*₹15.72 Crore Scholarship Support to Benefit 39,320 OBC Students under Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme Over Two Years: Dr. Baljit Kaur*

*Scholarship Assistance Giving New Wings to the Dreams of OBC Students, Creating a Strong Foundation for Continuing Education*

*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government Committed to Providing Equal Educational Opportunities to Every Child and Building a Rangla Punjab*

Chandigarh, August 31:Punjab Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government is working with firm determination to ensure that no deserving child is deprived of education due to financial constraints. She said that with this objective, various welfare initiatives are being implemented effectively to empower students belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and strengthen their access to education.

The Cabinet Minister informed that under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for OBCs, scholarship assistance of ₹5.72 crore was released to 14,320 students during the financial year 2025-26. She said that this support has provided relief to thousands of students from financial burdens and enabled them to continue their studies without interruption.

Dr. Baljit Kaur further said that for the financial year 2026-27, an amount of ₹10 crore has been proposed to extend the benefits of the scheme to 25,000 OBC students. She said that this initiative will provide necessary financial assistance to more deserving students at the school level, enabling them to continue their education and pursue their dreams for a brighter future.

Highlighting the overall impact of the scheme, the Minister said that during the financial years 2025-26 and 2026-27, a total amount of ₹15.72 crore has been earmarked to benefit 39,320 OBC students. She said that this initiative reflects the State Government’s firm resolve to ensure that every eligible student gets an opportunity to pursue education without any financial barriers.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that education is the most powerful tool for social transformation and empowerment. She said that when children get equal opportunities to learn and grow, it not only brightens their future but also gives a new direction to the progress of families, society and the State.

The Minister further said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is implementing people-oriented and transparent policies for the welfare of every section of society. She added that this investment in the education of children will serve as a strong foundation for an equal, prosperous, progressive and Rangla Punjab, where every child gets the opportunity to move ahead according to his or her abilities.This English version keeps the official PR department tone, retains the emotional connect, and uses “Rangla Punjab” correctly as a vision phrase.

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*Teenage Moodiness or Early Warning Sign? Punjab Urges Parents to Spot Drug Use Before Addiction Takes Hold*

*Catch It Early: Warning Signs of Drug Use Parents Should Know*

*Every child can be saved from addiction with care, compassion and conversation: Dr. Balbir Singh*

*Be Their Safe Place, So Drugs Never Become Their Escape: Dr Ishaan Prakash, Ishaan Prakash (Nodal Psychiatrist, Sangrur)*

CHANDIGARH, August 31:Under the Bhagwant Mann government's 'Yudh Nashean Virudh', the focus is widening from cutting off the drug supply to also catching vulnerability early. The state is working towards providing young people with help before occasional or experimental use turns into dependence or addiction. The question being asked of parents is a simple one: are there signs family members can watch out for to intervene early and prevent the child from falling into addiction? Experts say there are.

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh puts it plainly: "Every child can be saved from addiction with care, compassion and conversation. As families, caregivers, and society, we must keep our eyes, ears and hearts open." He adds, "If you find some concerning changes in someone close to you, then pay attention and respond with empathy."

*Identifying early signs*

Addiction does not announce itself with dramatic warning signs. It tends to arrive quietly, for example, a behaviour change, old friends replaced by new ones, a secretive circle, hours spent locked away in the bathroom or a bolted room, or a sudden loss of interest in hobbies that once meant everything.

When asked, you might notice behavioural changes such as bouts of anger, emotional outbursts, etc. There may be repeated complaints from school or teachers. Sleep offers another clue. Staying awake through the night, sleeping at unusual hours, or a sudden change in routine can signal that something is wrong. Another sign is unexplained demand for money with no clear account of where it has gone or, in some cases, cash missing at home.

Neglect of appearance and hygiene, reduced appetite or weight loss, and shifts in eating habits can be other warning signs. There are physical signs too. Red or glazed eyes, unusual pupil size, drowsiness or frequent tiredness, agitation, tremors, slurred speech, poor coordination, repeated bruising, or, in more severe cases, injection marks.

However, experts caution that no single sign alone can establish drug abuse. A teenager staying up late once in a while is normal, but if someone is consistently withdrawn, secretive, or indifferent to his surroundings, and defensive at the smallest question is showing a pattern, and that’s when parents should seek help.

“One of the biggest mistakes families make is to play a waiting game before seeking help. You do not need proof that a child is using drugs to start a conversation or consult a professional. In our society, where many parents fear stigma or worry about ‘what people will say’, this hesitation can delay support. It is always better to seek guidance early than to wait until a young person is already in serious difficulty,” says Dr. Ishaan Prakash, District Nodal Psychiatrist, Sangrur. "A caring parent is the first line of defence against addiction. Be their safe place, so drugs never become their escape."

