CM Launches Revolutionary Digital Education Initiative in Ludhiana

Empowering Education: CM Launches Laptop Initiative in Ludhiana

Chandigarh, Feb 14: In a path breaking initiative aimed at revolutionising the education system in the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday distributed laptops to the students of the government school as a part of digital education program of Ludhiana administration.

Speaking on the occasion the Chief Minister said that it is heartening to see that this initiative aims at focusing on equipping the government schools' students with essential tools for success in a digital learning environment. He said that these laptops are part of broader efforts to democratize digital education while ensuring security and accessibility for all students. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these Prime Book 4G laptops, recognized as the world's most affordable under first phase of the initiative are high-performance laptops specifically designed for students.

The Chief Minister said that These laptops are equipped with the Ei PAL Mindspark software module, which provides personalized and adaptive learning, and are being distributed across 14 government schools in Ludhiana district. He said that this transformative project aims to improve access to digital education, ensuring that students from all backgrounds can benefit from advanced technology. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the integration of Ei PAL’s Mindspark allows students to access AI-powered, personalized learning that adapts to their individual needs.

The Chief Minister said that these laptops have been designed to be affordable and durable, featuring advanced digital safety measures such as a secure operating system, controlled access, and data encryption, ensuring a safe and seamless learning experience. He also conveyed his best wishes to the administration for the success of the program. Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated the firm commitment of the state government to ensure that the students of government schools are able to compete with their convent educated peers, for which no stone is being left unturned.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal mentioned that the initiative serves as an experimental model to assess the impact of cost-effective, high-specification laptops on improving educational outcomes. He noted that this program will empower students with essential digital skills and knowledge and provide educators with the tools to integrate digital resources into their teaching methodologies.

Through this initiative, the administration is taking a significant step in bridging the digital divide and making quality education scalable, secure, and student-centred, Jorwal noted.

=========================CM EXTENDS GOOD WISHES TO SHUBHMAN GILL AND ARSHDEEP SINGH FOR ENSUING ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY

BOTH THE ACE CRICKETERS CALL ON CM

Chandigarh, February 14:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday extended best wishes to the Vice Captain of Indian Cricket Team and batsman Shubhman Gill and fast bowler Arshdeep Singh for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.

Both the cricketers called on the Chief Minister here at his official residence today afternoon.

During the deliberations, the Chief Minister said that both the cricketers have brought laurels for the state and country by performing exceptionally well in national and international events. He said that Shubhman played a key role in India’s feat as runners up in the One Day World Cup, whereas Arshdeep acted as a catalyst in India’s victory in the T20 world cup. Bhagwant Singh Mann also congratulated Shubhman Gill for his remarkable performance in the recently concluded series against England.

The Chief Minister also recalled his memories of cricket during the era of 1980s and 90s along with the marvelous performance of the cricketers of that time. He also discussed all the three existing formats of cricket in current time along with domestic tournaments of cricket. Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for the state that both the sons of soil have carved a niche for themselves in the arena of international cricket.

On the occasion Lok Sabha MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and others were also present

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Acid Attack Victims to Receive ₹10,000 Per Month in Financial Assistance: Dr. Baljit Kaur

Punjab Government’s Unique Initiative: Scheme has been Made Gender-Neutral,Now Men and Transgenders will also be able to take advantage of this shceme

Chandigarh, February 14-Punjab’s Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister for Dr. Baljit Kaur, stated that the state government has taken a unique step by making the "Punjab Financial Assistance Scheme for Acid Victims-2024" gender-neutral. This scheme, which was previously limited to women, will now also benefit male and transgender acid victims. Under this initiative, acid victims will receive a monthly financial assistance of ₹10,000.

Dr. Baljit Kaur expressed her gratitude to Punjab Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann and his entire cabinet for this significant decision. She stated that this move reflects the government's commitment to equality and justice in society.

The Minister further informed that the Punjab Government has decided to increase financial assistance for acid victims. Under the scheme, the monthly assistance has been raised from ₹8,000 to ₹10,000. The "Punjab Financial Assistance Scheme for Acid Attack Victims-2017" Making the scheme gender neutral, the scheme will now be known as the "Punjab Financial Assistance Scheme for Acid Attack Victims-2024" scheme.

