350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji:-

World-Class Projects Initiated for the Transformation of Sri Anandpur Sahib: Tarunpreet Singh Sond

- Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department spends Rs. 20 crore on Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial; Rs. 18 crore to be spent on developing Heritage Street

Chandigarh, October 7:Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond today announced that the State Government has initiated several major projects in connection with the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, with the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department designated as the nodal department for these commemorations.

Addressing a press conference here, the Minister said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Government has embarked on a comprehensive plan to transform Sri Anandpur Sahib into a world-class spiritual and heritage destination.

He said that one of the key highlights of this initiative is the Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial, recently dedicated to the public. The memorial, spread across 5 acres (with 2 acres of covered area and 3,200 sq. ft. of constructed space), showcases five galleries that depict the life, sacrifice, and legacy of Bhai Jaita Ji, a revered figure in Sikh history who carried the "seesh" of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji from Delhi to Anandpur Sahib.

The Minister informed that the design of the memorial was prepared by the Department of Architecture, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. The project has been completed in two phases, the first phase, costing Rs 17 crore, included the main building construction and was inaugurated in February 2024. The second phase, costing Rs 3 crore, comprised five thematic galleries inaugurated recently by the Chief Minister.

“Bhai Jaita Ji’s life is a golden chapter in Sikh history, an embodiment of unmatched devotion, courage, and sacrifice,” said Sond.

*Details of the Five Galleries:*

(i) Aashirwad: it depictis the forefathers and birth of Bhai Jaita Ji.

(ii) Jeevan: Depicting the childhood of Bhai Jaita ji followed by atrocities on Kashmiri Pandits.

(iii) Tyaag: Depicting the Shahadat of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji and the journey of Bhai Jaita Ji in bringing back the "Seesh" of Guru Sahib through an immersive experience.

(iv) Rangrete Guru ke Bete: Handing over of the "Seesh" by Bhai Jaita Ji to Bal Guru Gobind Ji and birth of Khalsa Panth

(v) Sangharsh: Depicting the various real places associated with Bhai Jaita Ji and the life history of Bhai Jaita Ji through an animated Audio-video display.

The complex also features a gift shop and exhibits on major Punjab tourism destinations.

Sond said that the project was stalled due to neglect of the previous Governments but the present Govt has regularly reviewed the project to push it and ensured uninterrupted flow of funds. More than 10 meetings have been taken at different levels in the last 1 year to push the project. He urged devotees to visit the memorial with their families and learn from its inspiring history.

*Heritage Street Project:*

The Minister further revealed that a Heritage Street leading from the main road to Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib is being developed using white marble- sangmarmar, at a cost of Rs 18 crore. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann laid the foundation stone for the project on October 5, and it will be completed within 10 months.

Stretching 580 meters, the path will feature six grand entry gates, including an impressive main gate, gates near the sarovar, parking area, and Guru Tegh Bahadur Museum. Alongside the marble pathway, trees mentioned in the Guru Granth Sahib, such as mango, neem, bohar, pipal, and simbal will be planted to provide shade and spiritual symbolism.

The Heritage Street will also include decorative paintings, and interactive displays depicting the history of the Khalsa Panth and the glory of Sri Anandpur Sahib. Steps and resting spaces will be provided for devotees’ convenience.

Sond said the project will significantly enhance religious tourism in Punjab, making Sri Anandpur Sahib a global spiritual and heritage destination.

The Minister added that the official logo for the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary celebrations was unveiled by Chief Minister on September 25. A high-level meeting was also held recently with Sikh saints, scholars, and spiritual leaders to discuss event preparations. CM Mann appealed to the nation to observe Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s Martyrdom Day as a National Human Rights Day, recognizing Guru Sahib’s supreme sacrifice for religious freedom, secularism, and communal harmony.

He further informed that as part of the commemorations, the celebrations will begin on October 25 at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, Delhi. From November 1, Kirtan Darbars will be organized across Punjab.

Starting November 15, seminars on Guru Sahib’s life and philosophy will be held in educational institutions. On November 18, a Kirtan Darbar will be held in Srinagar (J&K), followed by a Nagar Kirtan on November 19, with participation from Kashmiri Pandits.

Simultaneous Nagar Kirtans will also be organized from Goindwal Sahib, Faridkot, and Gurdaspur on November 20, all culminating at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22.

The grand state-level events will be held from November 23 to 25 at Sri Anandpur Sahib, where a tent city named “Chakk Nanaki” will be established to accommodate 12,000 pilgrims, Sond added.

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Paddy procurement in acceleration mode, 66679 farmers paid Rs. 1646.47 Crore

93 percent produce procured out of total arrival till now

824732.78 MT paddy arrived, 772965.23 MT Procured

Chandigarh, October 7:The paddy procurement during the current season is gathering pace with each passing day as is clear from the fact that till late evening yesterday a total of 824732.78 Metric Tonne (MT) produce has arrived in the mandis of the State.

