CM condemns maltreatment of Giani Raghbir Singh
Seeks exemplary action against erring Air India employees
Chandigarh, April 25:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday sought severest of severe action against Air India employees responsible for misbehaviour with former Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh.
In a statement issued here today, the Chief Minister said that the incident of maltreatment of the former Jathedar Giani Raghbeer Singh is highly condemnable. He said that this sort of irresponsible behaviour by the Air India authorities is unwarranted and undesirable. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Singh Sahib are a respected personality of Punjab in general and Sikh community in particular and this sought of mistreatment with him cannot be tolerated.
The Chief Minister said that this unfortunate incident has bruised the psyche of every Sikh and has hurt their sentiments. He urged the Government of India to take exemplary action against the erring employees of Air India so that it acts as a deterrent for others. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Union government should immediately intervene in the matter as it is directly related to the emotions of the entire Sikh community across the globe.
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PUNJAB GOVT’s INITIATIVE TO BUILD SMART AANGANWADIS; WORKERS & HELPERS TO BE EQUIPPED WITH SMARTPHONES
Chandigarh, April 25:Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister, Dr. Baljit Kaur, announced that the State Government will soon provide smartphones to Anganwadi Workers and Helpers to enable them to perform their daily duties in a more organized and modern manner. She said that the Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is making sincere efforts to address the legitimate demands of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers with utmost sensitivity.
During a meeting held at Punjab Bhawan with representatives of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers, Dr. Baljit Kaur attentively listened to their issues and assured them that demands which can be resolved at the departmental level will be addressed promptly. She further mentioned that demands requiring decisions at the State Government level will be thoroughly reviewed and formal recommendations will be submitted to the Chief Minister for further necessary action.
The Minister informed that fulfilling the demand for smartphones is being prioritized to enhance the efficiency and field performance of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers. These smartphones will help connect them with modern technological resources and assist in ensuring effective implementation of government welfare schemes at the grassroots level.
Dr. Baljit Kaur also highlighted that the State Government is equally concerned about the health and well-being of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers. In this regard, a campaign had already been launched by the department to complete the eKYC process for all Anganwadi Workers and Helpers, which will be a significant step towards providing them with better health security benefits.
In conclusion, Dr. Baljit Kaur reiterated that the Punjab Government is fully committed to safeguarding the rights of its workforce and will continue to take welfare-oriented decisions in the future as well. She emphasized that the government will always remain responsive to the demands and suggestions of workers and will keep introducing new initiatives for public welfare in the coming days.
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CABINET SUB-COMMITTEE HOLDS SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH EMPLOYEE ORGANISATIONS FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE DAY
DIRECTS OFFICERS CONCERNED TO PRIORITISE CRITICAL ISSUES
Chandigarh, April 25-The Cabinet Sub-Committee, comprising Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema and NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, held a series of meetings with employee organisations for the second consecutive day on Friday to address their legitimate demands and issues.
During the meetings at the Finance Minister’s office, representatives from Punjab Mulazam and Pensioners’ Joint Front, Associate Pre-Primary Teachers Union, Computer Teachers’ Sangharsh Committee, and the ‘Union of Teachers Who Have Completed 10 Years of Service’ presented their demands and issues. The Cabinet Ministers engaged in detailed discussions with the concerned officials and provided union leaders with updates on the current status of progress regarding their demands.
The Cabinet Sub-Committee assured the union leaders that action on their legitimate demands is already underway, with officials from Personnel, Finance and other concerned departments working together to find suitable solutions. The Sub-Committee also directed officers from the concerned departments to prioritize immediate action on critical issues falling within their departments' jurisdiction.