Providing further details, the Cabinet Minister mentioned that this scheme was initially launched on June 20, 2017, under which only women acid victims were provided a monthly financial assistance of ₹8,000. However, in a major step toward social justice, the Punjab Government has now expanded its scope to include male and transgender victims as well.

She emphasized that this initiative will provide financial support to acid victims and help them lead a better life. Dr. Baljit Kaur reiterated that this decision is a significant milestone in the government's commitment to social justice and equality.

The minister expressed hope that this scheme will give new hope and self-reliance to the victims, while also playing a crucial role in improving their financial condition.

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26 Dependents of Martyred Soldiers Granted Government Jobs: Mohinder Bhagat

Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann Committed to Welfare of Martyrs' Families

Chandigarh, February 14-The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, continues its unwavering efforts to support soldiers and their families. In a series of measures taken under the directives of Defence Services Welfare Minister Mohinder Bhagat, the state has, from time to time, approved government jobs for 26 dependents of martyred soldiers. This initiative aims to provide financial stability to the families who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.

Defence Services Welfare Minister Mohinder Bhagat explained that the state government grants a government job to one eligible member from each martyr’s family based on their qualifications. He informed that Government jobs have been granted to 26 dependents of martyred soldiers. He further emphasized that this step reflects the Punjab Government's unwavering commitment to supporting and ensuring the well-being of martyr's families.

The Minister further stated, "While the value of the sacrifices made by our martyrs cannot be measured, it remains our moral duty to extend social and economic support to their families. Our government is fully committed to ensuring that these families receive all possible assistance."

This initiative not only honors the memory of our martyred soldiers but also provides essential financial support and stability to their loved ones, reinforcing the state’s dedication to social justice and the welfare of those who have served the country.

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Vigilance Bureau nabs accomplice of Patwari accepting Rs 3,000 bribe

Accused had previously taken Rs 2,000 for mutation of house

Chandigarh, February 14, 2025: In its continued crackdown on corruption, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested a private individual named Rampal, an accomplice to Patwari Vipan Kumar, posted at revenue halqa Nawanshahar-1, for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 3,000 on behalf of the Patwari.

An official spokesperson of the VB disclosed that the arrest was made following a complaint lodged by Pardeep Kumar, a resident of New Abadi, Nawanshahar city in SBS Nagar district.

He further informed that the complainant had approached the VB after Patwari Vipan Kumar had demanded Rs 5,000 bribe to process the mutation of his ancestral house. Acting on the Patwari’s instructions, the complainant had already paid Rs 2,000 bribe in advance to Rampal, his middleman. When the accused further insisted on the remaining amount, the complainant has approached the VB for help.

The spokesperson added that upon preliminary verification of this complaint, the VB team laid a trap and apprehended Rampal red-handed while he was accepting Rs 3000 bribe from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. Meanwhile, Patwari Vipan Kumar managed to escape the scene, evading arrest.

He informed that a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against both the accused at VB Police Station, Jalandhar range. The arrested accused would be produced before the competent court tomorrow while VB teams are actively pursuing the absconding Patwari. Further investigations into this case are underway.

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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT FURTHER TIGHTENS NOOSE AROUND CORRUPTION

GOVERNMENT ORDERS DCs, SDMs, SSPs AND SHOs TO CHECK CORRUPTION IN THEIR RESPECTIVE AREAS ELSE FACE ACTION

REGULAR FEEDBACK TO BE TAKEN FROM THE MLAS AND GENERAL PUBLIC

Chandigarh, February 14-Further tightening noose around corruption, the Punjab government has directed the Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Sub Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSPs) and Station House Officers (SHOs) to check corruption in their respective areas else face action.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of state government reiterated the unwavering commitment of the Punjab government to ensure full transparency, accountability and integrity in Public service delivery. As corrupt practices undermine public trust, weaken institutions and hinder national growth, so top priority must be accorded to check this menace. Punjab government has also directed that in order to ensure corruption free and citizen friendly governance, all the field officers should take stringent and effective steps.

Every officer is duty bound to ensure that people do not face any kind of harassment or demand of financial considerations while interacting with the Government officials at any level. Punjab Government has further directed that interaction of the public with the Government at all levels should be completely hassle free. Likewise, it has underlined that public work should be accomplished in minimum possible time in an efficient and polite manner.

