*Punjab Government Nears Completion of 1,000 Modern Anganwadi Centres, Laying Strong Foundation for Brighter Future of Every Child: Dr Baljit Kaur*
*957 Anganwadi Centres completed under ₹100 crore project; remaining construction progressing rapidly*
*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Government giving fresh impetus to child care, nutrition and early childhood education*
*New centres to provide improved services to children, pregnant women and lactating mothers*
Chandigarh, October 22:Reaffirming its commitment towards the welfare of children and women, the Punjab Government has achieved a significant milestone in strengthening Anganwadi infrastructure across the state, with the construction of 957 out of 1,000 modern Anganwadi Centres completed and work on the remaining centres progressing at a fast pace. Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur said that this landmark initiative is aimed at providing every child with a safe, nurturing and supportive environment along with better nutrition and early childhood education facilities.
Dr Baljit Kaur informed that the construction of these 1,000 Anganwadi Centres is being undertaken under the **Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme) through convergence with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). She said that the Punjab Government has made a budgetary provision of ₹100 crore for this ambitious project, which reflects its resolve to create strong social infrastructure for children and women at the grassroots level.
The Cabinet Minister said that the newly constructed modern Anganwadi Centres will serve as comprehensive centres for pre-school education, supplementary nutrition, health check-ups, growth monitoring and other essential services for young children. She added that these centres will also ensure improved support services for pregnant women and lactating mothers, thereby strengthening the overall health and well-being of families.
Dr Baljit Kaur said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government has accorded top priority to the welfare of children and women. She said that the construction of modern Anganwadi Centres is not merely about creating buildings, but about building a strong foundation for a secure, healthy and bright future of Punjab’s children. She added that the government’s vision is to ensure that every child gets access to quality nutrition, early childhood education and better care facilities within their own village, enabling them to grow with equal opportunities from the very beginning of life.
Appealing to parents, Panchayati Raj Institutions and the community, Dr Baljit Kaur urged everyone to actively contribute towards the proper upkeep and effective utilisation of these Anganwadi Centres. She said that with community participation, these centres will emerge as vibrant hubs for learning, nutrition, healthcare and holistic development of children.
Dr Baljit Kaur said that this initiative reflects the Punjab Government’s unwavering commitment towards child development, women empowerment and inclusive social welfare. She added that the project marks another significant step towards building a healthy, educated and empowered Rangla Punjab, where every child gets the opportunity to dream, learn and succeed.
============================================
*Bhagwant Mann Govt Committed To Wiping Out Drug Menace; 1.26 Lakh Members Mobilised Through Village & Ward Defence Committees: Barinder Kumar Goyal*
*Yudh Nashean Virudh Is Delivering Results On Ground; Thousands Of Drug Smugglers Arrested, Properties Demolished: Barinder Kumar Goyal*
*Opposition Indulging In Political Showmanship Instead Of Fighting Drug Menace; Bhagwant Mann Govt Focused On Action: Barinder Kumar Goyal*
*Punjab’s Situation Far Better Than That Of States Ruled By Opposition: Barinder Kumar Goyal*
*First Govt To Fulfil All Promises, Safeguarding Punjab’s Future, Groundwater & Public Welfare: Barinder Kumar Goyal*
*Chandigarh, October 22:*Punjab Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal affirmed the Bhagwant Mann Government’s zero-tolerance policy against narcotics, asserting that the ongoing ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ is intensifying the fight against drugs through grassroots public participation, stringent action against smugglers and rehabilitation of people affected by addiction. He said more than 1.26 lakh members had been mobilised through Ward and Village Defence Committees across Punjab, while thousands of drug smugglers had been arrested and illegally acquired properties linked to the drug trade demolished.
During a media interaction, Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said, “The Bhagwant Mann Government is working relentlessly on the ground to eliminate the drug menace from the state. Under the ongoing Yudh Nashean Virudh, we have adopted a comprehensive approach that combines public participation, strict action against drug smugglers and rehabilitation of those affected by addiction. Our commitment is clear: Punjab must be freed from the menace of drugs.”