*Interventions*

Once a pattern is noticed, how a parent responds matters as much as the noticing itself. Instead of lectures, open-ended questions, a calm and neutral tone, and genuinely listening to the child's perspective is the way to go. A check-in as simple as, "We feel something has been bothering you; do you want to share what is going on at school these days?" can open more doors than a direct accusation ever could.

If a parent finds out that the child is into drug abuse, the instinct to react strongly is natural but often counterproductive. An emotionally charged confrontation tends to push a child further into secrecy. The recommended approach is to pause, then have a private, calm conversation aimed at understanding what is driving the behaviour. If substance abuse is suspected or disclosed, parents should avoid shaming, threatening, labelling or responding solely by punishment, as these approaches may discourage the child from seeking help. Instead, parents should listen carefully, communicate concern, and work collaboratively with the child to identify suitable support.

If you are worried about your child, or simply don't know where to start, you don't have to figure it out alone. Families can reach out to the Tele-MANAS helpline at 1800-89-14416 for confidential, expert guidance.

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*Over 85,000 Children Visit Chhatbir Zoo in 8 Months; Punjab Government's Wildlife Awareness initiatives Gain Momentum*

Chandigarh, August 31:The trend to learn more and be aware about the varied species of Wildlife at the Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park popularly known as Chhatbir Zoo, has been fast catching up with the children owing to the consistent efforts of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government to make them aware about the diverse Wildlife in the State.

Under the guidance of the Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, the Chhatbir Zoo has seen the immense footfall amongst the children to learn more and more about the wildlife, its various species and nature.

From January 2026 to August 20th, 2026, a total of 85225 children have visited the zoo to get more apprised with regard to the multiple species of Wildlife. Especially during the month of June, the number of children visiting the zoo stood at 19346.

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*Punjab Records First Rise in Groundwater Levels After Decades: Barinder Kumar Goyal*

*Groundwater extraction declines from 164% in 2022 to 152.22% in 2026; over-exploited blocks reduce from 117 to 110, safe blocks rise from 17 to 20*

*Punjab’s sustained push for canal irrigation begins yielding visible results: Barinder Goyal*

*₹7,500 crore invested to expand canal network & strengthen irrigation infrastructure; canal water utilisation rises from 26% to 82%*

*16% electricity saving recorded as farmers reduce dependence on groundwater pumping; More than 510 recharge schemes contribute 38 lakh cubic metres of groundwater recharge: Barinder Goyal*

CHANDIGARH; 31st August 2026:Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal today said that the state has registered a significant turnaround in its groundwater situation, with the latest 2026 assessment of the Central Ground Water Board showing, for the first time in decades, an improvement in groundwater levels. He said the stage of groundwater development has declined from 164% in 2022 to 152.22% in 2026, while the number of over-exploited assessment units has fallen from 117 to 110 and safe units have increased from 17 to 20.

Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan on Monday, Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal, “The latest assessment of the Central Ground Water Board provides an important validation of the sustained efforts of the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to conserve groundwater by taking canal water directly to agricultural fields.”

The Water Resources Minister said the latest groundwater data clearly reflects the impact of these interventions. “The annual groundwater extraction has declined from 28.02 BCM in 2022 to 26.32 BCM in the 2026 assessment, while the overall stage of groundwater development has also witnessed a substantial decline,” he added.

“This is a major development for Punjab. For decades, groundwater levels had been witnessing a continuous decline. For the first time, we have witnessed it rising,” said Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal.

He said Punjab has 153 groundwater assessment blocks categorised as Safe, Semi-Critical, Critical and Over-Exploited. “The latest assessment shows that several blocks that had earlier fallen in the Over-Exploited and Critical categories have improved and moved into better categories,” he added.

Giving details of the improvement, the Water Resources Minister noted 14 groundwater assessment blocks have changed their categorisation in comparison to 2025, including four blocks that have moved into the Safe category.

Arniwala Sheikh Subanpur in Fazilka has improved from Semi-Critical to Safe, with groundwater extraction declining from 73.34% in 2025 to 64.38% in 2026. Makhu in Ferozepur has moved from Semi-Critical to Safe, with extraction declining from 77.85% to 66.82%. Hajipur in Hoshiarpur has improved from Semi-Critical to Safe, with extraction declining from 81.67% to 62.16%, while Narot Jaimal Singh in Pathankot has moved from Semi-Critical to Safe, with extraction declining from 70.94% to 66.47%.

The remaining 10 blocks have also recorded improvement in their categorisation. Ferozepur has moved from Critical to Semi-Critical, with groundwater extraction declining from 94.49% to 76.66%; Mamdot has moved from Critical to Semi-Critical, with extraction declining from 99.85% to 86.59%; Gurdaspur has moved from Over-Exploited to Critical, with extraction declining from 110.70% to 92.93%; and Kahnuwan has moved from Over-Exploited to Critical, with extraction declining from 101.04% to 98.01%.

