*Punjab Honours Grassroots Volunteers Of ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ On Independence Day*

*Yudh Nashean Virudh To Be Key Part Of National Day Celebrations Across Punjab*

*Bhagwant Mann Govt To Hold Fortnight-Long Anti-Drug Review From August 16 To 31*

CHANDIGARH, August 16:The Bhagwant Mann government felicitated members of Village and Ward Defence Committees for their contribution to the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ on the occasion of Independence Day. The felicitation ceremonies have kicked off a structured fortnight-long action and review process concluding with a state-level review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on 31st August.

To integrate the Bhagwant Mann government's initiative across all levels of government, Yudh Nashean Virudh activities will be front and centre in all celebrations around National Days and other significant government occasions. A decision to this effect was taken at the state-level function held on August 2 under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

As part of this initiative, outstanding members of the Village Defence Committees (VDCs) and Ward Defence Committees (WDCs) were felicitated across the state for their exemplary contribution to Punjab’s fight against drugs. The recognition serves as an important platform for those working at the community level to make Punjab a drug-free state.

At the district level, Deputy Commissioners honoured Assembly Coordinators and Vice Assembly Coordinators, while at the sub-division level, Sub-Divisional Magistrates felicitated Block Coordinators.

At the village level, special programmes were organised at various schools and panchayats, where sarpanches and community members recognised VDC members for their efforts towards building a drug-free Punjab.

The Deputy Commissioners of all 23 districts were directed to identify deserving VDC and WDC members in recognition of their contribution and active participation in furthering the objectives of Yudh Nashean Virudh.

The felicitation drive is part of a larger plan issued by the Office of the State Nodal Officer for the Anti-Drug Campaign that envisages a detailed fortnight-long campaign designed to turn community feedback into regular administrative and police reviews.

From August 16 to 25, VDC meetings will be held in every village. During these meetings, the committees will review any complaints about drug trafficking, examine the action taken by the police and administration on earlier complaints, track pending cases and provide fresh feedback.

The exercise will then move to the district level. Between August 26 and 29, cabinet ministers will chair district-level review meetings involving administration and police officials, health department representatives and district, assembly and block-level coordinators. The meetings will examine the feedback received from villages and determine further action.

The entire exercise will conclude with a state-level review meeting on August 31 to be chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. In this meeting, the government will assess district-wise progress and chalk out the plan for the next phase of the campaign.

With Independence Day serving as the first major platform for recognising members of the community who are at the forefront of the anti-drug campaign, the government is turning the campaign into a sustained people-led movement against drugs rather than limiting it to an enforcement initiative.

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80th Independence Day celebrated with great pomp & show in Pathankot

Cabinet Minister Shri Lal Chand Kataruchak hoists the National Tricolour; Pays tribute to the sacrifices of martyrs

Punjab Government giving special priority to Education, Health, Employment, Farming, Sports and Public Welfare: Lal Chand Kataruchak

Chandigarh/Pathankot, August 16 —The country's 80th Independence Day was celebrated with great reverence, enthusiasm and patriotic fervor at the Multipurpose Sports Stadium, Lamini, in District Pathankot.

The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Forests & Wildlife Preservation Minister Shri Lal Chand Kataruchak, attended the district-level function as the Chief Guest. He hoisted the National Tricolour and took the salute of the parade.

On this occasion, Deputy Commissioner Pathankot Dr. Pallavi, SSP Pathankot Daljinder Singh Dhillon, along with district administration officers, police officials, officers and employees of various departments, school students, and a large number of residents were also present.

The ceremony began with the National Anthem. Thereafter, the Chief Guest Shri Lal Chand Kataruchak hoisted the National Flag and a rendition of the National Song was presented by the band of Pratap World School. The Chief Guest inspected the parade. On this occasion, balloons were released into the air to convey the message of the country’s unity, integrity and communal harmony.

