Punjab Government Announces Sports Grounds in Every Village to Safeguard Youth from Drugs

* Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond inspects schools and sports facilities in Rupnagar district

* ‘Punjab Sikhiya Kranti’ to further improve educational standards across the state – Manish Sisodia

Chandigarh/Rupnagar, April 8:Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond, accompanied by former Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia, conducted an inspection of schools and sports grounds in various villages of Rupnagar district on Tuesday. The villages visited included Chairian, Bahrampur, Chandpur, Dakala, Lohgarh Phidde, as well as the government primary school and sports ground in Bahrampur Chaklan.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Sond announced that in an effort to promote a culture of sports and protect the youth from drug addiction, the Punjab Government will construct sports grounds in every village across the state. He shared that approximately 13,000 villages will benefit from this initiative, with sports facilities tailored to local youth demand. The grounds will include provisions for football, cricket, hockey, athletics, volleyball, handball, and other disciplines.

He highlighted that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government has earmarked a budget of ₹979 crore to engage youth in sports and fitness. In addition to sports grounds, gyms will be established in villages to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Sond emphasized the importance of engaging youth in sports to deter them from social evils. He also mentioned that athletes representing Punjab at national and international levels are recognized with cash rewards and given government job reservations to secure their future.

During the visit to the Government Primary School in Chaklan, Manish Sisodia noted the remarkable transformation the school has undergone over the past three years. He recalled that the school previously had dilapidated infrastructure, lacking basic amenities such as benches, clean drinking water, and functioning toilets. Today, it boasts modern facilities including benches, a sports ground, toilets, high-tech laboratories, a library, and secure boundary walls.

Sisodia reiterated the Punjab Government’s commitment to enhancing the quality of education through the “Punjab Sikhiya Kranti” initiative. He emphasized that the aim is to make Punjab a hub of excellence in education, ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for the state.

Also present on the occasion were MLA Sri Chamkaur Sahib Dr. Charanjit Singh, MLA Rupnagar Advocate Dinesh Chadha, Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Singh Walia, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Ms. Chandarjyoti Singh, District Planning Board Chairman Harminder Singh Dhahe, and other senior officials.

=========================================

PUNJAB’S “SCHOOL MENTORSHIP PROGRAM” GETS OVERWHELMING RESPONSE, 100 BUREAUCRATS ENROL IN JUST 3 DAYS

• 50% application received from young officers (2015-2024 batch), says Harjot Bains

• Top brass bureaucrats roped in to inspire & guide young minds to aim high in life: EM

CHANDIGARH, April 8:The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s groundbreaking “School Mentorship Program” has received an extraordinary response, with 100 top bureaucrats—including IAS, IPS, and PCS officers—volunteering as mentors within just three days of its launch on April 4, said the School Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains here on Tuesday.

Pertinently, the Punjab Government has introduced one-of-its-kind “School Mentorship Program” wherein top brass bureaucrats are being roped in to inspire and guide young minds to aim high in life. The initiative aims to bridge aspirations and opportunities for government school students by connecting them with civil servants.

Addressing a press conference here at Punjab Bhawan today, S. Harjot Singh Bains said that a detailed analysis of applications has revealed that over half of the applications are from young officers, specifically those who joined the service between 2015 and 2024. Among the 100 applicants, 41 are IAS officers, including seven from pre-2005 batches, 14 from 2005-2015 batches, and 20 are from Batch 2016 onwards. Similarly, 48 IPS officers including nine from pre-2005 batches, 16 from 2005-2015 batches, and 23 from Batch 2016 onwards have joined the initiative. Furthermore, three PCS officers and eight from other services have also shown interest.

S. Harjot Singh Bains, while expressing his delight at the overwhelming participation, said that schools that are located at border, far-flung and challenging areas, including Pathankot, Tarn Taran and Ferozepur, have also received a huge interest from the officers. “Such huge number of officers coming forward for this noble cause is truly inspiring," said the Minister, while adding that having our bureaucrats guiding students in our most underserved schools will create transformational change in Punjab's education landscape.