The meetings were attended by representatives from the respective unions, including Germanjit Singh, Savinderpal Singh, Ranjit Singh, Gagandeep Singh Bhullar, Sukhdev Singh Saini, and Baj Singh Khaira from the Punjab Mulazam and Pensioners Joint Front, Harpreet Kaur, Darshan Singh, and Davinder Singh from the Associate Pre-Primary Teachers Union; Harjit Singh Sandhu and Harpreet Singh from the Computer Teachers Sangharsh Committee; and Jaspal Singh, Gaurav, Mamta Rani, and Surjit Kaur from the 'Union of teachers who have completed 10 years of service', along with their union colleagues.
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Mohinder Bhagat to Visit Districts for On-the-Spot Grievance Redressal of Ex-Servicemen, Charts 3-Month Action Plan
Chandigarh, April 25:Punjab Defence Services Welfare Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat will tour various districts across the state to personally meet ex-servicemen and address their legitimate grievances on the spot. A focused three-month action plan has been chalked out to ensure the well-being of ex-servicemen and their dependents.
Presiding over a review meeting of the Defence Services Welfare Department in Chandigarh, Mr. Bhagat said the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to the welfare of ex-servicemen and is working proactively in this direction. He also reviewed the progress of departmental initiatives and welfare schemes during the meeting. The Minister directed the officers to prioritize the issues concerning ex-servicemen and ensure their timely redressal.
Earlier in the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary, Defence Services Welfare, Mr. J.M. Balamurugan and Director, Brig. Bhupinder Singh Dhillon, briefed the Minister in detail on the ongoing schemes and their present status.
Reaffirming the state government’s commitment, Mr. Bhagat said that every possible effort is being made to provide comprehensive assistance and facilities for the rehabilitation and welfare of ex-servicemen and their families.
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First-of-its-kind initiative by any state in India
AAP Govt announced Rs 1 lakh for one drug-free village in each block of Punjab: Sond
- A budget allocation of Rs 150 crore for Panchayats elected with consensus
- Monthly honorarium of Rs 2,000 for Sarpanches, with an annual expenditure of Rs 31.70 crore
- 67% increase in the honorarium for Sarpanches compared to the previous rate
- Cash prize of Rs 1 lakh for each drug-free village under Yudh Nashiyan Virudh
- Advisory Board to be constituted for better coordination between government and Panchayats
Chandigarh, April 25:Punjab's Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond announced that the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has launched several significant and innovative initiatives aimed at strengthening Panchayats and promoting rural development.
Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, the minister stated that the government has earmarked a total budget of Rs 150 crore for providing cheques to Panchayats elected through unanimous consensus, out of which Rs 135 crore has been allocated for the current financial year. Last year, the allocation was Rs 15 crore.
He shared that 3,044 Gram Panchayats were elected unanimously during the last Panchayat elections in 2024. As per the Aam Aadmi Party’s commitment, these Panchayats are being given cheques of Rs 5 lakh each, and on the occasion of Panchayat Diwas, the Chief Minister personally handed over cheques to five such Panchayats.
Sond further informed that 67% increase in the honorarium for Sarpanches announced by CM on Panchayat Diwas celebrations, raising it to Rs 2,000 per month. This initiative will result in an annual expenditure of Rs 31.70 crore from the state treasury, benefiting all 13,236 Sarpanches in Punjab.
He highlighted that the honorarium, which began in 2006 at Rs 600 per month and was increased to Rs 1,200 in 2012, was never paid consistently. However, the AAP government is committed to providing this monthly honorarium regularly without interruption.
As part of the government’s fight against drugs 'Yudh Nashiyan Virudh', Chief Minister Mann has also announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh for one drug-free village in each of the state’s 154 blocks, a first-of-its-kind initiative by any state government in India.
Criticizing previous governments, the minister said that no genuine efforts were made for rural development in the past. For the first time since the establishment of Panchayat Diwas in 1993, the Aam Aadmi Party government formally celebrated this day in Punjab. The event witnessed participation from over 700 Panchayat representatives across 23 districts. A total of 35 awards were presented, including 10 Sarpanches, 15 self-help groups, and 10 Panchayat Secretaries recognized for their outstanding work.
