*NEW GRAIN MARKET TO BE ESTABLISHED ON OVER 27 ACRES GOVT LAND AT KHANDEBAD VILLAGE NEAR LEHRAGAGA: BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL*

*Cabinet approves new grain market, to ease traffic congestion and facilitate farmers, traders and arhtiyas*

*Chandigarh, November 2 :*Punjab Water Resources Minister and MLA from Lehragaga Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today announced that a new grain market will be established at village Khandebad, adjoining Lehravaga, on 217 kanal 14 marla (more than 27 acres) of government land, the proposal for which was approved by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Cabinet in its meeting held on October 31.

Addressing the press conference at Punjab Bhawan here, the Cabinet Minister said that existing grain market in Lehragaga had become inadequate to handle the increasing arrival of agricultural produce, particularly paddy and wheat, due to a substantial rise in crop production over the years.

He said that the existing grain market was originally developed around 45 years ago over approximately 12 acres of land. A cotton yard was subsequently carved out of the same premises. With the growing volume of agricultural produce, the available space had become insufficient to accommodate the increasing procurement and trading activities.

The Cabinet Minister pointed out that the existing grain market was situated in the heart of Lehragaga city, resulting in persistent traffic congestion during the procurement season. Farmers, traders and arhtiyas had been demanding a new grain market to address these difficulties and provide better facilities for agricultural operations.

Responding to this long-standing demand, the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann Punjab Government has approved the development of a new grain market on its 217 kanal 14 marla land at village Khandebad, located adjacent to Lehragaga. He further informed that access to the proposed market would be provided through the land at village Lehal Khurd.

Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal said that the new grain market would provide much-needed relief to farmers, traders and arhtiyas besides easing traffic congestion in Lehragaga. The facility would also cater to the growing requirements of the agricultural trading community across the region.

The Cabinet Minister expressed gratitude to Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann and the entire Cabinet for approving the proposal in the Cabinet meeting held on October 31. He said the decision would address a long-pending demand of the people of the area and facilitate smoother agricultural marketing operations.

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*No Compromise on Children's Safety: Dr. Baljit Kaur*

*13,995 School Buses Inspected Across Punjab Till September 2026; 3,621 Challaned and 31 Impounded Under Safe School Vehicle Policy*

*CM S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-Led Government Committed to Making Every School Journey Safe and Secure*

*Minister Directs Strict Compliance with Safety Norms; Appeals to School Managements, Vehicle Operators and Parents to Make Child Safety a Shared Responsibility*

Chandigarh, November 2:Every child has the right to travel to school safely. Reaffirming this commitment, 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 giving top priority to the safety and well-being of school-going children. The Safe School Vehicle Policy is being implemented effectively across all districts of the State to ensure that every child enjoys a safe, secure and hassle-free journey to school and back home.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that District School Vehicle Checking Committees are conducting regular inspections of school buses to ensure strict compliance with all mandatory safety provisions prescribed under the Safe School Vehicle Policy. She said that the objective of this drive is to strengthen the school transportation system and prevent any negligence that may put the lives of children at risk.

Sharing the enforcement details, the Minister said that from the year 2025 till September 2026, a total of 13,995 school buses were inspected across Punjab under the Safe School Vehicle Policy. Out of these, 3,621 buses were challaned, while 31 buses were impounded for violating the prescribed safety norms. She said that these strict measures reflect the Punjab Government’s firm resolve to ensure that no compromise is made with children's safety.

Giving the year-wise details, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that during 2025, District School Vehicle Checking Committees inspected 8,325 school buses. During the inspections, 2,026 buses were challaned and 24 buses were impounded for failing to comply with the mandatory safety standards under the policy.

She further informed that during the special checking drive conducted from January to September 2026, a total of 5,670 school buses were inspected, out of which 1,595 buses were challaned and 7 buses were impounded for violation of safety guidelines.

The Minister said that the Punjab Government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards any violation that endangers the lives of school children. She directed all Deputy Commissioners, District School Vehicle Checking Committees, concerned departments, school managements and vehicle operators to ensure strict implementation of every provision of the Safe School Vehicle Policy and take immediate corrective measures wherever deficiencies are found.

Appealing to school managements, school vehicle operators and parents, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that ensuring the safety of children is a collective responsibility. She urged school managements to operate only vehicles complying with the prescribed safety standards, vehicle operators to strictly follow all guidelines, and parents to remain vigilant and report any violation to the concerned authorities.

Reiterating the commitment of the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the State Government will continue to strengthen safety measures and enforcement mechanisms so that every child in Punjab reaches school safely and returns home safely every day.

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*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann’s Love For Hockey & His Invitation Brought Me To Jalandhar: Dutch Hockey Legend Floris Jan Bovelander*

*India’s Hockey Is Incomplete Without Punjab: Floris Jan Bovelander*

*India Has Rendered Yeoman’s Service In Popularising Hockey At World Level: Floris Jan Bovelander*

*Dutch Hockey Legend Floris Jan Bovelander Accepts CM Bhagwant Singh Mann’s Invitation, Arrives In Jalandhar For Asian Champions Trophy*

JALANDHAR; 2nd November 2026:Dutch hockey legend and 1996 Atlanta Olympics and 1990 World Cup Gold Medalist Floris Jan Bovelander expressed his delight at being invited by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to witness the Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2026 in Punjab, recalling the Chief Minister’s visit to the Netherlands in April this year and his deep passion for hockey.

Speaking on the sidelines of the tournament currently underway at Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, Floris Jan Bovelander said, “I was both astonished and honoured that CM Bhagwant Singh Mann remembered me and personally invited me to be part of the prestigious tournament. The invitation reflected the Chief Minister’s immense love for hockey and that I made it a point to travel to Jalandhar.”

The legendary drag flicker, who represented the Netherlands in 241 international matches and scored 215 goals during his illustrious international career from October 1985 to August 1996, described India as a powerhouse of world hockey.

Highlighting the contribution of Asian countries, particularly India and Pakistan, to the Olympic movement, Floris Jan Bovelander underscored their importance in popularising the movement across the world.

Recalling his association with Indian hockey, the Dutch legend, popularly known as Flop, Floppie and Boem Boem Bovelander, said that India had rendered yeoman’s service in taking hockey to greater heights at the international level. He added that most of his memories of Indian hockey were associated with players from Punjab, particularly Sikh players, asserting that Indian hockey could simply not be imagined without Punjab.

During his visit, Floris Jan Bovelander also participated in a joint training session with 37 coaches from Punjab and budding hockey trainees of the Surjit Hockey Academy, being run under the aegis of the Punjab Government. He was accompanied by Sports Department’s official renowned hockey star and Olympian medalist Gurjant Singh, Dronacharya Awardee Jiwanjot Singh Teja and Hockey Coach Avtar Singh.

To encourage the next generation of hockey players, Floris Jan Bovelander actively participated in a drag-flick training session with the young trainees and shared valuable technical tips, drawing upon his vast international experience.

The Sports Department, Punjab, also felicitated the legendary hockey ambassador in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the sport. Overwhelmed by the warmth and affection extended to him, Floris Jan Bovelander expressed his commitment to attending the Mohali leg of the tournament as well, scheduled for November 4 and 5 at Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Hockey Stadium in Mohali.