*On the eve of Retirement
IAS Malwinder Singh Jaggi retires after 33 years of distinguished service
Chandigarh, March 31-Secretary of the Information and Public Relations Department and 2005 batch Punjab cadre IAS officer Malwinder Singh Jaggi is retiring today i.e. 31st March after putting in 33 years of distinguished service as a civil administrative officer.
Born in a teaching and intellectual family in Patiala, Mr. Jaggi's father Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi is a prominent Sikh scholar who was recently awarded the fourth highest civilian honour, Padma Shri, by the Government of India for his literary achievements. The constructive and scholarly atmosphere of the house instilled good qualities and commitment in Malwinder Singh Jaggi from his childhood. After receiving his primary education from Patiala, Mr. Jaggi pursued professional education in engineering from the renowned engineering college GNE Ludhiana.
In 1992, Malwinder Singh Jaggi became a PCS officer after passing the state's highest civil services examination. After rendering exemplary services as a civil officer, he was promoted to the IAS cadre in 2005. During his illustrious career spanning three decades, he served in the field as SDM of Ludhiana, ADC of Fatehgarh Sahib, Mansa and Pathankot, Commissioner of Municipal Corporations Ludhiana and Amritsar and Deputy Commissioner of Faridkot district.
While serving in these positions, he became popular among the people due to his efficient handling of the administrative matters and sensing the pulse of the people. The people of Faridkot still remember the service he rendered during the world famous Baba Sheikh Farid festival twice during his tenure in the historical district of Faridkot. He always gave priority to solving the problems of the people on a priority basis and eliminating the inconvenience caused to the people in government offices.
Apart from field postings, Malwinder Singh Jaggi achieved great goals with his administrative efficiency while serving at the headquarters in various departments. During the grand celebrations held throughout the year on the occasion of the 550th Prakash Purb of the first Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Malwinder Singh Jaggi, as the Chief Executive Officer, supervised the arrangements of these celebrations. Apart from Sultanpur Lodhi and Dera Baba Nanak, he supervised the celebrations held in various parts of the country including Punjab and played an important role in the successful completion of all religious, and historical celebrations.
Malwinder Singh Jaggi served as the Director of various departments such as Transport, Social Security and Justice, Culture and Tourism, besides serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board and the Chief Administrator of PUDA. Mr. Jaggi left his mark by serving as Secretary, Information and Public Relations, Civil Aviation, Public Works Department, Culture and Tourism, Animal Husbandry and Labour Department. During this time, he also held the charge of the important institution created for the planned urban development of the state as Chairman of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA).
Malwinder Singh Jaggi is currently posted as Secretary in the Information and Public Relations Department. He will retire on 31 March after rendering 33 years of distinguished services.
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Vigilance Bureau arrests SHO, ASI for demanding Rs 1,50,000 bribe
Chandigarh, March 31, 2025:The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, arrested a Sub-Inspector (SI) Raman Kumar, posted as Station House Officer (SHO) at Police Station Bulowal in Hoshiarpur district, along with his subordinate, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Gurdeep Singh, on Sunday for demanding a bribe of Rs 1,50,000.
An official spokesperson of the VB disclosed today that the arrests followed an inquiry into an online complaint filed by a resident of Asalpur village in Hoshiarpur district on the Chief Minister’s Anti-Corruption Action Line.
The complainant alleged that an FIR had been registered at the said police station against his nephew under the NDPS Act and the accused police personnel were threatening to implicate his son in the case under Section 29 of the same Act. According to the complaint, the ASI had initially demanded a bribe of Rs 1,50,000 on behalf of the SHO to spare his son from the case but after negotiations, the amount was reduced to Rs 1 lakh. The complainant recorded conversations between himself and the accused policemen in which they demanded the bribe and submitted the audio evidence to the VB.
The spokesperson further stated that after verifying the complaint by the VB Hoshiarpur unit and obtaining legal advice, a case had been registered against both accused under sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Section 61(2) of the BNS and Section 59 of the NDPS Act at the VB Police Station in Jalandhar Range. “Both accused have been arrested and would be produced before the competent court tomorrow. Further investigation is underway, said Harpreet Singh Mander, SSP VB Jalandhar range.
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PUNJAB POLICE RECOVERS 15KG HEROIN CONSIGNMENT LINKED TO PAKISTAN AND USA-BASED DRUG SYNDICATES; ONE HELD
— PUNJAB POLICE COMMITTED TO MAKING PUNJAB A SAFE AND SECURE STATE AS PER DIRECTIONS OF CM BHAGWANT SINGH MANN
— ARRESTED ACCUSED WAS RETRIEVING NARCOTICS CONSIGNMENTS VIA DRONES, USING HAWALA CHANNELS TO TRANSFER PROCEEDS: DGP GAURAV YADAV
— FURTHER PROBE ON, MORE ARRESTS AND RECOVERIES LIKELY: SSP ABHIMANYU RANA
CHANDIGARH/TARN TARAN, March 31:Striking yet another major blow to the cross border drug smuggling networks amidst the ongoing anti-drugs campaign “Yudh Nashean Virudh” launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Tarn Taran Police has arrested a drug smuggler linked to Pakistan and USA based drug syndicates and recovered 15 kg heroin from his possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday.
