**Bhagwant Mann Govt Organises First Grand Spiritual Kirtan Darbar in Rupnagar to Mark 650th Parkash Purb of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji*
*Sri Guru Ravidas Bani Adhyayan Kendra Being Established Near Dera Sachkhand Ballan: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Teachings of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji being taken to every corner of Punjab through spiritual and educational programmes: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Following Teachings of Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji is Need of Hour: Deepak Bali*
CHANDIGARH/RUPNAGAR, 27th April 2026-Under the guidance of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government commenced the state-wide celebrations of the 650th Parkash Purb of Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji with the first grand spiritual Kirtan Darbar held at Nehru Stadium, Rupnagar on Sunday evening. The mega event marked the beginning of a year-long series of programmes aimed at spreading the universal message of the revered Guru across Punjab and beyond.
The spiritually charged evening witnessed soulful Kirtan by renowned Hazuri Ragi of Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, Bhai Ravinder Singh Ji, and Bhai Davinder Singh Ji Sodhi, who immersed the Sangat in divine devotion. This was followed by an enlightening Katha Vichar by Bhai Gurmeet Singh Ji, inspiring devotees to imbibe the teachings of Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji in their daily lives.
Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise & Taxation, and Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who attended the event as the Chief Guest, extended his heartfelt greetings to the Sangat and underlined the significance of the initiative. He said, “During the 649th Parkash Purb at Khuralgarh Sahib, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann had announced a year-long series of large-scale events to celebrate the 650th anniversary.”
The Minister stated, “The primary objective is to spread the universal message of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji across the globe. Consequently, various educational and spiritual programs are being actively organized in schools, colleges, and universities across every corner of Punjab.”
He further stated, “As part of this broader initiative, spiritual Kirtan Darbars are being hosted across all districts in the state, officially beginning in Rupnagar.”
Highlighting a major initiative of the Punjab Government, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced, “The Punjab Government has purchased 10 acres of land near Dera Sachkhand Ballan to establish a grand ‘Sri Guru Ravidas Bani Adhyayan Kendra’. This center will feature a seating capacity of 750, and will be dedicated to the deep study and research of the Guru’s sacred Bani and teachings. This will ensure his invaluable message reaches the masses effectively.”
He added, “The architectural plans have been finalised and construction is slated to begin shortly. Once established, the center will also showcase valuable historical research related to Guru Maharaj to the public.”
Advisor to the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department, Deepak Bali, highlighted the enduring relevance of the Guru’s teachings in contemporary society. He said, “Centuries ago, through his revolutionary Bani, Sri Guru Ravidas Ji taught humanity to rise above mutual differences and build a society based on equality and brotherhood.”
He urged the Sangat to follow this path to realise the vision of a harmonious and egalitarian society.
Rupnagar MLA Advocate Dinesh Chadha welcomed the dignitaries and devotees, stating that societal progress can only be achieved by following the path shown by the Gurus.
He said that the Gurus always guided humanity towards a cultured and enlightened era through the wisdom of Bani. He also expressed gratitude to CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and the Punjab Government for selecting Rupnagar to host the first Kirtan Darbar of this historic series.
Thousands of devotees attended the mega event, listening to the divine Bani and appreciating the Punjab Government’s efforts in creating a spiritually uplifting atmosphere. The event was graced by several respected religious personalities, including Sant Baba Kewal Singh, Head of Tap Asthan Sri Khuralgarh Sahib; Sant Satwinderjit Singh Heera, President of the All India Adi Dharam Mission; Swami Anmulka Nand of Dera Mast Baba Sham Ji Maharaj Jhaj; Mahant Balwinder Dass of Dera Pushpa Nand Udasin Ashram Bassi Pathana; Sant Balvir Dass of Dera Mahan Puri Chabbewal; Sant Baba Avtar Singh Ji Gurdwara Tibbi and Sant Surinder Dass, Head of Sri Charan Chhoh Ganga Khuralgarh Sahib.
Prominent elected representatives and officials present included MLA Sri Chamkaur Sahib Dr. Charanjit Singh, MLA Delhi Ajay Dutt, Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Jai Krishan Singh, Deputy Commissioner Rupnagar Aditya Dachalwal, SSP Rupnagar Maninder Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner Chanderjyoti Singh, SP Arvind Meena, Assistant Commissioner Pradeep Singh Bains, SDM Rupnagar Jaspreet Singh, and DPRO Karan Mehta.
Several local leaders and representatives also participated, including Chairmen Shiv Kumar Lalpura, Bhag Singh Madan, Sukhdev Mianpur, and Satnam Singh Jalwaha; Block Samiti Rupnagar Chairman Malkit Singh Bhangu; Block President Parminder Singh Bala; and Zila Parishad Member Jarnail Singh Lali. They were joined by Block Samiti Members Amritpal Singh Pappi, Lalit Dakala, Sandeep Singh, and Satnam Nagra, along with local leaders Jang Bahadur Singh, Surjan Singh, Amandeep Singh, and Neelam Rani, President of the Rupnagar Constituency, besides numerous AAP office bearers, volunteers, and a massive gathering of the Sangat from surrounding villages.
