Category: Punjab

Cabinet Minister reviews massive arrangements to facilitate over 8 lakh farmers during wheat procurement season

Jalandhar News (April 4): Punjab Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak today reiterated that the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to procuring every single grain brought by farmers during the upcoming wheat procurement season in the state. He said that the government has already made extensive preparations to facilitate more than 8 lakh farmers during the season.

The Minister was chairing a review meeting with senior officials, transporters, and labour contractors from seven districts, including Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Rupnagar and Ludhiana.

Interacting with the media, the Minister revealed that Punjab is expected to witness a bumper wheat crop this year, with a target procurement of 122 lakh metric tonnes.

He stated that the State Government has already secured a cash credit limit of Rs. 30,973 crore for wheat procurement to ensure smooth operations throughout the season. The Minister also mentioned that adequate bardana (gunny bags) has been arranged, along with sufficient storage space and crates for efficient handling of the produce.
To cater to the massive arrival of crops, the Punjab Government has established 1,897 purchase centres (mandis) across the state where farmers can sell their wheat. In view of the bumper crop, around several temporary purchase centres have also been set up. Mr. Kataruchak assured farmers that they would receive payments within 24 hours of procurement, while the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat has been fixed at Rs. 2,585 per quintal.

He added that the Punjab Government has put in place arrangements to handle the arrival of 132 lakh metric tonnes of wheat against the expected procurement target of 122 lakh metric tonnes, thereby ensuring adequate surplus capacity and smooth procurement operations throughout the season.

The Minister noted that the Government has increased labour rates for labourers engaged in procurement. Similarly, to ensure farmers do not face any problem temporary arrangements to house over 51lakh MTs wheat crop was already made in open plinths. He added that the Government has also requested 409 specials in April and 449 specials in May for ensuring sufficient space for wheat crop.

Highlighting further, the Minister said that under previous governments, issues related to payments, lifting and bardana were major concerns for farmers, often forcing them to stay in mandis for several days. However, the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has resolved these issues during its four-year tenure, ensuring there is no shortage of bardana. Likewise, long-pending issues related to lifting and timely payments have also been addressed.
The Minister emphasized the Punjab Government’s commitment to purchasing every single grain brought by farmers and stressed that no negligence would be tolerated in the procurement process. He highlighted the government’s efforts over the past four years to streamline wheat and paddy procurement operations.

During the review meeting, Mr. Kataruchak also examined facilities for farmers, including cleanliness, availability of drinking water, lighting arrangements and sheds at the mandis. He directed officials to remain present at their respective mandis throughout the procurement season to ensure that farmers do not face any hardships.

He further stated that Punjab is the nation’s breadbasket and expressed pride in the state’s ability to manage such a large-scale procurement operation smoothly.

Health Minister reviews development works in Patiala Rural constituency

Patiala News (April 4): Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh has urged all residents of the state to get their health cards made at the earliest to avail the benefits of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, which provides free medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh. He also emphasized that all government officials and employees should get their health cards made and act as role models for the general public.

The Health Minister was chairing a meeting at the District Administrative Complex, Patiala, to review ongoing development works in the Patiala Rural constituency. Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Walia, ADC Damanjit Singh Mann, and officials from various departments were present during the meeting.

Dr. Balbir Singh said that nearly one lakh students are studying in senior secondary schools across the district. He directed teachers to get their own health cards made and motivate parents of students to do the same so that maximum families can benefit from the scheme.

He further directed officials, especially from the Education Department, to spread awareness about the Chief Minister Health Scheme as well as the “Mawan-Dhiyan Satkar Scheme,” ensuring that no eligible beneficiary is left out. He informed that women from the general category will receive ₹1,000 and those from SC/ST categories will receive ₹1,500 directly in their bank accounts, with the registration process to begin soon.

During the meeting, the Health Minister also reviewed infrastructure and facilities in schools, including boundary walls, availability of clean drinking water, and sheds for preparation of mid-day meals. He instructed the Panchayati Raj Department to prepare a plan for the cleaning and rejuvenation of village ponds, noting that stagnant and contaminated water can lead to the spread of diseases.

He also directed the Drainage Department to ensure that the Badi Nadi is cleaned and deepened up to Dakala before the onset of the monsoon season to enhance water flow capacity and prevent any potential flood threat to Patiala.

The Minister further reviewed other development works, including Aam Aadmi Clinics in villages, canal water supply for agriculture, model playgrounds, and link roads. Officials from various departments were present on the occasion.

Team Seizes Paneer, Ghee, and Sweets During Inspection

Patiala News (April 4): The Food Safety Department conducted a raid at a dairy unit in the Tripuri area of Patiala and collected five food samples for analysis.