The arrested accused as been identified as Harshpreet Singh, a resident of Roranwala in Amritsar. Apart from recovering heroin haul, police teams have also impounded the white coloured Activa scooter (PB 02 CJ 4165), being used by the accused for drug smuggli
The development came a day after Tarn Taran Police has dismantled a drug trafficking cartel with the arrest of two drug smugglers and recovered 6 kg heroin from their possession.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the drug consignment is linked to a smuggling network operated by USA-based smuggler Gurnam Kallowal, who is in link with Pakistan-based drug smuggler identified as Pahalwan. The latter was using drones to drop the drug consignment from across border, he added
He said that probe has also revealed that arrested accused Harshpreet was retrieving narcotic consignments near border area to further deliver it to local drug peddlers and was sending payments of drug proceeds through hawala channels on the instructions of his USA-based handler.
The DGP said that further investigations are underway to establish backward and forward linkages in this case to uncover the whole network.
Sharing operation details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Tarn Taran said that following reliable inputs about the smuggling activities of the accused Harshpreet, police teams of CIA under supervision of SP Investigation Ajay Raj, DSP Goindwal sahib Atul Soni and DSP special crime Gurinder Pal Nagra have launched an intelligence based operation and arrested the accused from the area of Rakh Sarai Amanat Khan, when he was going to deliver the drug consignment to someone on his Activa scooter.
The SSP said that efforts are being made to uncover the entire network of suppliers, dealers, and buyers, as well as to ascertain the total quantity of drugs received by the arrested accused. More arrests and recoveries are likely in coming days, he added.
A case under FIR No. 66 dated March 31, 2025, has been registered under sections 21(c) of the NDPS Act at Police Station Sadar Tarn Taran.
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PUNJAB POLICE RECOVERS 15KG HEROIN CONSIGNMENT LINKED TO PAKISTAN AND USA-BASED DRUG SYNDICATES; ONE HELD
— PUNJAB POLICE COMMITTED TO MAKING PUNJAB A SAFE AND SECURE STATE AS PER DIRECTIONS OF CM BHAGWANT SINGH MANN
— ARRESTED ACCUSED WAS RETRIEVING NARCOTICS CONSIGNMENTS VIA DRONES, USING HAWALA CHANNELS TO TRANSFER PROCEEDS: DGP GAURAV YADAV
— FURTHER PROBE ON, MORE ARRESTS AND RECOVERIES LIKELY: SSP ABHIMANYU RANA
CHANDIGARH/TARN TARAN, March 31: Striking yet another major blow to the cross border drug smuggling networks amidst the ongoing anti-drugs campaign “Yudh Nashean Virudh” launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Tarn Taran Police has arrested a drug smuggler linked to Pakistan and USA based drug syndicates and recovered 15 kg heroin from his possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday.
The arrested accused as been identified as Harshpreet Singh, a resident of Roranwala in Amritsar. Apart from recovering heroin haul, police teams have also impounded the white coloured Activa scooter (PB 02 CJ 4165), being used by the accused for drug smuggling.
The development came a day after Tarn Taran Police has dismantled a drug trafficking cartel with the arrest of two drug smugglers and recovered 6 kg heroin from their possession.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the drug consignment is linked to a smuggling network operated by USA-based smuggler Gurnam Kallowal, who is in link with Pakistan-based drug smuggler identified as Pahalwan. The latter was using drones to drop the drug consignment from across border, he added.
He said that probe has also revealed that arrested accused Harshpreet was retrieving narcotic consignments near border area to further deliver it to local drug peddlers and was sending payments of drug proceeds through hawala channels on the instructions of his USA-based handler.
The DGP said that further investigations are underway to establish backward and forward linkages in this case to uncover the whole network.
Sharing operation details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Tarn Taran Abhimanyu Rana said that following reliable inputs about the smuggling activities of the accused Harshpreet, police teams of CIA under supervision of SP Investigation Ajay Raj, DSP Goindwal sahib Atul Soni and DSP special crime Gurinder Pal Nagra have launched an intelligence based operation and arrested the accused from the area of Rakh Sarai Amanat Khan, when he was going to deliver the drug consignment to someone on his Activa scooter.
