*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Reviews Preparations for Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan 2026*

*10 lakh players to participate in Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*4th Season of Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan to Commence on September 5: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*38 Sports Disciplines, Four Para-Sports to Be Part of Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*QR-Based Registration Introduced for Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*State-Level Gold Medal Winners to Get ₹10,000, Silver ₹7,000 and Bronze ₹5,000: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

CHANDIGARH; 1st September 2026:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday directed officers to ensure foolproof arrangements for the fourth season of ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan - 2026’, which will commence on September 5 at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium in Bathinda. Chairing a meeting to review preparations for the state’s biggest sporting extravaganza, the Chief Minister said that around 10 lakh players are expected to participate this year, while 38 sports disciplines and four para-sports will provide a wider platform for sporting talent across Punjab.

Sharing a few snippets from this review meeting, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated on X: “Today, I held an important meeting with officials to review the preparations for the upcoming season of ‘Khedan Vatan Punjab Diyan - 2026’ and took stock of the arrangements. Our government is continuously working to connect the youth of Punjab with sports and make the state number one in sports once again. Attractive cash prizes have also been arranged for the winning athletes participating in these games.”

“I appeal to all the youth and sports enthusiasts of Punjab to participate in these games in large numbers. Scan the given QR code and register yourself today. Let us come together to make Punjab the leading state in sports once again,” he added.

During the review meeting, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that this year, around 10 lakh players will be participating in the event. ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ is the best platform to identify, promote and nurture hidden sporting talent from every village, town and city of Punjab.”

Highlighting the unique character of the games, the Chief Minister said that ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ brings together people from different generations. “In the previous editions, three generations of the same family, namely grandfather, son and grandson, participated in the games,” he said.

He said that players from nine age groups, ranging from 14 years to above 70 years, will participate in this season. A total of 38 sports disciplines will be organised, while four para-sports, namely Athletics, Powerlifting, Badminton and Wheelchair Basketball, have also been included.

Emphasising the importance of wider participation, the Chief Minister said that the registration process has been made simple and completely free of cost. “For the first time, the Sports Department has introduced a QR-code-based registration facility, enabling players to register anytime and from anywhere,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that players can register by visiting sports.punjab.gov.in through the first-ever QR-enabled ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ participation facility. “This is merely a 15-second, minimal-step process for all through the Punjab Sports Portal. I urge the players to submit their details and get ready to compete,” he said.

Registration for the games is currently underway. The Chief Minister said that the quick and simple process has been introduced to make participation convenient for players and encourage more youngsters and sports enthusiasts to join the tournament. “Through these games, the government aims to prepare children and youth for competitions at the national and international levels,” said the Chief Minister, adding that the competitions will be organised at the block, district and state levels.

The Chief Minister said that, for the first time, Tennis Ball Cricket for both boys and girls has been included as a demonstration game, providing an additional opportunity for young players to participate and showcase their talent.

“I have directed the officers to make foolproof arrangements for the smooth and hassle-free conduct of this event,” said the Chief Minister, stressing that all necessary arrangements must be put in place to ensure a well-organised sporting extravaganza and a positive experience for participating players.

Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Principal Secretary to CM Dr. Ravi Bhagat, Secretary Sports Varun Roojam, Special Secretary Information and Public Relations Puneet Goyal and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.

The games will be held across all 153 blocks of Punjab, while district-level competitions will be organised in all 23 districts. The state-level games will be conducted in 16 districts of the state

The games will conclude on November 29 in Patiala. The Chief Minister said that attractive cash prizes have been kept for state-level medal winners, with Gold Medal winners receiving ₹10,000, Silver Medal winners ₹7,000 and Bronze Medal winners ₹5,000.

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*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Calls for Massive Awareness Drive to Curb Stubble Burning*

*Punjab Govt’s Strenuous Efforts Have Cut Stubble Burning by 86% from 2023-25: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*NGOs, Social Workers Must Be Roped In to Motivate Farmers: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Social Media Awareness Campaign Must Be Conducted on Big Scale: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Ex-Situ, In-Situ Paddy Straw Management Must Be Encouraged: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

CHANDIGARH; 1st September 2026:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday called for a massive, multi-level information and awareness campaign to further check paddy straw burning in the state, as Punjab’s sustained government-led efforts have already delivered an 86% decline in such incidents from 2023 to 2025. Directing officers to take the campaign deep into villages and blocks, the Chief Minister stressed that active participation of NGOs, social workers, Panchayats and farmers, backed by large-scale social media outreach and stronger ex-situ and in-situ paddy straw management, is essential to consolidate these gains and protect Punjab’s environment.

Chairing a meeting on the Paddy Straw Management Strategy, the CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that around 30 lakh hectares of paddy has been sown in Punjab this year, which is expected to generate 18.81 million tonnes of paddy straw. “Due to the strenuous efforts of the Punjab government, Punjab has witnessed an 86% reduction in stubble fire incidents from 2023 to 2025. The incidents have come down from 36,663 in 2023 to 10,909 in 2024 and further to 5,114 in 2025. We have to take this progress further and ensure that stubble burning incidents are reduced even more this year,” he said.

Calling for an intensified grassroots campaign, the Chief Minister stated, “A massive information and awareness campaign must be launched at the village and block levels to make farmers aware about the hazards of paddy straw burning. Every stakeholder must work together to motivate farmers to adopt sustainable alternatives to stubble burning.”

He said NGOs and social workers should be actively involved in the campaign to strengthen efforts to motivate farmers. “NGOs and social workers should be roped into motivating farmers. Machinery demonstrations, Nukkad Nataqs, meetings with Sarpanches, pledge-taking activities and other awareness programmes must be organised extensively so that the message reaches farmers at the grassroots level,” he said.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also called for a comprehensive digital and multimedia strategy to complement field-level activities. “A detailed digital plan should be implemented covering radio jingles, print media, television, mobile SMS and outdoor media. The social media awareness campaign should also be conducted on a big scale to create wider awareness about the harmful effects of paddy straw burning and the available management options,” he said.

Emphasising the need to encourage farmers and village institutions that perform well, the Chief Minister stated, “Progressive farmers, best-performing Panchayats, PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies) and other stakeholders should be felicitated for their contribution. Such recognition will encourage others to adopt better practices and make paddy straw management a collective movement.”

He further stressed the need for close coordination among all stakeholders and districts for effective implementation of the strategy. “Perfect coordination should be ensured among all stakeholders and districts so that the entire plan is implemented smoothly and effectively. Every department and stakeholder must work in a coordinated manner to achieve the desired results,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

The Chief Minister also underlined the importance of both ex-situ and in-situ management of paddy straw. “Ex-situ and in-situ management of paddy straw should be encouraged so that farmers can benefit in a big way while the environment is also protected. Our objective should be to provide farmers with practical and sustainable alternatives to stubble burning,” he said.

Cabinet Ministers Gurmeet Singh Khudian and Hardeep Singh Mundian, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Secretary Science and Technology KK Yadav, Principal Secretary to CM Dr. Ravi Bhagat, Secretary Agriculture Arshdeep Singh Thind and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.