*Punjab Govt making strenuous efforts to groom youth for futuristic competitions: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Mission Pragati launched at Bathinda District Library to provide free coaching for competitive exams: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Rural & meritorious students are getting free academic and physical training under Mission Pragati: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*‘Youth helping youth’ model to prepare students for SSB, Police, Armed Forces exams: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Education Revolution in Punjab aims to turn job seekers into job givers: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

BATHINDA, 11th January 2026:Reinforcing the Punjab government’s focus on preparing youth for competitive careers, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday interacted with candidates and students enrolled under Mission Pragati at the District Library in Bathinda, highlighting the state’s effort to provide free academic and physical training to rural and meritorious students for recruitment examinations, including the SSB, police and armed forces, as part of its broader education-led push to turn job seekers into job givers.

Interacting with students under Mission Pragati at the District Library in Bathinda, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann welcomed those who gathered despite the cold and described the programme as the beginning of a bright future for Punjab’s children. “The Punjab Government has launched this coaching programme under Mission Pragati at the District Library, where free coaching has been started for preparation for competitive examinations. The objective is to support meritorious students, especially from rural areas, who lack access to quality and affordable coaching facilities,” he said.

Explaining the structure of the initiative, the Chief Minister said that 40 students have been enrolled in the first batch. “Along with academic coaching, students are also being provided physical training so that they are fully fit. This physical training is being imparted by experienced instructor trainers from Punjab Police and C-Pyte at the C-Pyte ground. Through this training, students will be prepared for SSB, Punjab Police, CPO, Armed Forces, and other central and state-level recruitment examinations,” he added.

Referring to challenges faced by aspirants in the competitive environment, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that essential study material and expensive books often remain beyond the reach of students. “Students will be enrolled as library members and provided the required books free of cost. The programme has been launched using existing infrastructure and resources, leading to significant financial savings,” he highlighted.

Describing the mentoring framework, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the programme follows a teacher-mentor model in which faculty members are themselves candidates who have appeared in competitive examinations. “This initiative has emerged as a ‘youth helping youth’ model and enjoys support from educationists, universities, police, athletes, administrative officers, students, and every section of society. This collective participation has shaped the programme into a community-driven and cooperative model,” stated the Chief Minister.

Highlighting the guiding philosophy of Mission Pragati, the Chief Minister said it is anchored in the principle of “no one left behind” and reflects a commitment to youth empowerment, equal educational opportunities, and increasing the representation of Bathinda’s students in government services.

Thanking those present for their support, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed confidence that the programme would significantly benefit students and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the holistic development of Punjab and the prosperity of its people.

Speaking on the broader vision of the state government, the Chief Minister said sustained efforts are being made to transform the destiny of the youth by making them job givers instead of job seekers. “Punjab has entered a new era of an Education Revolution, and this revolution is delivering results by grooming students for futuristic competitions and enabling them to excel in life. Unprecedented steps have been taken to provide jobs to the youth, while parallel efforts are being made to channelise their boundless energy,” he noted.

Drawing an analogy, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that just as a runway enables an aircraft to take off smoothly, the state government is creating the conditions for young people to realise their dreams. Reflecting on the past, the Chief Minister said it was disheartening that flawed policies once deprived poor children of their right to education, but asserted that determined efforts are now being made to ensure that the children of Punjab can turn their dreams into reality and scale new heights in life.

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*Punjab Government provides online facility to people of state for installation of High Security Registration Plates: Laljit Singh Bhullar*

*Says, Vehicle owners can apply for High Security Registration Plates through an online portal from their homes*

*High Security Registration Plates installed on a total of 64,24,336 vehicles in Punjab: Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar*

Chandigarh, January 11:Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has provided an online facility for the people of the state to get High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) installed on their vehicles. Under this initiative, HSRP has already been installed on a total 64,24,336 vehicles across the state so far.

Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, while sharing this information, said that the work of installing HSRP on vehicles registered in the state was being carried out through an online process by M/s Agros Impex India Private Limited, whose tender expired on January 8, 2026. To save the general public from inconvenience, the Punjab Government took immediate initiative and, while continuing the same online process, entrusted the work to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) to ensure uninterrupted public convenience.

