*Punjab Government Strengthens Economic Security of Widows and Destitute Women; Around ₹624 Crore Released During Current Financial Year: Dr. Baljit Kaur*
*Over 7 lakh women receiving financial assistance, ensuring dignity, security and renewed hope in their lives*
*Over ₹1,200 crore budget provision for 2026-27; Government committed to timely assistance for every deserving beneficiary*
*Dr. Baljit Kaur directs officials to intensify awareness campaigns to ensure no eligible woman remains deprived of scheme benefits*
Chandigarh, September 24:Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to ensuring that every needy woman in the state receives the support she deserves. She said that the objective of providing financial assistance to widows and destitute women is not only to extend economic support but also to enable them to live with dignity, confidence and self-reliance.
Sharing details, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that under the Financial Assistance Scheme for Widows and Destitute Women, nearly ₹624 crore has been released during the current financial year 2026-27, benefiting more than 7 lakh women with regular financial assistance.
She said that a budget provision of over ₹1,200 crore has been made for the scheme during the financial year 2026-27, reflecting the Punjab Government’s firm resolve to further strengthen the social security system and ensure hassle-free and timely delivery of benefits to all deserving beneficiaries.
The Minister said that every woman covered under this scheme represents a story of courage, struggle and hope. The Punjab Government’s aim is not limited to providing monthly financial assistance, but to create a reliable support system that helps widows and destitute women become economically stronger and lead a life of dignity.
Dr. Baljit Kaur directed department officials to conduct special awareness drives at the grassroots level so that information about the scheme reaches every household. She said that with the active support of Anganwadi workers, Sewa Kendras, Panchayats, Urban Local Bodies and field-level staff, deserving women should be identified and connected with the scheme.
She made it clear that no woman should be deprived of the benefits of this welfare initiative due to lack of awareness, administrative delay or negligence at any level.
Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Punjab Government has adopted a transparent and people-centric approach to ensure effective implementation of all welfare schemes. She added that continuous monitoring and regular reviews are being carried out to ensure that social security benefits reach the people who need them the most.
The Minister appealed to eligible women and their families to contact their nearest District Social Security Office, Sewa Kendra or concerned government office to get complete information about the scheme and avail the benefits being provided by the Punjab Government for their welfare, empowerment and social security.
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*OVER 16K CRM MACHINES PROCURED, ₹183 CRORE SUBSIDY RELEASED TO PUNJAB FARMERS: GURMEET SINGH KHUDIAN*
*•Agriculture Minister reviews preparedness for Rabi sowing season; Directs officials to ensure uninterrupted & timely supply of fertilisers & quality Agri-inputs*
*•Khudian warns of strict action on fertiliser tagging, says no violator to be spared*
Chandigarh, September 24:In a major thrust to sustainable agriculture and environmental protection, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian today said that the state farmers have procured 16,227 Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines so far during the ongoing Kharif season. To support this transition, the Punjab Government has released a subsidy of Rs 183 crore to farmers for procuring over 10,000 CRM machines across the state.
S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, along with Additional Chief Secretary (Agriculture) Mr. Anurag Verma, was reviewing preparedness for the upcoming Rabi season.
Reiterating Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government's commitment to incentivising eco-friendly farming, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that a 50% subsidy for individual farmers and 80% subsidy for Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs), FPOs, Cooperative Societies and Gram Panchayats is being provided for purchase of CRM machines.
The Agriculture Minister said that backed by a robust Rs 576-crore action plan for 2026-27, these concerted efforts have resulted in a 90% drop in stubble-burning cases- from 49,922 in 2022 to just 5,114 in 2025— earning Punjab national recognition for its crop residue management strategy.
Appealing to the agrarian community to shun crop residue burning, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian urged farmers to adopt scientific residue management using CRM machines to protect the environment, preserve soil fertility and ensure long-term sustainability of agriculture.
Reviewing the fertiliser supply position, S. Khudian directed the Agriculture department officials to ensure timely and smooth availability of fertilisers across the state and to strictly curb the practice of tagging with fertilisers, while ensuring hassle-free access to quality agri-inputs for all farmers. He warned that anyone found indulging in this malpractice will not be spared and will face the strictest action.
He also urged farmers to adopt balanced nutrient management by utilising alternate fertilisers like TSP, NPK and SSP to maintain soil health and reduce over-dependence on DAP.
