Finance Department Approves 'The Punjab Protection of Trees Act, 2025': Harpal Singh Cheema*

Chandigarh, December 3-Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday announced that the state Finance Department has granted its approval to the Forest and Wildlife Preservation Department's proposal for the drafting of 'The Punjab Protection of Trees Act, 2025.'

Announcing this pivotal decision in a press communiqué issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Act marks a significant step towards urban greening and environmental conservation, ensuring the state's legislative commitment to tree preservation. He emphasised that the draft legislation, which proposes stringent measures and heavy fines for unauthorised felling of trees, will strengthen the state's efforts to combat environmental degradation.

"We have thoroughly reviewed the proposal for 'The Punjab Protection of Trees Act, 2025. Not only does it formalise our commitment to protecting urban greenery, but the Forest Department has also confirmed that its implementation will not place any additional financial burden on the state exchequer", said Cheema.

Highlighting the financial aspect of the Bill, the Finance Minister said that the Act is designed to generate funds through penalties and fines. “These funds will be strategically channelled back into urban areas specifically for greening projects, creating a self-sustaining mechanism for environmental maintenance and development across Punjab", he added.

Reaffirming the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government's commitment to enacting effective legislation for tree preservation, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the swift approval of the draft Bill underscores the state government's dedication to upholding its environmental and legal obligations. He said that the Punjab Protection of Trees Act, 2025, will now undergo the necessary legislative process, paving the way for its presentation before the Cabinet and the Legislative Assembly.

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Punjab Government to Establish Advanced Horticulture Technology Development Centre at Ladhowal: Mohinder Bhagat

Horticulture Minister inaugurates State-Level Seminar-cum-Exhibition

Chandigarh/ Ludhiana, December 3:In a major boost to the horticulture sector, Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat on Wednesday announced that the Punjab Government is establishing a state-of-the-art Horticulture Technology Development Centre at Ladhowal, Ludhiana

Inaugurating the State-Level Seminar-cum-Exhibition organised by the Department of Horticulture in Ladhowal, the Minister stated that the upcoming Horticulture Technology Development Centre will serve as a one-stop knowledge hub for farmers across Punjab. The latest hi-tech cultivation practices for every type of fruit, vegetable, and flower will be demonstrated live, and hands-on training will be imparted at the demonstration sites here. The centre will motivate farmers to adopt horticulture on a large scale.

Mr.Bhagat, while addressing hundreds of progressive farmers, emphatically stated that Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is fully committed to shifting farmers from the wheat-paddy cycle to high-value horticultural crops. He added that the horticulture alone has the potential to double farmers’ income in the shortest possible time and bring prosperity. He emphasized that this centre will become the heartbeat of that transformation.

The Minister urged farmers to diversify into horticulture without any hesitation and assured them of complete departmental support at every step. He personally listened to individual problems raised by farmers on the spot and directed officers for immediate redressal. He also inspected all the stalls and upcoming infrastructure units at the Ladhowal centre.

Director Horticulture Mrs. Shailinder Kaur reiterated that the department stands shoulder-to-shoulder with farmers and is ready to extend financial assistance under Horticulture Mission, RKVY, and all other schemes. She laid special emphasis on reducing input costs through adoption of precision and digital technologies.

During the exhibition, Topcon Company showcased GPS-based Auto-Steering technology through a live field demonstration, highlighting uniform sowing, spraying and harvesting with drastic savings in time, fuel, seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. Hygroxis Humidia Lab Pvt. Ltd. demonstrated instant digital soil testing and on-the-spot Soil Health Card generation. The exhibition received overwhelming response from progressive farmers across the state.

Among others present included Joint Director Horticulture Dr. Harmel Singh, Joint Development Commissioner Dr. Gursharan Singh, Deputy Director Horticulture Dr. Harpreet Singh Sethi, Deputy Director Horticulture Dr. Dalbir Singh, Assistant Directors Dr. Vijay Partap, Dr. Nikhil Ambish Mehta, Dr. Gurpreet Kaur, Dr. Navjot Kaur, Dr. Shaili Sandhu, and Horticulture Development Officer Jaspreet Kaur Gill.

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CIC Inderpal Singh Dhana and ACS D K Tewari, acknowledged Harpreet Sandhu's certificate of honour

Chandigarh, Dec 03 :Chief Information Commissioner, Punjab, Mr. Inderpal Singh Dhanna, along with the Additional Chief Secretary – Governance Reforms, Government of Punjab, MR D. K.Tewari, IAS today graciously acknowledged the Certificate of Honour conferred to the State Information Commissioner Punjab Mr Harpreet Sandhu, by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, for authoring the book dedicated to 350th Martyrdom Year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, on the Constitutional Day event in New Delhi on 26th November 2025 .

Mr.Dhanna said that it is a great achievement of Mr. Harpreet Sandhu and it is also a proud moment for the Punjab State information commission. He said,Mr Sandhu 's tireless efforts to promote Punjab's rich Sikh heritage and culture is commendable.

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