*BJP Must Explain How Drug Supplies Continued Through Gujarat Ports Under Its Rule: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Those Pointing Fingers At Punjab Over Drugs Must Answer For Their Own Failures: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Punjab Will Not Allow Political Propaganda To Tarnish Its Image Over Drug Menace: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
Kapurthala; 13th October 2026:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday hit back at those attempting to malign Punjab over the drug menace, challenging the BJP-led Union Government to explain its failure to effectively tackle drug trafficking despite being in power at both the Centre and in Gujarat. He asserted that those who had failed to address the problem in their own states must answer for their record before pointing fingers at Punjab.
In a statement, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Those attempting to malign Punjab over the drug menace must first answer for their own failures in tackling the problem. I challenge the BJP-led Union Government to explain how drug supplies continued through ports in Gujarat and other parts of the country despite the BJP being in power at both the Centre and in Gujarat.”
The Chief Minister further affirmed, “Punjab will not allow anyone to tarnish its image through selective criticism and political propaganda while ignoring the larger national dimensions of the drug trade. Those who have failed to effectively tackle the problem in their own states must explain their record before pointing fingers at Punjab.”
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No laxity in Mid Day Meal scheme to be tolerated: Punjab State Food Commission Acting Chairman Vijay Dutt
PSFC orders clean kitchens, hygiene for cooks & transparent ration distribution
Chandigarh, October 13:
Emphasizing upon the efficient running of the Mid Day Meal scheme in order to ensure nutritious and healthy meals for the students of government schools of State, the Punjab State Food Commission also placed prime focus on the neat and tidy kitchens, proper sanitation amenities and spotlessly cleaned toilets.
In a meeting here today, the Acting Chairman of the Commission Vijay Dutt said that any laxity hampering the streamlined running of the mid day Meal scheme would not be tolerated. On the occasion, the Chairman was apprised by the General Manager Mid Day Meal scheme Varinder Singh Brar that amount worth Rs. 40 Crore has been cleared in respect of meeting the previous pending liabilities of the scheme till August 31st, 2026.
The cooks engaged in the preparation of the Mid day Meal must follow the proper hygiene, said the Chairman also underscoring the importance of setting up Kitchen Gardens in the schools wherever space is available.
Describing Anganwadi Centres as key to the robust social security infrastructure of the State, the Chairman explicitly said that there should be no let up in ensuring the regular supply of ration items to these centres.
The Chairman also directed that the distribution of ration through the Fair Price Shops (FPS) must be carried out in a transparent & hassle free manner so as to ensure that no eligible and genuine beneficiary is devoid of receiving its share of foodgrains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
During the course of meeting, the Chairman also exhorted the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department to speed up the sending of relevant data of beneficiaries to the Commission with a view to accelerate the setting up of a Central war room which has been envisaged to ascertain the feedback from the beneficiaries about the various entitlements received by them.
Among others present on the occasion included the Members of the Commission viz. Jasvir Singh Sekhon and Chetan Parkash Dhaliwal.
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*PUNJAB EYES DEFENCE, AEROSPACE AS NEXT GROWTH DRIVER; ₹1.92 LAKH CR INVESTMENT PROPOSALS RECEIVED SINCE 2022: AMAN ARORA*
*•Industries Minister Aman Arora inaugurates 9th CII Manufacturing Excellence Exposition*
*• No state can survive without industry; Punjab's new policy framed by industry itself through 24 sector committees: Aman Arora*
Chandigarh, October 13:
Punjab has attracted investment proposals worth ₹1.92 lakh crore promising 6.5 lakh jobs since 2022 and now offers up to 125% capital incentive with time-bound approvals — “No other state has such an industry-friendly policy”, Industries and Commerce Minister Mr. Aman Arora said while assuring “Punjab is with industry”.
Mr. Aman Arora, along with former Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa (Retd.), inaugurated the 9th CII Manufacturing Excellence Exposition in Chandigarh. Mr. Arora said that Punjab received 1,626 proposals worth ₹32,110 crore with 91,236 jobs in the first six months of the current financial year alone (April 1 to September 30).
“Every proposal means a new or bigger factory, more jobs and more business for local suppliers,” Mr. Arora said, noting that manufacturing is the backbone of Punjab’s economy with units making auto parts, tractors, bicycles, hand tools, sports goods, hosiery and steel products for markets across India and abroad.
After touring the exhibition, the Industries Minister said it was encouraging to see products, machines and solutions made by Punjab’s own units, adding that manufacturing excellence today means better quality, less waste, timely delivery, competitive pricing and adoption of new technology on the shop floor.