In his address, Cabinet Minister Shri Lal Chand Kataruchak extended Independence Day greetings to all the people of Punjab and said that the freedom of the country is the result of the immense sacrifices of countless freedom fighters and martyrs. He paid humble tributes to Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Shaheed Udham Singh, Shaheed Chandrashekhar Azad, Shaheed Madan Lal Dhingra, Shaheed Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Dr. Diwan Singh Kalepani and countless other great freedom fighters.

He said that Punjabis made unparalleled sacrifices during the freedom struggle and take pride in their great heritage. He added that the Punjab Government is committed to building a Punjab of the martyrs’ dreams. In this regard, pictures of Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh and the architect of the Constitution, Baba Saheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, have been installed in government offices. After naming Mohali International Airport after Shaheed Bhagat Singh, a statue of Shaheed-e-Azam has also been installed there.

The Cabinet Minister said that the Punjab Government is undertaking special initiatives for the welfare of soldiers, families of martyrs and ex-servicemen. The ex-gratia amount for the heirs of martyred soldiers has been increased from Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 1 crore, and this now also includes Agniveers. A financial assistance of Rs. 1 crore has also been arranged for the families of police personnel.

He said that Punjab is the land of Gurus, Peers and Saints. A budget of Rs. 100 crore has been set aside for year-long events dedicated to the 650th Parkash Purab of Shri Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj. Similarly, Shri Guru Ravidas Ji Bani Study Centre is also being developed, and a campaign is also being run across Punjab to set up Shri Guru Ravidas Ji gardens, and plant saplings.

Shri Lal Chand Kataruchak further said that the Punjab Government has launched the ‘Mukh Mantri Maan-Dhian Satkar Yojana’ for the respect and economic empowerment of women. In addition, under the ‘Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana’, cashless treatment is being provided in government and empanelled private hospitals in Punjab and Chandigarh. He said that through Aam Aadmi Clinics in the state, lakhs of people are receiving free treatment, medicines and tests.

He said that to fulfill the promise of providing employment to youth, the Punjab Government has provided more than 69,000 government jobs since April 2022. Domestic consumers are being given 300 units of free electricity per month, and more than 90% of households are receiving zero electricity bills. The facility of free electricity for agriculture is also continuing for farmers.

Speaking about the government’s campaign against drugs, he said that strict action is being taken to eradicate drug trafficking from its roots. Along with this, a decisive campaign is also being run against gangsters. He said that modern technology and special task forces are being deployed to further strengthen the security and law and order in the state.

Highlighting the achievements of the Punjab Government in the field of education, he said that teachers and principals of government schools are being trained at institutions such as Singapore, Finland and IIM Ahmedabad. Students of government schools are also performing remarkably well in competitive exams like JEE and NEET.

Mentioning the development works carried out in Pathankot district, the Cabinet Minister informed that there are 32 Aam Aadmi Clinics in the district and 12 new Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened. Through these, people are being provided free medicines and lab tests. A large number of people in the district are availing free treatment under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana.

He informed that a new MRI and Ultrasound machine is being installed at the District Hospital Pathankot for the convenience of patients. In addition, a new OPD block is also being constructed. New Medical Officers and Staff Nurses have been recruited in the Health Department.

Significant work is also being done in the fields of education and sports in the district. Principals, Headmasters and teachers of Pathankot schools have been sent for training at foreign and national-level institutions. 58 sports grounds are being built in the district, while 29 sports grounds are being developed in the Bhoa constituency, as many as 30 gyms have also been set up in villages.

The Cabinet Minister said that in Pathankot district, 265 link roads — about 370 km long — have been specially repaired or are under progress. In addition, 25 new link roads have been constructed or are under construction. He said that the Punjab Government is continuously working to strengthen the basic infrastructure in rural areas.

He said that the Punjab Government is effectively implementing schemes for the welfare of farmers, women, youth, students, labourers, elderly and every section of society. The government’s aim is to once again make Punjab ‘Rangla Punjab’ through modernizing education, health, employment, sports, agriculture and industrial development.