Providing details, District Food Safety Officer Dr. Gurpreet Kaur said that the samples collected included ghee, paneer, dahi, khoya barfi, and milk cake. These samples have been sent to the laboratory for detailed analysis to assess their quality and safety standards.

She further informed that the raid was conducted under the guidance of Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Kawalpreet Brar as part of ongoing random checking drives in various areas.

Acting on specific information, the Food Safety team carried out the inspection at the dairy unit and also seized the remaining stock. The seized items included approximately 50 kg of paneer, 25 kg of ghee, and 23 kg of milk cake and khoya barfi.

Dr. Gurpreet Kaur stated that further action will be taken based on the laboratory reports.

Highlighting upcoming activities, she said that the Food Safety Department will organize an “Eat Right Mela” on April 9, 2026. The event aims to promote healthy eating habits and create awareness about food safety among consumers and food vendors. She invited local residents to participate actively and contribute towards building a healthier society.

Road construction work to begin soon at a cost of ₹9.45 crore

Phagwara News (April 4): Due to the tireless efforts and hard work of Aam Aadmi Party’s Leader in Lok Sabha and Member of Parliament from Hoshiarpur Parliamentary Constituency, Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal, the construction of two roads of historical importance in the Phagwara Assembly Constituency, which have been pending for a long time, is now set to begin very soon.

On Friday, MP Dr. Raj laid the foundation stone for the construction of these roads. On this occasion, Aam Aadmi Party’s District President Sarbjit Singh Lubana, former Minister Joginder Singh Mann, and AAP’s constituency in-charge Harnur Singh Harji Mann were also present.

MP Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal said that ₹9.45 crore will be spent on the construction of these two rural roads, and the work on these roads will be started and completed as soon as possible.

Dr. Raj informed that the first road will run from village Mauli to Pandwa and via Jagatpur Jatta, connecting to the Phagwara-Nakodar Road. This road, being built on the demand of saintly figures, has been named **Sant Daler Singh Marg**. He said the length of this road is 9.30 kilometers and its width will be 18 feet. Approximately ₹4 crore 15 lakh will be spent on the construction of this road.

The MP further informed that the second rural road will go from village Pandwa to Ghurka and then to Rudka Kalan, which falls in Jalandhar district. This road will be 7 kilometers long and 18 feet wide. ₹5 crore 30 lakh will be spent on its construction.

Dr. Raj said that both these rural roads connect to several religious places. Therefore, the construction work of these roads has been started on priority. He added that in the coming days, the development of Phagwara will be accelerated further.

MP Dr. Raj stated that under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Aam Aadmi Party government is ensuring all-round development of all constituencies in the Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha constituency, including Chabbewal and Phagwara Assembly segments. He assured that no stone will be left unturned in the development of Phagwara. Every demand of the people related to development will be fulfilled.

It is worth mentioning that earlier, almost all rural areas in Phagwara had 10-foot-wide roads. Thanks to MP Dr. Raj, this is the first time since Independence that village roads, which were previously 10 feet wide, are now being widened to 18 feet.

**Photo:** MP Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal laying the foundation stone for the construction of rural roads. Also present are former Minister Joginder Mann and constituency in-charge Harji Mann.

Deadline Pushed from March 31 to May 31, Offering a Final Window for Taxpayers to Clear Pending Dues: Harpal Singh Cheema

Chandigarh News (April 4): The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government has officially announced a two-month extension for the Punjab One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for Recovery of Outstanding Dues, 2025. Originally slated to conclude on March 31, 2026, the final date for filing applications has been pushed to May 31, 2026. Punjab Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema made the announcement on Saturday, emphasizing that this extension provides a crucial, final opportunity for eligible taxpayers to resolve their pending dues and secure substantial financial relief. He further warned that the Taxation Department has already identified 8,000 properties belonging to tax defaulters, which will face auction soon if they do not promptly act on this last chance.

Sharing the updated progress of the initiative in a press communique issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema highlighted the strong and encouraging response the scheme has garnered across the state. He said, “To date, the taxation department has successfully received 9,151 applications. This enthusiastic participation has translated into a total revenue realization of Rs. 134.21 crore, an indicator of steady revenue mobilization and high taxpayer confidence in the current administration. Furthermore, businesses have benefited immensely from the initiative, with the state government having already extended waivers amounting to an impressive Rs. 446.17 crore.”