Out of this, 772965.23 MT of paddy stands procured which amounts to 93 percent. The Government agencies have procured 770241.58 MT paddy and the PUNGRAIN (Punjab State Grains Procurement Corporation Limited) has taken the lead amongst the government agencies in terms of procurement with 323992.64 MT till now.

Furthermore, 66679 farmers so far stand benefitted from the Minimum Support Price (MSP) in the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season. Also, Rs. 1646.47 Crore have been credited into the accounts of the farmers.

The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is fully committed to procure every single grain produced so laboriously by the farmers despite adverse weather conditions, reiterated the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak adding that the State Government has secured Cash Credit Limit (CCL) of Rs. 27000 crore for the month of October and Rs. 15000 Crore for September. Directions have been given to the officials to ensure adequate arrangements with regard to bardana, medical facilities and sanitation in the mandis so that no farmer encounters any implication in selling his produce.

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STRAW TO FUEL: PEDA & INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE COLLABORATE TO PRODUCE GREEN HYDROGEN FROM AGRI-WASTE

• MoU inked to establish pioneer pilot demonstration project for production of Green Hydrogen from biomass: Aman Arora

• The strategic partnership to transform stubble management challenge into lucrative opportunity for green energy production, says New & Renewable Energy Minister

Chandigarh, October 7:Marking a significant leap towards transforming Punjab’s green energy and agricultural landscape, the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, to establish a pioneer Pilot Demonstration Project for the production of Green Hydrogen from biomass, particularly paddy straw.

Punjab New & Renewable Energy Minister, Mr. Aman Arora’s visionary leadership drives this strategic partnership by paving a way for a sustainable and thriving future for the state by turning the challenge of paddy stubble management into a lucrative opportunity for green energy production.

The MoU, which was signed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) PEDA Ms. Neelima and the Registrar of IISc Bangalore, was formally exchanged between Ms. Neelima and Prof. S. Dasappa of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Energy Research (ICER), IISc in the presence of Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy & Power (GoI) Sh. Shripad Naik, during the 5th International Conference on Recent Advance in Bio-Energy Research held at Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bio-Energy (SSS-NIBE), Kapurthala.

Congratulating the PEDA for this transformative collaboration, Mr. Aman Arora stated that Punjab Government led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is engineering an energy revolution. He emphasised that the collaboration with IISc underscores the state's commitment to clean energy innovation, leveraging agricultural waste to produce Green Hydrogen. This initiative, he noted, is crucial for creating a circular economy that empowers farmers, cleans the environment and fuels industries with carbon-free energy, ultimately building a robust, pristine and energy-independent Punjab.

Mr. Aman Arora highlighted that this collaboration will establish a pioneering facility to demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of Green Hydrogen production from agricultural residues. The project will tackle stubble burning, improve air quality and boost the rural economy by creating new revenue streams for farmers and generating employment opportunities in the green energy sector. This initiative will significantly advance India's National Green Hydrogen Mission and support Punjab's ambitious renewable energy goals, he added.

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"EASY REGISTRY EMPOWERING CITIZENS WITH TRANSPARENT, CORRUPTION-FREE AND DOORSTEP PROPERTY REGISTRATION SERVICES"

INITIATIVE EFFECTIVELY CURBING CORRUPTION, ENDING VIP CULTURE AND PROVIDING TRANSPARENT, HASSLE-FREE SERVICES TO CITIZENS: HARDEEP SINGH MUNDIAN

Chandigarh, October 7:Punjab Revenue Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian today said that the recently launched "Easy Registry" project has emerged as a game-changer in delivering citizen-friendly governance. Designed to make property registration transparent, corruption-free and hassle-free, the initiative ensuring online scrutiny of documents, eliminating the VIP culture of favouritism, empowering citizens with real-time digital updates and even extending doorstep services for drafting and registration of deeds.

S. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that "Easy Registry" ushering in a new era of transparency and efficiency in property registration as the project ensures that unsigned copy of the sale deeds undergo online pre-scrutiny by the Sub Registrar within 48 hours, reducing harassment and closing the door on corruption. All objections raised are monitored by Deputy Commissioners and SDMs to guarantee accountability, with strict action against officers found raising frivolous objections.

The new system has introduced the First In First Out (FIFO) principle for registrations, ending queue-jumping and favouritism. Citizens also have the freedom to register their property documents at any Sub Registrar office within their district, effectively dismantling monopolies of individual offices, the Cabinet Minister categorically added.

He said that applicants now receive automated WhatsApp updates at every stage of the process, including scrutiny, payments and appointments. A direct complaint link has been provided for reporting bribe demands, with immediate redressal ensured by the Deputy Commissioner concerned.

The Revenue Minister said that citizens are now drafting their sale deeds using the “Draft my Deed” module on the portal, visiting a Sewa Kendra counter set up in every Sub Registrar office and manned by the professionals such as Advocate and a retired Patwari who draft deeds at a prescribed fee of Rs.550 or citizens can avail the doorstep delivery service through helpline 1076. All payments including stamp duty and registration fees can be made online in one go through 25 banks compared to just 5 earlier, ensuring complete convenience, he added.