The Punjab government has said that in order to make the officers even more responsive and accountable, feedback about each Deputy Commissioner, SSP, SDM, Tehsildar, Naib Tehsildar, SP, DSP, SHO and other field officers/officials will be taken not only from the general public but also from the MPs and MLAs, in the State. It further said that the feedback will organically lead to rewards and punishments for the officers. The state government has directed the officers to work harder to further ensure honest, responsive and efficient governance in the state.

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\PUNJAB POLICE MAKES BIGGEST HEROIN RECOVERY OF 2025; ONE HELD WITH 30-KG HEROIN FROM AMRITSAR

— PUNJAB POLICE COMMITTED TO MAKING PUNJAB A DRUG-FREE STATE AS PER DIRECTIONS OF CM BHAGWANT SINGH MANN

— ARRESTED ACCUSED WAS INVOLVED IN LARGE-SCALE HEROIN SMUGGLING, SAYS DGP GAURAV YADAV

— PROBE ON TO IDENTIFY SOURCE AND DISTRIBUTION NETWORK INVOLVED IN THIS SMUGGLING OPERATION: SSP ASR RURAL CHARANJIT SINGH

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, February 14:In one of the biggest heroin seizures of this year amidst the ongoing war against drugs launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Amritsar Rural Police has busted a cross-border smuggling racket with the arrest of a drug smuggler and recovered 30 Kg Heroin from his possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Friday.

The arrested accused has been identified as Gursimranjit Singh alias Simran, a resident of Baserke Gillan in Gharindha, Amritsar. Apart from recovering chunk of heroin, police teams have also impounded his Ford Fiesta car, in which he was going to deliver the consignment.DGP Gaurav Yadav said that arrested accused Gursimranjit Singh was involved in large-scale heroin smuggling, and it was reported that he had recently received a large consignment of Heroin smuggled from across the border. Probe also suggested that Pak-based smugglers have used drones to transport the drug consignment, he added.

The DGP said that further investigations are ongoing to identify more individuals involved and to trace the origins of the smuggling network.

Sharing operation details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amritsar Rural Charanjit Singh said that acting on an intel-input about the involvement of accused Gursimranjit Singh in smuggling of narcotics, Police teams from Amritsar Rural Police led by SHO Gharinda stopped the suspected Ford Fiesta car for the routine checking. Upon conducting a thorough search, four packets of heroin— weighing 7.5 kg each— found in a black bag, which was kept concealed in the vehicle, he said.

The SSP said that the accused is being interrogated to gather more details about the source and distribution network involved in this smuggling operation. More arrests are likely, he added.

A case FIR no. 30 dated 14-02-2025 has been registered under sections 21(c) and 25 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Gharindha in Amritsar Rural.

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48 YOUTH GETS JOB IN DAIRY DEVELOPMENT DEPT: GURMEET SINGH KHUDIAN

•Khudian hands over job letter to a clerk in Dairy Development on compassionate ground

Chandigarh, February 14:Punjab Government led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, has recruited 48 youths for various positions in the Dairy Development department over the past 35 months. This information was shared by S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, while handing over a job letter to a clerk on compassionate grounds here on Friday.

Wishing the newly inducted clerk best for the future, the cabinet minister exhorted him to serve the people with full dedication and honesty.

Reiterating the Punjab Government's commitment to providing ample job opportunities for the youth of the state, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian stated that 34 youths have been recruited as Dairy Development Inspectors Grade-2, 10 as clerks, three as steno-typists, and one as driver in the Dairy Development Department. He also mentioned that the state government has provided over 50,000 government jobs to youths across various departments in the state. The Director of Dairy Development, Mr. Kuldeep Singh, and other officials were present on the occasion.

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Panchayat Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond Orders Timely Completion of All Rural Projects and Works

- Review meeting with senior officers of the Rural Development and Panchayat Department

- Announcement of district-level meetings with public representatives

- Instructions to ensure transparent leasing of panchayat lands

- Action to be taken against officials and employees found negligent

Chandigarh, February 14:Punjab’s Rural Development and Panchayat Minister, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, has directed senior officials of the department to work diligently and honestly to achieve Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s vision of transforming the state into a “Rangla Punjab” . He emphasized that all ongoing rural projects and works must be completed within their stipulated timelines to ensure the holistic development of villages.

