Page 2 - Bhagwant Mann

Awareness and crop residue management key to curb stubble burning: CM Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday said his government is holding awareness camps for farmers and also giving them crop resident management (CRM) machinery to check stubble burning incidents in the state. Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is often blamed for the rise in air pollution in Delhi after harvesting of the paddy crop in October and November. As the window for the Rabi crop -- wheat -- is very short after paddy harvest, some farmers set their fields on fire to quickly clear off the crop residue for sowing of the next crop. Replying to a question on stubble burning, Mann said his government will make efforts to check farm fires in the state. Invoking teachings of Guru Nanak Dev, whose timeless verse 'Pawan Guru, Pani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahat', Mann said the government is making farmers aware against the crop residue burning incidents. Motivational camps are being held and CRM machinery will be given to them, he said while speaking to reporters here. Replying

CM Bhagwant Mann launches 'mission Chardi Kala' to rebuild flood-hit Punjab

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday announced the launch of 'mission Chardi Kala', appealing to people across the country for assistance in restoring Punjab, which has suffered extensive damage due to devastating floods. In a video message, Mann highlighted the significant destruction caused by the recent floods, described as the worst since 1988. Sharing details to highlight the scale of devastation, Mann said, "approximately 2,300 villages were flooded, around 7 lakh people became homeless, and 20 lakh people were impacted." According to Mann, the floods resulted in damage to 3,200 schools, the loss of 56 lives, and the destruction of about 8,500 kilometres of roads and 2,500 bridges. Additionally, 1,400 clinics, government buildings, and 19 colleges were also severely damaged. The initial estimates indicate the flood caused damage amounting to Rs 13,800 crore. "After floodwaters recede and 'girdawari' (loss assessment), the loss could be more," he said. Mann emphasi

SDRF row: Punjab BJP chief accuses CM Mann of misusing disaster relief fund

Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar on Saturday accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of "misleading" people over the issue of funds meant for disaster relief and cited a CAG report, claiming that funds under the SDRF are "lying unused." Jakhar demanded that the chief minister apologise to the people of Punjab and also ensure proper utilisation of the disaster relief funds. "According to the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) report, it is clearly stated that as of March 31, 2023, Punjab had Rs 9,041.74 crore in SDRF funds, and the state government violated central government rules by not investing these funds appropriately," Jakhar said on X. "Funds from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) are lying unused with the Bhagwant Mann government," he said. The Punjab BJP chief claimed that funds for the years 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 have also been received by the state, bringing the total amount to Rs 12,000 crore. "Mann Sahib, your Chief Secretary, in your presence, subtly ...

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann hospitalised at Fortis Hospital in Mohali

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was hospitalised on Friday evening after his health condition did not improve, party sources said. Mann (51) was suffering from viral fever and some digestion-related issues for the past two days. He was taken to Fortis Hospital in Mohali after his condition did not improve by evening. A team of doctors is examining him at the hospital. Following news of his illness, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal visited Mann on Thursday to check on his health at his official residence. Kejriwal arrived in Punjab on Wednesday evening to assess the flood situation and was originally scheduled to visit the affected areas alongside the chief minister. However, in Mann's absence, Kejriwal proceeded to visit the flood-hit areas in Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district. A year ago, too, Mann, who was diagnosed with a bacterial infection, had been admitted to Fortis Mohali for a few days. Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the meeting of the Pu

PM Modi speaks to Punjab CM Mann over heavy rains and flood crisis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann immediately after returning to Delhi from China to enquire about the flood situation in the state and assured him of every support needed. "Immediately after landing in Delhi, Prime Minister Modi called up Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to discuss the situation due to heavy rains and flooding in Punjab. He has assured him of all help and support to the state." The devastating floods in Punjab have so far claimed 29 lives, the maximum in Pathankot district, besides impacting the lives of more than 2.56 lakh people, state officials said on Monday. Twelve of the 23 districts in the state have been hit in a one-month period starting August 1, in what the state government has described as one of the worst flood disasters to hit Punjab in decades, an official bulletin said.

Centre 'conspiring' to stop free ration of 5.5 mn people in Punjab: CM Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday charged the BJP-led Centre with "hatching a conspiracy" to stop free ration to 55 lakh people in the state, and asserted that he would not let people's rights be "snatched". In a written message addressed to the people of Punjab, he alleged that the Central government has issued an order that the free ration to 55 lakh people in the state will be stopped. This is the second time within a week that Mann accused the Centre of stopping the ration of people under the National Food Security Act. However, Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has already rejected Mann's allegations, accusing the Punjab government of trying to "spread lies". On Monday, Mann alleged the BJP government at the Centre has decided to stop free ration for 55 lakh people. "Your name is also on that list. Till now, 1.53 crore people were getting ration in Punjab, but the BJP government has decided to end this facility for 55 lakh people," Mann ...

