*Punjab Government Provides Rs.10 Lakh Insurance Cover to PESCO Employees: Mohinder Bhagat*
*Cabinet Minister reviews PESCO; directs officials to further strengthen employee welfare and services*
Chandigarh, August 20:The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is fully committed to the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families and is continuously working to ensure their social and economic security. This was stated by Defence Services Welfare Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat while reviewing the Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO) at Chandigarh today.
Giving further details, Cabinet Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat said that keeping in view the safety and security of all employees working under PESCO, a Rs.10-lakh insurance cover has been provided to them. He said that the government is committed to providing better security and welfare facilities to PESCO employees.
During the meeting, Managing Director Major General Harmandeep Singh briefed the Minister in detail about the employment opportunities being provided to ex-servicemen through the Corporation. He informed that more than 23,500 employees are currently serving under PESCO.
The Minister directed the officials to further improve the functioning of PESCO, create maximum employment opportunities for ex-servicemen and ensure that their issues are resolved on priority.
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*PUNJAB HEALTH MINISTER CALLS UPON BLOOD DONORS AND YOUTH TO PLEDGE FOR ORGAN DONATION*
*— Dr Balbir Singh Announces Implementation of Advanced Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) & Chemiluminescence Immunoassays to Ensure Zero-Transmission Risk in Blood Transfusions*
*— Health Minister Advocates City-Based Blood Donor Directories to Prevent Wastage & Streamline Emergency Blood Supply*
*— 69 Voluntary Blood Donation Organisations Felicitated at State-Level NGO Conference in Chandigarh*
CHANDIGARH, August 20: Urging the society to take the noble spirit of voluntary donation beyond blood, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Thursday called upon voluntary blood donors and the youth to come forward and take a pledge for organ donation, emphasising that donating organs after brain death can grant a fresh lease of life to multiple critically ill patients.
Presiding over the State-Level NGO Conference organised by the Punjab State Blood Transfusion Council (PSBTC) at Municipal Bhawan here, the Health Minister lauded voluntary organisations and social workers as “angels of hope and messengers of God” who serve as a vital lifeline between patients battling for survival and the healthcare system.
During the conference, Dr Balbir Singh also felicitated 69 such voluntary blood donation NGOs securing top positions across districts for their exemplary contribution in strengthening blood transfusion services across Punjab.
Highlighting major advancements in blood safety protocols, Dr Balbir Singh announced that Punjab is strengthening its blood safety system through the adoption of advanced testing technologies, including Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) and Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA). These technologies enhance the early detection of transfusion-transmitted infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C by reducing the diagnostic window period and thereby significantly minimising the residual risk of transmission. He further informed that standardised guidelines for blood collection, testing, uniform blood bag labelling and cross-matching have been issued to ensure consistent quality, traceability and safety across blood centres in the state.
To avoid distress to regular donors and streamline emergency response, the Minister stressed the urgent need to maintain comprehensive, city-wise digital directories of voluntary blood donors. “Instead of calling excessive donors to camps, maintaining a dedicated city-based directory allows blood centres to immediately mobilise specific blood groups through instant alerts during critical emergencies without any wastage,” he stated.
Expressing pride over Punjab’s top ranking in voluntary repeat blood donations, Dr Balbir Singh said the state has built an exceptionally robust network. The state currently has 201 licensed blood centres (51 government, 7 military, and 143 private/trust-run). In the 2025–26 financial year, Punjab collected 5,44,167 units of blood, while 1,84,194 units were collected between April and July 2026 alone through 2,065 voluntary blood donation camps, achieving an impressive 96.04% voluntary donation rate. In addition, modern apheresis facilities are functioning at 17 blood centres across 13 districts, with plans underway to expand to all remaining districts.
Extending the donation mission to organs, Dr Balbir Singh shared that the recently established Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (PILBS) has successfully conducted three liver transplants within a span of 15 days in the government sector at one-third the market cost, and is set to initiate kidney transplants in the coming months. He appealed to families and citizens to proactively pledge their organs so that in tragic instances of brain death, critical organs like kidneys, liver, and corneas can save precious lives.