The Education Minister said that the program is still open for the interested officers, who want to adopt a school, can fill the Google Form (link:https://forms.gle/V4kcHjjVfsomdJz9A) by April 20, 2025. Outstanding contributions will be acknowledged at state-level education events to honour the efforts of mentor officers, he added.

Meanwhile, the mentor officers will be frequently visiting, and collaborating with their schools and facilitating students’ career counselling, exposure visits, teachers’ training on innovative pedagogies, increasing parental participation in school, piloting innovative ideas, and improving the learning environment of the schools. Officers will engage with students, teachers, and principals to motivate students to dream big and pursue ambitious goals, besides, supporting teachers in adopting innovative pedagogy and leveraging their experience and networks to bring improvements in school infrastructure, resources, and exposure opportunities.

=======================================

Work of 200-ft wide road from Malerkotla Road to Sidhwan Canal Lohara bridge is set to commence tomorrow

Mundian to lay foundation stone of project worth Rs 31.14 crores

Cabinet Minister also to lay foundation stone for Special repair of Link Road from GT Road to Khasi Kalan

”Bhagwant Singh Mann led state Government is making continuous and sincere efforts to ensure world-class infrastructure in Punjab”

Chandigarh/Ludhiana, April 8-In a significant push for infrastructure development in Ludhiana, Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian is set to lay the foundation stones for two key road projects on Wednesday aimed at enhancing connectivity and improving the quality of life in the region.

The first ambitious project involves the construction of a 200-foot-wide bituminous road from Malerkotla Road to Sidhwan Canal Lohara bridge, with an estimated cost of Rs 31.14 crores. This 1.7 km stretch, part of the missing link-2 (part-C), includes civil works, public health facilities, horticulture, and electrical lighting poles, along with medians for smoother traffic flow. The project will complete within a year, and will have a five-year maintenance plan by the contractual firm, ensuring durability and quality. He also highlighted that this road will boost economic growth and improve accessibility for commuters in Sidhwan Canal Lohara and surrounding areas.

The second initiative is the special repair of a 3.85-kilometer link road from GT Road to Khasi Kalan via Tajpur to Dhanansu, with a budget of Rs 3.31 crores. This key corridor, widely used by commuters, addresses a long-pending demand of residents around Tajpur road, offering them much-needed relief. He emphasized that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government is committed to prioritizing high-quality road infrastructure to make Punjab a leading state in this domain.

Speaking about the projects, Mundian stated, “The state government is making continuous and sincere efforts to ensure world-class infrastructure in Punjab. These initiatives reflect our dedication to enhancing connectivity, fostering economic development, and fulfilling the aspirations of our people.”

Both projects underscore the state government’s vision to transform Ludhiana into a world-class city with robust transportation networks.

==============================

GRENADE ATTACK AT BJP LEADER’S HOUSE: PUNJAB POLICE SOLVES CASE WITHIN 12HRs AS PAK-ISI BACKED TERROR MODULE EMERGES AS MASTERMIND; TWO HELD, E-RICKSHAW RECOVERED

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

— INITIAL INVESTIGATION REVEALS PLOT WAS MASTERMINDED BY ZEESHAN AKHTAR, A CLOSE ASSOCIATE OF GANGSTER LAWRENCE BISHNOI AND PAK-BASED SHAHZAD BHATTI, SAYS SPL DGP ARPIT SHUKLA

CHANDIGARH, April 8: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, Punjab Police has cracked the hand grenade attack at BJP leader’s house case masterminded by Pak-ISI backed terror module with arrest of two accused persons in this case in less than 12 hours, said Special Director General of Police (Special DGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla here on Tuesday.