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*Punjab fully prepared to meet record summer power demand, ensure uninterrupted supply: Sanjeev Arora*
*Power demand jumps from 7,900 MW to over 12,000 MW in 10 days, PSPCL maintains stability: Sanjeev Arora*
*Mission Roshan Punjab drives ₹6,000+ crore power infrastructure push to prevent outages: Sanjeev Arora*
*Unplanned outages drop nearly 70% as PSPCL gears up for peak summer demand: Sanjeev Arora*
CHANDIGARH; 27th April 2026:Facing a sharp and sudden surge in electricity demand driven by an intense heatwave, the Bhagwant Mann Government has moved swiftly to ensure uninterrupted power supply across Punjab, with Power Minister Sanjeev Arora asserting that Punjab remains firmly in control even as demand skyrocketed from 7,900 MW to over 12,000 MW within just ten days.
Backed by a ₹6,000+ crore infrastructure overhaul under Mission Roshan Punjab and a nearly 70% reduction in unplanned outages, the state’s power utility Punjab State Power Corporation (PSPCL) has managed to maintain grid stability at a time when several parts of the country are grappling with shortages, positioning Punjab among the better-prepared states to handle peak summer demand.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, Punjab Power Minister Sanjeev Arora asserted that the Bhagwant Mann Government has made comprehensive preparations to tackle the sharp surge in electricity demand amid the ongoing heatwave, ensuring uninterrupted power supply across the state under the leadership of Bhagwant Singh Mann. “PSPCL is fully prepared to meet the unexpected rise in power demand during the current summer season and ensure smooth and uninterrupted power supply across the state,” he said.
The Power Minister highlighted the recent surge in demand, stating, “Due to the ongoing heatwave, Punjab has witnessed a sharp jump in electricity demand over the last few days. The State’s maximum power demand surged from around 7,900 MW on 15th April to over 12,000 MW by 25th April, registering nearly 12% increase over last year.”.
Emphasising Punjab’s preparedness, he added, “Despite this sudden rise, PSPCL has successfully managed the demand and maintained grid stability through timely planning, robust infrastructure, and advance power arrangements.”
Minister Sanjeev Arora further pointed out the national scenario, saying, “At the national level also, power demand has touched record highs, with India recording an all-time peak demand of 252 GW on 24th April, while available supply stood at around 239 GW, creating a 13 GW deficit across the country. Several states are facing shortages and outages, but Punjab has remained comparatively better positioned due to proactive planning.”
Referring to the directions of the Chief Minister, he said, “CM Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann has specifically instructed the Power Minister and the entire PSPCL team to ensure that the public does not face inconvenience due to any power outages, and all departments are working in mission mode to fulfill these directions.”
Detailing the steps taken, Sanjeev Arora said, “Negotiations for 1,500 to 2,000 MW additional power through banking arrangements with other states are in advanced stages.”
He added, “State hydel plants damaged in 2025 floods are being restored, with 300 MW additional capacity expected shortly.”
“Additional procurement from other states and private sources is securing nearly 1,500 MW extra power,” he stated.
“Punjab is preparing to draw 2,000 MW from the Central Government power pool,” he further said.
“Competitive short-term tenders have been floated to procure all available surplus power,” he added.
He also informed, “Waiver of wheeling charges and cross subsidy from 6 PM to 6 AM for two months to encourage more power availability.”
Highlighting infrastructure strengthening, Sanjeev Arora said, “Under Mission Roshan Punjab, a historic ₹6,000+ crore investment is underway to modernize and strengthen the power infrastructure across the state.”
He elaborated, “Major works completed / underway include: 70 new substations being set up, upgradation of 200 existing substations, installation / augmentation of 8,000 distribution transformers (DTs), 688 feeders already de-loaded to reduce overloading-related faults, around 41,000 new DTs installed and 8,380 DTs augmented, 7 new 66 KV substations commissioned, and 82 power transformers fully completed.”
On system reliability, he said, “PSPCL has also significantly reduced unplanned outages compared to last year. By April Week-3, unplanned outages dropped by nearly 70%, from 13,271 in 2025 to 3,974 in 2026, reflecting the impact of ongoing infrastructure strengthening.”
Sanjeev Arora added, “PSPCL teams are working round the clock to ensure reliable power supply to domestic, agricultural, industrial, and commercial consumers during the peak summer season.”
Reassuring the public, he concluded, “The people of Punjab are assured that PSPCL is fully geared up to meet the challenge of rising demand and provide quality power supply across the state.”
During the press conference, Shri Basant Garg IAS, Chairman PSPCL, Shri Inderpal Singh, Director Distribution, and Shri Shoikat Roy, Member PDC, were also present.