In the end, Shri Lal Chand Kataruchak paid humble tributes to all the great martyrs who laid down their lives for the country’s freedom and prayed for the prosperity, progress, unity and integrity of Punjab and the country. He urged the people of the district to strengthen mutual brotherhood, harmony and unity and contribute to making Punjab a prosperous and developed state.

During the ceremony, Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards, and NCC and non-NCC students from various schools presented the march-past and saluted the Tricolour. The CM’s Yogshala team gave an excellent presentation, and various schools presented colorful cultural programs.

Those who presented cultural programs and participated in the march-past, along with youth and employees who performed exceptionally well in the district, were honored with certificates of appreciation. Sewing machines, tricycles and wheelchairs were also distributed to beneficiaries under various schemes.

On the occasion, the Chief Guest Shri Lal Chand Kataruchak announced a holiday in all schools of the district on Monday.

The District Administration honored the Chief Guest, Cabinet Minister Punjab Shri Lal Chand Kataruchak and his wife Smt. Urmila Devi with a memento and by presenting them with shawls.

Among others present on the occasion included Shri Amandeep Sandhu, District President Pathankot; Thakur Swarn Singh Salaria Constituency Incharge Sujanpur; Rohit Sial, Constituency Incharge Pathankot; Rekha Mani Sharma, Member Punjab State Women Commission; Naresh Saini, Majha Zone Secretary BC Wing; Saurav Behl, Chairman Improvement Trust Pathankot; Ashwani Sharma, MLA Pathankot; Gurpreet Kaur, Chairperson Zila Parishad; Sahib Singh Saba, Vice-Chairman Zila Parishad; Pawan Bhardwaj, Chairman Block Samiti Gharota; Contractor Amarjit Singh, State Secretary SC Wing; Roshan Lal Bhagat, District President SC Wing; Baljinder Bunty, President Kisan Wing; Geeta Devi, Chairperson Block Samiti Pathankot; Subhash Verma; Natinder Singh, Constituency Organization Incharge; Vijay Kumar Bitta, District Incharge BC Wing; Dinesh Subha, State General Secretary Youth Wing; and other office bearers.

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*Punjab Government under CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Committed to Building the ‘Rangla Punjab’ Envisioned by Martyrs: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*Finance Minister unfurls the Tricolour in Ludhiana on the 80th Independence Day; pays homage to the supreme sacrifices of martyrs*

*Punjab achieves major milestones in education, healthcare, economy, public welfare, agriculture, and infrastructure: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*Distinguished achievers from various fields honored on the occasion*

Chandigarh/*Ludhiana, August 15*:On the occasion of the nation's 80th Independence Day, Punjab's Minister for Finance, Planning, Transport, Excise, and Taxation, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, unfurled the Tricolour and extended warm greetings to citizens. Remembering the unmatched sacrifices of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Shaheed Udham Singh, Shaheed Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Dr. Diwan Singh Kalepani, and all freedom fighters, he stated that Punjabis led from the forefront in India's freedom struggle. He affirmed that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is following the ideals of the martyrs and Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, which led to installing their portraits in government offices and setting up a statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh at Mohali Airport.

Finance Minister Cheema stated that the Punjab Government increased the ex-gratia grant for next-of-kin of martyred personnel from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore, covering Agniveers and martyred police personnel as well. Monthly financial assistance for Dharmi Faujis was raised to ₹12,000, freedom fighter pensions were increased to ₹11,000 per month, and a 1% reservation was provided for their legal heirs in government jobs. Preserving religious heritage, ₹100 crore was allocated for the 650th Parkash Purab celebrations of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji, and a ₹37-crore Bani Research Centre is being constructed at Dera Sachkhand Ballan. In addition, 650 acres of bagichi’s, Shobha Yatras, and awareness vans have been launched. Major events also include marking the 350th Martyrdom Day of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, staging religious plays like Humare Ram, and enabling over 4 lakh pilgrims to visit sacred shrines under the ‘Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme.’