The Industries Minister said the government is enabling industry to meet global demands through the revamped FastTrack Punjab single-window system — an online portal with all permissions and 45-working-day time-bound approvals — while the new Industrial and Business Development Policy-2026 offers incentives up to 125% of capital investment in priority sectors including auto components, EVs, defence and aerospace, electronics, textiles, food processing and sports goods.
“No state or society can survive without industry. That’s why we framed the policy through 24 sector committees — the person facing the problem has the best solution. Industry itself decided what the policy should be,” Mr Aman Arora stated, while lauding Punjab’s entrepreneurs for out-of-the-box ideas and urging them to use the expo for vendor matchmaking.
He added that the FastTrack portal now ensures officer-specific, time-bound disposal, with auto-escalation and show-cause notices for delays.
Mr. Aman Arora said defence and aerospace is the next big opportunity for Punjab’s engineering units already making precision parts and vendor development talks facilitated by Invest Punjab at the expo are a key step towards making them suppliers to the sector. He also urged large companies and PSUs to increase sourcing from the state’s MSMEs.
“When local suppliers grow, the whole industry grows,” he said, urging industry to work closely with Punjab’s ITIs, polytechnics and engineering colleges so that skilled youth get good jobs within the state.
“I assure you, the Government of Punjab is with industry. If you face any problem, the Department of Industries and Invest Punjab are there to resolve it quickly,” he stressed.
The event was attended by CII Punjab chairman Harpreet Singh Nibber, and Ashish Garg, among others. Mr. Aman Arora congratulated CII Punjab and all exhibitors, wishing them good business and new partnerships over the next two days.
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*Bhagwant Mann Govt Committed to Employees’ Welfare, Clearing Roadblocks to Resolve Pending Demands: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Major Demands of Education Unions Already at Final Stage: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*AAP Govt Focused on Employees’ Rights & Strengthening Punjab’s Education Sector: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Bhagwant Mann Govt Working to Fulfil Education Unions’ Demands on Regularisation, Recruitment & Salaries: Harpal Singh Cheema*
CHANDIGARH; 13th October, 2026:
Reaffirming the Bhagwant Mann government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of state employees, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who also serves as the Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee formed to resolve employees' issues, held crucial meetings with various employee unions from the Education Department on Tuesday.
During the meetings, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema gave a patient hearing to the visiting delegations and discussed their memorandums in detail. He assured the union representatives, “The Bhagwant Mann government is highly sympathetic to your legitimate demands and is actively working on them.”
The Finance Minister emphasised, “Most of the major demands raised by the unions are already at the final stage of fulfilment and will see a positive resolution shortly.”
Minister Harpal Singh Cheema reiterated, “The Bhagwant Mann government is deeply invested in the welfare of its employees and the continuous improvement of the education sector.” He assured the delegations, “All administrative roadblocks are being cleared to expedite the final orders on your pending demands.”
Extensive deliberations were held with several prominent unions representing different cadres and concerns within the education sector. The participating unions included the 180 ETT Teachers Union (Jai Singh Wala), Murh Bahal Kachhe Adhiyapak Union, 10 Saal Service Puri Kar Chuke Kachhe Adhyapak Union, Sarva (Samagra) Shiksha Abhiyan Daftri Karamchari Union, ETT TET Pass Berozgar Adhyapak Union and Unaided Staff of Aided School Front.
The representatives presented detailed memorandums regarding issues such as regularisation of services, recruitment for vacant posts, salary structures and protective policies for unaided staff.
During the meetings,Vikas Sahni, Lakhwinder Kaur, Amandeep Dhaliwal, Varun Khera and Gurpreet Singh from Murh Bahal Kachhe Adhyapak Union; Kamal Thakur, Sohan Singh, Gurmukh Singh, Gaurav Kant, Gurprit Sidhu and Parshotam Kumar from 180 ETT Teachers Union (Jai Singh Wala); Jaspal Singh, Mamta and Manju Devi from 10 Saal Service Puri Kar Chuke Kachhe Adhyapak Union; Kuldeep Singh, Aman Thapar Javeel from Sarva (Samagra) Shiksha Abhiyan Daftri Karamchari Union; Sunil Fazilka, Ranjeet Singh and Kiranpal Kaur from ETT TET Pass Berozgar Adhyapak Union; and Nirbhai SinghYadwindee Singh, Bhupinder Singh and Karandeep Singh from Unaided Staff of Aided School Front presented their issues and demands.
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