*Punjab Government Speeds Up Process for Granting SC Status to Nayak Community: Dr. Baljit Kaur*

*In Vidhan Sabha, Minister Says Further Action Will Be Taken Based on Reports of Deputy Commissioners and Required Supporting Documents*

Chandigarh, October 27:In response to a question raised by Fazilka MLA S. Narinder Pal Singh Sawna in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Punjab Government is committed to granting Scheduled Caste (SC) status to the Nayak community and will soon forward a proposal to the Government of India after completing the prescribed procedure.

Dr. Baljit Kaur informed the House that granting Scheduled Caste status to any community involves a detailed assessment of its social, economic, historical and geographical background. During the process, various aspects related to the concerned community, including its social conditions, traditional status, and issues such as social discrimination and untouchability, are also examined.

She said that the matter is taken forward by the State Government on the basis of detailed reports prepared at the Deputy Commissioner level and supporting documents. Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that after receiving reports from all concerned Deputy Commissioners and compiling the required supporting documents, the proposal will soon be sent to the Government of India.

The Minister further informed that after the State Government submits the proposal, the matter is examined by the Government of India and forwarded for further scrutiny and consideration to the Registrar General of India (RGI) and thereafter to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. Under the prescribed procedure, the Government of India takes a decision on granting SC status to any community only after a comprehensive assessment of its social, economic and other relevant aspects.

The Punjab Government remains fully committed to social equality, justice and ensuring a dignified life for every section of society. Under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the State Government is continuously taking concrete steps to safeguard the interests of deprived and marginalised sections of society.

============================================

*VB to observe Vigilance Awareness Week from 26th October to 1st November 2026 under the theme "Probity for Prosperity"*

*Punjab Vigilance Bureau personnel undertakes solemn pledge in a unified stand against corruption during Vigilance Awareness Week*

*Vigilance Bureau appeals the public to actively collaborate in this drive to establish a transparent, corrupt-free governance framework*

*VB urges citizens to seamless report of bribery in Chief Minister's Anti-Corruption Action Line (ACAL) Number: 9501200200, Prompt action will be taken against offenders*

*VB’s Zero-Tolerance Crackdown: 1,118 Corruption Cases Registered, 1,156 Arrested Since 2022 to 30 September 2026*

Chandigarh, 27 October 2026:In alignment with the nationwide initiative spearheaded by the Central Vigilance Commission, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) will actively observe Vigilance Awareness Week from October 26 to November 1, 2026 in the state under the theme 'Probity for Prosperity'. Vigilance Awareness Week is observed every year during the week in which the birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (31st October) falls. To observe the week with integrity and transparency, all the VB personnel today undertook a solemn pledge in a unified stand against corruption during a function at VB headquarters at Mohali.

The integrity pledge was administered to the VB officers and officials by Swarandeep Singh, JD IVC &SU, in the presence of Dr. Sharad Satya Chauhan, Special DGP cum Chief Director Vigilance Bureau, Prabhjot Kaur and Deyama Harish Kumar Omprakash, (Both Joint Directors) and Harpreet Singh, DIG, Economic Offences Wing.

Dr. Sharad Satya Chauhan, Special DGP cum Chief Director Vigilance Bureau Punjab elaborated today that the primary objective of this week-long campaign is to sensitize and empower citizens regarding their pivotal role assist the Bureau's concerted and multi-faceted initiatives aimed at eradicating corruption from public offices.

The observance would be conducted under the resonant theme, “ Probity for Prosperity,” underscoring transparency, ethical conduct, and institutional integrity serve as the fundamental bedrocks of sustainable economic growth and public prosperity.

To ensure widespread engagement, he informed that all Senior Superintendents of Police across VB Ranges have been directed to orchestrate outreach events in every district in rural and urban areas. Officials are advised to maintain an open-door policy and actively meet with citizens. Interacting openly with the public is vital for gathering grassroots intelligence regarding ongoing malpractices, enabling the bureau to take swift punitive action.

“A key focus will be to amplify the reach of the Chief Minister’s Anti-Corruption Action Line (ACAL) via WhatsApp at 9501200200,” he added. This dedicated platform, launched by the Punjab Government in March 2022, enables citizens to confidentially lodge complaints with audio-video messages pertaining to corruption.

He added that in a demonstration of their resolve, all officers and officials of the VB have also collectively undertaken a solemn Integrity pledge on Tuesday across all district headquarters. He asked all officials to obey this pledge of integrity and confidentiality in letter and spirit throughout their professional and personal lives. He directed the officers to maintain strict confidentiality regarding official records.

He further informed that as a part of the comprehensive public awareness drive, banners would be prominently displayed at key public spaces to aware the public about the anti-corruption drive. These banners would feature the contact details of designated vigilance officers, providing citizens with direct channels to report grievances and bolstering transparency in the anti-corruption drive.