“Preliminary investigations have revealed a larger conspiracy orchestrated by Pakistan's ISI to disrupt communal harmony in Punjab. The plot was masterminded by Zeeshan Akhtar, a close associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and Pakistan-based ISI-sponsored gangster Shahzad Bhatti,” he said, while not ruling out the possible links of the accused with Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) mastermind Harwinder Singh alias Rinda and gangster Happy Passia.

Special DGP Arpit Shukla accompanied by IGP Headquarters Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill, while addressing a press conference, said that police teams have also recovered an E-rickshaw used by the accused persons in executing the crime.

As per the information, an explosion occurred at the residence of Senior BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia located in Central Town Jalandhar on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. Police teams from Jalandhar Commissionerate immediately rushed to the spot, and the forensic team collected samples and relevant evidence from the scene.

Sharing more details, Commissioner of Police (CP) Jalandhar Dhanpreet Kaur said that the case is being investigated in coordination with central intelligence agencies to trace the entire terror network and ensure strict action against all conspirators.

She said that an FIR no. 27 dated 8/4/2025 has been registered under sections 109, 324(3) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act has been registered at Police Station Division number 3 in Jalandhar.

=======================================

Surprise check at RTA Bathinda: Vigilance Bureau registers case against three for registering and selling unfit vehicles using fake documents

* One accused arrested ; Raids underway to arrest other co-accused

* 5 modified jeeps confiscated costing Rs 25 lakh

Chandigarh, April 8, 2025 – In line with the Punjab Government’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) Bathinda Range during a surprise inspection at the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) office Bathinda, has found that unfit vehicles, without any physical verification, were registered using fake documents and the agents had further sold them to the public at inflated prices. On the basis of these malpractices, the VB has registered a case against accused Naveen Kumar, a resident of NFL Colony, Bathinda and Inderjeet Singh, a resident of Dhobiana Road, Bathinda. Meanwhile, the Bureau has nominated and arrested Naresh Kumar, owner of Nagpal Body Maker, Sirsa Road, Dabwali in Haryana in this case and has launched raids to arrest the other accused.

A spokesperson for the state VB informed that during the inspection, it was discovered that the said accused, in collusion with transport officials, had obtained No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from Gujarat state for five condemned jeeps/vehicles (Mahindra & Mahindra models from 1993 and 1996), even though these vehicles never actually arrived in Bathinda. The accused individuals had purchased five scrapped vehicles from different states and fraudulently obtained their NOCs from Gujarat. They then used a rental agreement with a person named Rajesh Tuteja, without his consent, to manipulate records. Subsequently, the accused got these scrapped vehicles modified at Nagpal Body Maker, Sirsa Road, Dabwali in Haryana and fraudulently got registered them at the RTA Bathinda office using fake documents in connivance with concerned officials/private agents. Afterwards, these vehicles were sold to unsuspecting buyers at high prices, committing fraud. The Vigilance Bureau’s Bathinda Range conducted a raid at aforementioned Nagpal Body Maker in Dabwali and seized the five modified jeeps, estimated to be worth around Rs 25 lakh.

The spokesperson further added that in this regard a case FIR No. 11, dated 07/04/2025 has been registered against above said Naveen Kumar and Inderjeet Singh under sections 7-A and 13(1)(A) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act along with sections 318(4), 336(2), 338, 336(4), 340(2) and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. In addition to this Naresh Kumar, owner of Nagpal Body Maker, Dabwali has also been nominated and arrested. Raids are ongoing to arrest the other accused.

He further added that during further investigation the involvement of RTA Bathinda officials/employees or other private individuals would also be probed and would be nominated if found guilty in the case.

====================================

Punjab Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak holds review meeting with officials of 7 districts including Sangrur on wheat procurement arrangements

Punjab's grain markets ready to welcome farmers: Lal Chand Kataruchak

Chandigarh/Sangrur, April 8:Punjab Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak today held a review meeting with officials on the arrangements made for wheat procurement in 7 districts of Punjab including Sangrur district at the District Administrative Complex. He said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has given clear instructions that farmers, arhtiyas, laborers or any other stakeholder in wheat procurement process should not face any problem in any grain market during the entire season. He said that the mandis of Punjab are fully prepared to welcome the farmers bringing their produce and all the necessary arrangements for procurement, lifting, loading, crates and payment have been completed in the mandis.

Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that during the meeting of the officers, good feedback has been received regarding the arrangements made in the mandis such as drinking water, sanitation, lighting arrangements, cleaning of washrooms etc. and this time too the wheat procurement season will be excellent. He said that there is a possibility of a bumper crop of wheat this year and a target of purchasing 124 lakh metric tonnes of wheat has been set. He also said that Punjab has arranged a Cash Credit Limit (CCL) of Rs 28,894 crore. He said that around 8 lakh farmers will bring their produce to the mandis of Punjab during the season and keeping it in view, as many as 1864 procurement centres have been set up. Apart from this, 600 temporary mandis have also been set up which will be used as per the requirement.

Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the state's grain markets will start receiving a bountiful crop near Baisakhi and the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is fully committed to ensure the purchase of every grain of wheat coming to the markets and to make payment within 24 hours.

Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak instructed the District Food Supply Controllers, Food Supply Officers, District Managers of government procurement agencies of Sangrur, Bathinda, Mansa, Malerkotla, Fatehgarh Sahib, Muktsar Sahib and Fazilka districts that they will not take leave without any valid reason so that the farmers do not have to face any kind of problems in the markets.

Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Rishi, Additional Deputy Commissioner Amit Bamby, SP Navreet Singh Virk, SDM Charanjot Singh Walia, Deputy Director Food and Civil Supplies Patiala, Faridkot and Ferozepur Divisions were also present during the meeting.

=========================================

Sikhya Kranti will transform Punjab's image: Harbhajan Singh ETO

Harbhajan Singh ETO to inaugurate development projects at multiple government schools in Jandiala Guru on April 9

Chandigarh, April 8:Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government has prioritized improving the condition of government schools since assuming office, said Cabinet Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO in a press communique here today, while stressing that the Shikhya Kranti would transform Punjab's image.

The Cabinet Minister said, "for the first time since India's independence, our party had campaigned on education as a central platform. The public responded favorably, electing S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab government with 92 party candidates winning their seats".

He acknowledged that upgrading more than 20,000 government schools across the state requires time, but affirmed that the government is proceeding with determination and integrity, with positive results beginning to emerge.

The Cabinet Minister said that opposition leaders who governed the state for over 70 years are displeased with the development work being undertaken by our government in public schools.

He informed that his assembly constituency has received funding worth crores for school development projects. On April 9, 2025, he will inaugurate development works at Government Elementary and Middle School Dhirekot, Government Elementary School Gehri (Jandiala Guru), Government Elementary and Middle School Bhangwan and Government High and Elementary School Tangra.

====================================

PUNJAB POLICE’S AGTF ARRESTS TWO OPERATIVES OF LAWRANCE BISHNOI-ROHIT GODARA GANG; PISTOL RECOVERED

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

— ARRESTED ACCUSED JASHAN SANDHU WAS WANTED IN A 2023-SRI GANGANAGAR MURDER CASE, HAD BEEN EVADING ARREST BY CONSTANTLY CHANGING LOCATIONS: DGP GAURAV YADAV

— ACCUSED JASHAN LANDED IN NEPAL FROM DUBAI, ENTERED INDIA BY ROAD IN AN ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE LAW ENFORCEMENT: ADGP PROMOD BAN

CHANDIGARH, April 8:Amidst the ongoing fight against organised crime launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) has busted a Lawrance Bishnoi-Rohit Godara gang with the arrest of the its two active operatives and recovered one .32 calibre pistol from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Tuesday.

