*Under leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Cabinet Approves Administrative Upgrades, Land Reforms and Relief for Special Educators*
*Punjab Cabinet upgrades Banur (SAS Nagar) to Tehsil, creates Hariana (Hoshiarpur) Sub-Tehsil to ease public services*
*Punjab Cabinet clears land revenue law amendments, strengthens digital land records*
*Cabinet approves one-time age relaxation for Special Teacher Educators under Samagra Shiksha*
*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Cabinet pushes administrative reforms, citizen-first governance*
CHANDIGARH, 29th December 2025:The Punjab Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, on Monday cleared a series of administrative and governance reforms aimed at directly easing citizens’ daily interactions with the Punjab government. The Cabinet approved the upgradation of Sub-Tehsil Banur to a full-fledged Tehsil in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, created Hariana as a new Sub-Tehsil in Hoshiarpur, pushed amendments to modernise land revenue laws through digital records, and granted long-pending relief to Special Teacher Educators under Samagra Shiksha, signalling a clear shift towards citizen-first, service-oriented governance.
Sharing details of the decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister’s Office said the move will significantly ease access to administrative services for residents and reduce the need for long-distance travel for routine official work. The decision has been taken in the larger public interest to ensure faster and more convenient service delivery.
*Amendment to Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887*
In a major relief to citizens, the Cabinet also approved amendments to the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887 concerning the appeals process. The changes are aimed at reducing unnecessary litigation, saving time for litigants, and preventing avoidable harassment of non-litigants.
The amendments will also give legal sanctity to digital records and digital signatures, strengthening citizen-friendly, paperless record-keeping and improving transparency in land administration.
The Cabinet noted that the Punjab Government has already launched the e-services portal https://eservices.punjab.gov.in to simplify land-related procedures. Through this platform, citizens can apply online for Khangi Taqseem (family partition) by submitting basic details through a simple, single-click process. This initiative will help streamline land demarcation, resolve disputes amicably, facilitate buying and selling of land, enable timely compensation for crop damage, and make it easier to obtain Zamabandi copies.
*One-Time Age Relaxation for Special Teacher Educators*
The Cabinet also approved a one-time relaxation in the upper age limit for contractual Special Teacher Educators working under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan to enable their regularisation in the Department of School Education, Punjab.
This decision will ensure continuity of inclusive education for Children with Special Needs by retaining trained and experienced educators. The Cabinet clarified that this measure will not place any additional financial burden on the state exchequer.
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*SGPC & Akali Dal are using Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Panth as shield to protect their wrongdoings: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Entire Sangat is peeved over no action in case of 328 missing saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*SGPC is on its toes to save affluent persons close to their masters involved in this sin: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*BJP insulted Sri Guru Gobind Singh & Sahibzadas by making cartoons of them, yet no action was taken: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Akali Dal that emerged in 1920 as party of lions has now been reduced to dinosaurs: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
Chandigarh, December 29:Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday mounted a direct and uncompromising challenge to the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), stating that sacred institutions such as Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the Panth are being cynically invoked as shields to escape accountability for serious wrongdoing.
The Chief Minister said the continued inaction in the case of 328 missing saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji has deeply angered the Sangat, and pointed out that the SGPC is straining every nerve to protect affluent individuals close to its leadership who are involved in this grave sin.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that from last few years the Punjabis in general and Sangat is in deep and anguish trauma as no action has been yet taken in the case where 328 saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib were stolen. “The panthic organisations and Sant Samaj have since long demanded action in this regard and have even approached the state government for this purpose. As its moral responsibility, the Punjab government has lodged an FIR in this regard and constituted a SIT to probe the matter,” he added.
However, the Chief Minister said that immediately after that, on the directions of its masters, the SGPC has started briefing the press and have been refuting the charges while spitting venom against the state government for interfering in the religious matters. “The SGPC Chief had admitted that 10-12 scams daily occur in SGPC which reflects that gross misuse of the Golak money, offered by the devotees, takes place. The interim committee of the SGPC in its meeting during 2020 passed resolution for severe action against the erring employees of the committee and publishers in the same case only,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “However, surprisingly no action was taken in this regard despite several irregularities, no action was taken though the SGPC had earlier itself passed resolution for registering criminal cases against affluent persons like former Chief Secretary Dr. Roop Singh and others. Even the decision of termination of all services with S.S. Kohli & Associates (Chartered Accountant firm), and approval to recover 75% of payments made due to their failure in responsibility was made. However, as S.S. Kohli was rendering services as CA of Akali leader Sukhbir Singh Badal too, so the action is still hanging in fire.”
He pointed out that the SGPC at the behest of its masters claim that the state government is meddling into the affairs of the panth which is not true as the SGPC has passed its resolution for the criminal action against the accused, for which state government only can act. “However, to save the skin of the influential persons who are involved in this sin, the SGPC has later taken back all its resolutions. During Akali regime all the rights to publish Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji were given to SGPC through Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008 (Punjab Act) but now when the state government wants to ensure recovery these saroops so that no desecration or any other such heinous crimes takes place, these people are giving religious colour to it,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that SGPC wants every power but does not want to be accountable to the people adding that now they are trying to use Sri Akal Takht Sahib for saving the skin of those who are close to their masters. “The SGPC and its President are mere puppets in the hands of the Akali leadership who are using it for their own vested interests. They are afraid of the SIT as the SGPC and their masters know that a fair and thorough probe will expose their ugly face,” he added.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that though SGPC has failed in its duty to find the missing saroops, the Punjab government will ensure that perpetrators of this heinous crime are punished as per law of land. “For the last 14 years the elections for this esteem body have not taken place and these leaders have not even demanded it from the Union government. The psyche of every Sikh has been bruised due to the disappearance of 328 saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib,” he stated.
