have been started for children. At present, 2,761 people are staying in 14 relief camps, each supervised by senior officers.

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