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Chandigarh, April 30: In a landmark achievement for Punjab's agricultural sector, thousands of farmers in the state's Kandi region are now receiving canal water for irrigation after a drought-like wait of nearly four decades. Addressing longstanding irrigation challenges and revitalizing Punjab's agricultural infrastructure, Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government has invested approximately 2.5 times more funds (over Rs.4557 crore from 2022 to 2025) than the previous Congress government (Rs.2046 crore from 2019 to 2022) in developing irrigation infrastructure for canal water distribution, yielding remarkable outcomes. Punjab Water Resources and Soil and Water Conservation Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal said that in numerous areas, farmers who had abandoned hope are...

Chandigarh, April 30 In a significant move to strengthen Punjab’s fiscal management framework, Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday handed over appointment letters to 11 officials who have successfully cleared the SAS examination and have been appointed as Section Officers. These officials, formerly serving in various departments within the Punjab Civil Secretariat, will now represent the Finance Department across different state offices, reinforcing financial probity and operational efficiency. During the simple but impressive appointment letter distribution ceremony held here at his office in the Punjab Civil Secretariat, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema reaffirmed the commitment of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government to upholding ...

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, April 30:           Amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Amritsar Commissionerate Police has successfully thwarted a potential grenade attack on a police establishments with the arrest of five members of a Pak-ISI backed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module linked to foreign-based gangster Jiwan Fauji, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Wednesday.           Those arrested have been identified as Naresh Kumar alias Babbu of Haripura, Abhinav Bhagat alias Abhi, Ajay Kumar alias Ajju and Sunny Kumar, all residents of Haripura in Amritsar and a 17-years-o...

Chandigarh/ Jalandhar, April 29: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) State President and Punjab Cabinet Minister Mr Aman Arora today called upon the youth to follow the path of justice, equality, and righteousness as shown by Bhagwan Parshuram Ji, to help build an ideal and harmonious society. The Minister was addressing a gathering at KMV College, Jalandhar during a state-level event organized by the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Punjab to mark Bhagwan Shri Parshuram Jayanti. Congratulating the people on this auspicious occasion, the Minister expressed pride that for the first time, a state-level celebration of Bhagwan Parshuram Jayanti was being organized by the Government. He further hailed the Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department for organizing this state level event in...

Chandigarh, April 29 Punjab has taken significant steps toward a greener and more sustainable future through a series of successful solar energy procurement initiatives. Disclosing this here today in a press communique, Power Minister of Punjab, Harbhajan Singh ETO informed that Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has inked major tender for solar power procurement, issuing a Letter of Intent to M/s SAEL Industries Ltd. on April 15, 2025.  He said that under this agreement, 400 MW of solar power will be procured at a competitive tariff of Rs. 2.97 per unit for a period of 25 years. The solar projects will be set up within Punjab, supporting local infrastructure and employment.  Mr. Harbhajan Singh ETO further said that in a related development, PSPCL has als...

Chandigarh/Patiala, April 29: Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said that the state government will bear the full cost of medical treatment for those injured in recent wheat residue fire incidents. This includes Dayal Singh, a laborer from Ajnauda Khurd village, and two farmers from Mor Mandi and Faridkot, all of whom are currently receiving treatment at PGIMER, Chandigarh.           Dr. Balbir Singh visited Kaidupur village, where a fire broke out on April 26, damaging approximately 16 acres of wheat residue. SDM Nabha, Dr. Ismat Vijay Singh, also accompanied him during the inspection.           Expressing deep concern over the losses suffered by farmers, Dr. Balbir ...

Chandigarh / Rupnagar, April 28: Punjab Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar today announced that to bring greater transparency to Punjab's transport services, the state government will introduced HAMS technology shortly. During his visit to the RTO office Ropar, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government will soon develop HAMS (Harnessing Automobile for Safety) technology, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based automated driver license test system to bring more transparency and efficiency to driving test tracks. After implementing this pilot project, significant improvement in the performance of all driving test tracks in the state will be ensured, he added. The Cabinet Minister informed that HAMS technology includes iris sc...

Chandigarh, April 28: Reaffirming its unwavering commitment towards the welfare of serving and ex-servicemen the Punjab Government has disbursed a total of Rs 15.53 crore among 1615 gallantry and distinguished service award winners during the last financial year. Disclosing this here on Monday, Defence Services Welfare Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat said that the amount was distributed as recognition of the exceptional bravery and distinguished services rendered by soldiers belonging to Punjab. "Our brave hearts have brought immense glory to the nation and the state through their exemplary courage and selfless service. It is our solemn duty to honour them suitably," he said. Mr. Bhagat asserted that our soldiers’ sacrifices can never be repaid, but the government will leave no avenue u...

CHANDIGARH, April 28:           In an unprecedented legal blow to drug smuggling networks amidst the ongoing state-wide campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’, Punjab Police has achieved a significant success on the legal front by attaining 89 percent conviction rate in the NDPS act cases since March 1, 2025, which is among highest in the country, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday.           As per the information, from March 1, 2025, a total of 836 NDPS Act cases were decided across the state, of which, 744 cases resulted in convictions.           “Among these cases, as many as 144 drug kingpins were sentenced to rig...

Chandigarh, April 27: The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, today highlighted the remarkable role being played by Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELCs) across the state in promoting electoral awareness among young voters. With over 3,000 ELCs actively functioning in schools, colleges, and universities, Punjab is witnessing a strong movement towards building an informed and participative electorate. Set up with the objective of "learning while doing," ELCs are engaging students in a wide range of innovative activities including debates, mock elections, poster competitions, pledge ceremonies, and voter awareness campaigns. These efforts are helping to inculcate the values of democratic participation and responsible citizenship among the youth. Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab,...