The Chief Minister pointed out that BJP had on its official page posted a cartoon of great Sikh Gurus but the SGPC has taken no action against them as the polls of the state are coming. “The Akali leaders just want to grab the chair and are least bothered about the interests of the state and its people,” he asserted.
Citing examples, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Akalis gave consent for giving central university status to Panjab University, SYL, draconian farmers law and every other anti-state decision just to corner benefit for their family.
The Chief Minister said that 1920 when Akali Dal was formed it was known as the party of the Lions but these leaders have transformed the party into the one of Dinosaurs. “The present Akali leadership shies away from raising the issue of the state before the Union government whereas the state government has left no stone unturned for it. The sole reason behind it is that the Akali leadership is greedy for power due to which they don’t hesitate in taking every anti-state stance,” concluded CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
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*CABINET MINISTERS HARPAL SINGH CHEEMA AND AMAN ARORA ATTEND STATE-LEVEL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS IN GURDASPUR*
*CHRISTMAS CONVEYS MESSAGE OF LOVE AND FRATERNITY: HARPAL SINGH CHEEMA*
*TEACHINGS OF LORD JESUS CHRIST REMAIN A GUIDING LIGHT EVEN TODAY: AMAN ARORA*
*APOSTLE DR ANKUR YOUSAF NARULA GREETS PEOPLE ON CHRISTMAS*
*Punjab Government organises state-level function to mark Christmas*
Chandigarh/Gurdaspur , December 29-The Punjab Government today organised a state-level Christmas celebration at Dana Mandi, Gurdaspur. Punjab Finance Minister S. Harpal Singh Cheema and Cabinet Minister and Aam Aadmi Party State President Sh. Aman Arora attended the programme as chief guests. Sharing the joy of the holy festival with the Christian community, they conveyed Christmas greetings to the people of the state on behalf of AAP National Convenor Sh. Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann and AAP Punjab Incharge Sh. Manish Sisodia.
Apostle Dr Ankur Yousaf Narula also attended the programme and extended Christmas greetings to the congregation.
Addressing the gathering, Cabinet Minister S. Harpal Singh Cheema said that Lord Jesus Christ showed humanity the path of truth, steadfastness and dedication even in the face of hardships. He said Christmas gives the message of love, harmony, compassion and forgiveness. He added that the message of peace and humanity given by Lord Jesus Christ would continue to inspire everyone to work for the welfare and service of mankind.
Cabinet Minister and AAP State President Sh. Aman Arora, while conveying Christmas greetings on behalf of the party leadership, said that Lord Jesus Christ preached love, togetherness and brotherhood. He said that fulfilling a long-standing demand of the Christian community, the Punjab Government, with God’s grace, celebrated Christmas at the state level in Gurdaspur this year and the festival would be organised by the state government next year as well. He said such programmes strengthen social harmony and motivate society towards the spirit of service to humanity. He added that the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ remain relevant in the present times and continue to guide people.
AAP Working President and Batala MLA Sh. Amansher Singh Shery Kalsi also extended Christmas greetings and said the Punjab Government celebrated the festival at the state level in Gurdaspur as a mark of respect for all religions.
Advisor to the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board Sh. Deepak Bali said the Punjab Government accords full respect to every religion and, in this spirit, the special Christmas celebration was organised. He greeted the congregation on the auspicious occasion.
Chairman Punjab Minority Commission Sh. Jatinder Masih Gaurav and Chairman Christian Welfare Board Punjab Sh. Daniel Bhatti also greeted everyone on the holy occasion and thanked Apostle Dr Ankur Yousaf Narula and the Punjab Government. They placed various demands related to the Christian community, which Cabinet Ministers S. Harpal Singh Cheema and Sh. Aman Arora assured to address.
Chairman District Planning Committee Gurdaspur Sh. Joban Randhawa and the District President also extended Christmas greetings to the Christian community. On the occasion, an announcement was made to set up Masih Chowks at Gurdaspur, Batala, Dera Baba Nanak, Dhariwal and Fatehgarh Churian.
Earlier, Apostle Dr Ankur Yousaf Narula, through his sermon, conveyed the message of love and brotherhood and said Lord Jesus Christ gave the message of peace and love to the entire universe. He greeted the congregation on Christmas. A cake was cut to mark the joy of Christmas and various personalities were honoured.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included MLA Dera Baba Nanak Gurdeep Singh Randhawa, Deputy Commissioner Aditya Uppal, Pastor Harpreet Deol, Pastor Sonia Yousaf Narula, Additional Deputy Commissioner (G) Simran Singh Dhillon, SP (D) Davinder Chaudhary, Jeevan Narula, Pastor Pankaj Randhawa, Locus Masih, Pastor Amrit Randhawa, Pastor Sukhpal Singh, Bishop Darbara Singh, Bunty Ajnala, Raman Behl Halqa Incharge Gurdaspur, Advocate Jagroop Singh Sekhwan Halqa Incharge Qadian, Shamsher Singh Halqa Incharge Dinanagar, Balbir Singh Pannu Halqa Incharge Fatehgarh Churian, Chairman Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Chairman Rajiv Sharma, senior leader Neeraj Salhotra, Trustee Sunny Masih, Trustee Jagjit Singh Pinta, Deepak Masih, representatives of various missions, respected pastors and bishops along with a large number of devotees.