PunjabENews

Category: Punjab

  • DC Patiala Reviews LPG, Petrol and Diesel Supply

    DC Patiala Reviews LPG, Petrol and Diesel Supply

    Warns against black marketing and hoarding; urges public to avoid panic buying

    Patiala News (March 31): Deputy Commissioner Patiala, Mr. Varjeet Walia, today reviewed the availability and supply position of domestic and commercial LPG, as well as petrol and diesel, across the district.

    Chairing a meeting with District Food and Civil Supplies Controller Dr. Ravinder Kaur, along with other officials and representatives of oil and gas companies, the Deputy Commissioner stressed that any instances of leakage, black marketing or hoarding of essential fuels will be dealt with strictly.

    He reiterated that the government’s top priority is to ensure uninterrupted and adequate supply of LPG, petrol and diesel to all consumers. He also emphasised that institutions and bulk consumers should be encouraged to adopt Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections as a sustainable alternative.

    Appealing to the public, Mr. Walia urged consumers not to indulge in panic booking of LPG cylinders or panic buying of petrol and diesel. He assured that, in line with the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the district administration is fully committed to maintaining smooth and sufficient supply of essential commodities.

    The Deputy Commissioner directed all gas agencies to ensure timely delivery of domestic LPG cylinders strictly on the principle of “first booked, first delivered.” He also instructed officials to regularly monitor and verify the records of gas agencies to maintain transparency and accountability.

    Further, he directed the Food and Civil Supplies Department to conduct regular inspections to curb the illegal use of domestic LPG cylinders in commercial establishments.

  • Now, like US & Europe, police assistance in Punjab will reach within just 6 minutes: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann

    Now, like US & Europe, police assistance in Punjab will reach within just 6 minutes: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann

    CM Bhagwant Singh Mann hands over 508 Emergency Response Vehicles to Punjab Police

    Sangrur News (31 March 2026): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday announced that Punjab will now deliver police assistance within just six minutes, on par with developed regions such as the US and Europe, as he flagged off 508 Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) in Sangrur to significantly strengthen on-ground policing across the state. The vehicles, equipped with advanced technology and deployed across all 28 police districts under Dial-112, are set to ensure immediate response to distress calls, marking a major leap in rapid, technology-driven law enforcement.

    Backed by ₹327.70 crore investment in police vehicles over four years, the Chief Minister highlighted that modernisation of the force has not only strengthened law and order but also tightened the grip on drug traffickers, while improved security continues to boost investor confidence, reflected in major investments like Tata Steel’s second-largest plant in Punjab.

    Addressing a gathering in Sagrur, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann gave a strong call to the people, stating, “Social boycott of those involved in the heinous crime of drug trade is necessary as a final blow to eradicate this menace completely from Punjab.” He asserted that those who have ruined generations deserve no leniency, adding, “Such elements must be taught a lesson, and social boycott will act as a catalyst in freeing Punjab from drugs.”

    Highlighting the government’s firm action, he said, “The Punjab Government has already tightened the noose against drug trade, and the conviction rate in such cases has reached 87%, which is far higher than any other state.” He added, “Yudh Nashean Virudh has been the biggest-ever crackdown on the drug network in Punjab, breaking the backbone of this illegal trade by snapping supply chains and putting big fish behind bars.”

    Emphasising a mass-based approach, the Chief Minister stated, “A comprehensive and multipronged strategy has been formulated to transform this crusade into a people’s movement with proactive public support.” He noted that unlike previous governments, the present government has ensured strict action instead of allowing smugglers to flourish, adding, “Our fight is to protect Punjab’s young generation, and it will continue relentlessly without pause.”

    Calling the challenge ‘drug terrorism, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab Police is actively combating cross-border drug smuggling and ensuring citizens’ safety while strongly countering hostile forces.”

    He further highlighted administrative reforms, stating, “For the first time, a bottom-up approach has been adopted, with vehicles now being provided to SHOs at the ground level instead of only senior officers.”

    Linking law and order to economic confidence, he said, “The best parameter to judge law and order is the investment coming into a state, and the fact that Tata Steel has established its second-largest plant in Punjab reflects this confidence.” He added, “Punjab is one of the safest places, and the credit goes to Punjab Police, which has bridged the gap between the force and the people.”

    Highlighting road safety reforms, the Chief Minister said, “Punjab Government has launched the country’s first dedicated Sadak Surakhiya Force to ensure safety on highways and save precious lives.” He added, “With 1,597 trained personnel and 144 modern vehicles, the force has reduced road accident fatalities by 48% since its launch.” He further noted, “Deployed across 4,200 km of accident-prone highways, the force not only patrols but also acts as a deterrent against violations, a step even appreciated by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.”