Highlighting financial strengthening to support public services, he said Punjab registered a 20% growth in GST revenue during the first four months of the current financial year, and in July, the state achieved a 16.23% SGST cash growth—the highest in the country. He added that the budget for the ‘Rangla Punjab Development Scheme’ for this financial year has been increased to ₹1,170 crore.

On the education revolution, he stated: "Punjab schools have introduced AI and entrepreneurship curricula. 118 Schools of Eminence are being developed, teachers are receiving training in Singapore and Finland, over 15,000 students have access to free bus services, fee hikes in private schools have been capped at 5%, and ITI seats have expanded to 52,000. Students have also achieved top ranks in JEE and NEET exams."

Emphasizing employment generation for youth, Minister Cheema said over 69,000 government jobs have been provided since April 2022, a dedicated bill was passed for outsourced employees, and workers' wages saw a 15% increase.

Outlining initiatives in healthcare, the Finance Minister said: "Through the ‘Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana’, 65 lakh families receive free medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh annually. Over 6 crore people have benefited from 1,090 Aam Aadmi Clinics, 356 hi-tech ambulances have been deployed, and more than 11,000 classes are conducted daily under ‘CM Di Yogshala’."

On public welfare and women's empowerment, Cheema noted: "Under the ‘Mukh Mantri Mavan-Dhiyan Satkar Yojana’ with a ₹9,300 crore budget, women receive ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 per month. Additionally, free bus travel for women, the Ashirwad Scheme, ‘Meri Rasoi’ ration kits, the Farishtey Scheme, the closure of 21 toll plazas saving commuters money, and 300 units of free power ensuring zero electricity bills for 90% of households have all been delivered."

On agriculture, the state’s primary economic driver, he said: "Punjab provided the country’s highest State Agreed Price for sugarcane at ₹416 per quintal, canal irrigation expanded to 60.30 lakh acres, stubble burning incidents fell by 53%, and agricultural tubewell power remains completely free."

In industry, the state received ₹1.83 lakh crore in investment proposals, registered 13.53 lakh new MSMEs, implemented the new Industrial Policy 2026, and extended the One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme deadline up to September 30, 2026.

Regarding law and order, under the ‘War on Drugs’, over 75,000 drug peddlers were arrested, and more than 59,000 criminals were detained under ‘Assault on Gangsters’. The Road Safety Force helped reduce accident fatalities by 53%. The anti-corruption helpline has also led to penalties for hundreds of corrupt individuals.

The Minister highlighted the construction of 45,000 km of roads, adding 1,279 new buses to the state fleet, Airport Volvo services, and launching 56 digital transport services. Administrative reforms include 437 doorstep citizen services under ‘Sarkar Tuhade Dwaar’, Easy Registry, plot registry without NOC requirements, piped water access to 100% of rural homes, and reclaiming 14,200 acres of government land from illegal encroachments.

Terming the hike in the sports budget to ₹1,744 crore a historic step, he said: "Cash rewards and jobs were provided to athletes, the traditional bullock cart races at Kila Raipur resumed after 11 years, and Punjab is hosting the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy."

Speaking on Ludhiana district, Cheema said development in the industrial city gained momentum this year with the construction of the Halwara Airport terminal building and the launch of 2 daily flights between Halwara and Delhi. He noted: "School of Eminence Kidwai Nagar and School of Eminence Miller Ganj are providing high-standard, future-ready education to students from all backgrounds. Robotics labs at PAU School and School of Eminence Inderpuri are training students in coding and robotics, sharpening their critical thinking and problem-solving skills."

The Finance Minister added that 80 new Aam Aadmi Clinics are being established in Ludhiana, with 37 already functional and the remaining 43 opening within a month. Civil Hospital Ludhiana secured the 1st rank in the Kayakalp assessment. The MCH wing is adding 100 beds, a CCU with 75 beds is under construction, and District Hospital Ludhiana is on track to become a 500-bed facility by the end of the year. The cancer care unit is operational and offering chemotherapy.