The Agriculture Minister was apprised that the state has a comfortable stock of over 3.92 lakh metric tonnes of Urea and 5 lakh metric tonnes of DAP available for the season. Director Agriculture Gurjeet Singh Brar assured the Minister that the department is proactively taking up the matter with the Union Government to ensure timely and uninterrupted supply of fertilisers for the Rabi season.
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*Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema Approves 110 New Junior Resident Posts at AIMS Mohali, Taking Strength to 207*
*Mann Govt Making Punjab Premier Healthcare & Medical Education Hub: Harpal Singh Cheema*
CHANDIGARH; 24th September 2026:In a major boost to medical education and public healthcare infrastructure in the state, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has accorded approval for the creation of 110 new posts of Junior Residents (JRs) at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), SAS Nagar (Mohali), raising the total sanctioned JR strength from 97 to 207.
Announcing the decision, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Bhagwant Singh Mann Government is committed to transforming Punjab into a premier healthcare and medical education hub. Following consents of affiliation granted by Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) and the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) across 24 departments, the annual postgraduate intake at AIMS Mohali has expanded to 69 seats per year, necessitating a total working capacity of 207 postgraduate/Junior Resident doctors over a standard three-year academic cycle.”
Detailing the institutional requirements, the Finance Minister said, “At present, Dr BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences has 97 sanctioned Junior Resident posts. With an annual intake of 38 academic residents, the existing strength stands at 114 over the three-year training cycle.”
“In light of the new postgraduate courses and expanded departments, the seat requirements have been projected at 147 for the academic session 2026–2027, 177 for 2027–2028, and 207 for 2028–2029. To bridge the immediate shortfall and successfully cater to the requirement of 147 seats for the ongoing academic year 2026–27, our government has approved the immediate creation of these crucial posts,” he added.
The Finance Minister further added that during the current academic session, seven regular/post-diploma Junior Residents are due to complete their tenure and be relieved, including six in October 2026 and one in December 2026, making the reinforcement of resident doctors essential to prevent any disruption to clinical and patient care.
Minister Harpal Singh Cheema reiterated that the proposal received from the Department of Medical Education and Research has been approved to ensure that premier state-run medical colleges are fully equipped with specialised human resources, advanced training facilities, and superior healthcare services for the public.
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Arhtiyas integral part of procurement ecosystem, Punjab Government committed to their overall Welfare: Group of Ministers
Comprehensive deliberations with Arhtiya Associations ahead of Paddy procurement season
Chandigarh, September 24:The Arhtiyas (Commission Agents) constitute an inseparable part of the procurement eco system of the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and is ever ready to promulgate policies aimed at their overall welfare.
It was owing to the persistent efforts of the State Government that the Union Government increased the per quintal commission of the arhtiyas by Rs. 4.74. The Punjab Government knows fully well the yeoman's contribution made by the arhtiyas in Sync with the other stakeholders to ensure the success of every procurement season.
The Group of Ministers (GoM) comprising Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak & Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal here today reiterated this commitment during meeting with the Federation of Arhtiyas Association of Punjab led by President Vijay Kalra and Arhtiya Association Punjab led by President Jaswinder Singh Rana in view of the upcoming Paddy procurement season.
The associations put forth their various demands such as release of the amount worth Rs. 55 Crores lying with the EPF authorities and no future EPF deductions to be made as the labourers are hired on the seasonal basis, Strict enforcement of the rules with regard to Non Operation of combines during the night hours, Ensuring no paddy sale from other States in the mandis of Punjab, To ensure speedy movement of previously stored food grains from the State in order to make storage space in view of the forthcoming paddy procurement season.
Besides, the other issues that came up for comprehensive discussion included bringing in the One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme to resolve the issue pertaining to penalties imposed on pending installments of shops and plots owned by arhtiyas in the mandis apart from allowing temporary yards in the mandis to make room for agricultural produce likely to come during the paddy procurement season.
The Group of Ministers held threadbare deliberations on every aspect of each of the issues brought forward by the arhtiya associations and reiterated their commitment to take up the same at the appropriate level in the Government.
Among others present on the occasion included the Principal Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Rahul Tewari, Director Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Varinder Kumar Sharma and Additional Director Food Supply Ajayveer Singh Sarao.