Expressing concern over anaemia among young women, Dr Balbir Singh urged youth and prospective couples to adopt healthy dietary habits and active lifestyles, including daily exercise and natural food consumption, to eradicate anaemia and prevent lifestyle diseases. He mentioned that the Health Department, in collaboration with Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and the Food and Drugs Administration, has issued specialised dietary advisories for women and sports persons.
Earlier, Dr RR Sharma, Professor and Head, Department of Transfusion Medicine, PGIMER, said that although Punjab officially ranks third in India in voluntary blood donation, it ranks first in terms of repeat voluntary blood donors. Nearly 80% of blood donors in Punjab are repeat donors, reflecting a strong culture of regular blood donation. He said these dedicated donors play a vital role in ensuring a steady blood supply and have greatly helped patients, specifically those receiving treatment at PGIMER, Chandigarh as well as in Punjab.
Prominent health experts including Dr Suchet Sachdev (Additional Professor, PGIMER Chandigarh), Dr Paramjit Kaur (Professor, GMCH-32), Dr Sangeeta Kumari (Associate Professor, PGIMER), and Dr Aikaj Jindal (Senior Consultant, MDOH Ludhiana) shared insights on blood safety and donor mobilization.
Meanwhile, Special Secretary Health cum Project Director PSACS Sakshi Sawhney, Principal GMCH-32 Dr Ravneet Kaur, Additional Project Director PSACS Dr Vishal Garg, and Joint Director Blood Transfusion Services Dr Sunita Devi were among the senior officials present on the occasion.
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*All India Tourist Permits Now Just Click Away Under Bhagwant Mann Govt’s Digital Reforms: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*AITP applicants can now apply & download approved permits directly through Parivahan portal, eliminates need for physical visits to Mohali office: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Bhagwant Mann Govt's digital push cuts bureaucratic red tape, queues & administrative delays for transport operators: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Online facility will ensure round-the-clock access & uninterrupted business operations for vehicle owners & commercial operators: Harpal Singh Cheema*
CHANDIGARH; 20th August 2026:In a major breakthrough aimed at steering governance toward greater transparency and speed, Punjab Finance and Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced on Thursday that All India Tourist Permits (AITP) will now be issued directly online to applicants through the official portal of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (Parivahan).
Revealing this in a press communique, Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, "Earlier, tourist vehicle operators were required to collect physical, printed permits directly from the office of the State Transport Authority (STA), Mohali (PB01). With the launch of this digital facility, applicants can obtain the necessary documentation seamlessly from the comfort of their homes or workplaces, completely eliminating the need to visit government offices in person."
Emphasising the state government’s commitment to citizen-centric governance, he asserted, "The Bhagwant Mann government is leaving no stone unturned to make public services smooth, transparent, and completely hassle-free. By shifting the issuance of All India Tourist Permits entirely online, we have cut through bureaucratic red tape and bridged the gap between the government and citizens. Applicants will no longer have to run from pillar to post or wait in long queues at the Mohali office. Everything is now available at their fingertips."
The Transport Minister further added that the initiative marks a significant step forward in digital delivery of transport services, saving valuable time and curbing unnecessary administrative delays. He said, "Time is of the essence for our transport operators. This digital reform not only delivers services in the blink of an eye but also sets a new benchmark for efficiency and accountability. By simplifying the end-to-end documentation process, we are paving the way for true ease of doing business across the state’s transport sector."
Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the vehicle owners and commercial operators can access, apply for, and download their approved AITP documents directly via the national transport portal, ensuring round-the-clock convenience and uninterrupted business operations.
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*Punjab Government Releases ₹1,785.29 Crore Under Old Age Pension Scheme; Over 24 Lakh Senior Citizens Benefiting: Dr. Baljit Kaur*
*₹4,000 Crore Earmarked in 2026-27 Budget to Ensure Timely Pension Disbursement to Eligible Beneficiaries*
*'Sade Bazurg Sada Maan' Campaign Strengthens Social Security and Financial Support for the Elderly Across Punjab*
Chandigarh, August 20:Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur today said that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, has already released ₹1,785.29 crore during the current financial year (2026-27) under the Old Age Pension Scheme as part of the 'Sade Bazurg Sada Maan' campaign. She said the sustained financial assistance reflects the State Government's unwavering resolve to provide social security and financial stability to senior citizens, enabling them to lead their lives with dignity and independence.