Those arrested have been identified as Jashandeep Singh alias Jashan Sandhu, a resident of village 25ML in Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan and Gursewak Singh, a resident of Sri Muktsar Sahib.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that accused Jashan Sandhu was wanted in a 2023-murder case took place in Ganganagar in Rajasthan and had been evading arrest by constantly changing locations across Georgia, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia and Dubai. "Recently, on the directions of his handlers accused Jashan came back to India and landed in Nepal from Dubai before entering India by road in an attempt to escape law enforcement,” he said.

The DGP said that preliminary investigations revealed that accused Jashan played a crucial role in providing logistical support to the gang. His interrogation has also led to the identification of overseas Hawala operators, travel agents, and the locations of fugitive gangsters hiding abroad—marking a significant step in dismantling these networks, he added.

Sharing operational details, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) AGTF Promod Ban said that acting swiftly on a specific input about Jashan entered India by road after landing in Nepal, special operation teams of AGTF under the supervision of AIG Gurmeet Chauhan and led by DSP Bikramjit Singh Brar along with teams worked on inputs and successfully traced Jashan along with his associate Gursewak, leading to their arrest from Mohali. Police teams have recovered a .32 calibre pistol along with seven cartridges from their possession, he added.

AIG Gurmeet Chauhan said that preliminary investigations revealed that accused Gursewak came in contact with Lawrance gang members through Jashan and was operating locally on their behalf. "Their disclosures also revealed that Rohit Godara was planning to eliminate some prominent individuals in Punjab and New Delhi,” he said, while adding that sensational crimes have been averted with their arrests.

The AIG said that further investigation is ongoing to trace the forward and backward linkages in this case.

A case FIR number 02 dated 07/04/2025 has been registered under sections 25 (6)(7) of the Arms Act at Police Station State Crime Punjab in SAS Nagar.

=============================================

PUNJAB HEALTH DEPARTMENT FULLY EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH ANY EXIGENCY ARISING OUT OF ONGOING HEATWAVE

— Health Department advises people to save themselves from the upcoming heatwave

Chandigarh, April 8:On the directions of Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, the Health Department has issued a detailed precautionary measures to protect the people from the upcoming heatwave in Punjab. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a heatwave is declared in plain areas when the maximum temperature reaches 40°C or more, or when there is a departure from the normal temperature by 4.5°C to 6.4°C. This high temperature disrupts the body's temperature regulation system and can cause various heat-related illnesses.

Urging people to follow the advisory issued by the health department, Director Health and Family Welfare Dr. Hitinder Kaur said all the Civil Surgeons have been given strict instructions to ensure that all health facilities are fully equipped to manage patients suffering from heat related illnesses. Further, required beds have been reserved from District Hospitals to CHC level and PHCs where 24*7 health services are available.

“Refresher training and sensitization of Medical Officers and Specialists has been completed to ensure accurate diagnosis, as well as effective management of heat-related illnesses.” She added. Civil Surgeons have also been instructed to train and sensitize all paramedical Staff as well including ASHAs to ensure that advisories regarding heat wave reach up to the last mile in the community.

She advised that attention should be paid to local weather news through TV, radio, newspapers, etc. Apart from this, the latest weather information can be obtained from the website of the Meteorological Department [http://mausam.imd.gov.in/]. People should plan their daily activities according to predictions in the severe heat wave conditions.

Dr Kaur emphasized that new born babies, children, pregnant women, elderly persons, labourers, obese persons, people with any kind of mental sickness and immuno compromised persons especially suffering from heart diseases or hypertension should follow the advisory in more stringent manner as they are in higher risk of suffering from the heatwave.

===========================================

GURMEET KHUDIAN KICK STARTS STATEWIDE DEWORMING DRIVE; 2K TEAMS TO DISTRIBUTE MEDICINE

• Dewormer procured with Rs.7.78-CR to cover all farm animals

• Also directs officials to complete the drive within this week

Chandigarh, April 8:Punjab Animal Husbandry Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian launched a deworming drive in the state on Tuesday, starting from the Lambi constituency of Sri Muktsar Sahib district.

