*Punjab Will Face No Shortage Of Electricity, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Meets Union Power Minister*
*Centre To Ensure Continuous Supply Of Electricity & Coal To Punjab: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Uninterrupted Power Supply Essential For Punjab To Contribute To Nation’s Food Reserves: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Punjab Supplying 180 Lakh Metric Tonnes Of Rice To Central Pool This Year: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Punjab Govt In Touch With Coal India & Jharkhand Govt To Ensure Uninterrupted Coal Supply: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Raises Repeated NGT Notices Concerning Shahpur Kandi Dam With Union Minister: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
NEW DELHI / PUNJAB; 15th October 2026:
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday said Punjab would face no shortage of electricity, as the Centre has assured uninterrupted power and coal supplies following his meeting with Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Emphasizing that Punjab is supplying 180 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of rice to the Central Pool this year, he stressed that reliable electricity is essential for the state to sustain its contribution to the nation’s food reserves. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also raised concerns over repeated NGT (National Green Tribunal) notices concerning the Shahpur Kandi Dam and said the state government is in touch with Coal India and the Jharkhand Government to ensure uninterrupted coal supplies.
Sharing a few snippets from this meeting, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “Today, I held an important meeting with Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Ji and had a constructive discussion on issues concerning the uninterrupted supply of electricity and coal to Punjab. We apprised the Centre that Punjab contributes 180 lakh metric tonnes of rice to the national food pool, and uninterrupted power supply is essential to sustain this contribution. I am pleased that the Minister has accepted almost all our demands and assured us of an uninterrupted supply of electricity and coal. We, in turn, reaffirmed our commitment that Punjab will continue to make a significant contribution to the nation’s food reserves. Inquilab Zindabad.”
After the meeting, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Several issues concerning PSPCL (Punjab State Power Corporation Limited), particularly coal supply and electricity, were discussed during the meeting. Our objective is to ensure that Punjab faces no shortage of coal or electricity and that power generation continues without disruption. Punjab supplies 180 lakh metric tonnes of rice to the Central Pool, and uninterrupted electricity is essential for producing such a huge quantity of foodgrain.”
The Chief Minister said, “We have also been in touch with Coal India and the Jharkhand Government regarding coal supplies from the Pachhwara coal mines. Our priority is to ensure that coal supplies remain uninterrupted so that Punjab can continue generating electricity without any disruption. I am pleased that the Union Power Minister has assured us of adequate and continuous supplies of electricity and coal. We have also assured the Centre that Punjab will continue to make a significant contribution towards meeting the country’s foodgrain requirements.”
He said he also raised issues concerning Central Government schemes being implemented at the national level during the meeting.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “I have invited Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to visit the Ranjit Sagar and Shahpur Kandi dam projects in Punjab. Once a dam has been constructed, the state should not have to face repeated notices from environmental authorities or the National Green Tribunal (NGT). We receive one notice or another almost every year concerning the ongoing project, which creates unnecessary difficulties.”
The Chief Minister stated, “Punjab contributes around 40% of the country’s hydropower generation. We discussed these issues with the Union Power Minister because the smooth functioning and development of our hydropower projects are important for the state as well as the country.”
Responding to questions about the Bargari and Behbal Kalan incidents, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “When these incidents took place, previous governments were in power. The Congress government that came afterwards also weakened the cases to such an extent that we now have to rebuild them. In the coming days, we will present challans by bringing in new witnesses and adopting a fresh approach so that these cases can be strengthened.”
On being asked about permission to travel abroad despite receiving invitations for important engagements, the Chief Minister said, “A food festival is being organised in Paris, where Markfed is setting up a stall to represent Punjab. I have also received an invitation from the French Government to attend the event. Additionally, I have been invited to Japan for three days to watch the women’s and men’s hockey semi-finals and the final.”
He said, “It is unfortunate that permission to travel for Punjab’s interests is not being granted, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi keeps visiting countries whose names we have hardly even heard of. A Chief Minister seeking to represent the state, attract investment and create employment opportunities should be able to undertake such visits in the interest of the people.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “I have now approached the court and hope that permission will be granted tomorrow. We want to travel only for Punjab’s betterment, attract investors to the state and encourage them to establish businesses here. This will generate employment opportunities for the people of Punjab, particularly our young men and women.”
Condemning the tragic incident in Mansa, the Chief Minister said, “The incident is extremely tragic, and strict action will be taken against everyone responsible. No one involved will be spared. If anyone was involved in planning or conspiring behind the incident, in addition to those directly responsible, that person will also be brought within the ambit of the law and face stringent action.”
He added, “It is unfortunate that opposition parties are playing politics over the dead bodies and using this tragedy to serve their vested interests. Our priority is to ensure strict action against everyone responsible and uphold the rule of law.”
Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Ravi Bhagat and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.