Sharing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that more than 24 lakh senior citizens are currently benefiting from the Old Age Pension Scheme. To ensure uninterrupted and timely disbursement of pensions, the Punjab Government has earmarked ₹4,000 crore for the scheme in the Budget for the financial year 2026-27. Every eligible beneficiary receives a monthly pension of ₹1,500, helping elderly citizens meet their basic needs with confidence and security.
The Cabinet Minister informed that men aged 65 years and above and women aged 58 years and above are eligible to avail the benefit, provided their annual income from all sources does not exceed ₹60,000. She further stated that an applicant should not own more than 2.5 acres of irrigated (canal) land or more than 5 acres of barani land, in accordance with the prescribed eligibility criteria.
Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Punjab Government considers its senior citizens to be the invaluable strength of society and is continuously expanding citizen-centric welfare initiatives to enhance their quality of life. She added that the Government is focused on strengthening the social security framework so that every elderly citizen can live with confidence, self-respect and economic security.
Reiterating that the welfare of senior citizens remains a top priority of the Punjab Government, Dr. Baljit Kaur directed all concerned officials to ensure that no eligible beneficiary is deprived of the benefits of the Old Age Pension Scheme. She also instructed that pensions must be released strictly within the prescribed timeline and warned that any negligence or avoidable delay in disbursement would be viewed seriously.
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*Women’s Leadership Key to Strengthening Democracy and Inclusive Development: Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Dr. Baljit Kaur*
*UN Women’s flagship ‘SheLeads’ programme empowers women leaders by building capacities and networks to enhance their participation in public and political life*
*47 women leaders participate in two-day residential workshop; selected from 117 applications across Punjab*
Chandigarh/Mohali, August 20:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Punjab Cabinet Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur, today addressed women leaders from across the state at the UN Women SheLeads States Workshop, encouraging them to take a leading role in public life and contribute towards inclusive and sustainable development.
Addressing the gathering, S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that women leaders are not only agents of change in their communities but also play a crucial role in shaping policies and governance systems that reflect the aspirations and needs of all citizens. He emphasised that greater participation of women in democratic institutions strengthens governance and ensures wider representation in decision-making processes.
Delivering the keynote address, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that many social norms continue to create barriers for equal opportunities for both women and men. She stressed the need to reimagine society with a more inclusive approach and urged women leaders to come forward and lead the change.
Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Punjab Government is committed to women empowerment, their social and economic advancement, and ensuring greater participation of women in decision-making processes across all spheres.
‘SheLeads’ is a flagship programme of UN Women aimed at strengthening the leadership capacities and networks of women engaged in public and political life. The programme provides a platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing and interaction with experts to enable women leaders to effectively shape governance and policies.
The Punjab edition of the SheLeads States Workshop witnessed participation of 47 women leaders from across the state, including grassroots change-makers, elected representatives and administrators. The participants were selected from 117 applications received for the two-day residential workshop.
The Punjab edition marks the expansion of the SheLeads initiative to state level. Earlier, state-level SheLeads workshops were conducted in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, with Punjab hosting the third edition.
The national-level SheLeads workshops commenced in February 2025. SheLeads-I brought together 29 women leaders from 19 states, SheLeads-II hosted 36 women leaders from 22 states, while SheLeads-III brought together 29 participants selected from over 700 applications.
Special Guest of Honour Dr. Sandeep Singh Kaura, Chevening Fellow from the University of Oxford and nationally recognised expert in Skill Development, said that women’s political leadership is not merely about representation but about bringing diverse perspectives, lived experiences and inclusive priorities into decision-making. He added that SheLeads provides an important platform to build confidence, capacities and networks among women leaders.
Encouraging greater participation of women in political and public life, Deputy Representative, UN Women India Country Office, Smt. Kanta Singh, said that every woman has leadership potential and society needs to create an ecosystem that enables and nurtures that leadership.
Women continue to remain underrepresented in decision-making positions globally. The need to promote women’s political leadership has gained importance as countries work towards achieving gender equality and inclusive governance.
