Vigilance Bureau arrests Head Constable for accepting Rs 4500 bribe via Google Pay

Chandigarh, February 22, 2025 – The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing crackdown on corruption in the state, has arrested a Head Constable Kulwinder Singh (2153/Commissionerate), posted at Police Station Division-5, Jalandhar, for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 4,500.

Disclosing this here today a VB spokesperson stated that the arrest followed an investigation into an online complaint filed by a resident of Bhargo Camp, Jalandhar on the Chief Minister’s Anti-Corruption Action Line. The complainant informed that a police case had been registered against him at the said police station during which the accused head constable (HC) unlawfully retained his mobile phone without any documentation. The said accused had demanded Rs 10,000 to return the phone and provide assistance in the case, threatening to file additional charges under cybercrime laws if the demand was not met.

He further informed that as per the complaint, the accused police personnel had already accepted Rs 4,500 via Google Pay and continued to demand the remaining Rs 5,500 despite having been transferred to another location. Upon inquiry, the VB has found the allegations to be true. Consequently, a case has been registered against HC Kulwinder Singh under Section 7, 13(2) read with 13(1)(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with Sections 308(2), 308(3), 316(5), 336(2), 336(3), and 340(2) of the BNS at the VB Police Station, Jalandhar Range. The accused would be presented before the competent court tomorrow, and further investigation into this case was under progress, he added.

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99.70% of complaints have been settled by the Complaint Redressal Center of Water Supply and Sanitation

State Government is committed to provide better, efficient and transparent services to the residents of the state: Mundian

Chandigarh, February 22-Following the commitment of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led State Government to provide better, efficient and transparent services to the residents of the state, 99.70 percent of the complaints have been settled by the water supply and sanitation grievance redressal center.

Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Hardip Singh Mundian stated that the Grievance Redressal Centre has been established by the department in which 1,38,331 complaints were received till January 31, 2025 and out of them, 99.70 percent complaints have been successfully resolved till now.

Mr Mundian further said that the residents of the state can register their complaints without any hassle through the 24x7 toll-free number 1800-180-2468 and their immediate redressal is being ensured. Consumers can call the centre to know about the status of their complaints which are redressed to their satisfaction.

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10KG HEROIN RECOVERY CASE: PUNJAB POLICE RECOVERS 2KG MORE HEROIN ON ACCUSED HARMANDEEP’S DISCLOSURE; TOTAL HAUL TOUCHES 15KG

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

— TWO DAYS BACK, POLICE TEAMS HAD ARRESTED HARMANDEEP’S ACCOMPLICE AND RECOVERED 3KG HEROIN FROM HIS POSSESSION

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, February 22:In a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the 10 Kg heroin recovery case, Counter Intelligence (CI) Amritsar has recovered yet another additional chunk of 2 kg of heroin concealed near a canal in Village Boparai Baj Singh, based on a disclosure statement made by accused Harmandeep Singh, taking the total seizure in the case to 15 kg, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.

The development came a few days after the Punjab Police had busted a cross-border drug smuggling racket with the arrest of a drug smuggler Harmandeep Singh of village Ghumanpura in Amritsar and recovered 10 kg heroin from his possession. This is the second major recovery made on the disclosures of accused Harmandeep. Pertinently, Police teams had also arrested Harmandeep’s accomplice identified as Lovepreet Singh after recovering 3 kg heroin from his possession.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that during the investigation of further forward-backward linkages, accused Harmandeep made another disclosure statement that he had concealed an additional 2 Kgs of heroin under a brick placed alongside the canal near Village Boparai Baj Singh on the Khurmanian to Ram Tirath Link Road. Acting on this lead, teams from CI Amritsar have managed to recover the 2 Kg heroin consignment from the pinpointed location shared by the accused, he said.

The DGP said that the recovered heroin is part of a larger consignment smuggled from Pakistan with the assistance of a Pak-based smuggler identified as Chacha Bawa, who used drones to transport the drugs across the border. Further investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other associates involved in the network, he added.

A case FIR No. 8 dated 18.02.2025 had been registered under sections 21, 25, and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Amritsar. Further recoveries are expected as the investigation progresses.

Meanwhile, CI Amritsar has registered a total of 14 FIRs after arresting 29 drug smugglers in 2024 (January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024), and seized 153.6 Kg heroin, 4 Kg ICE drug, 31.9 Kg Caffeine Anhydrous, 17 Kg dextromethorphan (DMR) and Rs 1.10 Crore drug money from their possession.

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Crop Diversification in Punjab Boosting Farmers' Income: Mohinder Bhagat

Chandigarh, February 22-The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is making significant strides in increasing farmers' income through crop diversification. Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat stated that the initiative is enhancing agricultural productivity and providing better financial returns for farmers.