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Information And Public Relations Department, Punjab
*FATHER-SON DUO AMONG FIVE HELD WITH ASSAULT RIFLE, 2 HAND GRENADES AND 13 PISTOLS IN AMRITSAR*
*— ACCUSED PERSONS WERE USING ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS TO EVADE POLICE DETECTION: DGP GAURAV YADAV*
*— FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS ONGOING TO ESTABLISH FORWARD AND BACKWARD LINKAGES IN THIS CASE*
CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, October 15:
In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Counter Intelligence (CI) Amritsar has busted a cross-border arms and explosives smuggling module with the arrest of five individuals, including a father and son duo, and recovered one .30 bore assault rifle, two hand grenades and 13 foreign-made sophisticated pistols from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Thursday.
Those arrested have been identified as Gurpreet Singh and his son Jaskaran Singh, both residents of Village Ballarwal in Ajnala, Amritsar; Veenu, a resident of Sagarpur in Batala; Amritpal Singh, a resident of village Rasulpur in Batala; and Gaurav Masih, a resident of village Gounspura in Batala.
The recovered pistols include four 9MM Glocks and nine .30 bore pistols along with 25 live cartridges. Apart from recovering arms and explosives, police teams have also impounded their two motorcycles— Honda Livo and Hero Splendor— being used in the logistics movement of the consignments.
Sharing operational details, DGP Gaurav Yadav said that CI Amritsar received specific intelligence that father-son duo Gurpreet Singh and Jaskaran Singh, were in constant contact with a foreign-based smuggler and have been retrieving drone-dropped consignments of arms, ammunition, and explosives from across the border on his instructions to supply them further through operatives identified as Veenu, Amritpal Singh, and Gaurav Masih.
The input specifically revealed that Gurpreet and Jaskaran are supposed to meet their associates Veenu, Amritpal, and Gaurav near village Teri in Ajnala, to deliver the arms and explosives consignment, he said, while adding that acting swiftly on the input, CI Amritsar teams raided the designated location and apprehended all five accused on the spot along with the arms and explosives consignment.
The DGP said that preliminary investigation has indicated the foreign-based smuggler was using encrypted communication platforms to coordinate movements and evade police detection. Further investigation is underway to trace the smuggling network, establish its backward and forward linkages, and identify all those involved, he added.
In this regard, a case FIR No. 66 dated 15-10-2026 under sections 25 and 25(1)-A of the Arms Act, sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act, and section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered at Police Station State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Amritsar.
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*INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT*
*GOVERNMENT OF STATE OF PUNJAB*
*Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema Meets Employee Unions, Assures Time-Bound Solutions to Demands*
*Employee Welfare Priority for Bhagwant Mann Govt: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Minister Harpal Singh Cheema Directs Departments to Fast-Track Solutions to Employee & Contractual Workers’ Issues*
*Bhagwant Mann Govt Engages Employee Unions on Regularisation, Increments & Pension Relief: Harpal Singh Cheema*
CHANDIGARH; 15th October 2026:
Reiterating the Bhagwant Mann Government’s employee-friendly approach, Finance Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday met with representatives of multiple employee and contractual unions to address their long-standing service concerns.
Assuring the delegations of a fair and sympathetic hearing, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema directed concerned departments and board authorities to review all technical and financial aspects promptly to deliver viable, time-bound solutions.
The major issues raised included regularisation under contract frameworks, shifting outsourced staff to direct departmental rolls, restoring withheld annual increments, smart-meter impact safeguards, and pensionary relief for retired personnel.
During the meeting, representations were submitted by the Enlistment-Outsourcing Coordination Committee Punjab, Punjab Water Supply & Sewerage Board Contract Workers Union, Powercom & Transco Theka Mulazam Union, Powercom Meter Reader Union (Azad), Social Karamchari Union (BRC, CDS, IEC), Retired Home Guards Welfare Association, United Physical Education Punjab, Sehkari Khand Mills Workers Federation, Berojgar Sanjha Morcha and National Health Mission Corona Volunteer Union.
During the meetings, Varinder Singh Momi, Ramandeep Singh, Pawandeep Singh, Jagdeep Singh, Lashman Singh and Harjinder Pal Singh from Enlistment-Outsource Coordination Committee Punjab; Sher Singh Khanna, Sanjeev Kumar and Gagandeep from Punjab Water Supply & Sewerage Board Contract Workers Union; Balihar Singh, Sandeep Khattri, Balwinder Singh, Sandeep Singh and Mandeep Singh from Powercom & Transco Contract Workers Union; Gurwinder Singh Kahlon Jagseer Singh, Molakdeep Singh Randhawa and Manjinder Singh from Powercom Meter Reader Union (Azad); Ranjit Singh, Surjit Kaur, Jaideep Singh and Gurpreet Singh Chahal from Social Karamchari Union (BRC, CDS, IEC); Suba Singh, Gurdeep Singh, Tarsem Pal Singh, Suraj Parkash and Krishan Dev from Home Guards Welfare Association(Ret) ; Piara Singh and Palwinder Singh from Sehkari Khand Mills Workers Federation; Lakhveer Singh and Mandeep Singh from United Physical Education Punjab; Raman Kumar, Amandeep Singh, Sandeep Singh and Harjinder Singh from Berojgar Sanjha Morcha; and Gurpiar Singh from National Health Mission Corona Volunteer raised their issues and demands.
