Page 2 - Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Cabinet approves loan waiver worth ₹68 crore for Dalit families

The Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday gave its nod to waive loans amounting Rs 68 crore taken by over 4,000 Dalit families from the Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said. At a cabinet meeting chaired by Mann in Chandigarh, it was decided that debt accrued till March 31, 2020 will be waived. Addressing the media after the meeting, the chief minister said the state government will waive the debt incurred due to loans taken by Dalit families from the corporation for various purposes, including for opening shops, dairy farming, etc. The decision will benefit 4,727 beneficiaries, he said. Mann said Finance Minister Harpal Sigh Cheema in his budget speech this March had promised to waive the debt. With the cabinet approval, the promise will now be fulfilled, he said. Cheema, who was also at the media briefing, said the debt would include the principal amount and any interest on it, including penal interest. It is a big relief for the

Samyukta Kisan Morcha to hold protest against AAP government in Punjab

Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal on Monday said the farmers will hold a state-wide agitation against the Punjab government on Tuesday for putting several cultivators, who opposed laying a sewerage pipeline project in Bathinda, behind bars. Dallewal said the effigies of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal will be burnt at all district headquarters in Punjab on Tuesday. The farmers, associated with the SKM (Non-Political), have been protesting against the state government's decision of laying a sewerage pipeline passing through the residential area of Ghasokhana village in Bathinda district. They apprehend that any leakage in the sewerage pipeline could create problems for residents. Dallewal said that several farmers, who were protesting against the sewerage pipeline project, have been held and put in jail in the past few days. "Till now, over 100 farmers are in jail. Of them, nine are observing the hunge

NITI Aayog meeting: PM calls for faster development, states back Op Sindoor

At the NITI Aayog meeting, PM Modi urged states to develop future-ready cities and one world-class tourist spot each to help achieve the goal of a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047

Punjab to release extra water to Rajasthan for military needs: CM Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday ordered release of additional water to Rajasthan "for catering to needs of military in the state," an official statement said here. The statement quoting the chief minister said that the Rajasthan government had sought more water from the quota of Punjab "as the military deployed at the Rajasthan border needed additional water". Mann said that whenever national interests are concerned, Punjab never takes a backseat. "Not only water but Punjab can shed its blood for the sake of national interests," said Mann.

Arvind Kejriwal announces sports club in every village of Punjab

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said sports clubs in every village across Punjab will be set up to engage youth in constructive activities and steer them away from the menace of drugs. Addressing the youth leaders during the youth club leadership programme through a video conference here, Kejriwal emphasised that these clubs will be equipped with ultra-modern sports facilities providing young people with opportunities to excel in athletics and other disciplines. He lauded Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for inspiring youth by highlighting the lives of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and other martyrs instilling a sense of patriotism and purpose among them. The former Delhi chief minister expressed hope that the three-day leadership training programme would produce a new wave of young game changers who will play a pivotal role in the state's war against drugs. Recalling AAP's initiatives in Delhi for youth engagement, he said the Business Blasters Progra

Mann slams BBMB's water release to Haryana, vows to protect Punjab's rights

The BBMB has decided to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana, a move which drew strong opposition from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann who said that they will not tolerate "robbery" of Punjab's rights. The decision to release water to Haryana was taken in a five-hour-long meeting of the technical committee of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) on Wednesday evening. The BBMB regulates water distribution from Bhakra, Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams. Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan are the partnering states that meet their requirement for different purposes, including irrigation, from Bhakra and Pong dams. During the BBMB meeting, the Punjab government officials strongly objected to the release of more water to Haryana, claiming that the neighbouring state has already utilized its share of water, said sources. The Punjab government officials had also argued that the water level in the Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams was less than that of last year. During the meeting, the officials of ...

Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are like brothers, says CM Bhagwant Mann

Punjab and Himachal have always remained like brothers and maintained cordial relations no matter what dispute emerged, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said on Friday. Mann who visited Naina Devi temple in Bilapsur district on Friday along with his family members while interacting with the media persons said that he would speak to the officers of both the states to expedite the work on Rajju Marg (ropeway) from Naina Devi to Anandpur Sahib. He said that he has visited various places like Bilapsur, Kullu, Manali and Shimla in Himachal as an artist earlier. Expressing concern over drug abuse in Punjab, he said that earlier the youth of the Punjab used to join armed forces but now the generations are damaged by drugs. However, the Punjab government is taking steps to get rid of the drug menace.

Punjab police assault case: Colonel's wife accuses govt of playing game

The wife of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath on Tuesday said she has a feeling that the Punjab government was playing a game with them in the "assault" case even after the chief minister's assurance. Bath accused 12 Punjab Police personnel of assaulting him and his son over a parking dispute on the intervening night of March 13-14 in Patiala. Recently, he filed a plea in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking transfer of the probe to the CBI or another independent agency. Bath's family has demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter, arrest of the accused policemen and the transfer of the Patiala SSP. On Monday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had assured them that justice would be delivered in the case of "assault" on the Army officer. This was stated by Colonel Bath's wife Jasvinder Kaur after she met Mann here. Kaur also said the chief minister will be holding a meeting with officials in this regard. The chief minister had recently given the family time to meet him on Monday in

Punjab govt unveils ₹2.36 trn Budget, announces first-ever 'drug census'