In public welfare programs, Ludhiana led the state with over 5 lakh women registering under the ‘Mukh Mantri Mavan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana’. Programs like Project Ummeed, Cafe Spice, assistive aid camps, and de-addiction drives are making Ludhiana an inclusive model of development. Sports infrastructure in the city has seen upgrades including a high-end gym, renovation of Shastri Badminton Hall, construction of a weightlifting hall, a shooting range revamp completing in 1 month, and a modern indoor volleyball stadium opening within 4 months.

Distinguished contributors across various sectors were honored during the ceremony.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included MLAs Madan Lal Bagga, Jiwan Singh Sangowal, Rajinderpal Kaur Chhina, Daljit Singh Grewal, Ashok Parashar Pappi, and Kulwant Singh Sidhu; Mayor Inderjit Kaur; Senior Deputy Mayor Rakesh Parashar; Deputy Mayor Prince Johar; Chairman Navjot Singh Jarg; Chairman Tejpal Singh Gill; District and Sessions Judge Harpreet Kaur Randhawa; Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain; Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma; Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ojasvi Alankar; District President Jatinder Singh Khangura, among others.

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*80th Independence Day*

*Jails, NRI Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Ravjot Singh unfurls tricolour at Hoshiarpur*

*Punjab Government committed to realising dreams of freedom fighters*

*650th Prakash Purb of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji to be celebrated on a large scale*

*Underlines need of unified efforts to transform state into ‘Rangla Punjab’*

*Punjab shines on map of education and healthcare in country*

*Punjab becomes first state to resolve issues of NRIs through online*

*Announces holiday in all schools of Hoshiarpur district on Monday*

Chandigarh/Hoshiarpur, August 15:Punjab Jails, NRIs and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Ravjot Singh on Saturday unfurled the National Flag at the Police Lines Ground here to mark 80th Independence Day. He emphasised that unified efforts should be made to transform the state into a ‘Rangla Punjab’.

The Minister assured that the Punjab Government would provide all possible support to realise the dreams cherished by the great martyrs of the country.

After unfurling the national flag, inspecting the parade and releasing tricolour balloons, Jails and NRIs Affairs Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh while addressing the district-level Independence Day function said that the Punjab Government had carried out immense development and welfare works for every section and sector of the society during the past four and a half years. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab had set new milestones in the fields of education and healthcare thus securing a leading place on the national map in these sectors.

Paying tributes to Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Udham Singh, Madan Lal Dhingra, Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Diwan Singh Kalepani and other freedom fighters, Dr Ravjot Singh said that Punjab had always played a pivotal role in safeguarding country’s unity and integrity and Punjabis had made the maximum sacrifices during the freedom struggle.

Listing the achievements of the Punjab Government, Dr Ravjot Singh said that Punjab government had undertaken several initiatives for the welfare of armed forces personnel, families of martyrs and ex-servicemen. He said that the ex-gratia amount for the next of kin of martyred soldiers had been increased from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore. The pension being provided to the family members of freedom fighters in the state had also been increased from Rs 9400 to Rs 11000. He said that under the Mukh Mantri Maawan-Dhiyan Satkar Yojana, financial assistance of Rs 2274.42 crore had been transferred to the accounts of more than 74.59 lakh women across the state so far. He said that 28734 self-help groups had been formed during the past four years through government initiatives, providing self-help support to nearly three lakh women.

Under the Ashirwad Scheme, assistance of Rs 51000 is provided, and during 2025-26, more than 62000 beneficiaries received assistance amounting to Rs 318.32 crore. Talking about the Mukh Mantri Meri Rasoi Scheme, Dr Ravjot Singh said that licences had been issued to 2,800 new depot holders, thus enabling ration card holders to get free ration from nearby depots without going faraway. He said ration kits were also being provided under the Meri Rasoi Scheme, containing essential household kitchen items. Regarding the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, he said that free treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh was being provided at more than 900 government and empanelled private hospitals.