Reflecting on the success of earlier settlement initiatives, the Finance Minister Cheema said, “While OTS-2 in the fiscal year 2022–23 saw the receipt and disposal of 2,487 applications, OTS-3 in the fiscal year 2023–24 recorded the disposal of approximately 70,000 applications. This robust historical participation underscores the significant potential of such schemes and suggests that a large segment of eligible taxpayers has yet to avail themselves of the benefits under the current 2025 scheme.” He said that the decision to grant this latest extension was driven directly by feedback from field formations, with the primary objectives of maximizing taxpayer participation, significantly reducing ongoing litigation, and facilitating enhanced revenue realization for the state treasury.

Despite the accommodating extension, the Finance Minister issued a firm and unequivocal warning to intentional defaulters, clarifying that this will be the absolute final window of opportunity. Cheema said, ” The Taxpayers who fail to participate in the scheme by the May 31, 2026 deadline will face severe recovery proceedings in strict accordance with the law. The taxation department has already proactively identified a substantial number of default cases.”

Finance Minister Cheema made it clear that, wherever required, the state government will aggressively initiate the attachment and auction of properties to recover the outstanding tax amounts.

Reiterating the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s broader vision, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the state government remains firmly committed to providing a fair, transparent, and highly efficient mechanism for resolving legacy tax disputes. He said, “This strategic approach not only aids the business community by wiping the slate clean but also fundamentally strengthens the fiscal position of the state. All eligible taxpayers are strongly urged to seize this extended deadline and settle their outstanding dues promptly to avoid any coercive recovery measures in the future.”

Launched by Punjab State Food Commission in collaboration with RE Generating Punjab

Chandigarh News (April 4): Taking a significant step towards sustainable agriculture, the Punjab State Food Commission, in collaboration with RE:Generating Punjab, launched the “Soil to Plate” initiative, aimed at restoring soil health and strengthening the agricultural system across the state.

Chairing the event, Commission Chairman Shri Bal Mukand Sharma emphasized the need for a collective approach to tackle declining soil fertility, depleting groundwater, and environmental challenges. He inaugurated the seminar by inviting Ms. Sumit Sandhu (Delhi), Founder Steward, RE:Generating Punjab, to present the agenda.

The seminar saw participation from around 15 experts and selected farmers from Punjab, the USA, and the UK, who actively shared their views. Detailed discussions were held on organic farming, alternative crop cycles, vermicompost-based fertilizers, soil organic carbon, efficient water usage, food processing, and exports. The central theme remained aligned with Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teaching: “Pavan Guru, Pani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahat.”

Participants included Sumit Sandhu (Delhi), Mukti Kumar (Jumple, England), Jyoti Sarup (Unnati Cooperative), Rajneesh Sharma (Expert in Vermicompost Fertilizer), Jatinder Kaur Arora (Former Executive Director, Punjab State Council for Science & Technology), Ripandeep Singh (Assistant Director, Chandigarh University, Gharuan), Tarun Sen (Manager, Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Ltd.), N.S. Brar (Chairman, Pagro Frozen Foods Pvt. Ltd.), K.B. Singh (Director, PAMETI, PAU), Jaspreet Singh (Turmeric Producer), Chamkaur Singh (Moga), Gurmukh Singh (Batala), Dhaliwal Sahib (USA), Sarbjit Bajwa (Amritsar), Sh. Satt Singh Ji, and many other progressive farmers and scholars.

In addition, Commission Members Sardar Jasvir Singh Sekhon and Shri Chetan Prakash Dhaliwal were also present. They expressed satisfaction over the success of the seminar and appreciated the leadership of Chairman Bal Mukand Sharma.

Mukti Kumar (Carbon Savvy, UK) highlighted the importance of organic carbon in the soil, while Dr. Baljinder Singh Saini (Head of Tata Trusts Punjab) shared practical recommendations to improve soil quality.

As part of this initiative, the formation of a “Think and Do Tank” was also announced, which will play an important role in accelerating the regeneration of Punjab’s agriculture.

In conclusion, Chairman Bal Mukand Sharma shared the key takeaways of the seminar and assured that all suggestions and concerns raised during the event would be brought to the attention of the Punjab Government. He also mentioned that the inspiration for this seminar came from Shri M.S. Aujla.

Over 74% Electors Mapped in Pre-SIR Exercise across the State so far

Chandigarh News (April 4): Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Punjab, Ms. Anindita Mitra, today informed that the State of Punjab is fully prepared for the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with all preparatory activities progressing in a structured and time-bound manner in anticipation of notification of schedule for the SIR exercise by the Election Commission of India.

Highlighting the progress achieved so far, the CEO, Punjab informed that a comprehensive pre-SIR mapping exercise has been undertaken across all districts of the State. As per the latest data as on April 4, 8:00 AM, 74.27% of the electors in Punjab have been mapped with the last intensive revision records. Out of the total 2,14,57,521 electors, as many as 1,59,36,941 electors have been mapped across the State.