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday presented a Rs 2.36 lakh crore FY26 Budget for the state, focussing on tackling drug menace, and the health sector. During his budget speech, Cheema talked about AAP-led Punjab government's anti-drug campaign to check drug scourge. Cheema said the Punjab government is going to carry out the first-ever "drug census" in Punjab to understand the prevalence of drugs, usage of de-addiction centres etc. He said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's visionary leadership has been the driving force behind Punjab's remarkable progress over the past three years. Cheema proposed total budget expenditure of Rs 2,36,080 crore for FY 2025-26. He said the state government will establish a second line of defence at border by deploying 5,000 home guards alongside BSF. Cheema said, for the first time in Punjab's history, the Bhagwant Mann government has decided to extend the state health insurance scheme in the coming fiscal year to make it universal

'People coming together to make Badalta Punjab,' says Arvind Kejriwal

As part of the ongoing war against drugs 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign was launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Director General of Police

Women should join politics for change, says CM Mann at college convocation

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday exhorted young women to join politics and be a part of the decision-making process of the country to bring about much-needed change. Addressing the annual convocation of the Government College for Girls, Ludhiana, the chief minister said women have outnumbered men in every other field but politics is still an exception. While politics has been traditionally dominated by men, Mann said, now the time has come for women to excel in it too. Women's participation is imperative to creating an egalitarian society and cementing democracy at the grassroots, he said. Mann said women must exercise their franchise carefully so that their vote makes a difference by sending the right type of leaders to the state assembly and Parliament. This will help in making Punjab a progressive and prosperous state in the country, he said. The state government has made concerted efforts to empower women in the state, the chief minister said. He said that his

Mann will complete 5 years as Punjab CM, says AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal

AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday asserted that Bhagwant Mann would complete his five-year term as the chief minister of Punjab, trashing opposition parties' claims that he would be removed from the post. However, Kejriwal also said drugs and corruption were the biggest problems in Punjab where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) under Mann has been in power for the last three years. Kejriwal and Mann offered prayers at the Golden Temple on the completion of three years of the party's government in the state on Sunday. Kejriwal, the former Delhi chief minister, arrived in Amritsar on Saturday after completing a 10-day Vipassana meditation session in Punjab's Hoshiarpur. During the Golden Temple visit, Kejriwal was accompanied by his wife Sunita Kejriwal, and AAP leaders, including minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) formed the government in Punjab in 2022 after winning 92 of the total 117 assembly seats. Speaking to reporters in Amritsar, Kejriwal said, "On March

Opposition slams AAP govt over explosion outside temple in Amritsar

A blast occurred outside a temple in Amritsar around midnight when a motorcycle-borne person threw an explosive device towards it, damaging a portion of its wall and shattering window panes, officials said on Saturday. While no one was hurt in the incident, the explosion caused panic among residents in the Khandwala area of Amritsar. There have been many incidents of explosions targeting police posts in Amritsar and Gurdaspur in the past four months but it the first such attack on a temple. Opposition parties alleged that the incident reflected the "deteriorating" law and order situation under the AAP government. Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the police were informed about the incident at around 2 am on Saturday by the Thakur Dwar temple priest. CCTV footage of the incident showed two unidentified persons coming to the temple on a motorcycle. After waiting for a few seconds, one of them is seen throwing some explosive material towards the temple and the t

'Many attempts to disturb peace in state': Punjab CM after Amritsar blast

A blast occurred at Thakurdwara Temple in Khandwala, Amritsar, late last night after two bike-borne men lobbed an object, suspected to be an explosive, at the temple

Police detain SKM leaders ahead protest; Punjab CM warns farm unions

In Ludhiana, SKM leaders including Harjit Singh Giaspura, Balwant Singh Khirnia, Avtar Singh Mahlo, Manmohan Singh Deol and Dilbag Singh were allegedly detained

'Punjab becoming a state of dharna', says CM Mann amid protest tensions

Midnight raids spark outrage as Punjab CM Mann says, 'Punjab is becoming a state of dharna' defending police action ahead of farmers' 'Chandigarh Chalo' protest

Punjab Police launches massive anti-drugs op across state, Cong takes dig

Punjab Police has launched a statewide operation against drugs, conducting raids at 750 locations as the cabinet sub-committee on the drug menace held its first meeting on Saturday, officials said. Around 12,000 police personnel were involved in the operation being carried out as part of an anti-drug campaign. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday set a deadline of three months to make the state drug-free. As part of the state government's renewed push against the drug problem, action is being taken against drug peddlers and in some places, their properties were also demolished. Cabinet Minister Aman Arora on Saturday appealed to all political parties that instead of playing politics, they should extend their support to the state government's anti-drug campaign to save Punjab. The meeting of the cabinet sub-committee was also attended by Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav. Addressing the media after the meeting, Finance Minister Harpal Si

'Why only Amritsar?' Mann asks Centre over US deportation flight decision

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann questioned the Centre's decision to select Amritsar as the landing site, suggesting it was politically motivated

Planes with deportees landing in Amritsar: Bid to defame Punjab, asks CM

I strictly oppose this and demand to the MEA and the MHA that the plane is still onboard, change the route and make it land in Delhi, Hindon or Ahmedabad, Bhagwant Mann said

Bhagwant Mann rejects exodus claims by Cong, says AAP is united in Punjab

Mann's remarks came after a crucial meeting with AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal at Kapurthala House in Delhi, attended by all 91 Punjab AAP MLAs and senior party leaders