The Cabinet Minister said that vehicle owners can now apply online for installing HSRP on their vehicles through the SIAM/High Security Registration Plate portal, http://www.siam.in. He added that the entire process is completely online, enabling vehicle owners to apply for HSRP from their homes.

Transport Minister stated that this initiative of the state government will reduce harassment of vehicle owners and free them from repeated visits to RTO offices. He added that due to this step taken by the Punjab Government, people will not need to approach any agent or middleman to get HSRP installed.

Mr. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that so far, HSRP have been installed on a total of 64,24,336 vehicles across the state. He appealed to the remaining vehicle owners to take advantage of the prescribed process and ensure installation of HSRP on their vehicles at the earliest to avoid challans and other penalties.

Transport Minister said that in the interest of the general public, the Punjab Government has set a goal to bring transparency in every process, eliminate public harassment, and curb agents and corruption. He added that as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, and the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and rules framed thereunder, installation of HSRP as per the prescribed procedure has been made mandatory.

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*Punjab Launches First Mining Auctions in 3 Years; Cabinet Approves Shift to Price-Based Bidding to Raise Revenue & Speed Operations*

*By shifting to transparent online auctions, we’re protecting state revenue, creating level playing field for genuine operators, and curbing illegal mining: Barinder Kumar Goyal*

*Chandigarh, January 11:*Reinforcing its commitment to transparency and responsible resource management, the Punjab Government has launched fresh auctions for mining sites across the state and notified major reforms to the auction framework under the amended Punjab Minor Mineral Rules.

Speaking on the reforms, Mining and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said, “Our government is committed to ending opacity in mining and ensuring that natural resources are used for the benefit of the people. By shifting to transparent online auctions, we are protecting state revenue, creating a level playing field for genuine operators, and curbing illegal mining.”

In Phase 1, the government has auctioned 29 new Commercial Mining Sites (CMS) through an open and competitive online bidding process. These auctions, floated in October–November, resulted in 16 successful bids and generated ₹11.61 crore in revenue. Notably, these are the first mining auctions conducted by the state in the last three years.

The Cabinet-approved reforms mark a decisive break from earlier volume-based auction systems, where bidders competed by offering to operationalise the maximum share of a site. In practice, many bidders quoted identical volumes, often 100 percent, leading to selection by draw of lots. Over time, this approach resulted in reduced revenue realisation, proliferation of non-serious bidders, limited investment commitment, and delays in operationalising mines, as environmental clearances were the government’s responsibility.

To address these systemic flaws, the Cabinet has approved a series of structural reforms aligned with best practices followed across India. Auctions will now be based on competitive price bidding, ensuring fair allocation and improved revenue outcomes. Bidders will be required to make upfront payments to demonstrate seriousness, and royalty payments will be collected in advance to ensure steady revenue flows.

Responsibility for obtaining Environmental Clearances has been shifted to bidders, a move expected to significantly reduce delays in making mines operational. Clear dead rent provisions have also been introduced to prevent speculative bidding by ensuring minimum payments even if mines are not operationalised. Additionally, lease tenures have been extended from three years to five years, providing greater stability and planning certainty to operators.

The government has clarified that while 29 sites have been auctioned in Phase 1, nearly 100 additional sites will be brought to auction in staggered phases. These reforms are expected to expand legal supply of raw materials, accelerate operational timelines, strengthen regulatory clarity, and substantially increase government revenues.

The government affirmed that the combined impact of policy amendments, CRMS/LMS introduction, and auction reforms represents a comprehensive overhaul of Punjab’s mining sector, aimed at eliminating opacity, preventing monopolies, curbing illegal mining, and ensuring that natural resources are utilised for public benefit.

The Punjab government emphasised that transparent online auctions, coupled with legalisation of mining through CRMS and LMS, are central to protecting state revenue, creating a level playing field for genuine operators, and restoring public confidence in the mining governance framework.