“What’s your next move?” Punjab Govt reaching out Class 12 students to turn their dreams into reality

• Online form shared with students to know about their immediate plans & long-term goals, says Harjot Bains

•Form also accompany CM Bhagwant Singh Mann’s ‘Best of Luck’ Message to students

Chandigarh, February 20:In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at supporting the aspirations of students passing out from the government schools in Punjab, Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has rolled out a unique initiative to reach out the Class 12 students with simple yet powerful questions about their future plans aiming at understanding and nurturing their dreams.

Divulging the details, Punjab School Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains stated that the department has distributed a Google Form to all the students appearing for the 12th-grade board examinations.

The form, accompanied by a heartfelt message from Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, invites students to share their immediate plans and long-term goals—be it higher education, entrepreneurship, or competitive exams, S. Harjot Singh Bains said, while adding that the data collected will enable the state government to develop suitable support mechanisms to assist students in their academic and professional endeavours.

“This approach will allow the state government to bridge the gap between students’ ambitions and the necessary assistance to help them achieve their objectives,” said Mr Bains.

The School Education Minister mentioned that school heads have already been instructed to ensure that all students personally fill the aspiration form and provide necessary assistance to the students to complete this form. The District Education Officers (Secondary) will act as Nodal Officers to oversee this initiative. At the block level, Block Nodal Officers (BNO) will be responsible for close monitoring. Additionally, headquarters officials will provide backend support by maintaining a live dashboard that tracks the percentage of forms filled in each district.

He said that the Chief Minister's message has already been shared with all the students appearing for the 12th class exams. In the letter, Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann has not only extended his heartfelt best wishes to each student but also emphasised the importance of mental well-being during this crucial time. He provides valuable guidance on managing exam-related stress, encouraging students to adopt effective coping strategies.

This initiative reflects the government's commitment to supporting students not just academically, but also emotionally, ensuring they are well-equipped to face the future challenges, he added.

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CEO Sibin C appeals to recognized political parties of Punjab to appoint Booth Level agents

- Writes a letter to all recognized parties to appoint agents by February 28

Chandigarh, February 20Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sibin C has written a letter to all recognized political parties of the state to appoint their booth level agents by February 28, 2025.

The Chief Electoral Officer said that booth level agents appointed by all recognized political parties will work closely with the booth level officers of the respective polling stations and help eligible citizens to file applications for inclusion, removal, modification and transfer in the electoral roll.

The letter states that every recognized political party should send a list of 23 district representatives (or more), who are authorized to appoint booth level agents in the respective district, to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, by February 28. He said that a meeting is also being held with the representatives of political parties next week to give more information about it and to answer the queries.

The Chief Electoral Officer has urged all recognized political parties to take necessary action to the instructions issued by ECI with an aim to maximize the transparency in the process of preparation and revision of electoral roll and also to improve its fidelity.

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Cabinet Sub-Committee Takes Decisive Steps to Resolve Employee Issues

Hold Meetings with Representatives of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Samgra) and Van Vibhag Workers Unions

Chandigarh, February 20 Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee formed to resolve employee issues, directed the School Education Department to include members of the Officers Committee formed by the department to regularize employees, in the Cabinet Sub-Committee meeting on February 27. This decision aims to expedite the resolution of demands made by the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Samgra) Mid-Day Meal Daftri Mulazam Union.

The Cabinet Sub-Committee, which comprises Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, issued these directives during meetings with representatives of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Samgra) Mid-Day Meal Daftri Mulazam Union and the Van Vibhag Workers Union, held at the Finance Minister’s Office today. Forest Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak was also present on this occasion.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema also directed the Education Department to promptly address issues related to the salaries of Mid-Day Meal Office Employees and to sympathetically consider the release of stopped salaries.

During the meeting, the Forest Department Workers Union presented their demands regarding salary issues and the regularization of the services of peons, chowkidars, gardeners, etc., working in the department. The Cabinet Sub-Committee directed the Director of the Forest Department to hold a meeting with the union and present a proposal addressing their demands during the next meeting of the Sub-Committee with the union, so that necessary action can be taken.

State President Kuldeep Singh, General Secretary Rajinder Singh Sandha, Vice President Parveen Sharma, Secretary Jagmohan Singh, Varinder Singh, and Chamkaur Singh from the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Samgra) Mid-Day Meal Daftri Mulazam Union, and State President Balvir Singh Mandoli and State Secretary Birpal Singh from the Forest Department Workers Union, were present at these meetings.

