LUDHIANA GOVT SCHOOLS’ TEACHERS & STAFF DONATE ₹31.53 LAKH FOR FLOOD RELIEF
• Teachers delegation presents cheques to EM Bains to contribute in CM Flood Relief Fund
• Educators’ act showcases commitment to community beyond classroom walls, says Harjot Singh Bains
Chandigarh, September 15:–In a heartwarming display of unity and compassion, the teaching and non-teaching staff of Government Senior Secondary Schools in Ludhiana district collectively contributed a substantial amount of Rs. 31,53,000 to the Punjab Chief Minister Flood Relief Fund, bolstering the state's ongoing flood relief works.
The collective contribution was formally presented to the Punjab School Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains at Nangal today by a delegation led by District Education Officer (Secondary), Ludhiana Ms. Dimple Madan, who handed over the cheques on the behalf of Ludhiana's education community. The delegation comprised Deputy DEO Mr. Amandeep Singh, State Sports Committee Member Mr. Ajit Pal, and Physics Lecturer Mr. Dinesh Modi.
S. Harjot Singh Bains lauded the initiative, stated, "This generous contribution from our educators showcases their compassion and commitment to the community. By supporting the state's relief efforts, they're demonstrating their dedication extends beyond the classroom walls and this solidarity will greatly aid in providing relief and rehabilitation to those affected by the floods."
The Education Minister said that this selfless act highlights educators as pillars of society, while underscoring the Punjab Government's commitment, under CM S. Bhagwant Singh Mann's leadership, to aiding those impacted by the floods.
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Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan condoles sudden demise of Richi Kaypee, only son of former MP Mohinder Singh Kaypee
Chandigarh, September 15:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan expressed grief over the untimely demise of Richi Kaypee only son of former MP Mohinder Singh Kaypee in a road accident at Jalandhar.
Speaker Sandhwan said that he is deeply saddened to hear the news of his passing away and he pray to the God to grant peace to the departed soul. Almighty may give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss in this hour of distress.
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Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema Assures Early Release of Sugarcane Dues to Farmers
Holds Meeting with Representatives of Sugarcane Farmers
Also holds meetings with Gram Panchayat Jal Supply Pump Operators Association, Punjab Police Corona Warriors, Freedom Fighters Uttradikari Sanstha, and Danga Pirdit Welfare Society
Chandigarh, September 15-Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal SinghCheema on Monday assured the representatives of the sugarcane farmers' associations that the balance of the Punjab Government's share in the price of their sugarcane purchased by private mills would be released at the earliest. The farmers' organizations expressed their gratitude to the Finance Minister for the meeting and the assurance.
During the meeting with representatives of sugarcane farmers' organizations here at his office, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema reaffirmed the state government's commitment to supporting the agricultural community. He acknowledged the financial difficulties faced by sugarcane growers due to any delay in payments and assured them that the government is taking swift action to pay the pending payments. "The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwan Mann, is committed to ensuring that our farmers receive timely payment for their produce," he added.
Prior to the meeting with sugarcane farmers, the Finance Minister held detailed discussions with representatives of various associations, including the Gram Panchayat Jal Supply Pump Operators Association, Punjab Police Corona Warriors, Freedom Fighters Uttradikari Sanstha, and Danga Pirdit Welfare Society. These meetings focused on addressing the demands and issues raised by these organizations. The Finance Minister directed the concerned departments to resolve all legitimate demands and issues on a priority basis.
During these meetings, Balwinder Singh Raju, President of the Majha Kisan Sangarsh Committee; Jangvir Singh Chauhan, President of the Doaba Kisan Committee; Gurbaz Singh, President of the Punjab Police Corona Warriors; Beant Singh, President of Gram Panchayat Jal Supply Pump Operators; Chittin Singh Mansa and Major Singh, co-presidents of two wings of the Freedom Fighters Uttradikari Sanstha; and Surjit Singh, President of the Danga Pirdit Welfare Society, and their association members presented their cases.
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’ONE HEALTH APPROACH’: TO CURB INDISCRIMINATE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS, ACTION PLAN ON ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE LAUNCHED IN PUNJAB
— HEALTH MINISTER DR BALBIR SINGH UNVEILS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO COMBAT THE GLOBAL THREAT OF DRUG RESISTANCE
— PUNJAB BECOMES SEVENTH STATE TO LAUNCH STATE ACTION PLAN ON ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
— ACTION PLAN FOCUSES ON SURVEILLANCE, HYGIENE, INTER-SECTORAL COORDINATION, AND RATIONAL USE OF ANTIBIOTICS
CHANDIGARH, September 15:In a significant move to counter the growing threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Monday launched the dedicated Punjab State Action Plan for the containment of Antimicrobial Resistance (PUNJAB-SAPCAR). With this, Punjab has become the seventh state in India and a leading state in the region to adopt a dedicated policy aimed at curbing the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, a critical global health challenge.The comprehensive plan is anchored in the ‘One Health’ approach, which unites efforts across human health, animal health, agriculture, and environmental sectors to holistically respond to the AMR challenge, aligning the state with national and global health priorities.