In this context, India’s Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam), providing for reservation of at least 33% seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for women, is a landmark step towards increasing women’s political participation.
Research has also highlighted that women’s leadership strengthens governance outcomes. Studies on Panchayats in India have found that areas governed by women-led councils witnessed significant improvements in development initiatives, including higher numbers of drinking water projects.
Through evidence-based approaches, UN Women has developed the ‘SheLeads Workshop for Women Leaders’ as a dedicated platform to build leadership capacities and cultivate networks of women leaders across India. The programme brings together grassroots leaders, elected representatives and administrators to share experiences, engage with experts and strengthen leadership skills.
UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to advancing women’s rights, gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. It works towards creating an equal world by supporting improvements in laws, institutions, social practices and services to close gender gaps
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*BJP Circulated 2018 Video As Current; Jallah Govt School Transformed Under Bhagwant Mann Govt With Smart Panels, Toilets, Wi-Fi & Clean Drinking Water: Harjot Singh Bains*
*•Punjab Has Moved From ‘Udta Punjab’ To ‘Pardha Punjab’: Harjot Singh Bains*
*•Punjab Topped Country In PGI 2.0, Ranked No. 1 In Classroom Learning Outcomes By NITI Aayog: Harjot Singh Bains*
*•Patiala, Ranked 23rd In Punjab, Scores Higher Than BJP-Ruled Haryana’s No. 1 Gurugram In Centre’s NITI Aayog Survey: Harjot Singh Bains*
*•882 Punjab Govt School Students Crack UG-NEET 2026: Harjot Singh Bains*
*•Political Criticism Is Part of Public Life, But Deliberate Attempts to Malign Punjab & Its Schools Will Not Be Tolerated: Harjot Singh Bains*
CHANDIGARH, August 20:Exposing the BJP’s misleading narrative on Punjab’s government schools, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Thursday called out BJP leaders who were circulating a seven-year-old 2018 video as a current picture to malign Punjab and mislead the public. The Education Minister said he personally visited the Jallah Government School in Fatehgarh Sahib, shown in the video, and found the ground reality had changed completely, with smart interactive panels, functional toilets, a sanitary pad incinerator, clean drinking water and Wi-Fi now in place.
Hitting back with the Punjab’s education record under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government, the Education Minister pointed out Punjab had topped the country in PGI (Performance Grading Index) 2.0 and classroom learning outcomes, 882 government school students had cracked UG-NEET 2026, and even Patiala, ranked 23rd in Punjab, had scored higher than BJP-ruled Haryana’s top-ranked Gurugram in the Centre’s NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog survey.
Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that after a video shared on X by BJP National spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari and subsequently reposted by MP Harbhajan Singh came to his notice, he decided to personally verify the claims on the ground rather than relying merely on official reports. “Right after a press conference, I went straight from Punjab Bhawan to the government school, Jallah in Fatehgarh Sahib, the school shown in the video, without informing the school authorities or the District Education Officer. I wanted to verify with my own eyes whether the situation shown in the video actually prevailed and, if so, why it was never brought to my notice,” he said.
The Education Minister said, “The video being circulated is from 2018. The present condition of the school is completely different. Today, the school has two smart interactive panels, two functional girls’ toilets, a working sanitary pad incinerator, clean drinking water and Wi-Fi connectivity.”
The Education Minister said the pending whitewashing work had already been sanctioned and funds released, adding that the work would be completed after the monsoon season.
Countering the criticism with facts, Minister Harjot Singh Bains said Punjab’s education performance should be judged against independent assessments by the Government of India. “Punjab has topped the country in the Performance Grading Index 2.0. The NITI Aayog report released in May this year has ranked Punjab number one in classroom learning outcomes,” he said.
He further cited the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024, saying Punjab had emerged as the number one state in the country in education. He said the Ministry of Education’s Project Approval Board had also repeatedly appreciated Punjab’s work in school infrastructure and learning outcomes.
“Political criticism is part of public life, but deliberate attempts to malign Punjab and its schools will not be tolerated. The issue is not Harjot Bains. You can criticise me as much as you want. The issue is Punjab. We will not tolerate attempts to malign Punjab,” he said.