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10KG HEROIN RECOVERY CASE: PUNJAB POLICE NABS ANOTHER DRUG SMUGGLER WITH 3KG HEROIN

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

— WITH ADDITIONAL RECOVERY OF 3KG HEROIN, TOTAL RECOVERY REACHES 13KG IN THIS CASE: DGP GAURAV YADAV

— FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS ARE ON TO IDENTIFY OTHER ASSOCIATES INVOLVED IN THIS DRUG SMUGGLING RACKET

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, February 20:Acting swiftly on forward-backward linkages in the 10 kg heroin recovery case, Counter Intelligence (CI) Amritsar has arrested one more drug smuggler and recovered 3 kg of heroin from his possession, taking the total seizure in the case to 13 kg, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Thursday.

The arrested accused has been identified as Lovepreet Singh, a resident of Main Bazar in Attari, Amritsar.

The development came a day after the Punjab Police had busted a cross-border drug smuggling racket with the arrest of a drug smuggler identified as Harmandeep Singh of village Ghumanpura in Amritsar and recovered 10 kg heroin from his possession. The latter was constantly in-touch with Pakistan-based smuggler identified as Chacha Bawa, who was using drones to transport heroin consignment across the border.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that following the disclosure of arrested accused Harmandeep that he had handed over 3 kg of heroin— part of the earlier consignment smuggled from Pakistan— to his associate Lovepreet Singh on Monday, Police teams have also nominated him as an accused in the case.

He said that a special team from the CI Amritsar was constituted to locate accused Lovepreet and the latter was arrested from the Bus Stop Khasa at Amritsar-Attari GT Road in Amritsar. During the search, Police teams have recovered 3 kg of heroin from his possession, he added.

The DGP said that the recovered heroin was part of a larger consignment smuggled from Pakistan. Further investigations are ongoing to identify other associates involved in this drug smuggling racket, he said.

In this regard, a case FIR No. 8 dated 18.02.2025 has already been registered under sections 21, 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Amritsar.

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Vigilance Bureau arrested absconding Assistant Labor Commissioner for demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 30,000

Chandigarh, February 20, 2025 -The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its anti-corruption drive, has arrested Harpreet Singh, PCS, Assistant Labor Commissioner (ALC) Hoshiarpur, for demanding a bribe of Rs 30,000 who was absconding for the last three months. In this case, Alka Sharma, Computer Operator posted in his office had already been arrested red handed for accepting Rs 30,000 bribe on behalf of ALC. The VB has arrested Harpreet Singh after he surrendered before the local court as his bail application was dismissed by Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Hoshiarpur court has granted one day police remand to the Vigilance Bureau for further investigation.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the VB, said this case has been registered based on a complaint lodged by a person running a shop in Kashmiri Bazaar, Hoshiarpur.

He informed that the complainant had reported to the Vigilance Bureau that he owns a jewellery shop, which he got renovated recently. He subsequently received a notice from the office of the Assistant Labor Commissioner, Hoshiarpur. When he visited the office, Alka Sharma, the computer operator, informed him that he would face a substantial fine, but she could help to resolve the matter by discussing it with her officer, Harpreet Singh, ALC.

The spokesperson further stated that the complainant mentioned that Alka Sharma took the notice from him and went into Harpreet Singh’s office. Shortly after, the complainant was also called into the office, where Harpreet Singh, PCS, demanded a bribe of Rs.30,000 in exchange for dismissing the notice. The complainant recorded the conversation related to the bribe demand and submitted it as an evidence to the Bureau.

He further added that following a preliminary verification, the VB team laid a trap during which accused Alka Sharma, computer operator, was caught red-handed while accepting Rs. 30000 bribe from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses, but Harpreet Singh, ALC, had left the office.

In this regard a case under Prevention of Corruption Act was registered against both the accused persons at the Bureau’s Jalandhar Range Police Station. After this the VB teams have been conducting raids at various locations to apprehend Harpreet Singh, the Assistant Labor Commissioner, Hoshiarpur. The other accused in this case, Alka Sharma is still in the jail as the court has not granted her bail, he said.

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Industries Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond meets captains of industry to bring Punjab on global trade horizon

- Industrialists to be taken into confidence to help state scale dazzling heights in business sector

- Doyens of business world emphasize world class marketing & exhibition centres

Chandigarh, February 20:The Industries, Commerce & Investment Promotion Minister, Punjab, Tarunpreet Singh Sond today, in a novel initiative, met the doyens of different streams of industrial sector. The meeting brainstormed about the strategies to bring trade in Punjab and the products in manufactured in the State on the world map.

Taking feedback from the entrepreneurs at the udyog bhawan, the Minister said that the State Government is working day and night to address the issues of the industries situated in Punjab in order to put them in the upward trajectory of development. Views are being ascertained from the various federations, chambers, entrepreneurs and industrialists by having personal interactions with them so as to ensure the raid industrial progress in Punjab.