The Cabinet Minister stated, “Ward and Village Defence Committees have been systematically formed across Punjab to spearhead this fight at the grassroots level. With more than 1.26 lakh members mobilised across the state, we are strengthening public participation and ensuring that the fight against drugs reaches every village and ward.”
“We have launched an unprecedented crackdown on the drug supply chain. Illegally acquired properties of drug peddlers and smugglers are being confiscated and demolished to dismantle their networks and strike at the financial foundations of the narcotics trade,” Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal added.
Calling out opposition parties, Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said they were indulging in political theatrics and attempting to malign Punjab instead of acknowledging the sustained efforts being made to combat the drug menace. “We have delivered on the ground and not through showmanship like the opposition. While we are working relentlessly to eradicate the drug menace, the opposition is busy making hollow claims and maligning Punjab instead of acknowledging the efforts being made to secure the state’s future,” he said.
“The circumstances regarding law and order and drug control in Punjab are significantly better than those in states ruled by the opposition. Political parties should examine their own records instead of indulging in political rhetoric and attempting to mislead the people of Punjab,” Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal asserted.
Contrasting the Bhagwant Mann Government’s approach with the opposition’s past political actions, Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said, “Unlike the opposition, we have neither staged hollow anti-drug marches nor indulged in theatrics by claiming that drugs would be eradicated within just 10 to 12 days. We have also not taken false oaths on Gutka Sahib. Our approach has been to work consistently on the ground and deliver tangible results,” he said.
“The Yudh Nashean Virudh has been underway for approximately one-and-a-half to two years, and it is yielding positive results. Thousands of drug smugglers have been arrested, people affected by addiction have been sent to de-addiction centres, and properties acquired through the proceeds of drug trafficking have been demolished. This is the kind of sustained action required to dismantle the drug network,” he said.
Highlighting the Bhagwant Mann Government’s broader governance agenda, Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said, “The government led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has fulfilled the promises made to the people before coming to power. We are committed to delivering on our commitments through concrete action and responsible governance.”
“We have fulfilled every single promise made to our people. By wiping out the drug network and aggressively implementing environmental conservation policies, we are safeguarding the future of Punjab’s youth and protecting our vital groundwater reserves,” he said.
Reaffirming the government’s long-term commitment, he said the Punjab Government would continue to intensify its efforts against narcotics while prioritising public welfare, environmental conservation and the well-being of citizens. “Our resolve is to ensure a prosperous, healthy and drug-free Punjab. We will continue working tirelessly to protect our youth, dismantle drug networks and build a safer future for every citizen of the state,” said Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal.
===============================================
*PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA PAYS TRIBUTES TO DEPARTED SOULS*
Chandigarh, October 22:The Punjab Vidhan Sabha, on Thursday paid heartfelt tributes to departed souls who had passed away since the last session of the Assembly.
During the onset of 13th session of the 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the House paid respects to the departed soul of Sh. Chunni Lal Bhagat (former deputy speaker, former minister and father of minister Sh. Mohinder Bhagat), S. Varinder Singh Bajwa (former MP), S. Ranjit Singh (former MLA), Dr. Ratan Lal Mittal (eminent doctor), S. Parminder Singh Jhota (anti-drug social activist-cum-ex player), Smt. Vidya Kaur (mother of MLA S. Manjit Singh Bilaspur) and eight labourers (including a pregnant lady who lost their lives in a tragic accident in Sangrur district).
Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan also read brief accounts highlighting the life and personality of each of the departed souls.
A two-minute silence was observed in the memory of departed souls as a mark of respect during the obituary references.
==========================================
*Vigilance Bureau nabs Private Assistant of Patwari red handed accepting bribe of Rs 30,000/-*
Chandigarh, 22 October 2026:The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Private Assistant Pritpal Singh to Patwari Maninder Singh of revenue estate Chauke tehsil Maur district Bathinda, red-handed accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000/-.
Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of village Thikriwala district Barnala.