An Integrated Token Management System, the Cabinet Minister said, has also been implemented to prioritize citizens with scheduled appointments and complete documents, eliminating unnecessary waiting time. The uniform system has been rolled out across Punjab with upgraded servers, trained staff and standardized processes, ensuring the same transparent and efficient service in both cities and villages.

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Punjab Mandi Board Sets Up Control Room For Smooth Paddy Procurement

• Initiative to help in swiftly resolution for Mandi-related issues, says Gurmeet Singh Khudian

Chandigarh, October 7:In a significant move to ensure the seamless procurement and management of the ongoing paddy procurement season, the Punjab Mandi Board has set up a control room. It will help to provide immediate support and address issues of farmers, arthiyas (commission agents) and labourers in real-time across all grain markets (mandis) in the state, informed S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Punjab.

To ensure robust and responsive operations, the Agriculture Minister said that the control room has been manned by four dedicated officials, divided into two teams working in shifts from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily to provide continuous coverage and real-time assistance to farmers and other stakeholders by ensuring that no query or concern goes unaddressed during critical operational hours.

Elaborating on the initiative, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that farmers and other stakeholders can contact the control room at 0172-5101649 & 0172-5101704. This initiative will ensure smooth operations in mandis across Punjab, by providing timely procurement updates and facilitating inter-agency coordination to enhancing efficiency, minimising delays and upholding the state's reputation for farmer-friendly agricultural marketing.

Reaffirming Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s unwavering commitment to its “Annadaata”, S. Khudian stated, “The success of every procurement season is the success of Punjab. CM Mann led state government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that our farmers, arthiyas and labourers experience the most streamlined and transparent procurement process. This control room is our proactive command centre, a direct line for our stakeholders to resolve any issue—be it related to logistics, payments or facilities in the mandis—swiftly and effectively”.

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₹1.34 crore released for victims under Civil Rights and Atrocities Acts: Dr. Baljit Kaur

Punjab Government taking firm steps to eliminate untouchability and ensure justice for all

Chandigarh, October 7:Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Punjab, said that the Punjab Government is fully committed to safeguarding the dignity and rights of Scheduled Caste communities and ensuring justice for victims of atrocities.

She informed that under the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, an amount of ₹1.34 crore has been released to victims and beneficiaries during the financial year 2025–26.

The Minister added that under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the state government is determined to build a Punjab free from discrimination and injustice. “Our government stands firmly with the victims and their families and is ensuring that they receive timely financial assistance, protection, and rehabilitation,” she said.

Dr. Baljit Kaur further stated that continuous awareness campaigns, strict enforcement measures, and swift response mechanisms are being strengthened to ensure the effective implementation of the Atrocities Act across the state. She reaffirmed that promoting equality, human dignity, and social harmony remains one of the top priorities of the Punjab Government.

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Initiation of the First Phase of Dhuri City's Development and Beautification

- Chief Minister’s OSD Sukhvir Singh and Chairman Dalvir Singh Dhillon launch development projects worth ₹3.35 crore

- Historic Kranti Chowk, MC Park, Indoor Sports Hall, and Patwar Khana to undergo transformation

- Dhuri city residents to receive all basic amenities – Sukhvir and Dhillon

Chandigarh/Dhuri, October 7– The first phase of comprehensive development and beautification of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s assembly constituency, Dhuri, has begun. Today, Chief Minister’s OSD Sukhvir Singh and Chairman of Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation, Dalvir Singh Dhillon, initiated development projects worth ₹3,35,95,000. The event was attended by Market Committee Dhuri Chairman Rajwant Singh Ghulli, prominent city residents, and a large number of local people.

Providing details, Sukhvir Singh and Dalvir Singh Dhillon stated that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann aims to make Dhuri the most developed city in the state. To achieve this goal, work is being carried out in a planned manner. As part of the first phase, the development and beautification of the historic Kranti Chowk have been initiated, with an estimated cost of ₹1,41,39,000. Similarly, MC Park will be transformed at a cost of ₹1,09,48,000, and a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar will be installed near the vegetable market.

They further mentioned that the city’s Indoor Sports Hall will also be upgraded, for which the Punjab Government has allocated ₹27,63,000. Additionally, the existing Patwar Khana building will be repaired and upgraded at a cost of ₹57,45,000 to serve as a service center. This service center will include an office for the SDE (Water Supply and Sewerage Board), a room for the park’s watchman, and an extension of the MC office.

They emphasized that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is committed to ensuring that the people of his constituency, Dhuri, receive all basic amenities. The Chief Minister personally oversees every project in the constituency. The Punjab Government is a people’s government, elected by the people, and it undertakes every task keeping the public’s interests in mind. They added that the people are also extending full support to the Chief Minister and the Punjab Government, for which they are deeply grateful.