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Information And Public Relations Department, Punjab
*DAY 268 OF GANGSTRAN TE VAAR: PUNJAB POLICE CONDUCTS 530 RAIDS; 222 HELD*
*— POLICE TEAMS ALSO TAKE PREVENTIVE ACTION AGAINST 249 INDIVIDUALS*
*— PEOPLE CAN ANONYMOUSLY REPORT GANGSTER-RELATED INFORMATION VIA ANTI-GANGSTER HELPLINE NUMBER 93946-93946*
*— 158 DRUG SMUGGLERS HELD WITH 3.8KG HEROIN ON DAY 593 OF YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH*
CHANDIGARH, October 15:
As the decisive ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign enters its 268th day, Punjab Police today conducted 530 raids at identified and mapped locations linked to associates of gangsters across the state.
As per the information, the “Gangstran Te Vaar”— a decisive war to make Punjab a gangster-free state was launched by the Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on January 20, 2026. Police teams from all the districts in coordination with Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab have been conducting special operations across the state.
On Day 268, Police teams arrested 222 individuals held with four weapons, taking the total arrests to 78,635 since the launch of the campaign.
Apart from this, preventive action has been taken against 249 persons. Police teams have also arrested four Proclaimed Offenders (POs) during the operation.
People can anonymously report information related to wanted criminals and gangsters, and also share tips on crime and criminal activity, through the Anti Gangster Helpline number 93946-93946.
Meanwhile, Police teams have continued its drive against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” for 593rd day with 158 drug smugglers arrested today and recovered 3.8 kg heroin, 59 kg poppy husk, 632 intoxicant pills and Rs 4.77 lakhs drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 85,467 in just 593 days. As part of De-addiction, the Punjab Police has convinced 28 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.
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Information and Public Relations Department, Punjab
*Under Yudh Nashean Virudh, Barnala DC Orders Clearing of Drug Hotspots, Setting up of Children’s Playground & Park in Dhilwan, Barnala*
*Turning Neglected Spaces Into Recreation Hubs To Keep Youth Away From Drugs: Barnala DC*
*DC Harpreet Singh Directs Cleanup Of Two Sites In Dhilwan Dakhan For Public Recreation*
BARNALA / CHANDIGARH :15 October 2026:
As part of strengthening the fight against drug abuse under the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government’s 'Yudh Nashean Virudh', Deputy Commissioner of Barnala Harpreet Singh has directed officials to convert two places into recreational facilities: a playground for children and a park for residents in Dhilwan Dakhan village of Barnala district.
The directions followed an intervention by Harwinder Singh Khalsa, Sarpanch of Dhilwan (South) village, during a meeting, where he highlighted how neglected public spaces had become a challenge for the village and could potentially be reclaimed to create a healthier environment for its residents.
The village has six panchayats, including Dhilwan (South), but lacks a large stadium for children and young people. An existing ground within his panchayat, originally intended for children to play, has become overgrown with unwanted trees and vegetation, rendering it unsuitable for recreational activities.
He also drew attention to a vacant plot in the village that has been overtaken by wild grass and bushes. He proposed that the plot be cleared and developed into a park, enabling residents to reclaim the space.
Taking cognisance of the issue, Deputy Commissioner Harpreet Singh immediately directed the District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO) to ensure that both locations in Dhilwan Dakhan were cleaned up and that a playground and a park were set up.
The proposed intervention seeks to address the drug menace not merely through enforcement but also by improving the village’s infrastructural environment.
Reclaiming neglected public spaces can reduce opportunities for illicit activities like drug abuse, and setting up recreational facilities can encourage youngsters to participate in sports and constructive community activities.
Under the Yudh Nashean Virudh, Punjab has been pursuing a multi-pronged approach against drug abuse, combining action against drug traffickers with prevention, de-addiction, rehabilitation and greater community participation.
The initiative recognises the importance of involving villages and panchayats in identifying local issues and mobilising residents to address them.
The Dhilwan proposal reflects how panchayat-level governance can contribute to this broader campaign.
The administration’s directions are expected to pave the way for the restoration of the two sites. The playground would provide children with a dedicated area for outdoor recreation, while the proposed park could become a shared community space.
The intervention also underscores the role of panchayats in the anti-drug campaign: identifying vulnerable locations, bringing them to the administration’s attention and proposing practical solutions. By converting neglected land into spaces for recreation and community use, the village aims to make its surroundings safer and strengthen local efforts to keep young people away from drugs.