Dr Ravjot Singh said that the Aam Aadmi Party Government would make all out efforts to wipe out drugs from the state so that future generations could remain free from this menace. He said that the state’s Sadak Surakhya Force had saved more than 25000 people by providing immediate first aid at spots. He said that this year, 361 students from government schools qualified for JEE Mains, 64 students for JEE Advanced and 882 students qualified for the NEET examination.

The Cabinet Minister also said that the Public Works department had constructed 45000 kilometres of roads in the state. He said the Punjab Government was adding 1279 new buses in the existing fleet making the total number of government buses to 3546 which would be the biggest increase during the last two decades.

Dr Ravjot Singh said that 437 citizen services were being provided through Sewa Kendras. People could also avail these services by calling 1076 also. He said that through the Easy Registry project, more than 3.70 lakh land registrations had so far been completed in a transparent manner. On reforms in the Jails department, Dr. Ravjot Singh said the government’s objective was to transform jails into centres of reform, rehabilitation and reintegration, enabling inmates to rebuild their lives and return to society as responsible citizens. He said that free electricity was being provided to 14 lakh agricultural tubewells and an amount of Rs 9992 crore had been earmarked for this purpose during 2025-26. He added that uninterrupted power supply of more than eight hours had been ensured for farmers during the paddy season. He said that the Aam Aadmi Party Government had made arrangements for irrigation through canal water for 60.30 lakh acres across the state by incurring Rs 7200 crore.

NRI Affairs Minister Dr Ravjot Singh said that Punjab had become the first state in the country to resolve the issues of NRIs through an online system. He said that NRIs could send their grievances through WhatsApp number 90560-09884. He said that so far, 21103 documents of Punjabis settled abroad had been counter-signed through the online system.

The Cabinet Minister also said that the Punjab Government would celebrate the 650th Parkash Purb of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji on a massive scale, for which a budget of Rs 100 crore had been earmarked. Under the Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme, the people are being taken to the holy places for darshan. He said that in view of the 650th Parkash Purb of Guru Ravidas Ji, the State Government was setting up baggichis (nurseries) on the name of Guru Sahib were being established over 650 acres of land across Punjab. A campaign was already underway to plant 6.50 lakh saplings and distribute 6.50 lakh commemorative flags in every district. He said that in Hoshiarpur, 53 Nanak Baghichis, six sacred forests and around 5,000 saplings along roadsides were being planted.

At the conclusion of the district-level Independence Day function, Cabinet Minister Dr Ravjot Singh announced a holiday in all schools of Hoshiarpur district on Monday, August 17.

During the function, the Cabinet Minister, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain, SSP Sandeep Kumar Malik and Parade Commander DSP Kulwant Singh, inspected the parade. The parade led by Parade Commander DSP Kulwant Singh and Second-in-Command Inspector Jasvir Kaur, comprised contingents of Punjab Police personnel, the Women Wing of PRTC Jahan Khelan, Punjab Police Women Wing, Punjab Home Guards, NCC 12 Punjab Battalion, Girl Guides, Scouts and the PRTC Jahan Khelan band also took a march past.

On the occasion, MLA Bram Shanker Jimpa, MLA Jasvir Singh Raja Gill, MLA Karamvir Singh Ghuman, MLA Dr Ishank Kumar, Mayor Praveen Saini, Chairman BACKFINCO Punjab Sandeep Saini, Chairman District Planning Committee Karamjit Kaur, Chairman Improvement Trust Gurwinder Singh Pabla, Chairman Market Committee Hoshiarpur Jaspal Singh Chechi, Senior Deputy Mayor Surinder Kumar, Deputy Mayor Sandeep Chechi, District and Sessions Judge Rajinder Aggarwal, and other officers were also present.

Caption : Punjab Jails, NRIs and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Ravjot Singh unfurling tricolour at Police Lines Ground Hoshiarpur on Saturday.

Punjab Jails, NRIs and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Ravjot Singh inspecting the parade at Police Lines Ground Hoshiarpur on Saturday.