    Detailing police modernisation, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Today, 508 new Bolero vehicles are being flagged off under the Emergency Response Vehicles initiative and dedicated to public service under Dial-112.” He added, “These vehicles will be deployed across all 28 police districts, ensuring prompt assistance to citizens.”

    He further stated, “With these additions, the Dial-112 fleet has increased to 764 vehicles, all equipped with advanced technologies including GPS trackers, dash cameras, and mobile data systems.” Highlighting improved efficiency, he said, “Daily 15,000 calls are received on Dial-112, out of which around 1,500 are dispatched, and response time has been reduced from 30–45 minutes to just 13–14 minutes.”

    Comparing governance priorities, he said, “While previous governments allocated minimal funds for police welfare, the current government has invested ₹327.69 crore in just four years, purchasing 2,904 vehicles since 2022.” He added, “Today, every police station in Punjab has at least one new vehicle.”

    On strengthening specialised units, the Chief Minister said, “22 Mahindra Scorpio vehicles have been procured for ANTF, along with electric scooters for enhancing mobility and women’s safety.” He further announced, “₹11.45 crore has been allocated for additional vehicle procurement in 2026–27.”

    Reflecting on Punjab’s security history, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Punjab has witnessed difficult phases of terrorism, but due to the sacrifices of police personnel, peace was restored, and today the state is known for peace.” He added that despite ongoing challenges as a border state, the police continue to perform their duties with full commitment.

    Highlighting future reforms, he said, “The government will soon introduce Artificial Intelligence to enhance the efficiency of Punjab Police, making it a front-ranking force in the country and strengthening law and order through scientific methods.”

    The Chief Minister also spoke about farmer welfare, stating, “The government is exploring the feasibility of putting high-tension wires passing through agricultural land underground, which will provide relief and reduce risks to farmers and their crops.”

    On recruitment, he said, “Since 2022, 12,197 recruitments have been made in Punjab Police, and further recruitment processes are underway, including 1,746 constables and 3,298 new positions advertised in March 2026.”

    Reiterating commitment to transparent governance, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “People’s tax money is being spent judiciously on development, ensuring benefits in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and welfare schemes.” He added, “Free electricity to 90% households, over 65,000 jobs without corruption, improved roads, and closure of toll plazas saving ₹70 lakh daily reflect our commitment to honest governance.”

    Contrasting political approaches, he said, “While this government talks about education, health, power, and agriculture, other parties focus only on grabbing power.” He added, “People have rejected opportunistic politics and chosen a government that works for them.”

    Taking aim at opposition leadership, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Some leaders are daydreaming of returning to power with unrealistic promises, but people are fully aware of their track record.” He further remarked, “Even late Parkash Singh Badal had never entrusted full leadership responsibilities to Sukhbir Singh Badal, understanding the consequences.”

    Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Barinder Goyal, along with Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav and other dignitaries, were also present on the occasion.

  • AAP MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura acquitted as High Court sets aside conviction in 2013 case

    AAP MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura acquitted as High Court sets aside conviction in 2013 case

    Chandigarh: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura has been granted major relief by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which set aside his conviction in a 2013 case and acquitted him along with other accused.

    The High Court quashed the 2013 FIR and overturned the 2025 conviction order after noting that the parties involved had reached a settlement.

    Lalpura was among those convicted earlier in the case. However, the court allowed the plea and cleared all accused, citing the compromise between the parties as the basis for its decision.

  • Education key to ending poverty, says CM Mann; launches projects worth over ₹100 crore in Sanaur

    Education key to ending poverty, says CM Mann; launches projects worth over ₹100 crore in Sanaur

    Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said that poverty and social evils cannot be eliminated through freebies or subsidies alone, stressing that education is the only sustainable solution to uplift people’s living standards.

    Speaking at Sanaur while inaugurating development projects worth crores, Mann said education empowers individuals to break out of the cycle of poverty and leads to real social transformation.

    He asserted that the Aam Aadmi Party government is utilising every rupee of taxpayers’ money prudently on sectors such as education, healthcare and infrastructure to bring meaningful change in the state.

    Detailing the projects, Mann announced road works worth ₹87 crore and canal water projects worth ₹27 crore, which will provide irrigation facilities to 40,066 acres of land across 83 villages.