The key features of Punjab's AMR Action Plan include strengthened surveillance through monitoring and testing of samples from government health facilities via laboratory networks to track resistance patterns. It mandates high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in hospitals, clinics, and among food vendors to reduce public infection risks. A core component is robust interdepartmental coordination between health, veterinary, agriculture, and food safety departments for integrated action.
The plan strongly advocates for the rational use of antibiotics by promoting strict, prescription-based use in compliance with clinical guidelines to prevent misuse. It also focuses on expanding grassroots awareness drives at other government health facilities including District Hospitals, Sub-Divisional Hospitals, Primary Health Care centres including Aam Aadmi Clinis, in order to educate citizens on the dangers of self-medication and the critical importance of completing full treatment courses.
Further, it aims to curtail non-therapeutic antibiotic use in livestock and agriculture while encouraging safe alternatives, and strengthens primary healthcare under Universal Health Coverage to ensure equitable access to diagnostics and treatment, thereby reducing unnecessary antibiotic use.
Speaking on the occasion, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh said, “Punjab's AMR Action Plan marks a decisive step in safeguarding the future of healthcare. By adopting a One Health approach and aligning with global priorities, we are determined to preserve the effectiveness of life-saving treatments for generations to come.” He further emphasised, “Grassroots awareness is essential. At Government Health Facilities, we will intensify efforts to sensitise people discouraging them for self-medication and incomplete treatment courses, as both fuel antibiotic resistance.”
Principal Secretary Health Kumar Rahul stated that monitoring and surveillance from Aam Aadmi Clinics to laboratories, combined with strict hygiene and standard treatment protocols, will be central to the state's efforts. He highlighted that cleanliness in hospitals and among food vendors is key to reducing infection risk in communities.
Mission Director National Health Mission (NHM) Ghanshyam Thori emphasised that the Action Plan hinges on interdepartmental coordination, requiring health, veterinary, agriculture, and food safety departments to function in lockstep. He affirmed that rational prescribing of antibiotics, in accord with clinical guidelines, will be crucial to preventing misuse.
The event was attended by experts and officials from leading institutions, including Dr. Jasbir Singh Bedi – Professor & Director, Centre for One Health, GADVASU; Dr. Anita Sharma – Director, Lab Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Mohali; Dr. Varsha Gupta – Professor & Head, Dept. of Microbiology, GMCH 32, Chandigarh; Dr. Loveena Oberoi – Professor & Head, Microbiology, GMCH Amritsar; Dr. Nusrat Shafiq – Professor, Pharmacology, PGIMER Chandigarh (Online); Dr. Parvinder Chawla – Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Fortis Mohali; Prof. Rupinder Bakshi – Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, GMCH Patiala; Dr. Ritu Garg – Professor & Head, AIMS Mohali; and Dr. Amit Mandal – Fortis Hospital. Officials from Department of Health Services and NHM Punjab including Director Health Dr Hitinder Kaur, Dr Rohini Goyal, Dr Manju Bansal, Dr. Harpal Singh, Yugesh Kumar Rai, Srijita Chakrabarti and Dr. Neha Chaudhary were present.
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Housing Societies Told to Clear Govt Dues Within 21 Days: RCS
Cooperative Housing Societies Face Supersession for Non-Payment of Statutory Dues within stipulated time
Chandigarh September 15:After observing that a number of cooperative housing and house building societies have not remitted statutory dues to the respective Urban Development Authorities, despite having collected such amounts from their members the Registrar Cooperative Societies Girish Dayalan under the directions of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann has ordered to send notices to all these societies. These dues include, but are not limited to, External Development Charges (EDC), Change of Land Use (CLU) charges, and other statutory payments.
The non-remittance of these dues constitute a serious breach of trust on the part of managing committees and office bearers. Such defaults not only endanger the legal standing of the societies but also put the interests of their members at risk.