He added that complementing these efforts, VB Range Officers would curate seminars and workshops in educational institutions, and other prominent public places inviting distinguished personalities to foster dialogues on integrity and ethics. They have also been instructed to forge synergies with various departmental offices across their respective districts to proliferate the message of vigilance and probity.

He also appealed to the public to cooperate with the government and the VB in its anti-corruption campaign to ensure a corruption-free administration in the state, stating that its elimination relies heavily on the collective will of the people. Citizens are being urged to immediately report any demands for bribes or illicit favors through the 'Chief Minister's Anti-Corruption Action Line' portal. He assured the public that perpetrators would face prompt arrest and rigorous legal action, emphasizing that a zero-tolerance policy would be maintained and nobody would be spared if found indulging in corrupt practices and misappropriations.

Continuing its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, the VB has registered 1118 corruption cases from March 2022 to 30 September 2026. He added that during the investigation of these cases, a total of 1156 accused individuals have been arrested.

==============================================

*FLC Workshop and Review of Enforcement agencies held with delegation from ECI and BEL for Punjab Assembly Elections*

*Chandigarh, October 27:*A delegation comprising Senior Deputy Election Commissioners, Director Generals and other senior officials from the Election Commission of India held a review meeting for the upcoming Vidhan Sabha Elections with the Chief Electoral Officer, State Police Nodal Officer and various Central and State enforcement agencies.

The day also marked the successful conduct of the FLC workshop, which aimed at imparting training to concerned officials and personnel on the technical and administrative procedures related to the First Level Checking (FLC) of EVMs and VVPATs.

CEO, Punjab briefed that the entire process of FLC in the districts, commencing from 12th November onwards, will be conducted with complete transparency as per the instructions of the ECI, under strict daily monitoring by the District Election Officers.

Practical demonstrations and hands-on training were provided by expert engineers from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), followed by an evaluation and doubt-clearing session. The workshop was attended by District Election Officers, Additional District Election Officers, FLC Nodal Officers, Master Trainers, BEL experts and other concerned officials.

====================================================

*Punjab Vidhan Sabha Urges Centre To Reopen Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor & Ensure Regular Access For Hassle-Free Darshan By Sikh Sangat*

*•Reopen Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Immediately, It Is Matter of Religious Freedom & Human Kinship: Harjot Bains*

*•Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Isn't Just Road Between India & Pakistan, It Reconnects Sikh Sangat With Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Sacred Land: Harjot Bains*

*•Restrictions on Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Hurt Sikh Sentiments Worldwide, Centre Must Simplify Visit Procedures: Harjot Bains*

CHANDIGARH, October 27:Invoking Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's message of 'Sarbat da Bhala', Punjab Education and Information & Public Relations Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Tuesday moved a resolution in Punjab Assembly urging the Centre to reopen and regularise Sri Kartarpur Sahib corridor, asserting that the passage is a matter of religious freedom and human kinship for lakhs of Sikh Sangat, not merely a diplomatic road between India and Pakistan.

The resolution demanded that the Union government must take immediate steps to reopen the corridor and keep it operational, simplify visit procedures and engage with the Pakistan government to ensure safe, hassle-free and uninterrupted movement of Sangat to Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan.

Addressing the house, the Minister Harjot Singh Bains stated, “Sri Kartarpur Sahib is the cradle of the principles of Kirat Karo, Naam Japo te Vand Chhako. The corridor is not just a passage, it is a bridge that reconnects the Sikh Sangat with the soil where our Guru Sahib walked.”

The Cabinet Minister said that Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent an important phase of his life at Sri Kartarpur Sahib and gave humanity the message of equality, service, brotherhood and Sarbat da Bhala. The corridor represents the aspirations of lakhs of devotees and the pain of families separated by the 1947 Partition.

Minister Harjot Bains emphasised, “Guru Sahib Ji’s message transcends religion, community and country. His Bani shows humanity the path of love, harmony, tolerance and peace. Keeping Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor open is thus a matter of religious freedom, human kinship and respect for Punjab’s shared heritage.”

Embodying the spirit of ‘Nanak Naam Chardi Kala, Tere Bhane Sarbat da Bhala’, Minister Harjot Bains further called for sustained and sincere efforts to keep the corridor open as a living symbol of faith, peace and people-to-people connectivity and shared heritage that transcends borders.

The restrictions and interruptions in movement through the corridor hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikh community worldwide and deprive devotees of darshan. The resolution urged the Centre to simplify procedures for devotees, especially the elderly and infirm, to enable maximum devotees to visit the holy shrine, he added.

Special emphasis was laid on conducting the FLC process with due protocol, transparency and caution.

Subsequent to the FLC workshop, a review meeting with enforcement agencies was held to review the preparedness and to ensure that the elections are conducted in a fair and transparent manner with the involvement of all enforcement agencies.

==========================================

*Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan adjourned sine- die 13th Session of 16th Punjab Legislative Assembly*

Chandigarh, 27 October 2026:The 16th Punjab Legislative Assembly, which was re-convened by Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha S Kultar Singh Sandhwan to meet on the 22nd October, 2026 for its 13th Session has been adjourned sine-die during its sitting held on today i.e. 27th October, 2026.