Minister Harjot Singh Bains said Punjab had moved from the narrative of ‘Udta Punjab’ to ‘Pardha Punjab’, pointing out that 882 students of government schools had cracked UG-NEET 2026 in national-level competitive examinations. “Punjab has moved from ‘Udta Punjab’ to ‘Pardha Punjab’. Today, 882 students of government schools have cracked UG-NEET 2026. Punjab’s performance in education is being acknowledged nationally,” he said.
The Education Minister said these achievements were the result of the sustained commitment of the Bhagwant Mann Government towards transforming school education.
Drawing a comparison with neighbouring state Haryana, Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that according to the education-related assessment being referred to, Patiala, which ranks 23rd within Punjab, has a score higher than Gurugram, ranked first among Haryana’s districts. “Patiala, which ranks 23rd within Punjab, has a score higher than Gurugram, which ranks first among Haryana’s districts. This itself shows the progress made by Punjab’s government schools,” he said, urging journalists to independently verify the figures and reports before drawing conclusions about the state’s education system.
Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the Punjab Government had never claimed that every school was perfect and that corrective action was being taken wherever deficiencies were identified. “I have personally inspected more than 2,000 schools. Wherever deficiencies were found, corrective action was initiated. Punjab has around 20,000 government schools and maintaining such a vast network is a continuous process,” he said.
The Education Minister said more than 7,000 schools had faced flooding over the past four years, creating additional infrastructure challenges, but Punjab had continued to make substantial progress in school infrastructure and learning outcomes. “Around 500 flood-ravaged schools requiring restoration have been identified. Restoration work is being taken up and funds are being arranged, including support from the World Bank,” he said.
He said the Government had set a clear target that within the next two years, no government school in Punjab would have any major infrastructure deficiency.
The Education Minister recalled that when the Government had earlier highlighted the lack of basic toilet facilities in schools and initiated corrective measures, it was subjected to political criticism and trolling.
He said the Government had interacted directly with girl students who had spoken about the hardships caused due to the absence of adequate toilet facilities. “Today, those who tried to make a political issue out of our efforts to provide basic facilities have themselves been caught circulating a 2018 video as if it depicts the present situation,” he said.
Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the Punjab Government remained committed to addressing every genuine deficiency and would continue to act wherever gaps were identified. “Journalists and the public should verify videos before sharing them. Punjab’s educational achievements should be judged on verified facts, not misleading social media content,” he said.
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*Punjab Touches Another Milestone With Three More Successful Liver Transplants At Government-Run Institute In Mohali: Dr. Balbir Singh*
*Three Liver Transplants In One Week At PILBS Mohali Show Punjab’s Growing Strength In Advanced Public Healthcare: Dr. Balbir Singh*
*PILBS Mohali To Become Hub For Liver Transplant Services Across Punjab: Dr. Balbir Singh*
*Renal Transplant Services To Begin Soon At Mohali And Patiala: Dr. Balbir Singh*
*Bhagwant Mann Govt Committed To Bringing Advanced Super-Speciality Healthcare Within Reach Of People: Dr. Balbir Singh*
CHANDIGARH/SAS Nagar (MOHALI), August 20:Punjab has achieved a significant feat in advanced public healthcare with three successful liver transplant surgeries performed within a single week at the Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (PILBS), Mohali. The achievement marks a major step forward in the State’s efforts to build advanced transplant capabilities within its government healthcare institutions.
Addressing the media at PILBS, Health and Family Welfare, Medical Education and Research and Higher Education Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said, “The successful completion of three liver transplants in one week was a matter of immense pride for Punjab and reflected the commitment of the CM Bhagwant Mann Government to making high-end super-speciality healthcare accessible to the people through government institutions.”
The three recent transplant cases also carried deeply emotional stories of family bonding and sacrifice. A wife donated a part of her liver to her husband, a mother donated to her daughter, while a son donated to his father. “These cases are not only stories of medical success but also of love, sacrifice and family bonding. A wife donated to her husband, a mother to her daughter and a son to his father. Such acts of selflessness give new hope and a new lease of life to patients suffering from serious liver ailments,” said the Minister.
With these three latest procedures, PILBS Mohali has now successfully performed a total of five liver transplants, marking a significant achievement for Punjab’s public healthcare system.
