*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Meets Dutch Hockey Legend Floris Jan Bovelander, Invites Olympian to Engage with Punjab’s Athletes*

*Floris Jan Bovelander accepts invitation to Punjab, will engage with athletes as we push to take hockey to new heights: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*His experience will motivate Punjab’s young players ahead of Asia Hockey Championship: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Punjab committed to taking hockey to new heights, global expertise like Floris Jan Bovelander will strengthen our players: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

CHANDIGARH, 21st April 2026:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday reached out to celebrated Dutch hockey legend Floris Jan Bovelander, offering to utilise his expertise to further strengthen hockey in Punjab, particularly in the run-up to the prestigious Asian Champions Trophy.

During a detailed meeting, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann discussed the broader ecosystem of hockey and sports in Punjab, emphasising the government’s commitment to restoring the pristine glory of the national game. He lauded Floris Jan Bovelander’s exceptional skills and immense contribution to hockey, noting that his remarkable journey continues to inspire young players across the globe.

Inviting the Olympian to Punjab, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the state is keen to facilitate his engagement with athletes to sharpen their skills and exposure. “Punjab is committed to nurturing sporting talent and taking hockey to new heights. It is a matter of immense pride that, for the first time in its history, Punjab will host the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy, which is a major milestone for the state’s sporting ecosystem,” he said.

Highlighting the significance of upcoming international events, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Asian Games will conclude in early October, after which the top six teams will compete in the Champions Trophy. He added that the approval of a four-nation invitational tournament will further strengthen Punjab’s position as a global hockey hub. “Despite a strong Punjabi presence in Indian hockey over decades, Punjab had never hosted a major international hockey tournament until now. This marks a historic shift,” he noted.

Reiterating the deep-rooted connection between Punjab and hockey, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the two are inseparable. “It is impossible to imagine Indian hockey without Punjabi players. More than 50 players from Punjab have won Olympic medals, and 10 Punjabi players have captained India in Olympic hockey,” he stated.

Emphasising Punjab’s rich legacy, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann pointed out that villages such as Sansarpur, Khusropur and Mithapur have collectively produced over 20 Olympians. He further highlighted recent achievements, stating that India’s bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics came after a gap of 41 years, with nine Punjabi players in the squad led by Manpreet Singh. “In the Paris 2024 Olympics as well, India secured another bronze medal, with 10 Punjabi players in the team, where Harmanpreet Singh led the side as captain and emerged as top scorer,” he added.

Sharing a few snippets from the meeting, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated on X: “Delighted to meet Olympian Floris Jan Bovelander in Netherlands, who is a celebrated Dutch hockey legend known for his exceptional skills and contributions to the sports industry. His remarkable journey and experience will greatly inspire our young players. Invited him to Punjab, and he has graciously accepted. He will be engaging with our athletes and motivating them ahead of the upcoming Asia Hockey Championship. Punjab is committed to nurturing sporting talent and taking hockey to new heights.”

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*Vigilance Bureau nabs ASI red handed accepting bribe of Rs 33,500/-*

Chandigarh, April 21, 2026:The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Assistant Sub Inspector Harpal Singh posted at police station Jaito district Faridkot, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 33,500/-.

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 Jaito tehsil district Faridkot.

He said that a case under NDPS Act was registered against complainant's husband and mother-in-law wherein accused ASI Harpal Singh was investigation officer. In this connection, complainant alleged that accused ASI demanded bribe of Rs. 2 lakh in lieu of helping him in this case and for not taking police remand. Upon requesting, deal was settled at Rs 80,000/- and had taken first installment of Rs. 40,000/- as bribe from the complainant.

He highlighted that accused ASI further demanded second installment of bribe Rs. 40,000/- from the complainant. Complainant had recorded the entire conversation of demanding bribe.

Unwilling to pay any illegal gratification, the complainant approached the Vigilance Bureau Unit, Faridkot. After a preliminary enquiry on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused ASI was arrested red handed while accepting bribe money of Rs 33,500/- 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 Ferozepur and further investigation into this case is under progress.

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*Vigilance Bureau nabs 10 persons red handed in 9 bribery cases during March*

Chandigarh, 21 April 2026:The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing crusade against corruption in the state, has been able to apprehend 9 government officials and one private person red handed while accepting bribes in 9 different trap cases during the month of March.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the VB has put up its best efforts to eradicate corruption amongst public servants and others in every sphere during the period.

He informed that the Bureau had submitted challans pertaining to 19 vigilance cases in various competent courts in the last month. Apart from this, 2 vigilance enquiries have also been registered to thoroughly probe the corruption cases besides one disproportionate case was also registered against government officer. He added that 4 criminal cases were also registered against 34 accused which include 26 government employees.

Giving more details, he added that different competent courts had decided four bribery cases filed and contested by the Bureau during the last month, in which five persons were convicted and sentenced ranging from four years to five years imprisonment and fine ranging from Rs. 5,000/- to 30,000/-.

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*PUNJAB SC COMMISSION SUMMONS ROSTER CHECKING TEAM OF WELFARE DEPARTMENT*

*SERIOUS IRREGULARITIES IN PROMOTION ROSTER OF MULTIPURPOSE HEALTH WORKERS (MALE) COME TO LIGHT*

*Chandigarh, April 21:*Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi has ordered the personal appearance of Roster Checking Team No. 22 of the Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Department on April 29 at the Commission’s office, following a complaint related to the Multipurpose Health Worker (Male) cadre under the Health and Family Welfare Department.

Acting on the complaint, the Commission had earlier sought the roster register and related records of promotions from Multipurpose Health Worker (Male) to Multipurpose Health Supervisor (Male) over the past 15 years, duly verified by the roster checking team. The department had submitted records pertaining to the last 12 years on November 27, 2025, after obtaining clearance from the Welfare Department’s Roster Checking Team No. 22 on November 21, 2025.

Preliminary scrutiny of the submitted record has revealed glaring violations of the reservation policy. Upon detailed examination by roster experts, it was found that one physically challenged employee and eight general category employees had been wrongly shown as Scheduled Caste employees. Besides this, records of 19 general category employees who were promoted during the said period were found missing.

He informed that the examination also highlighted that out of 374 promotions, 75 posts were earmarked under the 20 percent reservation quota for Scheduled Castes. However, 69 of these reserved points were occupied by general category employees, indicating a grave breach of reservation norms.

Chairman Garhi, while reviewing the records, observed that there has been a blatant violation of the 20 percent reservation policy for Scheduled Castes in promotions, along with non-compliance of the principle of seniority-cum-merit. He further noted that directions issued by the Hon’ble courts from time to time, official communications of the Welfare Department and provisions of the Reservation Acts of 2006 and 2018 have also been disregarded.

Taking serious note of these discrepancies, the Chairman has summoned Vishwa Nath and Resham Singh (both Superintendent) and Gagandeep Kaur Sandhu (Senior Assistant) from the Roster Checking Team No. 22 and Toshpinder Singh (Superintendent) from the Health Department to appear in person before the Commission. The Director of the Health Department has also been directed to remain present.

Issuing a stern warning, Chairman Garhi said that any infringement of constitutional rights in Punjab government departments will not be tolerated. He asserted that those responsible for depriving Scheduled Caste employees of their rightful benefits will face strict action under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and in accordance with the instructions issued by the Principal Secretary, Punjab, dated July 9, 2009.

He further informed that although directions had earlier been issued to the Director, Welfare Department, during the previous Full Commission meeting to organise updated legal workshops for roster register committees, the compliance of these directions will also be reviewed.