In another significant move, the Chief Minister announced the formation of an Advisory Board to ensure better coordination between the government and Panchayati Raj institutions. The board will comprise 3 members from Zila Parishads, 5 from Block Samitis, and 46 Sarpanches (2 from each district).
Concluding the address, Minister Sond highlighted that the government has allocated Rs 4,573 crore for rural development this year, which will be used to transform both the condition and direction of Punjab’s villages through inclusive and strategic planning.
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PUNJAB’S ‘AAM AADMI CLINIC’ MODEL WINS GLOBAL PRAISE, AUSTRALIAN DELEGATION SEEKS TO REPLICATE IN AUSTRALIA
Chandigarh, April 25:In yet another testament to the transformative vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government for strengthening and transforming primary health care in the state, Aam Aadmi Clinics (AAC) have garnered international recognition, with a high-level 14-member Australian delegation expressing keen interest in adopting the model back home.
The delegation, led by Member of Parliament (MP) State of Victoria Dylon Wight (Delegation Leader) and MP State of Victoria Mathew Hilakari, visited the primary healthcare facility— Aam Aadmi Clinic and the tertiary healthcare facility— Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (PILBS) in Mohali on Friday.
Later, the delegation held a meeting with Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh where they exchanged ideas on healthcare and agriculture. Administrative Secretary Health and Family Welfare Kumar Rahul, Special Secretary Agriculture Baldeep Kaur and Director PILBS Dr Virendra Singh also attended the meeting.
The Australian representatives were particularly impressed by the Aam Aadmi Clinic model, which offers free primary healthcare services, including 80 essential medicines and 38 diagnostics, close to people’s homes.
Dr Balbir Singh, while addressing the media, said that the delegation has lauded the efforts of state in providing affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare to its citizens. “The delegation was amazed to see that by 11 AM, over 60 patients had already availed services at the Aam Aadmi Clinic. They were so impressed that they want to take this model back to Australia, believing it could greatly benefit their healthcare system.”
The Health Minister said that the delegation also appreciated Punjab’s tertiary healthcare facility, PILBS, for providing cost-effective advanced treatment to patients. The delegates were keen on learning from Punjab’s healthcare reforms, especially the efficient last-mile delivery of medical services.
The discussions also extended to agriculture and environmental sustainability, with both sides exploring potential collaborations. “Australia shares similar climatic conditions and crop patterns with Punjab. They showed great interest in our millets and organic farming practices. We discussed how both regions can learn from each other to boost agricultural productivity while conserving water and reducing pollution,” said Dr Balbir Singh.
The Health Minister said that Punjab is looking forward to launch exchange programs with Australia, where experts from Punjab will visit Australia for training, and Australian professionals will come to Punjab to study its healthcare and agricultural models.
Meanwhile, this acknowledgment from an international delegation follows the recent global recognition received by Aam Aadmi Clinics at the Global Health Supply Chain Summit held in Nairobi in 2023, where Punjab had received first prize for its submission titled “Strengthening last mile delivery of drugs: A case study from Punjab”.
Other delegate members include Professor Harpinder Sandhu (Federation University Australia); Dr Jasvinder Sidhu (Federation University Australia; A/Prof Paul Pang (Federation University Australia); Dr Sachin Dahiya (Business Leader, Ballarat); Parvinder Sarwara (Businessman & CEO, Singh Homes); Davinder Singh (Businessman and Importer); Sukhmeet Ahuja (Businessman and Educator); Jaswinder Singh (CEO, Sikh Volunteers Australia); Abhimanyu Kumar (Businessman); Navdeep Singh Handa (Businessman, CEO Aamico Homes); Kartheek Munigoti (CEO, Constellation Technologies Limited); and Love Khakh (Businessman and Sports Events Organizer).
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Development works worth Rs 27.18 crore in Jandiala Guru be completed soon,Hospital and college facilities will be available soon: Harbhajan Singh E. T. O.