Divulging more, Sond said that Punjab can progress only in case its industrial sphere witnesses growth. The state manufactures many such products which have the potential to be recognized & appreciation at the global level, said the Minister adding that Punjab's Phulkari, Punjabi Jutti, Cycle industry and multi dimensional cuisine if marketed well can lead to huge trade boost at the international stage. The State Government is ever ready to render any sort of assistance to the industrialists of Punjab to help in the prosperity of the trade and commerce field.

The industrialists on the occasion laid stress on framing a comprehensive policy to give filip to the local trade and industry with a view to propel them towards the National and International fame. They further contended that the opening of top notch marketing as well as the exhibition centers could help achieve this aim. The online selling of the products was also emphasized.

The Minister personally took note of all the suggestions offered and assured of the tangible results after consulting with the Chief Minister and the departments concerned.

During the meeting, ACS (Industries and Commerce) Tejveer Singh, CEO Invest Punjab Amit Dhaka, MD PSIEC Varinder Kumar, Punjab Development commission vice chairperson Seema Bansal and member Vaibhav Maheshwari, other senior officers of the Industry department besides eminent industrialists and representatives of the different federations and chambers were also present.

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Vigilance Bureau arrests private individual for taking Rs 42.60 lakh bribe by posing as a Government official

Chandigarh, February 20, 2025:

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), as part of its ongoing campaign against corruption, has arrested a private individual, Jagat Ram, a resident of Mullapur Dakha, Ludhiana district, for accepting bribes amounting to Rs 42.60 lakh while falsely claiming to be a government official.

Disclosing this today, an official spokesperson of the VB stated that the case was registered against the accused based on a complaint filed by Rakesh Sachdeva, a resident of SBS Nagar, Pakhowal Road, Ludhiana, through the Chief Minister’s Anti-Corruption Action Line.

The complainant alleged that Jagat Ram had taken a bribe of Rs 42.60 lakh from him to obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs) that were pending with the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT).

According to the complaint, Sachdeva, who runs a garment shop at AC Market, Ludhiana, had purchased three properties under the LDP scheme of LIT in 2017, 2019, and 2022, respectively. He had submitted all relevant documents to LIT to secure NOCs for transferring the properties into his name but failed to obtain them. During this time, he met Jagat Ram, who introduced himself as an official of LIT and posed as a Private Secretary to a senior officer in Chandigarh. The accused assured him that he could arrange the NOCs but demanded a bribe in return.

Sachdeva further stated that Jagat Ram took bribes from him in installments over two years, totaling Rs 42.60 lakh, but failed to deliver the promised NOCs. Eventually, he discovered that Jagat Ram was not an LIT employee but a private individual who was collecting bribes posing as public servant. With the help of a friend, the complainant recorded conversations with Jagat Ram, wherein the latter admitted to having taken bribes amounting to Rs 37 lakh.

The VB spokesperson added that during the verification of the complaint, the allegations were found to be true, supported by oral, audio, and documentary evidence. Investigations revealed that the accused had taken Rs 42.60 lakh including Rs 3.90 lakh through Google Pay. Based on the findings, a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the accused at the VB Police Station, Ludhiana Range. Jagat Ram would be produced before the competent court tomorrow. Role of LIT employees would be examined during the investigation, he added.

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PUNJAB POLICE’S AGTF ARRESTS ASSOCIATE OF TERRORIST LAKHBIR LANDA; ONE PISTOL RECOVERED

— PUNJAB POLICE COMMITTED TO MAKING PUNJAB A SAFE AND SECURE STATE AS PER DIRECTIONS OF CM BHAGWANT SINGH MANN

— ARRESTED ACCUSED SUKHCHAIN ALIAS BHUJIA WANTED IN RECENT ATTEMPT TO MURDER CASE AT BHIKHI, SAYS DGP GAURAV YADAV

— FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS ONGOING: AIG AGTF SANDEEP GOEL

CHANDIGARH, February 20: In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of the Punjab Police has arrested an associate of foreign-based terrorist Lakhbir Singh alias Landa Harike, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Thursday.

The arrested accused has been identified as Sukhchain Singh alias Bhujia, a resident of village Matti in Mansa. Police teams have also recovered one .32 caliber pistol along with five cartridges from his possession.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that acting on the reliable inputs, police teams under the overall supervision of ADGP AGTF Promod Ban launched an operation and arrested the accused person from the Bhikhi area in Mansa and recovered a pistol from his possession.

He said that the arrested accused Sukhchain alias Bhujia was wanted in a recent attempt to murder case at Bhikhi. The arrested accused also has a criminal history with number of criminal cases including attempt to murder, Arms Act and NDPS Act, etc registered against him, he added.

The DGP said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused Sukhchain alias Bhujia was planning to target rival gang members.

AIG AGTF Sandeep Goel said that further investigations are on to establish forward and backward linkages in this case. More arrests are likely in coming days, he added.