To ensure the timely and efficient completion of the pre-SIR exercise, daily monitoring of progress made by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) has been undertaken at the headquarters level, enabling close supervision and prompt resolution of issues.

Providing district-wise insights, Ms. Mitra stated that districts such as Tarn Taran (88.64%), Moga (86.91%), Sri Muktsar Sahib (85.47%), and Mansa (84.20%) have recorded some of the highest mapping percentages. Other major districts, including Ludhiana (64.14%), Amritsar (75.60%), Jalandhar (68.05%), and Patiala (69.33%), have also shown substantial progress.

How do Electors find their vote in the 2003 Electoral Roll

The CEO, Punjab emphasized that electors can and should proactively locate and map their details by referring to the 2003 electoral rolls, which serve as a key reference for the SIR process.
Electors can access the 2003 voter list through the official portal of the Election Commission of India at: https://voters.eci.gov.in/
“Citizens are encouraged to search for their names in the 2003 electoral roll. In case their name is not found, they may also verify the details of their family members, such as parents or grandparents, to establish linkage,” said the CEO, Punjab.

Door-to-Door Enumeration during SIR

The CEO added that During the SIR exercise, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will conduct door-to-door enumeration across the State. Enumeration forms will be distributed in duplicate, and collected along with supporting documents, ensuring complete coverage. Every elector whose name appears in the 2025 voter list, is required to fill these Ennumeration forms.

“Active cooperation from citizens will be crucial to ensure that every eligible voter is included and that electoral rolls remain accurate and up to date,” the CEO, Punjab added.

Participation of Political Parties

The Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab said that the appointment of Booth Level Agents (BLAs) by political parties is a crucial requirement , and added that over 8,000 BLAs have been appointed across the State, thereby ensuring wider stakeholder participation in the electoral process.

Helpline & Citizen Support

To facilitate electors, a state/district contact centre has been set up at the toll-free number 1950. The helpline operates from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on working days and will function round the clock during the SIR period. Citizens can also lodge complaints through this number.
Additionally, electors can use the “Book a Call with BLO” facility on the ECINET platform and access various services through the Voter Helpline App.

Commitment to Clean Electoral Rolls

Reiterating the commitment of the Election Commission, Ms. Mitra stated that the objective of SIR is to ensure accurate, inclusive, and error-free electoral rolls, forming the foundation of a strong democratic system. Punjab, she said, is fully prepared to roll out the SIR exercise seamlessly as soon as the schedule is notified.

Responsibility of Voters

The Chief Electoral Officer urged all voters to cooperate with their Booth Level Officers to ensure that their votes are mapped with the 2003 voter list, well before the House to House Ennumeration starts. She also cautioned that having votes in more than one place, is a offence under the Representation of People’s Act, 1950.

Hoshiarpur News (April 04): Dr. Ravjot Singh, Cabinet Minister for Parliamentary, NRI affairs and Jails, Punjab, today chaired a meeting of all Superintendents of Jails at the District Administrative Complex, Hoshiarpur.

The meeting was attended by Sh. Arun Pal Singh, IPS, ADGP Jails; Sh. Surinder Pal Singh Mand, IPS, DIG Jails (Ferozepur & Patiala Range); Sh. Sukhmander Singh Mann, IPS, DIG Jails (Amritsar Range); and Sh. Manmohan Kumar, DIG Headquarters, along with all Superintendents of Jails and officers of Prison Headquarters.

The meeting served as an introductory interaction with jail officers wherein the Minister was apprised of the overall functioning of the department and key initiatives undertaken to address critical challenges such as overcrowding and management of high-risk prisoners.

The Minister was also briefed regarding the proposed Punjab Prisons and Correctional Services Bill, and the Punjab Good Conduct Prisoners Bill, which is under active consideration of the Government of Punjab. Further, discussions were held on the proposal for Restructuring of the department, including the requirement of additional posts to strengthen the operational framework across all the jails in the State.

The Minister further listened to the Issues raised by Superintendents of Jails, including staff shortages and operational concerns such as the functioning of sewerage treatment plants, repair of toilets in jails and renovation work in residential complexes.

The Minister was apprised of ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects, including the construction of a High Security Jail at Ludhiana and the proposed Women Open Jail at Patiala. The Minister desired that work of both these projects be done expeditiously so that they can be made operational at the earliest.

In his address, Dr. Ravjot Singh encouraged officers to work with integrity, dedication, and without fear, emphasizing the need for strengthened efforts to curb illegal activities in prisons and to enhance correctional and rehabilitation measures for inmates.