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CHANDIGARH, May 6:           Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C informed that in continuation of the Election Commission of India’s emphasis on fostering greater and regular engagement with different stakeholders, ECI has initiated interactions with National and State political parties. These interactions would provide a long-felt need of constructive discussions which enable National and State Party Presidents to share their suggestions and concerns directly with the Commission.           He said that this initiative aligns with the Commission’s broader vision of further strengthening the electoral process in accordance with the existing legal framework with all stakeholders. Earlier, a tot...

Chandigarh, May 5: The Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday paid tributes to departed souls including deceased of Pahalgam terrorist attack who had passed away since the last session of the Assembly. During the 9th (special) session of the 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the House paid respects to former Lok Sabha Member Master Bhagat Ram, former Minister Randhir Singh Cheema and deceased of the recent terror attack at Pahalgam (Jammu and Kashmir). The house in unison condemned the dastardly and cowardly attack. A two-minute silence was observed in the memory of departed souls as a mark of respect during the obituary references.

Chandigarh, May 5 In a significant step towards promoting social justice and inclusivity, the Punjab Legislative Assembly on Monday unanimously passed the Punjab Law Officers (Engagement) Amendment Act, 2025, presented by Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema. This landmark amendment enables the Punjab Government to notify relaxation in the minimal annual professional income criteria for engagement of Scheduled Caste candidates as Law Officers in the office of Advocate General Punjab. Presenting the bill during a special session focused on protecting Punjab's waters, Finance Minister Cheema said that this amendment will provide adequate representation to Scheduled Caste candidates in the office of the Advocate General Punjab. He highlighted that the Aam Aadmi Party had promis...

Chandigarh, May 5: After standing firm against the BJP led Centre Government’s directive to release the 8500 cusecs water to Haryana, Punjab Education and Information & Public Relations Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains today assured the state assembly that he would not allow excess water to be released from the Bhakra Dam, which falls within his constituency Sri Anandpur Sahib. Highlighting Punjab's precarious water situation while addressing in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, S. Harjot Singh Bains stated that the state's agrarian economy relies heavily on groundwater. With no coal, gold, or oil reserves, groundwater is Punjab's only natural resource. However, over-exploitation of groundwater has led to 90% of its blocks being classified as dark zones. He pointed out that the state's i...

Chandigarh, May 5: Punjab Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today said that BBMB has become merely a puppet of the union government and it should be restructured to safeguard rights of the Punjab. Presenting the resolution in Vidhan Sabha, Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal declared that the Punjab government cannot provide even a single drop of water from its share to Haryana. The 4,000 cusecs of water currently being provided to Haryana state for drinking purposes on humanitarian grounds will continue. Beyond this, not a single drop of water will be given. He condemned the illegally and unconstitutionally convened meeting of the BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) called by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Demanding restructuring of the BBMB, he said that the current BBMB ha...

Chandigarh, May 4: The ‘Yudh Nashiyan Virudh’ campaign launched by the Punjab government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has entered a decisive phase. On a war footing against drugs, cabinet ministers today led awareness programs at district and village levels, strengthening grassroots efforts through Village Defence Committees. Ministers highlighted that the Mann government has shattered the spirit of drug smugglers as well as their ill-gotten houses—a stark contrast, they said, to previous administrations, which had allowed drug smuggling to thrive. In Patiala, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh led the charge. Administrative Reforms Minister Aman Arora and Agriculture Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal addressed gatherings in Bathind...

Jalandhar, May 4:    Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is ensuring smooth wheat procurement in mandis (grain markets), while also making solid arrangements for the convenience of farmers and labourers.   The government has also issued directives to make all necessary arrangements in view of the bad weather.    Reaffirming the Punjab Government’s commitment to protecting the crops of farmers from damage due to adverse weather, the Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal instructed concerned officials to ensure proper arrangements such as tarpaulins in all district mandis to protect wheat from getting wet. He said that since the weather has been inclement in recent days, necessary preparations should be made ...

Chandigarh/ Nangal, May 3: Punjab's Education and Information & Public Relations Minister, S. Harjot Singh Bains, revealed blueprint to develop Nangal as a world-class tourist destination under Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann's leadership. He emphasised that the promises made with public in 2022, are being fulfilled, with tangible progress on the ground, marking a shift from 'foundation stones to foundation of work'. With the inauguration of the multi-crore flyover, he said that Nangal's development has gained momentum. The flyover, once was a longstanding problem, is now fully operational, boosting business and easing commutes for citizens. Its completion has brought relief and new energy to the city. Highlighting the reforms undertaken in education sector, the Educatio...

Jalandhar, May 3: Accelerating the anti-drug campaign in the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday administered oath to hundreds of Village Defence committees so that they can wipe out drug from their respective areas adding that Punjab will be made drug free state by May 31. The Chief Minister, accompanied by state AAP President Aman Arora and LOk SABHA MP Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal, said that this is a decisive step aimed at making the state free from scourge of drugs.  He said as Army chalks out plan before winning the war in the same manner state government has formulated the plan to wipe out drugs from state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that now the war has been declared and will be won shortly with the active support and cooperation of people. The Ch...

Chandigarh, May 3 Highlighting state’s continued upward trajectory in fiscal health, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Saturday announced that the state has registered highest-ever monthly Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection of Rs 2653.77 crore in April this year reflecting a significant 19.77 percent increase compared to the corresponding period last year, and jump of 30.84 percent over March 2025. Revealing this in a press communiqué issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that this robust growth underscores the effectiveness of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government's economic policies and the increasing compliance among taxpayers. He said that the gross GST revenue collection for April 2...