He stated that the complainant alleged that complainant along with his brother and sister had purchased land in village Chauke in the year 2002. Recently, complainant found that the revenue records still reflected the name of the previous seller instead of their names.
To get this error rectified, complainant approached the concerned Patwari, Maninder Singh of revenue estate, Chauke. The Patwari directed him to coordinate with his private assistant, Pritpal Singh. The private assistant subsequently demanded a bribe of ₹1,50,000 to execute the correction, he added.
He further said that when the complainant revisited the Patwari office, accused Pritpal Singh took him behind the office building and connected him with Patwari Maninder Singh on the phone. During this conversation, the Patwari negotiated the bribe amount down to ₹1,40,000, accused Pritpal Singh accepted ₹2,000 on the spot, and instructed the complainant to deliver the next instalment on October 22, 2026.
Unwilling to pay the illegal gratification, complainant approached the VB Range Bathinda. Acting on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which accused Private Assistant Pritpal Singh to Patwari was arrested red handed while accepting bribe money of Rs 30,000/- from the complainant in presence of two official witnesses.
In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Bathinda and further investigation into this case is under progress.
==============================================
*Punjab Govt Launches SANGAT Mental Health Clubs In 40 Colleges To Strengthen Youth Wellbeing & Prevent Drug Abuse*
*• SANGAT Is Designed By Youth, For Youth, To Promote Peer Support & Healthier Choices: Harjot Singh Bains*
*• Mental Health Awareness & Early Intervention Key To Punjab’s Fight Against Drugs: Harjot Singh Bains*
*• 25 Students From Each College To Receive Mental Health First Aid Training Under Partnership With Aditya Birla Education Trust*
*• Initiative Under Yudh Nashean Virudh Aims To Promote Early Intervention, Peer Support And Awareness Around Substance Abuse*
CHANDIGARH; 22nd October 2026:The Punjab Government has launched SANGAT Mental Health Clubs in 40 colleges across the state to strengthen mental health awareness among young people, encourage early intervention and help prevent substance abuse under its flagship ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’. Led by the Department of Higher Education in partnership with the Aditya Birla Education Trust (ABET), the initiative aims to create supportive campus environments where students can recognise emotional distress, access appropriate assistance and discuss mental health issues without stigma.
During the launch, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia interacted with club participants and discussed the role of educational institutions in advancing youth empowerment. The discussions underlined the importance of collaboration among educational institutions, families and peer networks in reducing stigma, encouraging young people to seek help and addressing substance abuse.
Speaking at the launch event held at Plaksha University, Mohali, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said SANGAT was a significant step towards empowering young people to address mental health challenges and substance abuse through awareness, peer support and collective action. “Even Arjuna, one of the greatest warriors, faced mental and emotional challenges despite having Lord Krishna by his side. This reminds us that young people, too, need the right guidance and mentors. Taking drugs is not a matter of pride; helping someone find their way back from the wrong company is. SANGAT is designed by the youth, for the youth, to encourage peer support, promote mental wellbeing and help young people make healthier choices,” he said.
Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Education Trust and Mpower, emphasised the need for sustained preventive interventions to address the intersection of emotional distress, mental health concerns and substance use among young people. “The challenges faced by youngsters today extend beyond substance abuse. Growing concerns around emotional wellbeing and mental health make early intervention more important than ever. At Mpower, through our work with COPE, we have seen how emotional distress, untreated mental health concerns and substance use can intersect, underscoring the need for sustained, preventive interventions,” she said.
Commending the Punjab Government for its collaborative approach, Birla said, “I commend the Government of Punjab for bringing together government departments, civil society organisations, educators, healthcare professionals and community leaders with a shared vision to move beyond isolated efforts and build a sustainable ecosystem for prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration. Such collaborative models have the potential to create a lasting and meaningful impact on the lives of Punjab’s youth and their families.”
