*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann visits Jagraon, shares grief with families of Mathura tragedy victims; assures all help in this hour of crisis*

*Deeply saddened by loss of lives in Mathura boat tragedy; stand firmly with bereaved families in this hour of grief: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Victims were on pilgrimage to Vrindavan when boat capsized in Yamuna; 11 bodies recovered, search for four missing continues: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Punjab has sent teams of divers to assist in rescue operations; ensuring all possible support to affected families: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Safety of pilgrims must be ensured at all religious sites; spoke to Uttar Pradesh CM on rescue & future safeguards: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

JAGRAON, 11th April 2026:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday shared the grief of families who have lost their loved ones in the tragic boat capsizing incident near Mathura, visiting Jagraon to stand with the bereaved and assure them of all possible support in this hour of crisis. Deeply saddened by the loss of lives, the Chief Minister said the victims were on a pilgrimage to Vrindavan when the boat overturned in the Yamuna river, with 11 bodies recovered so far and search operations ongoing for four missing persons.

The Chief Minister underscored that Punjab has already dispatched teams of divers to assist in rescue efforts, while maintaining close coordination with the Uttar Pradesh Government. Stressing accountability and prevention, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasised that the safety and security of pilgrims at religious sites must be ensured at all costs and said he has taken up the matter with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister to strengthen safeguards and prevent such tragedies in the future.

During a media interaction, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives in the unfortunate incident near Mathura. My heartfelt condolences are with the families who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy. The victims were on their way to pay obeisance at Vrindavan when the boat carrying them capsized in the Yamuna river.”

The Chief Minister informed that, “So far, 11 dead bodies have been recovered, while search operations are still underway for four missing persons. Punjab has also sent teams of divers to the mishap site to assist the authorities in Uttar Pradesh in rescue efforts.”

The Chief Minister further said, “Requisite medical treatment is being provided to those who have survived the tragedy. I am in constant touch with my counterpart in Uttar Pradesh and closely monitoring the ongoing rescue and relief operations.”

Emphasising the need for preventive measures, he said, “I have urged the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims visiting such sacred places in the future. It is imperative that respective state governments take all necessary steps to safeguard devotees at places of immense public importance.”

Sharing his sympathies, the Chief Minister said, “I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families, relatives, and friends of the victims. I pray to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed souls and give strength to the families to bear this irreparable loss. The Punjab Government stands firmly with them in this hour of crisis.”

============================================

*Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Kultar Singh Sandhwan expressed grief over the boat capsize incident in Vrindavan*

Chandigarh, April 11, 2026:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker, S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, today expressed deep sorrow and heartfelt condolences to those who died in Vrindavan incident due to capsize of boat in Yamuna river.

Speaker Sandhwan deeply saddened to hear this news and prayed to the God to grant peace to the departed souls and speedy recovery of those who were injured in this fatal incident. Almighty may give strength to their bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss in this hour of distress.

============================================

*Over 92,000 Students Benefit Under Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme in Punjab*

*Nearly Rs.13 Crore Released, Providing Major Relief to Needy Families: Dr. Baljit Kaur*

*Punjab Government Committed to Empowering Marginalized Students Through Education*

Chandigarh, April 11:In a significant step towards strengthening education among marginalized communities, the Punjab Government has released nearly Rs.13 crore under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, benefiting more than 92,000 students across the state. This was disclosed by Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur while highlighting the government’s continued commitment to ensuring inclusive and equitable education.

Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that during the financial year 2025-26, the scholarship amount has been disbursed to students belonging to Scheduled Caste communities, enabling thousands of economically weaker families to support their children’s education. She added that the financial assistance will help students meet essential academic expenses such as books, uniforms and other educational requirements.

Emphasizing the vision of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government, the Minister stated that no child should be deprived of education due to financial constraints. She reiterated that education remains one of the most powerful tools for social transformation, and the government is continuously working to ensure that every deserving student gets equal opportunities to succeed.

Dr. Baljit Kaur further stated that the scholarship is not merely financial support but a meaningful initiative aimed at giving wings to the dreams of underprivileged students. For many families struggling to meet daily expenses, such assistance becomes a ray of hope and plays a crucial role in ensuring continuity of education for their children.

She added that the Punjab Government’s sustained efforts in the education sector will help build a socially and economically stronger Punjab. Providing quality education to students from marginalized sections remains a top priority, and more impactful initiatives will be introduced in the coming time.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that Punjab is dedicated to creating equal opportunities through education and ensuring that the benefits of welfare schemes reach every deserving student across the state.

===============================================

*Innocent Home-Buyers Won’t Suffer for Violations Caused by Realtors: Reena Gupta*

*PPCB provides relief to homebuyers, permits sale deeds and power connections, maintains strict action against defaulting builders*

*Environmental enforcement must not come at cost of people’s rights & dignity; innocent homebuyers should not suffer: Reena Gupta*

*PPCB acknowledges hardship, revises policy to safeguard homebuyers while enforcing environmental compliance*

Chandigarh; 11th April:The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has moved to address a long-standing issue affecting thousands of homebuyers across Punjab, issuing people-centric directions to ensure that innocent citizens are not penalised for environmental violations committed by real estate developers, while maintaining strict enforcement against erring project proponents.

In a significant policy intervention, the Board acknowledged that earlier restrictions imposed on housing, residential and commercial projects for violating pollution control norms had inadvertently caused severe hardship to common citizens who had invested their life savings without any knowledge of such violations. Acting on multiple public representations and recommendations of a committee of senior officers constituted in March 2026, the Board has now adopted a balanced and humane approach.

The order dated April 9 clearly notes, “The restriction on the sale deeds of erring housing projects, residential colonies, commercial projects will also cause hardship to the common people who are in need of affordable accommodation.”

Under the revised directions, the Board has allowed the execution of sale deeds and release of electricity connections for individual buyers, ensuring that basic rights and essential services are not denied to citizens. At the same time, it has made it clear that strict action will continue against defaulting developers, including prosecution under environmental laws and denial of fresh approvals until full compliance is ensured.

The Board further emphasised that access to electricity is a basic necessity and intrinsically linked to the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, and that denying such services due to violations by project proponents was causing undue hardship to innocent buyers.

PPCB Chairperson Reena Gupta underlined the intent behind the decision, stating, “The Punjab Pollution Control Board is committed to ensuring that environmental enforcement does not come at the cost of people’s basic rights and dignity. Innocent homebuyers should not suffer for violations they did not commit. Through this decision, we are striking a fair balance: protecting the common citizen while holding violators strictly accountable under the law.”

This decision marks a significant step towards safeguarding the rights of citizens while reinforcing environmental accountability, ensuring that regulatory enforcement remains firm against violators without compromising the dignity and basic needs of the public.