Punjab Jails, NRIs and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Ravjot Singh took salute from March Past at Police Lines Ground Hoshiarpur on Saturday.

Punjab Jails, NRIs and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Ravjot Singh being honoured by the District Administration at Police Lines Ground Hoshiarpur on Saturday.

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Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Tarunpreet Singh Sond pay floral tribute to Shaheed Master Karnail Singh Issru

Punjab government's strict action against drugs and gangsters continues: Harpal Singh Cheema

Legacy of Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru is an inspiration for youth: Tarunpreet Singh Sond

Cabinet Ministers Cheema and Sond honour Shaheed Master Karnail Singh Issru’s nieces Jaswinder Kaur and Narinder Kaur

Chandigarh / Issru, Khanna (Ludhiana), 15 August:On the martyrdom day of Shaheed Master Karnail Singh Issru, Punjab Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Tarunpreet Singh Sond paid floral tributes to the martyr at a state-level function held at his native village, Issru, today. The martyr had attained martyrdom while liberating Goa from Portuguese rule.

They laid wreaths at the statue of Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru and also honoured his nieces, Jaswinder Kaur and Narinder Kaur.

Paying tribute to Shaheed Master Karnail Singh Issru, Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that Punjabis have always made sacrifices for the unity, integrity, and peace of the country. He said that by making a significant contribution to the freedom of Goa, Shaheed Master Karnail Singh set an example of Punjab’s bravery and patriotism.

Harpal Singh Cheema said that in the year 2022, the people of Punjab gave a historic mandate to the Aam Aadmi Party, and the government was formed under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. He stated that the government has implemented five guarantees made to the people. Due to up to 300 units of free electricity, nearly 90 percent of households are receiving zero electricity bills. Schools of Eminence, international-level training for teachers, and the outstanding results of government schools are proof of a major transformation in the education sector.

He said that the Bhagwant Singh Mann government provided an ex-gratia amount of ₹1 crore to the families of martyrs, free treatment under the health insurance scheme, road development, sports stadiums, increased employment opportunities for youth, and gave 70,000 government jobs.

Cheema said that the Punjab government is taking strict action against drugs and gangsterism, and is connecting the youth with sports and employment.

Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that the legacy of sacrifice received from the Sikh Gurus, especially Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, has always inspired Punjabis to stand for humanity and truth. He said that this very spirit strengthened Punjab’s significant contribution to India’s freedom struggle. Remembering the sacrifices of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Udham Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru, he called upon the youth to take inspiration from their lives.

The minister said that the AAP government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has taken several important initiatives in health, education, and agriculture. Aam Aadmi Clinics, Schools of Eminence, cashless healthcare facilities up to ₹10 lakh, and supplying canal water to farmlands are major steps in this direction. He also mentioned the government’s stern drive against drugs.

Sond stated that a grant of ₹2.17 crore has been released so far for the overall development of village Issru. With this amount, development works including sports grounds, an Anganwadi centre, a rural library, pond cleaning, a Panchayat Ghar, and an SC Dharamshala are being carried out. He assured that there will be no shortage of funds for the development of the native village of Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru.

On this occasion, Chairman of Punjab Genco Limited Navjot Singh Jarg, Chairman District Parishad Ludhiana Jagroop Singh Seh, Chairman Market Committee Doraha and District President Rural Gurdarshan Singh Koohli, Chairman Block Samiti Khanna Lakhvir Singh Gill, President Municipal Council Khanna Jatinder Pathak, District Parishad Member Master Avtar Singh Daihru, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Khanna Dr. Darpan Ahluwalia, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Khanna Jashanpreet Kaur Gill, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Khanna Swati Tiwana, Executive Officer Charanjit Singh, Naib Tehsildar Gurcharan Singh, BDPO Khanna Satwinder Singh Kang, Sarpanch Jatinderjot Singh Issru, along with officials from various departments and a large number of Aam Aadmi Party leaders and workers were present.

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