Punjab forms 24 advisory panels to boost industry, attract investment

The Punjab government on Friday announced the setting up of sector-wise advisory panels which will work towards preparing a roadmap to make the state a hub of industries and commerce. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal launched 24 industrial advisory committees at an event here. Addressing a gathering, Kejriwal said that industry leaders will work with the AAP-led state government to shape sector-specific policies to drive growth, job creation and ease of doing business in Punjab. Kejriwal, former chief minister of Delhi, alleged that before AAP came to power in Punjab, the era was dominated by extortion, where industrialists were coerced by political leaders to give up stakes in their businesses. As a result, industries fled the state, and Punjab was pushed into a crisis, particularly with the drug menace, Kejriwal alleged further. Highlighting the progress made since 2022, Kejriwal said the government under Bhagwant Mann has

Land pooling policy: Punjab govt's urbanisation push faces rural resistance

The policy aims to kick-start a new wave of urbanisation in the predominantly rural state

World's oldest marathoner Fauja Singh cremated with state honours in Beas

World's oldest marathoner Fauja Singh, known by the nickname 'Turbaned Tornado', was cremated on Sunday with full state honours here in Beas, his native village. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and Minister Mohinder Bhagat attended the funeral. Fauja Singh's son Harvinder Singh lit the funeral pyre. Fauja Singh was 114 when he was hit by a SUV being driven by Canada-based Amritpal Singh Dhillon on July 14. He was crossing the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway when the incident occurred. Governor Kataria recalled how Fauja Singh walked with him during a Nasha Mukt yatra an anti-drug campaign last year. He said that after walking for 1 km, he asked him to stop but to his surprise, Fauja Singh insisted that they walk. Mourners started thronging Fauja Singh's house in Beas early in the day. His body was kept in a glass casket with his photograph beside it to allow the people to take a last look at the running legend. Later, his body was carried in a

Anti-sacrilege bill will deter future desecration of scriptures: Punjab CM

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said the Anti-sacrilege Bill will ensure that no such heinous crime takes place in the future by making provision of the sternest punishment against culprits. Mann stated this while participating in a debate on the 'Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill 2025' on the concluding day of the Special Session of the Punjab Assembly here. The House on Tuesday decided to refer the Bill, which was introduced on Monday, to a Select Committee of the Assembly for seeking views of all stakeholders. Mann said the Guru Granth Sahib is the living Guru, who is highly revered by one and all across the globe. He said the 'Guru Granth Sahib' is a lighthouse of peace and tranquility for the entire mankind, and the Punjab government is "fully alive" to the deep emotional hurt caused by the incidents of sacrilege against the holy 'granths' in the past. He said it is unfortunate that some forces had even gone to an extent of committing

Mann's remark on PM's visits insults constitutional dignity: Haryana CM

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has criticised his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann for his recent remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign visits. Terming them "inappropriate" and an affront to democratic values and dignity of constitutional positions, Saini asked Mann to seek an apology from the nation. The Punjab chief minister had on Thursday criticised Modi for celebrating an honour from a foreign country with just 10,000 population while neglecting the pressing issues of his own nation with 140 crore people. Mann has faced flak from several BJP leaders for the comment. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also expressed strong disapproval, calling the remarks "irresponsible". Without naming Mann, the MEA said that the Government of India "disassociates" itself from the "unwarranted" comments made by a "high state authority" that undermined India's ties with friendly countries. However, Mann raked up the issue again on Friday, this time in the state .

Punjab CM takes dig at PM Modi's foreign visits; MEA calls it 'irresponsible'

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has taken a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his foreign visits, saying he finds time to tour abroad but "fails" to address the concerns of 140 crore Indian

Punjab, Haryana agree on solution talks over Sutlej-Yamuna canal: CR Paatil

Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil on Thursday said the government is committed to assisting both Punjab and Haryana in finding a balanced solution to the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal dispute, noting that both parties have agreed to move forward with a solution-oriented approach. The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti had convened a meeting here on Wednesday to discuss the long pending inter-state water dispute. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his Haryana counterpart Nayab Singh Saini besides senior officials from both states, and representatives from the Centre attended the meeting. Paatil, who chaired the discussions, said the Ministry is providing all possible cooperation to both states for the equitable and coordinated management of water resources. "In Delhi, a significant meeting was held regarding issues related to the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal. The Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, is committed to assisting both states in finding a balanced solution. In the meetin

Punjab govt to introduce anti-sacrilege law in special Assembly session

Bhagwant Mann government will introduce strict anti-sacrilege law in special Assembly session on July 10-11, calling it a historic move to fulfil long-pending demand of Punjab's people

BJP slams Bhagwant Mann's 'one nation, one husband' remark on Op Sindoor

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann calls the BJP's door-to-door sindoor campaign 'one nation, one husband' scheme; BJP slams remarks as vulgar and disrespectful

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