In order to safeguard the rights of members and ensure compliance with statutory requirements, all cooperative housing and house building societies are hereby directed that all outstanding amounts payable to the concerned Urban Development Authority must be deposited within 21 days of this notice. Where individual members have not paid their share, the managing committee must ensure recovery and deposit of the same within 30 days.Each society must furnish a No-Dues Certificate from the concerned authority to the office of the DRCS within 30 days.
He further said that failure to comply with these directions shall be treated as persistent default or negligence under Section 27 of the Cooperative Societies Act. Strict action, including but not limited to, supersession of the managing committee will be initiated in case of non compliance.
Mr Dayalan said that these measures are being undertaken in the larger public interest to protect the rights of members and to ensure transparency and accountability in the functioning of cooperative housing societies.
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PUNJAB CRACKS DOWN ON TAX EVASION, UNEARTHS BOGUS BILLING SCAM WORTH RS 385 CRORE: HARPAL SINGH CHEEMA
7 BOOKED FOR RS 69.57 CR TAX FRAUD
TWO OTHERS BOOKED FOR PASSING OF UNACCOUNTED GOODS WITHOUT PROPER BILLING
Chandigarh, September 15-In a major escalation of its fight against tax evasion, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday announced that the state Taxation Department has registered two FIRs against seven individuals for their involvement in a massive bogus billing scam including the fraudulent transactions of Rs 385 crore, leading to a tax evasion of Rs 69.57 crore.
Revealing the details, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the the first FIR, filed on September 12, 2025, targets M/s Rajdhani Iron Products Pvt. Ltd. and its directors, Manish Garg and Rythem Garg. He said that the investigation uncovered a complex network of linked bogus firms, including M/s Mahalakshmi Traders and M/s Shiv Shakti Enterprises, which were all engaged in large-scale fraudulent activities and the wrongful availment of Input Tax Credit (ITC). “A physical verification of the declared business locations revealed that they were either closed or nonexistent, confirming the fraudulent nature of their operations. The firm is accused of fraudulent transactions amounting to Rs 310 crore, resulting in a tax evasion of Rs 55.93 crore”, said Cheema while adding that the FIR in this case was lodged with the Senior Superintendent of Police, Fatehgarh Sahib.
Disclosing further, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that in a separate action, another FIR was registered on September 9, 2025, against M/s K K Industries and its associates Chandan Singh, Amandeep Singh, and Mukesh, for their role in another major bogus billing scam. The investigation revealed that M/s K K Industries was issuing fake invoices without the actual movement of goods, thereby facilitating the wrongful passing and availment of ITC to beneficiary firms. “Investigators cross-verified GST returns, e-way bill data, and conducted a physical verification of the premises, which exposed the fraudulent nature of the transactions. The firm is linked to fraudulent transactions worth Rs 75 crore, leading to a tax evasion of Rs 13.64 crore”, he added.
Furthermore, FIR No. 182 was registered on September 14, 2025 at Bathinda against Deepak Singla and Vivek Singla, both identified as passers of iron and steel goods in the Bathinda region. Investigations revealed that the accused were involved in the passing of unaccounted goods without proper billing, thereby facilitating large-scale evasion of tax and causing loss to the state exchequer.
In addition to these FIRs, the Taxation Department has intensified its field-level enforcement. In a special three-day checking operation at Mandi Gobindgarh, State Investigation and Preventive Units (SIPUs) detained 108 vehicles for verification. Twenty-six of these vehicles have already been penalized with a cumulative fine of Rs 50 lakh, with proceedings for the remaining vehicles still underway. This targeted drive focused on high-risk sectors like iron and steel, cement, and auto parts, sending a clear message that tax evasion will not be tolerated.
Reiterating the Punjab Government’s commitment to eradicating the menace of bogus billing and tax evasion, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the FIRs registered against fraudulent firms and the large-scale checking drives demonstrate the seriousness of the State in protecting its revenue base." He emphasized Punjab's zero-tolerance approach, which combines technology-driven monitoring with physical enforcement. Cheema asserted that such deterrent actions will continue with even greater intensity to ensure genuine business practices are encouraged, honest taxpayers are safeguarded, and public revenues are fully protected for the welfare of the people of Punjab.
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Punjab Government intensifies efforts at ground level for rehabilitation of flood ravaged people
· Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan inaugurates flood relief & rehabilitation mega warehouse at Amritsar
· Sanitization and cleanliness campaign commenced today from Nangal for clean surroundings: Harjot Singh Bains
· 100 villages affected by floods, Special Girdawari on
· Flood ravaged people to get adequate compensation: Harbhajan Singh E.T.O.