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*PUNJAB WOMEN COMMISSION TAKES SUO MOTU COGNIZANCE OF DEROGATORY AND OBJECTIONABLE REMARKS BY VIRSA SINGH VALTOHA AGAINST RAPE SURVIVOR AND DISCLOSURE OF HER IDENTITY*
*TAKES SUO MOTU COGNIZANCE OF NEWS REPORT AIRED ON TV CHANNELS*
*Chandigarh, September 24:*The Punjab State Commission for Women today took suo motu cognizance of a matter concerning the use of derogatory and objectionable words by Akali leader Virsa Singh Valtoha against the rape survivor and the disclosure of her identity.
Giving further details, Chairperson of the Punjab State Commission for Women Mrs. Raj Lali Gill said that the matter came to the Commission’s notice through a news report aired on TV channels. Taking cognizance of the matter, the Commission has initiated action in this regard.
She informed that in this connection a letter has been issued to the Director General of Police and the Director, Bureau of Investigation, Punjab Police, enclosing the link of the news report/video along with a copy of the screenshot. They have been directed to get the matter inquired into immediately through a senior officer and submit an action taken report to the Commission by September 26, 2026.
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*CENTRAL AGENCIES CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO BECOME TOOLS OF POLITICAL INTIMIDATION: HARBHAJAN SINGH ETO*
*‘PUNJAB CANNOT BE INTIMIDATED THROUGH RAIDS, THREATS OR FEAR’*
*CABINET MINISTER STRONGLY CONDEMNS ED ACTION AGAINST FAMILY OF MINISTER HARDEEP SINGH MUNDIAN*
*Chandigarh, September 24:*Punjab Cabinet Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO today strongly condemned the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searches in Punjab and questioned the manner in which the agency conducted a search at the residence of the nephew of his Cabinet colleague Hardeep Singh Mundian at Sahnewal in Ludhiana district. He said that the use of central investigative agencies to create an atmosphere of fear and political intimidation was deeply concerning and asserted that Punjab would not be cowed down by such actions.
Harbhajan Singh ETO said that investigative agencies have the legal right to conduct investigations in accordance with the law but their actions should not become a means of exerting political pressure on elected representatives or their families.
Referring to the allegations of Hardeep Singh Mundian regarding the search at his nephew’s residence and harassment of women and children, he lamented that the pressure exerted on family members was a matter of serious concern that could not simply be brushed aside.
The Cabinet Minister said that the attempt to involve family members in political matters was particularly objectionable. He said that the allegations of family members being asked to convey a message to the Minister to leave the Aam Aadmi Party raise serious questions about the manner in which an investigative exercise was conducted.
Harbhajan Singh ETO said that the BJP was attempting to create fear and pressure through the ED after failing to generate public support in Punjab. He said that the people of Punjab have a strong democratic spirit and have historically stood firmly against attempts to intimidate them.
“Punjab cannot be intimidated through ED raids or threats. Punjabis are fearless and such pressure tactics will not make the elected representatives of Punjab bow before anyone,” he said.
The Minister further alleged that the timing and manner of the ED action had raised serious political questions. He said that the ED searches at GMADA and other locations along with the search at the residence of the Minister’s nephew had created widespread concern.
Harbhajan Singh ETO said that the Aam Aadmi Party leadership would continue to cooperate with lawful proceedings while firmly opposing any attempt to use investigative agencies for political intimidation. He said that the party would not be deterred by raids or threats and would continue to raise issues concerning the rights and dignity of ordinary citizens.
He said that the people of Punjab were closely watching the developments and would distinguish between legitimate investigation and political pressure. He added that democratic institutions derive their credibility from fairness, transparency and adherence to the law and that no agency would be permitted to operate beyond its lawful mandate.
The Cabinet Minister said that the Punjab Government would remain focused on governance and public welfare and would continue to discharge its constitutional responsibilities. He said that BJP should face the people on the basis of its policies, performance and public record rather than attempting to create fear through its puppet agencies. “The people of Punjab have never accepted politics of intimidation and they will not accept it now either,” he said.
He said that the illegal detention of Punjab state officials by the ED and pressurizing them is also against democratic values.