*PILBS To Act As Hub For Liver Transplant Services*
The Health Minister announced that the State Government was working on a comprehensive model to expand liver transplant services across Punjab. “We are working on a hub-and-spoke model for liver transplant services across Punjab. PILBS Mohali will function as the principal hub, while the Government Medical Colleges will serve as spokes for patient identification, evaluation, referral and post-transplant care closer to their respective regions,” he added.
He said the State Government was also strengthening organ transplant and related infrastructure across its government medical institutions, with all four Government Medical Colleges being developed to support the organ transplantation ecosystem. “We are strengthening the organ transplant ecosystem across our government medical institutions. All four Government Medical Colleges are being developed to support these services so that patients can receive timely and specialised care closer to home,” said the Health Minister.
*Renal Transplant Services To Begin Soon*
Minister Dr. Balbir Singh further announced that renal transplant services would be launched at Mohali and Patiala in the coming days, expanding the availability of advanced transplant care within Punjab’s government healthcare system. “Renal transplant services will also begin soon at Mohali and Patiala. This will further expand the availability of advanced transplant care within Punjab’s government healthcare system,” he added.
The Minister applauded the dedicated team led by PILBS Director Dr. Virendra Singh for its professional commitment and concerted efforts in successfully undertaking these specialised surgeries at PILBS, Mohali. “I congratulate Director PILBS Dr. Virendra Singh and the entire team for their dedication, professionalism and coordinated efforts. These achievements show that Punjab’s government hospitals and institutes are steadily developing the expertise and infrastructure needed to undertake complex medical procedures of the highest order,” he added.
*Growing Patient Services At PILBS*
Giving details of the institute’s expanding services, Dr. Balbir Singh said 239 FibroScans were conducted at nominal charges during August, besides treatment and care being provided to 139 indoor patients. He said, “The addition of 170 beds will further strengthen PILBS and enable it to provide specialised liver and biliary care to a larger number of patients. We will continue to strengthen infrastructure, manpower, equipment and specialised services at our government hospitals and institutes so that quality healthcare reaches every section of society.”
Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said the State Government would continue to strengthen the public healthcare system and build specialised medical capabilities within government institutions, with a focus on ensuring that patients in Punjab have access to advanced treatment without having to depend on facilities outside the State.
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*PUNJAB GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO RESOLVING REVENUE KANUNGO ASSOCIATION’S DEMANDS: HARPAL SINGH CHEEMA*
*JOINT COMMITTEE OF FINANCE, REVENUE, AG OFFICE & UNION TO BE FORMED TO RESOLVE ISSUES AMICABLY*
*ACS REVENUE DIRECTED TO EXPEDITE LEGITIMATE DEMANDS AND FORWARD FINANCIAL MATTERS TO FINANCE DEPARTMENT: HARPAL SINGH CHEEMA*
Chandigarh, 20TH August 2026-In a major initiative to address the demands of revenue field staff, Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday directed the Revenue Department to constitute a dedicated joint committee comprising officials from the Revenue Department, Finance Department, Advocate General’s Office, and representatives of The Revenue Kanungo Association to resolve all service and cadre-related matters with mutual consent. Chairing a high level high-level meeting with the representatives of The Revenue Kanungo Association and The Revenue Patwar Union along with Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, the Finance Minister aimed for an amicable and swift resolution of their concerns.
Directing the Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Financial Commissioner Revenue (FCR) Anurag Verma, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema emphasised that the legitimate administrative demands of the union should be addressed at the earliest. He further instructed that all proposals entailing financial implications be immediately forwarded to the Finance Department so that formal necessary action and approvals can be expedited.
During the meeting, the delegation of the Revenue Kanungo Association submitted a formal memorandum outlining their core cadre demands including cadre status & Pay Parity, stationery allowance, filling vacancies & cadre restructuring etc.
Reiterating the state government’s employee-friendly stance, both Ministers assured the delegation that the Punjab Government is working proactively to streamline administrative functioning while safeguarding the welfare and service conditions of ground-level revenue officials.