    The Chief Minister also said the state government had secured Punjab’s rightful 25% share of water from the Bhakra canal through legal efforts. He added that farmers are now receiving uninterrupted daytime power supply during the paddy season.

    Targeting opposition parties, Mann said certain leaders were frustrated as their agenda was limited to their own families, whereas the current government is focused on accountability and public welfare.

  • Public holiday in Punjab, Chandigarh on Mahavir Jayanti; offices, schools to remain closed

    Public holiday in Punjab, Chandigarh on Mahavir Jayanti; offices, schools to remain closed

    Chandigarh: The Punjab and Chandigarh administrations have declared a public holiday on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, with all government offices, schools and colleges set to remain closed.

    Officials said the holiday had already been notified as part of the government’s annual calendar for 2026.

    During the holiday, government offices, municipal council offices, educational institutions and other public establishments will remain shut.

    According to the official calendar, there will be a total of 31 public holidays in 2026, out of which five fall on Sundays. The calendar also includes 13 restricted holidays.

    In March and April, five public holidays each have been scheduled. Overall, government offices will remain functional for 244 days during the year.

  • Punjab to acquire 11,103 acres for mega urban expansion in Mohali, New Chandigarh

    Punjab to acquire 11,103 acres for mega urban expansion in Mohali, New Chandigarh

    Chandigarh: In one of the largest urban expansion drives in Punjab’s history, the state government has accelerated the process to acquire 11,103 acres of land across Greater Mohali and New Chandigarh.

    According to official information, the acquired land will be used to develop seven new townships, seven sectors and three new phases of Aerotropolis near Chandigarh International Airport. A major commercial city centre, modelled on Chandigarh’s Sector 17, is also planned in Mohali’s Sector 87.

    The project will include industrial parks, residential zones and road infrastructure spanning around 1,240 acres. Land acquisition is being carried out under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 to ensure fair compensation to landowners.

    Several components of the project have already reached advanced stages. Compensation has been announced for Aerotropolis blocks A, B, C and D spread over 1,651 acres in Mohali, and for Eco City-3 covering 716 acres in New Chandigarh, with rates exceeding ₹19 crore per acre.

    Compensation for a 309-acre residential township in New Chandigarh is expected to be announced on March 30.

    The largest component of the plan includes Aerotropolis blocks E to J, covering 3,535 acres, which is currently in the final stages of processing.

    In addition, social impact assessments have been completed for the proposed commercial hub in Sector 87 and industrial zones in Sectors 101 and 103, marking significant progress in the ambitious development plan.

  • High Court says ‘Mukh Mantri Teerth Yatra Scheme’ should target needy, refuses to intervene

    High Court says ‘Mukh Mantri Teerth Yatra Scheme’ should target needy, refuses to intervene

    Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has observed that it would have been better if the Chief Minister’s pilgrimage scheme was limited to individuals who cannot afford such travel, while declining to interfere in the scheme.

    The observation was made by a division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Ramesh Kumar during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by RTI activist Parvinder Singh Kittna.

    The petitioner had challenged the scheme on multiple grounds, including the absence of an income criterion. It was argued that without such limits, even financially well-off individuals could avail free pilgrimage benefits funded by public money.

    The petitioner’s counsel also referred to a Supreme Court ruling on Haj subsidy, where the Centre was directed to phase out the subsidy over a period of 10 years and redirect funds towards education and social development.

    It was further argued that the current scheme, prepared on November 20, 2023, was introduced ahead of the March 16, 2024 parliamentary elections with the intent to influence voters.

    The High Court, however, chose not to strike down or interfere with the scheme, while making its observations on the need for better targeting of beneficiaries.

  • Advocate Dhami condemns Haryana Police for registering FIR against Raghujit Singh Virk, Baldev Singh Qaimpur and others

    Advocate Dhami condemns Haryana Police for registering FIR against Raghujit Singh Virk, Baldev Singh Qaimpur and others

    Says government is siding with accused by booking SGPC office-bearers
    Amritsar News  (March 30):  The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has strongly condemned the Haryana Police for registering a case against SGPC senior vice-president Raghujit Singh Virk, executive committee member Baldev Singh Qaimpur, and others.

    Advocate Dhami stated that instead of arresting Baljit Singh Daduwal and his associates—who attempted to take forcible possession of the SGPC-run Miri Piri Medical College at Shahabad Markanda—the police have chosen to file a case against representatives of the institution, thereby supporting the accused.

    He said it appears that the government is giving tacit approval to such acts of high-handedness instead of curbing them. Advocate Dhami added that the medical college is functioning for the benefit of the people of Haryana, and the SGPC provides crores of rupees annually for its support.