· Cleanliness campaign initiated at killianwali & usman khera villages in Fazilka
Chandigarh, September 15:The Education & Information and Public Relations Minister Mr. Harjot Singh Bains today exhorted the Panches-Sarpanches, Youth Clubs, Aam Aadmi Party workers to contribute to the best of their capacity for the success of the cleanliness campaign presently underway in Sri Anandpur Sahib constituency.
The Minister commenced the Sanitizer and cleanliness campaign today from Nangal which would continue in all the flood affected villages. Notably, the tents and the spray for sprinkling of disinfectants have reached the area and the vaccinations as well as medical amenities for the livestock are also being made available in the flood ravaged villages.
Revealing further, the Minister added that Panch and Sarpanch of every village should begin cleanliness campaign in their respective gram panchayat. The Aam Aadmi Clinics are running regularly and the Government schools have also been reopened after thorough cleaning, said the Minister.
The Minister himself toured various parts of the Nangal city and nearby areas in the sanitizing vehicle. The vehicles have been equipped with the latest technology and a huge tank which sprinkles disinfectants. Disclsoing more, Mr. Bains said that the fogging would continue for the next 15 days and would be monitored by the special teams because the safety and protection of people’s lives is the biggest priority of the State Government.
Revealing further, the Minister said that approximately 100 villages of Sri Anandpur Sahib constituency have been affected by the floods with massive losses to the assets, lands, crops and the livestock. Hence, it has been decided by the Punjab Government to continue ‘Operation Rahat’ further in order to ensure that help reaches every flood affected family. Medical teams have reached each village with vaccination campaign going on for the livestock. Besides, sanitation campaign is also continuing at full pace and required help would be provided to every affected family.
The Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Mr. Kultar Singh Sandhwan today inaugurated a resort on Ajnala road in Amritsar as the flood relief and rehabilitation mega warehouse in order to bolster flood relief efforts.
Speaking on the occasion, the Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh E.T.O. said that the State Government is consistently and dedicatedly carrying out relief as well as rehabilitation works in the flood affected areas. He further said that those ravaged by the floods would be given adequate compensation. Divulging more, he said that the warehouse inaugurated today has been set up with the active assistance of Rajya Sabha MP Padma Shri Dr. Vikramjit Singh Sahney, SUN Foundation and World Punjabi Organization with a view to accelerate the pace of relief works in the flood affected areas of Amritsar District.
The warehouse has stored 50 Tractors and JCB machines for removial of garbage, 200 fogging machines for protection from the diseases, 1000 utensil kits, 500 Metric Tonne fodder, 500 Quintal Rice for BPL Families and folding beds, mattresses, Bed Sheets, Blankets, Chairs, Gas Stoves and Medical kits. This relief material would be provided to the needy families with the aid of District Administration Amritsar by mapping every household and village. The tractors and the JCB machines would be sent to the affected villages falling in Amritsar district with the help of SDMs and Tehsildars.
Meanwhile, Cleanliness campaign initiated at killianwali & usman khera villages in Fazilka
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PUNJAB ON TRACK AGAIN AS FLOOD SITUATION IMPROVES: HARDEEP SINGH MUNDIAN
NUMBER OF ACTIVE RELIEF CAMPS REDUCES FROM 82 TO 66 WITH DECREASE IN INMATES
RELIEF, CLEANLINESS AND REHABILITATION EFFORTS GAIN MOMENTUM
Chandigarh, September 15:Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian today said that Punjab is firmly back on track as the flood situation continues to improve across the state. While saying that “every cloud has a silver lining”, the Cabinet Minister said that the resilience of the people of Punjab, coupled with timely government intervention, is steadily turning the tide in flood-affected areas.
Comparing the situation between September 14 and September 15 reports, S. Hardeep Singh Mundian informed that the number of villages affected remained unchanged at 2,472 while the population affected stood constant at 3,89,176. He, however, highlighted a significant shift in the relief scenario, stating that the number of active relief camps reduced from 82 to 66 within 24 hours, signaling that families are constantly returning to their homes. Similarly, the number of inmates declined from 3,699 to 3,449 during this period, which he described as a “ray of hope” as relief, cleanliness and rehabilitation efforts gain momentum.
The Revenue Minister further shared that the deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), SDRF and Army teams has also been rationalized in view of the improving ground situation. While two NDRF teams were stationed in Fazilka and one in Ferozepur till September 14, as of September 15, one team continues its operations in Ferozepur to ensure preparedness.
S. Mundian reiterated that the number of evacuated persons remained at 23,340, while the crop damage area has also not expanded and continues to stand at 1,98,525 hectares.