A case FIR no. 22 dated 10/2/2025 had been registered under sections 125, 191(3) and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act at Police Station Bhikhi in Mansa.

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PUNJAB LAUNCHES STATEWIDE SCREENING DRIVE TO COMBAT NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

ALL ADULTS ABOVE AGE OF 30 TO BE SCREENED TO ENSURE EARLY DETECTION OF DIABETES, HYPERTENSION, AND CANCERS: DR BALBIR SINGH

Chandigarh, February 20:Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Thursday, launched a population-based initiative for the prevention, control and screening of common non-communicable diseases (NCDs), across the state.

Under the drive, Dr Balbir Singh informed that persons over 30 years of age are being targeted for their screening for the common NCDs including Diabetes, Hypertension and three common cancers— oral, breast, and cervical. Screening for these common NCDs and cancers is an integral part of service delivery under the National Program for Control of Non-Communicable diseases, he said.

He said that screening will be done at Primary Health Centres, Aam Aadmi Clinics/Ayushman Arogya Kendras, Community Health Centres, District Hospitals, Sub-division hospitals in both rural and urban areas by trained healthcare workers including ASHA, ANM, and MPWs, he added.

The Health Minister said that today's launch is in concurrence with the nationwide launch of screening program targeting individuals aged 30 and above, focusing on early detection of common NCDs through population-based screening at primary healthcare facilities. This campaign will conclude on March 31.

Addressing virtually during the launch event held at village Saini Majra in health block Boothgarh of district SAS Nagar of the campaign, Dr Balbir Singh said that the aim of this special campaign is to ensure the well-being of the citizens by conducting screening for early diagnosis and ensuring timely treatment of non-communicable diseases. He emphasised that non-communicable diseases are generally long-term diseases which take time to recover, and continuous and timely screening of such diseases is very crucial.

He also highlighted the need for accurate data collection, ensuring detailed online records of all screened patients to monitor disease prevalence and tailor interventions effectively. Seeking co-operation from the people for the success of the campaign, he appealed to them to take maximum advantage of the initiative and get themselves screened.

The virtual inaugural ceremony was attended by Principal Secretary Health Kumar Rahul, MD NHM Ghanshyam Thori, Civil Surgeon Mohali Dr Sangeeta Jain, Assistant Director cum State Program Officer NP-NCD Dr Gagandeep Singh Grover, PO Dr Ashu.

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Punjab State Information Commission to Observe International Mother Language Day on February 21 : Inderpal Singh

Chandigarh, February 21:The Punjab State Information Commission will observe International Mother Language Day 2025 with a special event on February 21, 2025, at 3 PM at its premises in Chandigarh.

Chief State Information Commissioner, S. Inderpal Singh, informed that as part of celebrations of International Mother Language Day 2025 a documentary and painting presentation dedicated to the theme of mother languages will be inaugurated. The event aims to highlight the importance of linguistic diversity and the preservation of native languages.

The Punjab State Information Commission has extended an invitation to all stakeholders and language enthusiasts to participate in the event and contribute to the promotion of linguistic and cultural heritage.

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Wheat being distributed for January-March quarter must reach ration depots by February 28: Lal Chand Kataruchak

Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister directs ensuring requisite weight & quality of wheat

Farmers should not face any hassle during upcoming wheat procurement season

Chandigarh, February 20:With a view to bring more transparency and acceleration in the functioning of the Department, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak today conducted a review meeting with the DFSCs and the Deputy Director (Field) at Anaj Bhawan here.

The Minister emphasized punctuality on the part of the field officers to reach office in time and take time out from their schedule everyday to meet the public whose issues should be addressed on priority.

Directing all the Deputy Directors and the DFSCs to conduct checking at the ration depots in their respective districts at regular intervals, Mr. Kataruchak also implored them to personally supervise the wheat disbursal to the beneficiaries and send the reports pertaining to such checkings as well as the videos to the Headquarters.

The Minister also laid stress on ensuring the reach of wheat being distributed for January - March 2025 quarter by February 28th at the ration depots besides ensuring their requisite quantity and quality standards. The e-PoS machines provided to the ration depot holders for this purpose must be integrated with the weighing scales, directed the Minister adding that no laxity in this regard would be tolerated and any bungling would be strictly preceded against.

Taking stock of the preparations with regard to the upcoming wheat procurement season in April 2025, the Food Supply Minister said that all the necessary arrangements should be completed well before time. He also emphasized that no farmer should face any difficulty during the procurement season and robust mechanism needs to be put in place for ensuring smooth lifting and secured storage of the produce.

Instructions were also given to start the storage of rice in the covered godowns offered to the FCI with a view to ensure the timely delivery of rice due for the current Kharif season in keeping with the directions of the Headquarters.

Among others present on the occasion included the Principal Secretary Vikas Garg and the Director Puneet Goyal..