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‘Hamare Ram’ Theatrical Performance Enthrals Audience in Mohali;
35 of 41 performances successfully held across Punjab: Tourism Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond
Renowned actor Ashutosh Rana’s portrayal of Ravan adds further distinction to the production
Minister Sond joins audience to witness the mesmerizing performance
Chandigarh/SAS Nagar, September 24, 2026:
The acclaimed theatrical production ‘Hamare Ram’, featuring renowned actor Ashutosh Rana in a powerful role, enthralled a packed auditorium at Ambedkar Auditorium, Vikas Bhawan, Mohali, as part of the Punjab Government’s statewide cultural initiative of organising 41 free performances across 12 cities.
Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister S. Tarunpreet Singh Sond joined the audience from Khanna constituency to witness the inaugural performance in Mohali. With today’s presentation, 35 of the 41 scheduled performances have been successfully conducted across the state.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the initiative seeks to bring the timeless teachings and ideals of Lord Sri Ram closer to the people through the powerful medium of theatre. He said the production conveys enduring values of truth, righteousness, compassion, harmony and unity, while providing audiences with an enriching theatrical experience.
Reaffirming the Punjab Government’s commitment to preserving and promoting the state’s rich cultural heritage, S. Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that the performances have been kept free of cost so that people from all sections of society can experience the production and draw inspiration from the life and ideals associated with Lord Sri Ram.
Addressing the audience, the Minister said, “Punjab is a sacred and historic land, and the state government is committed to perpetuating its glorious legacy. The ‘Hamare Ram’ show beautifully brings to life the timeless teachings and ideals of Lord Sri Ram. A special highlight of this production is the participation of internationally acclaimed actor Ashutosh Rana, whose powerful performance adds immense value to the presentation.”
Promoting Punjab’s Rich Spiritual and Cultural Heritage
Elaborating on the cultural initiatives being undertaken by the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, the Minister said that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has been organising a series of programmes aimed at highlighting the state’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.
He said that programmes commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, the 650th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj and ‘Ek Shaam Bhagwant Shiv Ke Naam’ have been organised as part of these efforts. He said such initiatives provide people with opportunities to connect with the state’s diverse spiritual and cultural traditions.
Highlighting the significance of ‘Hamare Ram’, S. Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that the production presents the Ramayana from distinctive perspectives while remaining rooted in its spiritual essence. He said the production has received appreciation at the national and international levels and has particularly resonated with younger audiences.
“The main objective of this initiative is to connect the younger generation with India’s spiritual, cultural and moral heritage through the medium of world-class theatre. I hope this unique presentation reinforces the timeless values of truth, dharma, compassion and harmony and inspires young people to remain connected with our rich cultural heritage,” he said.
The Minister further said that the teachings associated with Lord Sri Ram remain relevant in contemporary times and can contribute towards strengthening mutual respect, social cohesion and communal harmony. He said the government would continue to promote programmes that bring people closer to India’s rich spiritual and cultural traditions.
Welcoming the artistes, the Minister said, “I warmly welcome the entire team of 150 artistes to the sacred and glorious land of Punjab. It is heartening to see people from different faiths participating together in this event, reflecting the spirit of unity and harmony. The coming generations must remain connected to and aware of our rich cultural and spiritual heritage.”
He also said that the Punjab Government has enhanced the budget for promotion of culture and reaffirmed its commitment to preserving, promoting and celebrating the state’s glorious heritage. He said every effort would be made to ensure that the younger generation remains connected with the cultural legacy of Punjab.
Grand Theatrical Presentation of the Ramayana
‘Hamare Ram’ is a large-scale theatrical production based on the timeless epic Ramayana, presenting the life and ideals of Lord Sri Ram through a contemporary theatrical interpretation while remaining rooted in the spiritual essence of Valmiki’s Ramayana. Directed by Gaurav Bhardwaj and produced by Felicity Theatre, the production features renowned actor Ashutosh Rana as Ravan, along with a distinguished ensemble cast.
Audience Captivated by Powerful Performance
The performance captivated the packed auditorium from the opening scene to the final curtain. The seamless integration of powerful acting, evocative dialogues, soulful music, striking visuals and elaborate stagecraft created an engaging and spiritually uplifting atmosphere.
Ashutosh Rana’s portrayal of Ravan drew repeated applause from the audience, while the ensemble cast brought the characters of the epic to life with conviction. The production’s emotional depth, devotional ambience and artistic presentation resonated strongly with the audience, making the evening a memorable celebration of India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.