Punjab News

New Delhi/Chandigarh, July 4 Presenting a comprehensive overview of the state's revenue landscape since the implementation of GST on July 1, 2017 during the first meeting of the Group of Ministers on analysis of revenue from Goods and Services Tax (GST) held in New Delhi, Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema emphasized on bringing structural changes in the GST regime and proposed policy recommendations for revenue augmentation, including food grains under the GST framework, reducing or nullifying the inverted duty structure, and making e-way bill generation and e-invoicing mandatory. He also suggested that a unified platform can be developed, giving access to all States and the Central Tax Authority for data analytics and detecting tax evasion and compliance issues. H...

Chandigarh, July 3: In a remarkable feat, the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (MRSAFPI), SAS Nagar (Mohali) sent 21 cadets to the National Defence Academy (NDA) and other prestigious defence training academies in just three weeks. This impressive achievement adds to the institute's illustrious legacy, with a total of 276 cadets having been inducted into various defence training academies since its inception. Sharing this today, Director MRSAFPI Major General   Ajay H. Chauhan, VSM, (Retd) informed that a total of 18 cadets joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) for its-154 Course, including Aryan Sofeth and Ojas Gaint from Patiala, Anhad Singh Khatumria, Armaanvir Singh Adhi, Harkanwal Singh, Prjveer Singh and Aditya Mishra from Mohali, Bhavik Ka...

Chandigarh, July 3: The Punjab Governor and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, Gulab Chand Kataria  on Thursday administered the oath of office and secrecy to Sanjeev Arora as Cabinet Minister of the state in a brief but impressive ceremony here at Punjab Raj Bhawan in the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Chief Secretary KAP Sinha conducted the proceedings of the ceremony with the permission of the Governor. After being sworn in Sanjeev Arora signed the oath, which was counter signed by the Governor. Prominent amongst others present at the swearing-in included Cabinet Ministers Harpal Cheema, Harjot Bains, Dr. Balbir Singh, Dr. Baljit Kaur, Hardeep Singh Mundian , Mohinder Bhagat, D...

CHANDIGARH, July 2:           With the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state completed 123 days, Punjab Police on Wednesday arrested 156 drug smugglers and recovered 7.8 kg heroin, 3 kg opium and Rs 1.43 lakh drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 20,206 in just 123 days.           The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state.           Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has aske...

Chandigarh 30 June 2025  Addressing the gathering of delegates from five States in the first session of the two days Annual Commonwealth Parliament Association(CPA) India Region Zone II Conference  being held in the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha at Tapovan, Dharmshala, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan stressed the need to pro-actively involve the State Legislative Committees to successfully manage the state resources for better development. The  two days conference kicked off under the visionary leadership of Om Birla, Speaker Lok Sabha. Speaking on the occasion, Speaker Sandhwan also eulogized the selfless sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji in alleviating the agonies of all the people of society irrespective of their region or religion and laid ...

Chandigarh, June 30, 2025: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government has distributed ₹3,69,07,500 as ex-gratia assistance to families of soldiers who were martyred and disabled during various operations. Sharing the details, Defence Services Welfare Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat said that this financial aid has been extended to the families of 18 martyrs and disabled soldiers across 9 districts of the state. Reiterating the government’s unwavering support, Mr. Bhagat said, “The brave sons of Punjab have made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. It is our solemn duty to stand with their families. This ex-gratia amount is a humble gesture of gratitude and respect for their unparalleled service.” He added that the Punjab Government will cont...

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, June 30:           In a major crackdown on drug trafficking amidst the ongoing anti-drugs ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Amritsar Commissionerate Police, with the support of Border Security Force (BSF) and Rajasthan Police, has busted a major international drug cartel being operated by Pak-based smuggler Tanveer Shah and Canada-based handler Joban Kaler and recovered huge consignment of 60.302 Kg Heroin from near the International Border in Barmer, Rajasthan, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday.           The operation has led to the arrest of at least nine persons includin...

Chandigarh, June 28 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday announced that the state government will introduce legislation to ensure harsher punishment for acts of sacrilege against holy granths. Chairing a meeting with officers and representatives of the Sarb Dharam Beadbi Rokko Kanoon Morcha at his official residence, the Chief Minister said that Punjab is a sacred land of great Gurus, saints, and seers who have shown the path of mutual love and tolerance. He emphasized that it is a matter of immense pride that Punjab stands as a unique blend of socialism and secularism, as well as an epitome of communal harmony, peace, and brotherhood. Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated that the state government is firmly committed to ensuring exemplary punishment for the perpetrators ...

Chandigarh, June 28: The Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has issued an order to suspend 26 officers and employees of Jail Department for dereliction of duty. Punjab Jail Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar informed that 26 officers and employees of Jail Department have been suspended with immediate effect under Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970 for dereliction of duty/negligence. Giving a clear message to the officers and employees on duty in the jails of Punjab, the Minister said that illegal activities, misbehavior, indiscipline, absence from duty and activities like involvement with prisoners will not be tolerated at all. The Minister said that Iqbal Singh Brar Superintendent District Jail Mansa, Maninder Pal Cheema Deputy Superi...

Chandigarh, June 28: The Punjab Government, under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is tirelessly working for the welfare and upliftment of every section of society. In particular, dedicated initiatives are being undertaken to bring students from Scheduled Castes into the mainstream by providing them better educational opportunities. Giving further details, Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that a budget provision of ₹245 crore has been made under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Caste students in the financial year 2025-26. The government has set a target to cover 2.70 lakh Scheduled Caste students under this scheme during the year. She said this initiative would significantly help in improv...