S. Khudian stated that the Punjab government has purchased deworming medication for livestock at a cost of Rs. 7.78 crore. This medication will be distributed free of cost to farmers across the state.

While directing the officials to complete the deworming drive within this week, he further informed that the Animal Husbandry department has formed over 2000 teams to deliver the deworming medication directly to farmers. For those who miss the distribution, the medicine will be available free of cost at their nearest veterinary institute.

For the deworming of cows/buffaloes and calves in the entire state of Punjab, he said that the dewormers are being distributed under ASCAD scheme.

Notably, this is the second deworming campaign which is expected to have a positive impact on milk production and thus increasing farmers income. Last year's campaign was well-received by livestock owners, who requested a repeat this year.

Mr. Rahul Bhandari, Principal Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development, has directed all department officials to ensure the timely delivery of dewormers to every household having animal with it. This will ensure that all animals in the state are dewormed which will help in boosting milk production and improving animal immunity.

Dr. G.S. Bedi, Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, mentioned that deworming animals before vaccination increases their immunity and improves vaccination effectiveness. He urged all animal owners to deworm their animals before the foot-and-mouth vaccination campaign, which will begin in the mid of this month, to create a healthy livestock and eradicate foot-and-mouth disease from the state. Dewormers are available at all Civil Veterinary Hospitals and Civil Veterinary Dispensaries throughout the state, and can be obtained free of cost from the nearest veterinary institutions.

====================================

‘YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH’: ON DAY 39, PUNJAB POLICE ARRESTS 71 DRUG SMUGGLERS; 1.8KG HEROIN, 4.9KG OPIUM RECOVERED

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

— POLICE TEAMS IN FIVE DISTRICTS ALSO CHECK 208 PHARMACEUTICAL SHOPS

— OVER 180 POLICE TEAMS LED BY 60 SP/DSP RANK OFFICERS CHECKED 404 SUSPICIOUS PERSONS: SPL DGP ARPIT SHUKLA

CHANDIGARH, April 8: With the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state entered 39th day, Punjab Police on Tuesday arrested 71 drug smugglers and recovered 1.8 kg heroin, 4.9 kg opium, 13362 intoxicant capsules/tablets and ₹9000 drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 5373 in just 39 days.

The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state.

Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.

Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 180 Police teams, comprising over 900 police personnel, under the supervision of 60 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 350 locations across the state leading to the registration of 43 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 404 suspicious persons during the day long operation, he added.

The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced one person to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment.

Meanwhile, Police teams have also conducted checking at as many as 208 pharmaceutical shops in five districts including Sri Muktsar Sahib, Ferozepur, Faridkot, Moga and Fazilka to ensure that they are not selling intoxicant tablets or any other habit-forming drugs, and are adhering to the prescribed norms and regulations regarding the sale of medicines.

=======================================

Team of Union Ministry of Women and Child Development inspects creche centres in Sonipat

Chandigarh, April 8 - Under the National Creche (Shishu Grah) Scheme launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi for the care of children of working women, a team of the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development today inspected the creche centres and play schools/anganwadi centres located in Sonipat district.

Giving information, a government spokesperson said the team included Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Development Dr. Pritam Yashwant and Deputy Secretary Abhishek Anand along with other officials.

During this, they visited various creche centres located in Sonipat district and inquired in detail about the facilities available to the children from the staff present there. They instructed the women employees working at the creche to take good care of children as well as pay special attention to their studies and ensure that all facilities are provided to them.

The Joint Secretary said the Central Government had started this scheme to take care of the children of working women and provide them security. A safe and good environment is provided in these creche centres for the care of children so that working women can work without any worry. He said children from 6 months to 6 years are given admission in these centres.

Joint Director of Women and Child Development Department, Haryana, Poonam Raman said Haryana is the first state in the country to implement the National Creche (Shishu Grah) Scheme in the state. All facilities are provided to the children living in these creche centres so that their educational and physical development can take place.

=========================================

=============================================