During the meeting, the state president of The Revenue Kanungo Association, Punjab Harvir Singh Dhindsa, State General Secretary Nirmal Singh Batth, State Treasurer Palwinder Singh Sood, State Vice President Adittya Kaushal, District President Sangrur Gurjit Singh Tung, and District President Ludhiana Jasvir Singh Jassi, and State President of The Revenue Patwar Union Balraj Singh Aujla, along with their colleagues, presented their demands and issues.
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*Punjab Pitches Mohali as North India's Next GCC Hub: Aman Arora Woos Global Giants in Bengaluru with Tier-1 Capability at Tier-2 Cost*
•*Aman Arora leads high-level delegation at Zinnov Confluence 2026*
•*Punjab holds CXO Roundtable with NASSCOM, Takeda, Persistent, Festo, Nagarro and other global leaders*
•*Industry Minister Showcases Mohali’s over 40K annual graduates, OPEX advantage, plug-&-play infra and Industrial Policy incentives to position Punjab beyond cost arbitrage*
CHANDIGARH/BENGALURU, AUGUST 20:Positioning Mohali as North India’s next GCC and technology hub offering Tier-1 capability at Tier-2 cost, Punjab Industries & Commerce and Investment Promotion Minister Mr Aman Arora led a high-level state delegation on a two-day high-stakes investment outreach to Bengaluru, pitching the state directly to global giants scouting India for new Global Capability Centre (GCC), IT/ITeS, Research and Development (R&D) and semiconductor investments.
The outreach is part of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government’s aggressive strategy to put Punjab, particularly Mohali, on the global investment map by engaging directly with corporate decision-makers, GCC heads and ecosystem enablers in India’s top business and technology hubs.
During the two-day visit on August 19–20, Mr. Aman Arora led Punjab delegation partnered with Zinnov Confluence 2026, convened a high-level CXO Roundtable with leading GCCs, held one-to-one meetings with global corporates and firmed up a roadmap with ecosystem partners for sustained outreach for Punjab.
The Roundtable saw participation from Zinnov, NASSCOM, Takeda, Wingbox AI, Persistent Systems, Festo, Nagarro, the Embassy of Austria and leading GCC, technology and advisory experts, who deliberated on critical location parameters including talent, ready-to-move infrastructure, connectivity, cost competitiveness, quality of life and ecosystem strength.
Highlighting Punjab’s competitive edge, Mr Aman Arora said Mohali offers Tier-1 capability at Tier-2 operating cost. The Chandigarh-Mohali region already has a strong base of technology professionals and produces over 40,000 fresh graduates annually. With significant OPEX advantage over Tier-1 locations, ready and upcoming plug-and-play commercial space, and proximity to Chandigarh-Mohali International Airport, Mohali presents a compelling value proposition. He added that the State’s new Industrial Policy provides dedicated support for GCCs, including ₹7,500 per employee per month employment subsidy, rental subsidy, capital subsidy and other fiscal incentives.
The delegation also held focused interactions with Zinnov, Persistent Systems, NXP Semiconductors, Nexteer Automotive and GlobalFoundries, covering opportunities across GCCs, R&D, semiconductor design and ESDM, advanced mobility, AgriTech and technology-led investments. The discussions emphasised the need to position Punjab beyond cost arbitrage and build a differentiated value proposition around industry-ready talent, deep technology capabilities, innovation, robust infrastructure and strong industry-academia-startup linkages.
On the sidelines, the Punjab delegation also held detailed discussions with ANSR management for a potential collaboration to drive aggressive GCC outreach. The proposed partnership envisages organising sector-specific roundtables with GCC leaders across major tech hubs in India, undertaking international and diaspora outreach and building an AI and GCC-ready talent ecosystem in Punjab in collaboration with universities and industry.
As an event partner at Zinnov Confluence 2026, Punjab also participated in the Zinnov ICON 2026 Awards Ceremony, where Mr. Aman Arora presented awards recognising GCCs and their teams for outstanding initiatives across various categories and congratulated all the winners for their contribution towards innovation and strengthening India’s rapidly growing GCC ecosystem.
The Bengaluru outreach will be followed by structured engagement with the identified companies and ecosystem partners, as Punjab moves to establish Mohali as North India’s next preferred destination for GCC and technology investments.