Chandigarh, April 25: Punjab PWD Minister S. Harbhajan Singh E. T. O. on Friday held a meeting with the officers of various departments at Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh to give further impetus to the development works being carried out in Jandiala Guru constituency.
Reviewing the status of development works, Cabinet Minister S. Harbhajan Singh E. T. O. held detailed discussions and directed the officials concerned to further accelerate the pace. He also took stock of ongoing construction of a 30-bed hospital at a cost of Rs. 8.63 crore in Jandiala Guru, a new government polytechnic college being constructed at a cost of Rs. 14.97 crore and a sub-tehsil including Patwarkhana to be completed at a cost of Rs. 3.58 crore.
The meeting was attended by Director Technical Education Mr. Munish Kumar, Director Health Services Mrs. Hatinder Kaur, Chief Engineer of PWD Mr. Vipin Bansal and other senior officers.
The Cabinet Minister directed the officials to ensure regular review of status so that these significant works could be accomplished in the right earnest to facilitate general public. The Minister said that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is committed to fully develop the Jandiala Guru constituency with carrying out various development works.
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Punjab notched another success; Hydel projects witnessed record breaking power generation
* Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO recognises contribution of staff
Chandigarh, April 25 :Punjab’s hydropower sector has achieved a significant milestone during the financial year 2024-25, setting new benchmarks in electricity generation. Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO announced today that three major hydel projects under the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) have not only surpassed their annual generation targets but also recorded their highest output in the past three years.
The Shanan Power House, located in Joginder Nagar, emerged as a standout performer by generating 512.656 million units (MU) of electricity, exceeding its annual target of 480 MU by 6.80%. This exceptional performance is attributed to efficient plant operation, favourable hydrological conditions and timely maintenance practices. Following closely, the Anandpur Sahib Hydel Project (ASHP) generated 486.14 MU, outperforming its target of 470 MU by 3.43 percent.
Meanwhile, the Mukerian Hydel Project, the largest among the three in terms of capacity, registered a staggering 1326.81 MU of electricity generation, surpassing its annual target of 1110 MU by an impressive 19.53%. This marks the highest generation recorded at the project in the past three years and underscores the efficiency and robustness of Punjab’s hydropower infrastructure.
"The remarkable performance of our hydel projects during 2024-25 reflects our commitment to sustainable and efficient energy generation. These figures not only surpass our internal benchmarks but also exceed the targets set by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), New Delhi," said Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO. He added that this achievement is a testament to the relentless efforts of our engineers, technical staff, and management teams who have worked tirelessly to enhance output and optimise resources.
Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO further emphasised the importance of hydropower as a clean and renewable energy source that supports Punjab's broader goals of reducing carbon emissions and improving energy self-sufficiency.
He also acknowledged the support of the state government and expressed confidence in maintaining the upward trajectory in the years to come. “With strategic investments, modern technology, and the dedication of our workforce, Punjab’s hydropower sector is poised for even greater success,” he added.
The exceptional performance of the Shanan, Anandpur Sahib, and Mukerian hydel projects not only reinforces the efficiency of Punjab's power generation capabilities but also contributes positively to the state's economy and environment by reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
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Gardens based on fruits, vegetables and herbal plants should be planted in schools and Anganwadis to reduce impact of climate change: Bal Mukund Sharma
New Delhi/Chandigarh 25 April:A two-day international seminar was organised at Dr Ambedkar International Centre in the national capital, New Delhi, on the impact of climate change on food security. Mr. Bal Mukund Sharma, Chairman of Punjab State Food Commission, participated in this seminar.
Addressing the seminar, Mr. Sharma said that climate change is emerging as a very big challenge for the whole world. He said that it is causing water crisis as the earth's temperature is increasing rapidly and glaciers are melting.
He said that the Punjab Government has taking several steps to save water resources and climate under which priority was being given to sustainable farming, diversification and sowing of crops that consume less water. He said that Punjab had suffered a lot by over-explolating its natural resources to feed the entire country, especially paddy cultivation which had caused huge damage to ground water level, soil health besides environmental damage through excessive production of green gases and carbon.