Sharing his own journey and highlighting the importance of mental health, Aparshakti Khurana emphasised the need to create supportive spaces where young people can speak openly about their struggles. “We often tell young people to be strong, but strength also means being able to speak honestly about what you are going through and ask for help when you need it. The pressures young people face are not always visible, making it important for friends, families and educational institutions to create spaces where they feel heard rather than judged,” he added.
“No matter how many challenges keep coming up, my dadi (grandmother) used to say, ‘Achi sangat bohot zaruri hai.’ Initiatives such as SANGAT can encourage young people to look out for one another and make mental health a more open conversation,” he said.
Under the programme, 25 students from each participating college will receive 14 hours of Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training and certification. The training will equip students to recognise signs of emotional distress, provide initial peer support and guide fellow students towards professional assistance whenever required.
The clubs will organise campus-level activities to promote mental wellbeing, encourage open conversations about emotional challenges and discourage substance use. Through peer-led engagement and links to professional support, the initiative seeks to identify concerns at an early stage and build a campus culture in which seeking help is encouraged rather than stigmatised.
The programme is being implemented through Mpower, a subsidiary of ABET, under its COPE (Counselling and Outreach for Peer Empowerment) framework.
The launch event featured Nikhil Taneja, co-founder and chief of Yuvaa, and Bollywood actor Aparshakti Khurana, who participated in conversations on youth wellbeing and the importance of creating spaces where young people feel heard, understood and supported. Punjabi comedian Manpreet Singh, popularly known as The Comic Singh, also performed at the event.
Education officials, nodal professors from participating colleges, SANGAT student members and representatives of ABET attended the programme.
By placing mental wellbeing at the centre of its preventive strategy, SANGAT seeks to empower students to support their peers, strengthen early intervention and foster more open and supportive college campuses. The initiative forms part of the Punjab Government’s broader efforts under Yudh Nashean Virudh to tackle substance abuse through prevention, awareness and collective responsibility.
====================================================
Punjab Government credits over Rs.11000 crore in accounts of 2.92 Lakh farmers during ongoing paddy procurement season: Lal Chand Kataruchak
Lifting in last 72 hours touches 83 percent mark
Chandigarh, October 22:The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stands fully committed to safeguard the interests of the farming community of the State and makes sure that the farmers receive prompt payments in their accounts for their produce procured during each procurement season.
This is amply clear from the fact that amount to the tune of Rs. 11767.46 Crore stands credited into the accounts of 292814 farmers whose produce has been procured so far during the ongoing paddy procurement season.
Taking stock of the procurement process during a meeting here today with the top brass of the department, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak also said that lifting percentage of last 72 hours stands at 83 percent. It was brought to the notice of the Minister that till late last evening, a total of 56.08 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of paddy had arrived in the mandis of the State out of which 54.61 LMT has been procured and 34.28 LMT has been lifted.
Reiterating the whole hearted commitment of the State Government to procure every single grain produced so labourously by the farmers, the Minister while also interacting with the District Food Supply Controllers (DFSC) through video conferencing exhorted them to ensure that no bogus purchase takes place and no produce from outside Punjab is allowed in the mandis of the State.
The Minister was also apprised that full transparency is being ensured in the distribution of ration kits and till date as many as 29 Lakh kits stand distributed during the second quarter. The Minister directed the officers to ensure quality in this task.
Among others present on the occasion included the Principal Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Rahul Tiwari, Director Varinder Kumar Sharma, Special Secretary Kamal Kumar Garg, MD PUNSUP B. Srinivasan, Additional Director Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar & General Manager (Finance) Sarvesh Kumar.
=============================================
Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, Mrs. Anindita Mitra, IAS
Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, Mrs. Anindita Mitra, IAS, presiding over a meeting with representatives of recognized political parties to discuss the schedule of Special Summary Revision (SSR) of Photo Electoral Rolls with reference to 01.01.2027 as the qualifying date, as per the directions of the Election Commission of India. As per the schedule, the Draft Rolls will be published on 12.11.2026, claims and objections will be received from 12.11.2026 to 11.12.2026, and the Final Rolls will be published on 04.01.2027.