=============================================

*Punjab Vidhan Sabha Unanimously Resolves to Protect All Public Welfare Schemes & Financial Benefits Brought by Bhagwant Mann Govt for People*

*Over 80 Lakh Women Registered Under Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana, 300 Units of Free Power, Health Cover to Continue: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*Punjab’s Resources Belong to Its People, Welfare Spending Is Not Waste of Money: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*Congress, SAD & BJP Must Clarify Their Stand on Welfare Schemes Instead of Insulting Beneficiaries: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*Punjab Vidhan Sabha Rejects Congress, SAD’s Threats to Withdraw Welfare Benefits*

CHANDIGARH; 27th October 2026:To protect the socio-economic rights of lakhs of families across the state, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha today unanimously passed a comprehensive resolution affirming that the public welfare schemes and direct financial entitlements of the people of Punjab shall continue uninterrupted.

Moved on the floor of the House by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, the resolution firmly establishes that the resources of Punjab belong to its people, and the foremost duty of an elected government is to deploy those resources to provide financial dignity, quality healthcare, and essential household relief.

The House categorically rejected attempts to label public welfare spending as a "waste of money." Moving the resolution, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stressed, “Direct assistance provides critical relief to mothers managing monthly household budgets, farmers cultivating fields, and families confronting unexpected medical crises.” The Assembly affirmed that public support reinforces citizen dignity, self-respect, and economic independence rather than diminishing it.

The resolution highlighted key achievements of the Bhagwant Mann Government that have transformed daily living standards across the state:

Women’s Financial Independence: Over 80 lakh mothers and daughters are registered under the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana, receiving ₹1,000 per month (₹1,500 per month for eligible Scheduled Caste women). In addition, women undertake over 1 crore free journeys each month on state-run buses, while the Ashirwad Scheme provides ₹51,000 for the marriage of eligible daughters.

Household & Agricultural Energy Relief: The provision of 300 units of free domestic electricity per month has eliminated power bills for more than 90% of Punjab households since 2022. Free power for agricultural tube-wells continues to support lakhs of farming households.

Universal Healthcare Access: The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana provides health treatment coverage of up to ₹10 lakh per family annually. A network of 1,244 Aam Aadmi Clinics has already served around 2 crore patients, drastically lowering out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Social Safety Net & Dignity: Social security pensions of ₹1,500 per month support 30 lakh senior citizens, widows, destitute persons, and persons with disabilities. Under the Meri Rasoi Yojana, 40 lakh families receive essential food supplies free of cost every quarter, while nearly 7 lakh elderly citizens have completed free spiritual journeys under the Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Yojana.

The resolution voiced serious concern over statements by leaders of the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) openly advocating for the termination of ongoing welfare schemes and financial assistance. It also condemned remarks demeaning women and vulnerable groups who receive this statutory support, alongside the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) opposition to direct public assistance.

Calling on all political parties to end ambiguity and declare their stand clearly to the people of Punjab, the resolution noted that withdrawing these benefits would directly deprive households of funds required for basic food, healthcare, and education.

*The Punjab Assembly resolved:*

1. The Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana, free domestic electricity up to 300 units per month, free electricity for agricultural tube-wells, the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, Aam Aadmi Clinics, the Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Yojana, free bus travel for women, the Meri Rasoi Yojana, social security pensions, the Ashirwad Scheme and all other such schemes and financial assistance introduced for public welfare shall continue, with benefits protected for all eligible beneficiaries.

2. The Government of Punjab shall make adequate provision for these schemes in every annual budget and ensure timely funding and delivery.

3. This House condemns statements of leaders of the Indian National Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, and BJP to demean citizens receiving benefits and rejects their threats to withdraw financial assistance from the citizens.

========================================

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Unanimously passes 8 resolutions

Chandigarh, October 27:The Punjab Vidhan Sabha today unanimously passed 8 resolutions on the last day of its 13th session.

The passed resolutions included the ones regarding authorizing the Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha for nominating two Members of Punjab Vidhan Sabha to the Senate of Panjab University, Chandigarh considering the proportional count of various parties in the house, Punjab's legitimate and equitable share in Yamuna waters, Regarding administration, maintenance and operation of irrigation headworks at Ropar, Harike and Ferozepur to remain under Punjab, Regarding rejection of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, Regarding cost / royalty of river waters of Sutlej, Ravi and Beas supplied to Rajasthan, Regarding requesting Union Government to execute the Ujh Multipurpose Project and to divert its waters to the Ranjit Sagar Dam to stop waters of River Ravi flowing to Pakistan from downstream of Madhopur Headworks, Continuation of Public welfare schemes initiated by Punjab Government, Imploring the Union Government to reopen Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor.

The Resolution appreciating the public welfare schemes of Punjab Government was moved by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains tabled the resolution for the reopening of Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, while those pertaining to the river waters were moved by the Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal.

===============================================