Face2News/Chandigarh
Continuing the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 333rd day, Punjab Police conducted raids at 275 locations on Wednesday leading to the arrest of 73 drug smugglers after registration of 49 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 46,770 in 333 days.
The raids have resulted in recovery of 1.1 kg heroin, 205 intoxicant pills and Rs 46,440 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.
Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.
NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY MONTH: PUNJAB POLICE ORGANISES WEBINAR ON ROAD SAFETY AND CHEMICAL HANDLING IN COLLAB WITH YARA INDIA
As part of the ongoing National Road Safety Month 2026, the Traffic and Road Safety Wing of Punjab Police, in collaboration with Yara India, organised a specialised webinar on Tuesday to enhance the preparedness of field personnel in road safety management and chemical handling during accidents.
The online training session, held from the Punjab Police Headquarters, saw participation from over 600 officers and staff of the Sadak Surakhiya Force and District Traffic and Road Safety teams from across the state.
Addressing the participants, Special Director General of Police (Traffic and Road Safety) AS Rai emphasised the importance of placing human values at the centre of road safety efforts. He stated that our strong focus on safety, empathy, and responsible behaviour on roads not only saves lives but also leads to increased productivity of the state, particularly by protecting the youth.
The technical sessions were conducted by HESQ Security Manager of Yara India Rajeev Pahuja, and SCM Manager of Yara India Sandeep Tomar, along with Traffic Advisor Punjab Dr Navdeep Asija. The sessions covered road safety statistics, anticipative driving, behaviour of vulnerable road users, emergency response protocols, and the safe handling of fertilisers during transportation and road-related emergency situations.
Speaking on the occasion MD Yara South Asia Sanjiv Kanwar stated that road safety is a shared responsibility that directly impacts lives and communities. He highlighted that the movement of fertilisers is critical to India’s agricultural ecosystem, and ensuring safety during transportation and emergency situations is essential.
Governor of Punjab Prorogues 11th Special Session of 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha : The Punjab Legislative Assembly, which was adjourned sine-die at the conclusion of its sitting held on the 30th December, 2025, has been prorogued by an order of the Governor of Punjab, dated the 28th January, 2026.
Punjab Government committed to regularise contractual employees; genuine demands will be resolved at the earliest: Laljit Singh Bhullar: The Punjab Government is committed to resolve all genuine demands of contractual employees of the Transport Department, including their regularisation, at the earliest. Stating this, Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar said that a meeting of union members with the Transport Secretary has been scheduled for February 3, 2026, to take on demands of these employees as per rules.
During a meeting here today with a delegation of the Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS/PRTC Contract Workers Union Punjab, Mr. Bhullar said that the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to regularise temporary employees. He added that all genuine demands of the contractual employees of the department are being considered sympathetically.
The Minister said that while the Punjab Government is committed to the welfare of its employees and workers, it is equally concerned about the interests of the people of the state and passengers.
Assuring the representatives of the employees’ union, the Minister said that while they should continue to discharge their services in the larger public interest, the government will also take full care of its employees.
On the occasion, Transport Secretary Varun Roozam, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Kumar Amit, Director State Transport Rajiv Kumar Gupta, AMD PRTC Navdeep Kumar, along with union leaders including State President Resham Singh, General Secretary Shamsher Singh, Senior Vice President Harkesh Kumar Vicky, Cashier Baljit Singh and Jagtar Singh, among others, were present at the meeting.
PUNJAB GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO RESOLVING LEGITIMATE DEMANDS OF EMPLOYEES: DR. RAVJOT SINGH : Punjab Parliamentary Affairs & NRI Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh on Wednesday reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of its workforce, stating that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, a significant number of employee issues, including those of contractual staff, have already been resolved. He emphasised that the resolution of remaining legitimate demands is currently in the pipeline and the demands would receive due consideration.
Presiding over the various meetings at Punjab Secretariat, Dr. Ravjot Singh held detailed discussions regarding the Department of Education. The meeting was attended by key officials including Secretary Education Sonali Giri and other senior officers of the Education Department.
During the meetings, Dr. Ravjot Singh also engaged with representatives from 13 Employee Unions related to the education department. While interacting with the representative from the Teachers Association, the Minister provided an assurance that their valid concerns are being given due thought.
During the meeting Cabinet Minister directed the Education Department and other concerned departments to take requisite action regarding the legitimate demands raised during the meeting. He reiterated that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government is a pro-employee dispensation focused on creating a stable and supportive environment for all public servants.
Punjab Government committed to upliftment of backward classes, minorities, and economically weaker sections: Sandeep Saini Punjab Backward Classes Land Development and Finance Corporation (BACKFINCO) provides low-interest loans to individuals belonging to backward classes, economically weaker sections, and minority communities in the state. These loans are meant to help them establish self-employment ventures and to assist students in pursuing higher education in India and abroad.
Disclosing this here today Shri Sandeep Saini, Chairman of BACKFINCO, stated that the Punjab Government is making constant efforts for the upliftment of backward classes, minority communities, and economically weaker sections.
Mr. Saini further informed that under the National Minorities Development (NMD) Scheme, during the financial year 2025–26, from 1st April, 2025 to 31st December, 2025 BACKFINCO provided loans worth ₹8.25 crore to 256 beneficiaries from minority communities in Punjab (Sikh, Muslim, Christian, Parsi, Buddhist, and Jain). He appealed to the youth of Punjab from backward classes, minority groups and economically weaker sections to contact BACKFINCO to start self-employment.
Mann Govy Takes Major Step for the Welfare of Poor and Marginalized; Ashirwad Scheme to Be Implemented Only Through Sewa Kendras: Dr. Baljit Kaur: Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, continues to take people-centric decisions for the welfare of the poor, backward, and marginalized communities. In this direction, a significant step has been taken to make the Ashirwad Scheme more transparent, efficient, and citizen-friendly, said Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities.
Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur officially inaugurated the Ashirwad Online Portal in conjunction with Sewa Kendras on Wednesday at Punjab Bhawan. She informed that from now on, applications under the Ashirwad Scheme can only be submitted through Sewa Kendras, making the scheme more effective and accountable.
Kultar Singh Sandhwan condoles demise of Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and other officials: Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan expressed grief over the sudden demise of Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and other officials who have lost their lives in this unfortunate incident of plane crash. He added that he was a stalwart leader and his unwavering dedication towards public service will always inspire us and remain in our mind.
Speaker Sandhwan deeply saddened to hear the news of their passing away and he prayed to the God to grant peace to the departed souls. Almighty may give strength to the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss in this hour of distress.