Mr Sharma said that continuous efforts were being made by the Punjab government to avoid the effects of climate change, for which, apart from growing forests, special financial assistance is being provided for direct sowing of paddy, 33 percent subsidy on BT cotton seeds and Rs 500 crore is being spent on the purchase of stubble management machines.
He also emphasized that along with food security, we should all work together for nutrition security and a campaign should be prepared in this direction, through which "nutrition gardens" based on vegetables, fruits and herbal plants should be prepared in schools and Anganwadis. He added that children would be make aware of the importance of nutrition at an early age, while these beneficial vegetables and herbal plants like curry leaves, mint, drumstick etc. can also become a part of the mid-day meal given to them.
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PUNJAB TO BRING ALL OFFLINE SERVICES ON UNIFIED ONLINE PORTAL, ANNOUNCES AMAN ARORA
Chandigarh, April 25:Taking a major leap to ensure efficient and seamless delivery of citizen-centric services in a transparent manner, the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, has decided to establish a Project Management Unit
(PMU) to provide all services related to various government departments through a unified online portal, announced Mr. Aman Arora, Minister of Good Governance and Information Technology, Punjab.
Chairing the 21st meeting of the Board of Governors (BoGs) of Punjab State e-Governance Society (PSeGS) here at Punjab Bhawan, on Friday evening, Mr. Aman Arora said that the main objective of the PMU is to bring all the offline services onto a unified online portal, enabling citizens to apply anytime, from anywhere. The portal will also empower applicants to track the status of their applications, besides facilitating monitoring of service pendency at the Head Office level to ensure a greater accountability and timely resolution.
Notably, the PMU would play a pivotal role in driving end-to-end digitisation and implementation of all the services of various Government Departments notified under the Punjab Transparency and
Accountability in Public Service Delivery Act.
The PMU will help in integration of departmental services with the Punjab e-Sewa portal, said Mr. Aman Arora, while adding that a total of 846 services are notified under the Punjab Transparency and Accountability in Public Service Delivery Act and out of these only 436 services are provided through 541 Sewa Kendras. Out of these services, as many as 406 services are being provided through the “Bhagwant Mann Sarkar Tuhade Dwaar”, under which citizens can avail the 406 citizen-centric services by just dialling helpline no. 1076 from the comfort of their homes.
To provide all services through single point of contact or Door Step Delivery, the remaining notified services would be integrated to ensure online accessibility, he added.
The Good Governance Minister said that the PMU would provide technical and functional support to the departments in digitising/onboarding their notified services and ensuring seamless integration with the online Portal. The PMU will act as a central agency for designing, monitoring, and
facilitating the implementation of digital services across departments.
Meanwhile, the BoG also decided to conduct a comprehensive performance and impact audit of all Sewa Kendras operating across Punjab. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to bolstering citizen outreach and public engagement. The audit aims to evaluate the efficiency, transparency, and service delivery mechanisms of the Sewa Kendras and Door Step Delivery, ultimately working towards strengthening citizen trust in governance.
Reaffirming the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government’s firm stance towards zero tolerance against unnecessary delays in service delivery. He emphasised the state government's unwavering commitment to ensuring that citizens receive services within the stipulated timeframe. Strict measures will be implemented to address any unwarranted delays and uphold the rights of the citizens.
Additional Chief Secretary Good Governance Mr. Vikas Pratap said that this two-pronged approach, encompassing a thorough audit of existing service delivery channels and a strong push towards online service integration, reflects the Punjab government's proactive stance in leveraging technology to improve governance and empower its citizens, he added.
Director Good Governance Mr. Amit Talwar, State Transport Commissioner Mr. Jaspreet Singh, Special Secretary Local Govt Mr. Parminder Pal Singh and other senior officers of the departments were also present in the meeting.