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*MAJOR POTENTIAL OF NATURAL GAS AND OIL IN PUNJAB AFTER POTASH: BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL*
*HIGHER OFFICIALS OF DIRECTOR GENERAL OF HYDROCARBON, MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS AND OIL INDIA LTD. CALL ON MINING & GEOLOGY MINISTER*
*SEEK SUPPORT FOR INITIAL SURVEY TO EXPLORE HYDROCARBON RESOURCES*
*GOYAL ASSURES FULL SUPPORT FOR RESOURCE EXPLORATION IN INTEREST OF PUNJAB’S DEVELOPMENT*
*Chandigarh, April 27:*Punjab Mining and Geology Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today asserted that after the discovery of prospects of potash in the state, Punjab now moving towards the exploration for natural gas and oil reserves.
This remarks came after higher officials of the Director General of Hydrocarbon (DGH) under Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India and Oil India Limited (OIL) called on the Punjab Mining and Geology Minister here at MGSIPA and sought support for carrying out the proposed survey. The team led by Mr. Ajai Kumar Sharma (HOD, NDR DGH) & Mr. Surendra Kumar Dass (DGM, DGH), along with Mr. Anup Kumar (Executive Director, OIL), Mr. Ratnesh Pandey (Superintending Geophysicist, OIL), Mr. Durgesh Deep Mishra (Party Chief, Asian Energy Services) and Mr. Chaman Singh (Consultant, Seismic operations, Asian Energy Services).
During the meeting, possibilities of hydrocarbon exploration in the state were discussed in detail. The Cabinet Minister was apprised by the officials that as per directions of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, Oil India Limited will undertake a 2D seismic survey to identify oil and gas reserves. The officials informed that a high-level scientific advisory committee of the GoI has recommended extensive surveys in unexplored regions of the country for mineral wealth and petroleum resources.
"The Ministry has directed surveys across regions including district Sri Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda, Faridkot, Moga, Jalandhar and Kapurthala of Punjab and Barmer, Sanchore, Jaisalmer and Bikaner-Nagaur basins in Rajasthan along with the Ganga basin and adjoining Punjab areas. In Punjab sub basin, a large-scale 2D seismic survey covering approximately 169 line kilometre will be carried out. The current initiative has been named “Mission Anveshan”, informed Mr. Ajai Sharma.
He clarified that the entire exercise is scientific and exploratory in nature, aimed at generating precise geological data.
Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal said that this initiative will not only accelerate exploration activities but also help in creating a comprehensive geological data bank, thereby reducing India’s dependence on foreign energy sources and opening new avenues of economic growth for states including Punjab.
The Cabinet Minister assured that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government will extend full cooperation to ensure timely completion of the survey and will make every possible effort to harness natural resources for the overall development and prosperity of the state. He added that such initiatives will not only strengthen the energy sector but also create new employment opportunities and boost industrial growth in Punjab.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Additional Chief Secretary Mines & Geology Mrs. Jaspreet Talwar, Director Mining Mr. Abhijeet Kaplish, Chief Engineer (Mining and Drainage) S. Hardeep Singh Mendiratta and others.
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*Employees Association of Cooperation Department meet Speaker Sandhwan for their legitimate demands*
*Speaker assures their legitimate demands will be fulfilled soon*
Chandigarh, April 27, 2026-Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Sardar Kultar Singh Sandhwan today met the employees association of Cooperation Department and detailed discussions were held on issues related to Service Rules 1997, new pay scales, and other employee demands in a cordial atmosphere.
Speaker Sandhwan recommended their demand letter to the Secretary, Cooperation for comments.The organization extended their gratitude to Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan for his positive intervention.
On this occasion, Sardar Gurdev Singh Sidhu, Former President Punjab; Sardar Rajwinder Singh, District President Faridkot; Sardar Laljit Singh, District President Ferozepur; Sardar Jagsir Singh, District President Sri Muktsar Sahib; Sardar Bakshish Singh, State Treasurer; Sardar Jagmeet Singh; State Press Secretary, Khushpreet Singh; Amandeep Sharma and several other office bearers were present during the meeting.
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Major milestone - Wheat arrival & procurement cross 100 LMT mark
Chandigarh, April 27:In a major milestone and as a proof of the robust mechanism ensured in the mandis by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government, both the Wheat arrival as well as procurement today crossed the coveted 100 Lakh Metric Tonne (LMT) mark.
The Wheat arrival as of today stands at 10349917.17 LMT while the procurement figure is 10015024.35 LMT.
Under the visionary guidance of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak, the department has ensured foolproof arrangements with regard to the bardana, clean drinking water as well as the sanitary conditions in all the mandis of the State which has led to the fast pace of arrival, procurement and the lifting as well as the payments thus protecting the interests of all the stakeholders whether the farmers, Arhtiyas or the labourers.
As regards the payments to the farmers, amount to the tune of Rs. 21422.09 Crore has been credited into their accounts within 48 hours.
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