Chairing a review meeting at the Panchayat Bhavan with senior officials, ADCs, DDPOs, BDPOs, and various wing officers, Sond stated that villages in Punjab should be developed as model villages. He warned that delays and negligence in ongoing development projects would not be tolerated, and strict action would be taken against officials and employees found deliberately neglecting their duties.

The minister also reviewed the targets set for district officials during the department’s first meeting in January and issued necessary guidelines to ensure that all government schemes and programs reach the grassroots level. He stressed the importance of ensuring that rural residents benefit from these initiatives to maximize the development and progress of their areas.

Additionally, Sond inquired about the special camps organized in villages for issuing MGNREGA job cards and instructed officials to immediately address any shortcomings found in the process. He emphasized that every eligible individual should receive a NREGA job card to promote maximum employment in rural areas.

To ensure comprehensive rural development, the minister announced plans to conduct district-level meetings with local representatives, especially MLAs, and involve all Panchayat Department officials. He instructed that MLAs’ participation in ground-level development projects should be ensured.

Furthermore, Sond directed that panchayat lands should be leased in a transparent manner to ensure that the revenue generated is utilized for village development. He urged all officials to serve the public with dedication and integrity and set a target to complete all objectives by March 31, 2025.

During the meeting, the minister also issued instructions to accelerate the construction of Anganwadi centers, sports grounds, and projects under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) in villages.

The meeting was attended by Dilraj Singh, Administrative Secretary of the department; Parmjit Singh, Director; Dr. Sheena Aggarwal, JDC; senior officials from the headquarters; and ADCs (Development), DDPOs, BDPOs, and officers from various wings across Punjab.

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PUNJAB ACTS AS BRIDGE IN FACILITATING MEETING BETWEEN UNION GOVT & FARMERS

* Union Minister Pralhad Joshi assures farmers that dialogue to continue & next meeting to be held on February 22

• Agriculture Minister Khudian & Food Supply Minister Kataruchak urges union govt to consider farmers’ demands sympathetically

Chandigarh, February 14:Punjab Government yet again played a pivotal role in breaking the ice between the Centre Government and farmer unions. Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Sh. Pralhad Joshi, accompanied by Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian and Food & Civil Supplies Minister Sh. Lal Chand Kataruchak held a key meeting with farmer leaders including Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Sarwan Singh Pandher, agitating under the banner of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, here at MGSIPA, on Friday evening.

S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian welcomed the team of Union Government led by Sh Joshi and farmer union representatives and urged the Union Minister to consider the farmers' legitimate demands sympathetically and resolve them at the earliest. He reiterated that the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, stands firmly with the farmers, prioritising their welfare and interests.

Sh. Joshi assured the farmers that dialogue would continue, with the next meeting scheduled for February 22, 2025. He also appealed to farmer leader S. Jagjit Singh Dallewal to end his indefinite hunger strike, citing concerns about his health.

S. Dallewal said that he will continue taking medical aid, but won't end the hunger strike, which has entered 81st day, until the government meets the farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) on crops.

During the meeting, Sh. Joshi also shared the data regarding the procurement of paddy in last season and assured that all arrangements are in place to procure the next wheat crop. He highlighted the steps being taken to encourage farmers for crop diversification and promote cultivation of pulses, vegetables and fruits.

Earlier, Sh Joshi and both the Punjab Cabinet Ministers personally met Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal to know his wellbeing and they also condoled the demise of the granddaughter of S. Dallewal.

Punjab Chief Secretary Sh. KAP Sinha, Secretary Agriculture and Farmers welfare (GoI) Sh. Devesh Chaturvedi, Additional Chief Secretary Agriculture Sh. Anurag Verma, Principal Secretary Food & Civil Supplies Sh. Vikas Garg, Joint Secretary (Policy & FCI) Ms. C Shikha, DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav, Secretary Punjab Mandi Board Sh. Ramvir, MD PUNSUP Ms. Sonali Giri, Chairman Punjab Farmers’ and Farm Workers Commission Sh. Sukhpal Singh, VC PAU Dr. S.S. Gosal and Director Agriculture Mr. Jaswant Singh and other officials were also present in the meeting.