The SSP said that efforts are being made to uncover the entire network of suppliers, dealers, and buyers, as well as to ascertain the total quantity of drugs received by the arrested accused. More arrests and recoveries are likely in coming days, he added.
A case under FIR No. 66 dated March 31, 2025, has been registered under sections 21(c) of the NDPS Act at Police Station Sadar Tarn Taran.
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Punjab Government Releases Grant of Rs. 80 Lakh for NGOs – Dr. Baljit Kaur
Promoting Social Development and Empowering Youth for Employment is Our Priority
Chandigarh, March 31:Under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government has released a financial assistance of Rs. 80 lakh to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to make the youth skilled and self-reliant. This information was shared by Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment, and Minorities.
Providing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that various NGOs across different districts in the state are actively engaged in empowering youth and women through skill development courses such as cutting and tailoring, fashion designing, computer training, tally training, and beauty therapy. These initiatives aim to equip them with the necessary skills for self-employment.
The Cabinet Minister said that an amount of Rs. 40 lakh has been approved for four NGOs in Sri Muktsar Sahib district for projects related to cutting and tailoring, fashion designing, and computer training. Additionally, an NGO in Sangrur district has been allocated Rs. 10 lakh for a cutting and tailoring course.
Furthermore, Dr. Baljit Kaur announced that three NGOs in Bathinda district have been granted Rs. 30 lakh to facilitate skill development courses. This financial support will help the youth in these districts become capable of earning their livelihood.
Dr. Baljit Kaur reiterated the Punjab Government’s commitment to social development and improving the standard of living for the youth. She assured that such initiatives will continue to be implemented to make the youth of the state self-reliant.
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Barinder Kumar Goyal inaugurates four minors and bridge in Sardulgarh constituency constructed at cost of around Rs.15-CR
Says, immense increase ensured in irrigation facilities in Sardulgarh constituency
Previous governments divided Punjab and its waters for their personal gains: Cabinet Minister
"Instead of giving advice, union government should fulfill its duty to save Punjab's waters"
Chandigarh/Mansa, March 31:Punjab Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal, on Monday, inaugurated four newly constructed minors and a bridge in Sardulgarh constituency of Mansa district. These projects, completed at a cost of approximately Rs.15 crore, will further enhance irrigation facilities in this region.
Speaking to journalists after dedicating these projects to the public, Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal said that while four minors - Rorki Minor, Khaira Minor, Jhanda Minor and Minor No-11 Boha Distributary - have been completed at a cost of Rs.12.82-CR, a bridge of historical significance has been constructed at a cost of Rs.2.10-CR.
He said that Rorki Minor has a total length of 45,125 feet and will provide drinking and irrigation water to villages including Ahlupur, Kauriwara, Bhallanwala, Sardulgarh, Phoosmandi, Ranjitgarh Bandran, Khaira Khurd, Bhundar, Rorki, Jhanda Khurd, Sadhuwala, Meerpur Khurd, Tibbi Hari Singh and Sardulewala in the Sardulgarh block. He added that 7,636 acres of land will benefit from this. Similarly, Khaira Minor, which is 22,040 feet long, will provide drinking and irrigation water to villages including Khaira Khurd, Ahlupur, Khaira Kalan, Jhanda Kalan and Sardulgarh in the block. This minor will irrigate 1,934 acres of land. The Cabinet Minister further informed that the 19180-foot-long Jhanda Minor will provide drinking water to Mankhera and Jhanda Kalan villages in Sardulgarh block and irrigation water to 2586 acres of land. Similarly, Minor No-11 Boha Distributary, which is 22575 feet long, will provide drinking and irrigation water to villages including Meerpur Khurd, Jatana Kalan, Tibbi Hari Singh, Sardulewala and Kahnewala in Sardulgarh block, ensuring irrigation facility for 4114 acres.
During the interaction with journalists, Mr. Barinder Kumar Goyal informed that a steel foot bridge over the Ghaggar River, built at a cost of Rs.2.10-CR, was also dedicated to the public today, adding that this bridge, completed in a record time of one year, has made it easier for residents of three to four villages to cross the Ghaggar River. He added that there was an old bridge that was demolished during the 2023 floods due to water pressure. The new bridge has been designed to withstand all water levels, with a span of three meters and a length of approximately 94 meters.
In response to a question, Mr. Barinder Kumar Goyal informed that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government has so far constructed and rehabilitated around 17,565 water courses in the state and laid 4,500 kms of underground pipes. He said that in the last three years, Mann government has spent Rs.4,557 crore on canals, which is more than double the amount spent on canals during the same period by previous government.
He added that the Mann government has relined the Sirhind Feeder at a cost of Rs.35 crore for the districts of Mansa, Patiala and Sangrur. A stretch of about 25 kms was relined in just over a month and its water capacity has been increased from 900 cusecs to 1600 cusecs to bring irrigation water to the district. He informed that the state government is rationalizing water distribution.