    He urged the Haryana Government to immediately withdraw the FIR registered against SGPC office-bearers and ensure strict action against those involved in the attempt of taking forcible possession.

  • All arrangements in place by Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department for Wheat procurement season commencing from April 1

    All arrangements in place by Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department for Wheat procurement season commencing from April 1

    Keep a hawk’s eye to ensure wheat from outside State is not sold in mandis: Lal Chand Kataruchak

    Chandigarh News (March 30): Directing the District Food Supply Controllers (DFSCs) to keep a hawk’s eye to ensure that Wheat from outside the State is not sold in the Mandis, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak emphasized that special vigil be maintained especially in the border districts in this respect.

    Reiterating the resolve of the State Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to ensure hassle free Wheat procurement season beginning from April 1st, the Minister said that the DFSCs must personally visit the mandis and keep a strict eye to make sure any wrongdoing doesn’t happens.

    Reviewing the preparations with regard to the upcoming procurement season in a meeting with the DFSCs and senior officers of the department, Mr. Kataruchak further ordered the officers to ensure cleanliness, electricity and clean drinking water arrangements in every mandi.

    The Minister was apprised that the State has received the Cash Credit Limit (CCL) to the tune of Rs. 30973 Crore for the month of April. Besides, the State has received the target of procuring 122 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT). However, the department has made comprehensive preparations for procuring 132 LMT.

    As part of the arrangements, 1897 procurement centres have been notified and proposals for further 266 temporary yards have been received from District Level Procurement Committees (DLPCs). The Minimum Support Price (MSP) has been fixed at Rs. 2585 Per Quintal.

    On the issue of gunny bales, the Minister exhorted the DFSCs to entrust the responsibility to Inspectors of ensuring the availability of the same in the mandis.

    On the issue of storage space, the Minister divulged that the Chief Minister has taken up the matter with the Union Government at regular intervals to speed up the moving of previous seasons’ produce from the State to make space for crops of upcoming seasons. The DFSCs should maintain continuous liaison with the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of their respective districts with regard to storage and keep updating the Headoffice, said Mr. Kataruchak.

    The Minister further implored upon the officers to foolproof arrangements in respect of tarpaulins, wooden crates in the mandis.

    The Minister assured on the issue of Petrol, Diesel and LPG supply and said that the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department is working in tandem with the oil marketing companies to maintain the supply of these items.

    In this connection, a State level control room no. 0172-2233001 has been operationalized for monitoring the supply and repressing complaints of the public. Apart from this, District Level Committees have been formed under the Deputy Commissioners to regulate & facilitate the supply of petroleum products.

    On the occasion, Principal Secretary Rahul Tewari, Director Varinder Kumar Sharma, Additional Directors Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar and Ajayveer Singh Sarao were also present.

  • PPCB Conducts Capacity-Building Workshop on New Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026

    PPCB Conducts Capacity-Building Workshop on New Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026

    Patiala News (30 March): The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), under the chairmanship of Ms. Reena Gupta, organized a comprehensive training programme on the new Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, Chandigarh, on March 27, 2026. The initiative was aimed at strengthening awareness and ensuring effective implementation of the updated rules notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

    The newly notified SWM Rules, 2026, mark a significant update over the 2016 framework and will come into force from April 1, 2026. The revised rules place greater emphasis on scientific waste management, segregation at source and greater accountability of stakeholders. The training programme witnessed participation from 268 officials, including Executive Officers of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), SWM Nodal Officers, Programme Coordinators, Capacity Building Experts, and officers of PPCB. The session focused on clarifying roles, responsibilities, and the implementation framework required under the new regulatory regime.
    Dr. Dhamodharan K, Assistant Professor, Department of Energy and Environment, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET), was invited as the key resource person. He conducted an in-depth two-hour session elaborating on the key provisions, structural changes from the 2016 rules, and practical challenges in implementation. Additionally, Mr. Akshit Kapil, Assistant Environmental Engineer at PPCB, delivered a session providing a concise overview of the updated rules, highlighting major changes and their implications for field level execution.
    The programme forms part of a broader effort to build capacity across departments and ensure preparedness ahead of the enforcement date. By bringing together officials from multiple levels, PPCB aims to create a unified understanding of the regulatory framework and facilitate smoother implementation across the state.
    The workshop concluded with an interactive discussion, where participants engaged with experts to clarify operational challenges and share on-ground experiences, reinforcing the commitment towards improved solid waste management practices in Punjab.