Highlighting a success story from Mansa district, the minister said that Sukhpal Singh, a progressive farmer from Maujo Khurd village, has adopted crop diversification on his 11-acre farm. While continuing traditional farming on 4 acres, he has shifted to high-value vegetable cultivation on the remaining 7 acres, significantly increasing his earnings.

Farmer Sukhpal Singh begins sowing vegetables every November using advanced techniques supported by the horticulture department. By late January, his produce reaches the market at premium prices, yielding higher profits than conventional crops.

Sukhpal Singh has recently started mushroom cultivation on his farm. He is earning a good income from mushroom sales and many other farmers are seeking his advice and learning new techniques from him.

The minister emphasized that the Punjab government is actively supporting farmers in adopting diversified farming. “We are providing high-quality seeds, modern irrigation facilities and financial incentives to encourage sustainable agricultural practices. These initiatives are improving farmers’ livelihoods and contributing to Punjab’s economic growth,” he said.

The minister urged other farmers to embrace crop diversification to maximize their income and ensure long-term agricultural sustainability.

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HARJOT BAINS DECLARES WAR AGAINST ILLEGAL MINING; 3 FIRs REGISTERED, NIGHT VISION CAMERAS TO BE INSTALLED

• Bains issues order to conduct raids on crusher across Anandpur Sahib and scrutinise their records meticulously

• Also directs Rupnagar district authorities to engage youth clubs in identifying & reporting illegal mining activities

Chandigarh, February 22:Striking a major blow to the illegal mining, Punjab Education Minister and MLA from Anandpur Sahib, S. Harjot Singh Bains, on Saturday, taken decisive action, resulting in the registration of three FIRs against illegal mining operators in Rupnagar district.

This development comes after S. Harjot Singh Bains directed Deputy Commissioner (DC), Rupnagar to act tough against the illegal mining, signalling the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s zero-tolerance approach.

S. Harjot Singh Bains informed that two FIRs have been lodged at Police Station Nangal and one has been filed at Kalwan Chowki. These three FIRs have been registered under section 21 (1) and 4 (1) of the Mines and Minerals Development Rules, 1957.

The Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has also issued a series of stringent directives to DC Rupnagar to combat the rampant issue of illegal mining. He ordered immediate installation of high-resolution night vision closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras on all critical routes and pathways that could be used for transporting mining materials, as well as in areas identified as hotspots for illegal mining. The Cabinet Minister set a strict deadline of 15 days for the implementation of this measure.

Additionally, S Harjot Bains mandated comprehensive raids on every crusher operating in the district, with instructions to meticulously scrutinise their records for any irregularities. He further called for heightened accountability among district officials, warning against any form of negligence or collusion with illegal mining operators, regardless of their influence or political connections.

“No one will be spared— regardless of their political affiliation or status. Anyone found involved in illegal mining will face severe consequences,” he categorically said, while adding that illegal mining is a grave crime.

S. Harjot Singh Bains urged the youth to come forward and collaborate with the state government to preserve the natural resources of Punjab. He directed the district authorities to engage youth clubs in identifying and reporting illegal mining activities, thereby strengthening the community’s role in safeguarding Punjab’s natural resources.

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Over 90,000 school students visited Chhatbir Zoo in one year

Chandigarh, February 22:In what can be termed as the growing interests of the student community in getting to know about the Wildlife of the State, the number of students visiting the Chhatbir Zoo under the Student Zoo Club has witnessed phenomenal increase.

Due to the concerted efforts by the Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and the initiatives undertaken by the Forests & Wildlife Preservation Department under the guidance of Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, a total of 939 Government schools as well as 403 private schools have organized visits to the Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park better known as the Chhatbir Zoo, revealed an official spokesperson.

These visits were undertaken during the period between April 22nd, 2024 and January 18th, 2025 with the number of Government schools' students pegged at 50,294 and that of the private schools' students at 39,876.

This huge number signifies the growing curiosity among the younger generation of Punjab about the diverse flora and fauna besides wildlife of the State and the significant steps taken by the State Government to inculcate a sense of empathy towards the wild animals as they are also an important part of the nature.

“Illegal mining poses a direct threat to Punjab’s environment and economy. We will not permit anyone to exploit our land for personal gain. Strict action will be taken against all violators, and we are dedicated to maintaining complete transparency in our enforcement operations. I also urge the youth and responsible citizens to step forward and support this mission to safeguard Punjab’s resources,” he said.

He said that legal mining operations would not face any inconvenience. The government will ensure that those who are operating within the law can carry on their work smoothly.