FINANCE DEPARTMENT APPROVES PHASE-WISE RECRUITMENT OF 345 VETERINARY INSPECTORS: HARPAL SINGH CHEEMA

150 POSTS TO BE FILLED IN 1ST PHASE AND 195 IN 2ND PHASE

Chandigarh, November 18-The Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, on Tuesday announced that the Finance Department has approved the proposal regarding the Phase-Wise Recruitment of 345 Veterinary Inspectors in the Animal Husbandry Department.

Revealing this in a press communique issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Animal Husbandry Department currently has a total of 2010 approved posts for Veterinary Inspectors, and out of the approved posts, 345 positions are currently vacant, with 1665 being filled. He said that the Finance Department has approved the filling of these 345 vacant posts in a phased manner, with 150 posts to be filled in the first phase during the current fiscal year 2025-26, and the remaining 195 posts will be filled in second phase during the next fiscal year 2026-27.

The Finance Minister, who is also Chairman of the cabinet sub committee formed to resolve the employees issues, said that the need to fill existing vacancies were highlighted during a meeting with the Punjab State Veterinary Inspectors Association. He said during the meeting the Animal Husbandry Department noted that the number of animals receiving treatment at the state's 22 Veterinary Polyclinics is increasing, leading to a shortage of staff.

Hailing the approval to fill all 345 vacant posts as a major stride in maintaining seamless and efficient animal health services for Punjab's livestock keepers, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Animal Husbandry department has been delivering its services through the state's vast network, comprising 22 Veterinary Polyclinics, 1,367 Animal Hospitals, and 1,489 Animal Dispensaries. He affirmed that this decision is a direct response to pressing departmental needs, ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of critical care.

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Inauguration of Newly Constructed Court Room of Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission

*--Commission Chairman S.Jasvir Singh Garhi and Principal Secretary Shri V.K. Meena inaugurate the facility*

*A Major Step Towards Strengthening Justice Delivery for Scheduled Castes*

— *Chairman S. Jasvir Singh Garhi prioritizes transparency and time-bound hearings*

*Punjab Creates History: Nation’s First Court Room Under Any State SC Commission Opens in Chandigarh*

— *A pioneering initiative setting a new benchmark for other states*

Chandigarh, November 18:The newly constructed Court Room of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission was formally inaugurated today by Commission Chairman S. Jasvir Singh Garhi and Principal Secretary, Department of Social Justice, Empowerment & Minorities, Shri V.K. Meena, IAS. This marks a significant step towards strengthening the justice delivery mechanism and safeguarding the rights of the Scheduled Caste community.

A key highlight of the initiative is that this newly built Court Room is the first of its kind in the entire country under any State Scheduled Castes Commission. This historic milestone enhances access to justice and sets a progressive precedent for other states to follow.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman S. Jasvir Singh Garhi said that the new Court Room will play a crucial role in ensuring faster hearings, timely disposal of cases, and overall efficiency in the functioning of the Commission. He added that this initiative is vital for protecting the rights and dignity of the Scheduled Caste community and upholding the principles of equality.

He further informed that the Court Room has been equipped with modern amenities and a well-organized seating arrangement to ensure that all hearings are conducted professionally, transparently, and without delay.

Chairman Garhi emphasized that with the launch of this Court Room, the Commission will function with greater responsibility, sensitivity, and efficiency. He assured that every complaint received by the Commission will be addressed on priority and justice will be delivered in a timely manner.

He also announced that the Commission will soon introduce an Online Court System, enabling complainants to participate virtually—saving time, travel, and expenses for the public.

Present on the occasion were Smt. Gauri Parashar Joshi, IAS, Secretary, General Administration Department; Dr. Nayan Jassal, Member Secretary; Commission Members Shri Gulzar Singh, Shri Gurpreet Singh and Shri Rupinder Singh; along with the entire staff of the Scheduled Castes Commission.

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Major milestone - Paddy lifting crosses 150 LMT mark

Chandigarh, November 18 :Braving the odds posed by the recent floods in the State, the Foolproof and resilient infrastructure in the mandis of Punjab has ensured the surpassing of 150 Lakh Metric Tonne (LMT) mark in terms of lifting also.

Earlier, both arrival as well as procurement had also crossed the 150 LMT mark.

Leaving no stone unturned to ensure a smooth paddy procurement season, the pro active approach of the Punjab Government led by the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has led to over 11 Lakh farmers being benefitted from the Minimum Support Price (MSP) till November 17th.

Under the guidance of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, the procurement, lifting and payments are going on in full swing. The Patiala District so far leads the way with 96920 farmers deriving the benefit of MSP.

As regarding the arrival, a total of 15644022.7 MT of paddy has reached the mandis throughout the State till November 17th evening. Out of this, 15630983.39 MT stands procured and the figure touches 99 percent. The total lifting figure is 15024082.31 MT making the lifting touch 96 percent mark of the total procured crop so far. As far as the payments are concerned, more than Rs. 36000 Crore have been paid to the farmers.

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Industry Minister Announces Exhibition Centres, Power Roadmap as SUJAN Commits to Invest ₹150 Crore in Amritsar at CII Norther Region Meet

Chandigarh 18 November 2025:At the Regional Council Meeting of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Northern Region held in Amritsar, the Government of Punjab presented its forward-looking industrial reform agenda, sector-specific policy initiatives, and major infrastructure plans aimed at accelerating the state’s investment momentum.

Welcoming the Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora, Mrs Anjali Singh, Chairperson, CII Northern Region, said Punjab is fast emerging as a preferred destination for high-quality investments. She highlighted SUJAN’s ₹150 crore investment in Punjab’s hospitality sector, beginning with Amritsar, as a strong endorsement of the state’s improving investment climate.

“This major commitment strengthens Punjab’s premium tourism landscape and signals growing confidence in the state’s economic resurgence. With the government’s progressive policy interventions and ease of doing business reforms, we expect a substantial rise in tourism-led investments,” she noted.

Mrs Singh recommended that the government actively market available land banks, develop cold chain infrastructure to support agriculture and perishables, identify heritage locations for tourism promotion, and explore appointing a state brand ambassador to promote Punjab nationally and globally.

Addressing the Council, Shri Sanjeev Arora, Minister for Industry & Commerce, Investment Promotion, Power & NRI Affairs, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a robust, responsive and forward-looking industrial environment.

“Punjab is moving ahead with a clear, reform-oriented roadmap. We had constituted 24 sectoral committees, and a Master Industrial Policy—with dedicated policies for every major sector—will be released shortly to provide long-term clarity for investors,” he said.

The Minister informed that Punjab is undertaking long-term power planning and is preparing a detailed report on energy requirements up to 2035, covering the projected mix of thermal and renewable power sources.

To strengthen industrial infrastructure, he announced that land has been identified for two new exhibition centres in Mohali and Ludhiana, with tendering already underway. A third centre is being planned for Amritsar, where land identification is in progress.

Highlighting ongoing ease of doing business reforms, the Minister said that under the Right to Business Act, all green-category and several orange-category industries will receive clearances within five days.

On logistics and connectivity, the Minister shared that Punjab currently has 10 ICDs, two freight container stations, two international airports, and the operational Adampur airport. The upcoming Halwara airport will further strengthen the state’s logistics network and boost industrial accessibility.

The meeting concluded on a strong note of partnership, with industry leaders and the government expressing shared optimism about Punjab’s growth trajectory, the state’s expanding investment appeal, and the promising potential of tourism-driven development—underscored by SUJAN’s landmark investment commitment.