*Extensive arrangements for devotees attending Shaheedi Sabha – CM*

*Around 5 million devotees to pay tribute to the younger Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri Ji*

*Google’s services to be used for smooth traffic management; real-time traffic information to be provided on routes leading to Fatehgarh Sahib*

*A large blood donation camp to be organized; strict action against unauthorized camps*

*Over 3,200 police personnel to be deployed for security and monitoring anti-social elements*

*Punjab Government to fully cooperate with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee for devotees’ arrangements*

Chandigarh, December 16: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday gave detailed information about the arrangements being made by the state government for lakhs of devotees arriving from around the world to pay homage to the supreme sacrifice of the younger Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri Ji at Fatehgarh Sahib on the occasion of Shaheedi Sabha.

Giving details, the Chief Minister said that comprehensive measures have been taken for health facilities, transport, cleanliness, and security so that no devotee faces any inconvenience. He said that keeping in view the large inflow of devotees, special steps have been taken regarding healthcare facilities. Bhagwant Singh Mann informed that 20 Aam Aadmi Clinics and five dispensaries are being set up where expert doctors and staff members will be on duty adding that medicines and essential equipment have been arranged for these centers.

Referring to the supreme sacrifice of Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, the younger Sahibzadas of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Chief Minister said that their unparalleled sacrifice hardly finds any match in human history. He said that though more than three centuries have passed since this martyrdom, its emotional impact is still deeply felt by the Sikh community worldwide. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab Government will provide free transportation for devotees within the city during Shaheedi Sabha by launching an inter-city shuttle bus service.

The Chief Minister said that during sabha 200 shuttle buses and 100 e-rickshaws will ferry devotees from parking areas to Gurdwara Sahib and other locations. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that services of Google Company are being used this time for traffic management so that updated information about road traffic conditions around Fatehgarh Sahib can be available, allowing immediate alternate arrangements in case of congestion. He added that five large and sixteen smaller parking areas have been prepared for vehicle parking.

Speaking about security arrangements, the Chief Minister said that over 3,300 police personnel will be on duty to facilitate devotees. He said that an Integrated Control Centre has been established with a helpline number 0176-3232838 for the convenience of the public. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 300 CCTV cameras are being installed at key locations to monitor anti-social elements, and drones will also keep aerial surveillance over the city.

The Chief Minister said that to ensure smooth mobile connectivity, temporary mobile towers are being installed by telecom companies. He said that a fleet of 60 ambulances and fire brigade vehicles will also remain stationed to handle any emergency. Bhagwant Singh Mann underlined that maintaining cleanliness in the city is of utmost importance adding that machinery from various districts has been deployed for this purpose, and volunteer teams will work in shifts around the clock to maintain the sacredness of the city.

The Chief Minister further announced that during the Shaheedi Sabha, the Punjab Government will organize a large blood donation camp at Fatehgarh Sahib as a service to humanity. At the same time, he warned that unauthorized blood camps will not be allowed this time and strict action will be taken against violators. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that making arrangements for the devotees during Shaheedi Sabha is the government’s foremost duty, and no effort will be spared in this noble cause.

The Chief Minister assured that the Punjab Government will extend full cooperation to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee if they require any kind of support for devotees’ comfort. Mentioning the recently issued notification declaring the inner parts of Amritsar (Walled City), Talwandi Sabo, and Sri Anandpur Sahib as Holy Cities, he said that this fulfills a long-standing demand of Sikhs worldwide. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this decision was announced during function to commemorate the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, covering all three cities associated with the Takht Sahibs.

Taking a dig at the BJP Government’s poor handling of the pollution crisis in Delhi, the Chief Minister said that earlier every year, Punjab was wrongly blamed for Delhi’s pollution, even though the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Punjab currently ranges between 70 and 110, while Delhi’s stands at 500. He added that there has been a significant drop in stubble burning incidents in Punjab a fact officially recognized by the Central Government in Parliament. Bhagwant Singh Mann mocked the renaming of the MGNREGA scheme to “Viksit Bharat–Jai Ram Ji”, saying that if the BJP-led Central Government had its way, it would rename the entire country as “Deen Dayal Upadhyay Nagar adding that the BJP governments have already renamed several railway stations and cities, pointing out that renaming does not improve governance but only people centric decisions can bring real change.

On the occasion, the Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla were also present.