Similarly, Sri Hargobindpur has moved from Critical to Semi-Critical, with extraction declining from 95.53% to 75.54%; Bhunga from Critical to Semi-Critical, with extraction declining from 92.14% to 84.17%; Hoshiarpur-2 from Critical to Semi-Critical, with extraction declining from 97.81% to 78.53%; Mahilpur from Over-Exploited to Critical, with extraction declining from 109.86% to 92.23%; Kot Ise Khan (Dharamkot) in Moga from Over-Exploited to Critical, with extraction declining from 114.32% to 97.67%; and Aur in SBS Nagar from Critical to Semi-Critical, with extraction declining from 90.84% to 89.91%.

Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said another 95 blocks have also shown improvement to varying degrees. Consequently, 109 of the total 153 groundwater assessment blocks in Punjab have registered improvement, which he described as a significant achievement for the state.

Of these 95 blocks, three have recorded more than 30% improvement, seven have shown improvement between 20% and 30%, 23 have improved between 10% and 20%, while 62 have registered improvement between 0% and 10%.

The Water Resources Minister said the improvement in Punjab’s groundwater scenario has resulted from a combination of increased groundwater recharge and reduced groundwater extraction. “Improved utilisation of canal water, rehabilitation and expansion of irrigation infrastructure, water conservation and recharge measures have collectively contributed to the positive change,” he added.

He said the large-scale restoration of canals, rehabilitation and expansion of watercourses, laying of pipelines and ensuring that canal water reaches every tail-end field have further strengthened the state’s groundwater conservation efforts.

Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said, “The objective was clear: take canal water to the fields so that farmers do not have to depend entirely on groundwater. This is not merely an irrigation intervention; it is an effort to secure Punjab’s water reserves for future generations.”

He said the groundwater situation had become particularly alarming over the years as groundwater levels in Punjab continued to decline consistently. “The Punjab Government therefore adopted a focused strategy to increase utilisation of available canal water and strengthen the canal network across the state,” he added.

Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said canal water utilisation, which was only around 26% till 2022, has now increased to 82%. “To achieve this transformation, the Punjab Government has invested around ₹7,500 crore and constructed and strengthened thousands of kilometres of watercourses and other irrigation infrastructure,” he added.

He said efficient utilisation of Punjab’s share of water stored in the state’s reservoirs has also been made a key priority. “Punjab has 1,117 canals and minors, whose utilisation historically remained considerably below their designed carrying capacity,” he added.

Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said that while the carrying capacity of the canal system is around 36,000 cusecs, Punjab has been regularly supplying around 39,000 cusecs of canal water since June 1 this year. “The increased availability of canal water has enabled farmers in several areas to undertake paddy cultivation using canal water instead of extracting groundwater through tubewells,” he added.

He said taking canal water directly to agricultural fields has simultaneously helped conserve groundwater and reduce electricity consumption, with the state recording around 16% saving in electricity due to reduced dependence on groundwater extraction. “When canal water reaches the farmer’s field, it not only saves groundwater but also reduces the electricity required for pumping. This is a direct benefit for both the farmer and Punjab’s water resources,” said Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal.

The Water Resources Minister stated farmers are now witnessing the benefits of assured canal irrigation through improved availability of water for crops, while also reducing their dependence on electricity-intensive groundwater pumping.

He said increased groundwater recharge has also contributed to the improvement, with more than 510 recharge schemes installed across the state. “These include recharge through ponds, canal-based recharge structures and kambati wells. The schemes have together contributed around 38 lakh cubic metres of recharge, which is more than the storage capacity of Siswan Dam,” he added.

Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said the initiatives undertaken by the Punjab Government would further strengthen groundwater conservation and help reduce the stage of groundwater development in the coming years.

He emphasised that groundwater conservation is not merely an environmental necessity for Punjab but is directly linked with the country’s food security. “Punjab continues to make a major contribution to the Central Foodgrain Pool and has historically played a pivotal role in ensuring the country’s food security. Protecting groundwater is therefore directly connected with protecting the country’s food security,” said Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal.

He said that had the alarming depletion of groundwater continued unchecked, it could have posed a serious threat not only to Punjab’s agricultural economy but also to national food security. “The Punjab Government has therefore taken decisive steps to safeguard the state’s water resources while protecting the interests of future generations,” he added.

The Water Resources Minister said the latest groundwater findings are a source of encouragement for Punjab and strengthen the government’s resolve to further expand canal irrigation and groundwater conservation measures. “The Punjab Government under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann remains committed to sustainable water management and securing the state’s agricultural future,” he added.

Prominent among those present were Sher Singh, Chief Engineer (Canal and Groundwater), Manoj Bansal, Superintendent Engineer (Groundwater), and senior officers of the Water Resources Department.

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