The Cabinet Minister said that previous governments' leaders had divided Punjab's waters for their personal benefits. They took more water for their own areas and left other regions at the mercy of fate. Where these rulers had their lands, there was an abundance of water and the water allowance was set at seven cusecs in some places and six cusecs in others. He said, we are correcting the unequal distribution of water. As part of this initiative, water allocation in the district has been increased from two cusecs to three cusecs.
Taking the union government iron-handedly, the Cabinet Minister said that Punjab had extracted groundwater to feed the country. Punjab sacrificed everything to make the country self-reliant, but the union government is shirking its responsibility towards the people of Punjab. He said that today Punjab needs Rs.17000-CR to construct canals and lay underground pipes. If canals were constructed and underground pipes were laid throughout Punjab, the state could save an additional 20 percent of its water. He urged the union government to fulfill its duty to save Punjab's waters instead of wasting time giving advice.
Meanwhile, MLA Sardulgarh S. Gurpreet Singh Banawali said that bringing canal water to the fields to save groundwater was an important initiative of the Punjab government. He said that the credit for bringing canal water to the tail-ends goes to Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government. He said that the Punjab government always stands with the farmers and no stone will be left unturned in the development works of Sardulgarh constituency.
Prominent amongst others who were present included Chairman District Planning Board S. Charanjit Singh Akkanwali, Swami Vivekananda Ji, head of Dera Jassi Po Wali, Mahant Amrit Muni, head of Dera Baba Bhai Gurdas, Baba Kesar Das of Dera Baba Bhani Das, Baba Keval Das of Dera Baba Haktala and officials from various departments besides village Sarpanches and Panchs.
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Punjab Govt Disburses ₹27.79-CR to over 20K Farmers for Adopting Water-Saving DSR Technique, says Khudian
•Witnessed 47% increase in area compared to 2023
Chandigarh, March 31:Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that the state government has disbursed Rs. 27.79 crore to 20,229 farmers, who adopted the water-saving Direct Sowing Rice (DSR) technique during the 2024 Kharif season.
He shared that paddy was directly sown on 2.53 lakh acres in 2024, a 47 percent increase compared to the 1.72 lakh acres cultivated in the 2023 Kharif season. Notably, Rs. 4.34 crore was released to over 9,500 farmers in the first phase during the first week of March 2025 and now, all the remaining amount has been transferred into the bank accounts of the beneficiary farmers.
To promote sustainable agriculture and reduce water consumption, the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government has been actively encouraging farmers to adopt Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), he added.
The Agriculture Minister said that the state government provides an incentive of Rs. 1,500 per acre to farmers who directly sow rice seeds into the field, eliminating the need for transplanting seedlings and significantly conserving water. This initiative aims to address the depletion of groundwater and support the state's agricultural sustainability. The initiative aligns with the state government's commitment to water conservation and environmental protection.
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Punjab Govt ensures foolproof arrangements for Wheat Procurement across 1865 Mandis
Procurement of wheat commencing from April 1
Chandigarh, March 31:Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian today assured farmers of foolproof arrangements for the smooth procurement of wheat commencing from Tuesday onwards. The Minister said that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government has made extensive arrangements across 1865 mandis and procurement centers throughout Punjab to ensure that farmers face no difficulties during the procurement season.
"Our government is fully committed to providing farmers with a hassle-free procurement experience, said S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, adding that we have established robust systems across all procurement centers with adequate arrangements for electricity, shed and clean drinking water.
He further said that Mann government is dedicated to safeguarding farmers' interests and ensuring that they receive timely payment for their produce.
The Cabinet Minister urged farmers to complete land mapping through their arhtiyaas before bringing their wheat crop to mandis to avoid procedural delays. "Properly dried wheat will facilitate prompt cleaning and timely procurement, streamlining the entire process," he added.
S. Khudian said that landowners can verify their land mapping details on the Mandi Board portal "emandikaran-pb.in."
He further said that to get comprehensive healthcare support, the J-form holder farmers can now register for the Ayushman Health Scheme by contacting their concerned Market Committee. For any queries or additional information regarding the procurement process, farmers can contact their respective Market Committee Secretary or visit the Punjab Mandi Board portal, he added.
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Punjab Govt Announces School Timings for New Academic Session Starting Today
Chandigarh, March 31:With the starting of new academic session in all the schools from April 1, the Punjab Government today announced that all government, semi-government and aided schools across the state will be operational from 8am to 2pm.
Sharing this information today, the Director SCERT, Punjab Ms. Amaninder Kaur Brar said that a letter has already been issued in this regard directing all the District Education Officers to ensure compliance of new timing in all the Primary, Middle, High and Senior Secondary Schools in the state.