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*Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema Approves Filling of 1,568 Vacant Postsof ANMs and Staff Nurses Under NHM*

*729 ANM and 839 Staff Nurse Positions to be Filled*

*Monthly Remuneration Fixed at Rs 21,700 for ANMs and Rs 29,700 for Staff Nurses*

*Written Examination to be Conducted by Baba Farid University of Health Sciences*

*Punjab Government Prioritizes Healthcare and Education: Finance Minister*

Chandigarh, December 16-In a significant move aimed at strengthening the state's healthcare infrastructure, Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday announced that the Finance Department has granted approval to the Health and Family Welfare Department's proposal to fill 1,568 vacant positions of ANMs and Staff Nurses under the National Health Mission (NHM).

Giving further details on the recruitment drive, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema revealed that the approval covers the filling of 729 vacant positions of ANMs against a total of 2,000 sanctioned posts, and 839 vacant positions of Staff Nurses against 1,896 sanctioned posts. He emphasized that the state government is committed to ensuring that healthcare services are not hampered due to staff shortages and has therefore prioritized filling these contract-based vacancies.

Highligting the financial commitment of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led government toward this initiative, the Finance Minister disclosed that the total annual financial implication for these recruitments is estimated to be Rs 48.88 crore. Break-ups of the expenditure indicate an annual cost of Rs 18.98 crore for the ANM positions and Rs 29.90 crore for the Staff Nurse positions. He specified that under the approved pay structure, the monthly remuneration has been fixed at Rs 21,700 for ANMs and Rs 29,700 for Staff Nurses.

Finance Minister Cheema further informed that to ensure merit and transparency, the recruitment process is proposed to be conducted through a written examination administered by Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot. He added that the Finance Department has accorded this approval with the stipulation that the Administrative Department ensures necessary concurrence from the Personnel Department regarding these appointments.

Underscoring the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab government's unwavering commitment to prioritizing healthcare and education, the Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema said that with this decision, the state government is poised to strengthen its healthcare workforce, ultimately leading to improved healthcare services for the people of Punjab. He said that the filling of these vacancies will undoubtedly enhance the state's ability to provide effective and efficient healthcare facilities, reaffirming the government's commitment to the well-being of its citizens.

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Mohinder Bhagat directs priority redressal of ex-servicemen’s issues

Cabinet Minister reviews progress of Defence Services Welfare Department

Chandigarh, December 16:Punjab Defence Services Welfare Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat held a review meeting with officers of the Defence Services Welfare Department at the Punjab Civil Secretariat to assess initiatives and address issues concerning the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families.

During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary, Defence Services Welfare Department, Mr. J. M. Balamurugan, presented a detailed overview of the progress of various ongoing programmes and departmental works. The discussions focused on the construction and upgradation of war memorials, functioning of Sainik Schools, budgetary provisions, pension-related matters of ex-servicemen, and facilities available at departmental rest houses.

Emphasising prompt service delivery, Mr. Bhagat directed officers to ensure time-bound resolution of all pending cases of ex-servicemen on a priority basis. He stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government remains committed to the welfare, dignity and social security of ex-servicemen and their families.

The Minister further said that the benefits of government schemes and welfare measures must reach every eligible ex-serviceman in a timely and transparent manner. Director, Defence Services Welfare Brig.Bhupinder Singh Dhillon (Retd.), and OSD Colonel Jarnail Singh (Retd.) were also present during the meeting.

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*Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker meets Speaker of British Columbia, held discussions to strengthen ties between both nations*

Chandigarh, 16 December 2025:Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia Shri Raj Chouhan paid a courtesy visit to Punjab Vidhan Sabha today. He was accompanied by his wife, daughter and brother. They felt very delighted to meet Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan and discussed various issues to strengthen ties between both the nations. He is the first Punjabi Speaker of British Columbia and he is also guiding Indians living in Canada for a long time. He is serving for a long time in Canada,which is a proud moment for Punjabis.

Sandhwan said that there is another Punjab living in Canada which proves to be the backbone of Canada's economy. The Speaker of British Columbia desired to enhance trade with Punjab and to share technology so that both the countries can be mutually benefited

The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia has much in common with the Punjab Legislative Assembly - both institutions share proud democratic values and commitments rooted in the Westminster tradition, including public participation, transparency in governance, the committee system, and upholding the rule of law.He look forward to an exchange of ideas surrounding best practices within our respective institutions, including as they pertain to security, service delivery, the modernization of proceedings, and continuing education for Members, said Speaker British Columbia.

Speaker Sandhwan alongwith MLA Narinder Kaur Bharaj, MLA Rajneesh Dahiya and MLA Kulwant Singh Pandori heartily welcomed them. Speaker presented Phulkari, traditional folk embroidery of Punjab as well as Lohi and Sikh symbols to them.

Finally, on this momentous occasion, the Speaker of British Columbia conveyed his deepest gratitude and respect to all Members of the Punjab Legislative Assembly.