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BJP appoints new state in-charges; Nitin Nabin congratulates appointees
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) BJP National President Nitin Nabin on Tuesday announced a fresh set of appointments of state in-charges and co-in-charges for various states and J&K. The appointments, detailed in an official press release from the partys central office, take effect immediately and cover organisational responsibilities across nearly all states and J&K. In a post on X, Nabin congratulated the newly appointed State Prabharis and Sah Prabharis. He said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, their efforts would strengthen the organisation and help realise the collective dream of Viksit Bharat 2047. Notable appointments include Smriti Irani as in-charge for both Chandigarh and Haryana, with Siddharth Shambhu as co-in-charge for Chandigarh and Bhola Singh for Haryana. Baijayant Jay Panda has been named state in-charge for Maharashtra, assisted by co-in-charges Amit Malviya, Sadanand Shet Tanavade and Kamaljeet Sahrawat. In Uttar Pradesh, Vinod Tawde will serve as state in-charge, with Jagadish Patel, Medha Kulkarni, Pradeep Verma and Anant Ojha as co-in-charges. Sunil Bansal has been assigned to both Telangana and West Bengal. For Telangana, Abhay Patil and Rekha Sharma are co-in-charges, while West Bengals co-in-charges are Lal Singh Arya, Rajendra Singh and Pinki Kushwaha. Other key assignments include Biplab Kumar Deb as in-charge for Madhya Pradesh, with Rekha Verma as co-in-charge; Ram Madhav for Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand; Harish Dwivedi for Bihar and Karnataka; and Satish Poonia for J&K and Punjab. Mangal Pandey has been named for Assam, while Arvind Bhadauria will head Andhra Pradesh with Vanathi Srinivasan as co-in-charge. Nabin has also appointed Ashish Usha Agrawal as convenor of the media department and Anil Baluni as co-ordinator of the communication department. The list further covers smaller states and J&K, including assignments for Andaman & Nicobar, Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Puducherry, Sikkim and Tripura. Several leaders hold dual or multiple responsibilities. The circular, issued by national office in-charge Tarun Chugh to all state presidents and organisational general secretaries, aims to strengthen the partys organisational network ahead of future electoral and organisational programmes.
Farmers end stir after Haryana govt says farmers may bring paddy to mandis
DDCA Director Vikas Katyal Appointed Team India Manager For West Indies Series
District Cricket Association: Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) Director Vikas Katyal has been appointed as the manager of the Indian cricket team for the upcoming home series against the West Indies, the state association announced on Wednesday. India and West Indies will face each other in three ODIs and five T20Is, with the series beginning on September 27. The ODI series will open in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27 before moving to Guwahati and New Chandigarh. The five-match T20I series will then be played in Lucknow, Ranchi, Indore, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Shubman Gill will lead India in the ODI series, with senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli also part of the squad. Shreyas Iyer will captain the T20I side, which includes a mix of experienced campaigners and emerging talent. Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma are among the players named in the squad. The DDCA congratulated Katyal on his appointment and described it as a moment of pride for the association and the wider Delhi cricket fraternity. This is a proud occasion for the entire DDCA fraternity, as one of its directors has been entrusted with the responsibility of managing the Indian cricket team. DDCA congratulates Katyal on this prestigious appointment and wishes him and Team India every success for the West Indies series to be played in India, the DDCA said in a statement. The appointment comes ahead of a series in which India will look to maintain its strong record against the West Indies. In ODIs, India have won 67 of the 142 matches between the two teams, while West Indies have 63 victories. Two matches have ended in ties, and four produced no result. This is a proud occasion for the entire DDCA fraternity, as one of its directors has been entrusted with the responsibility of managing the Indian cricket team. DDCA congratulates Katyal on this prestigious appointment and wishes him and Team India every success for the West Indies series to be played in India, the DDCA said in a statement. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The two teams last met in the T20 World Cup earlier this year, with India defeating the West Indies by five wickets at Eden Gardens on March 1. Article Source: IANS
Technology reduces a farmers input costs, manual labour, says Haryana CM
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 23 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday said that technology reduces a farmers input costs, lowers the need for manual labour and increases returns from crops and is the real innovation for farmers. The true success of any technology should be reflected in the farmers account book, he said, adding technology is useful for farmers only when it is affordable, easy to use and can also be repaired locally in or around villages. The Chief Minister was addressing the closing session of the fifth Innovative Farmers Meet organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Ladwa town in Kurukshetra. On the occasion, he inaugurated and visited an exhibition of agricultural machinery and interacted with progressive farmers. He said the distinctive feature of the Innovative Farmers Meet was that discussions were not confined to big cities or conference halls, but were being taken directly to farmers. The Chief Minister said agriculture today faces serious challenges such as weather uncertainties, increasing water scarcity and deteriorating soil health. Therefore, there is a need to move towards farming practices that can withstand changing conditions while increasing farmers income. He said paddy and wheat cultivation has particular significance in the region. Measures such as direct seeding of rice, crop-specific micro-irrigation and land levelling can prove useful. He urged farmers to get their soil tested and use fertilisers according to the requirements of their land. Saini also emphasised maintaining soil fertility through crop diversification, organic matter and scientific advice. The Chief Minister said small farmers cannot afford to purchase every expensive machine individually. Therefore, farmer groups, cooperative societies and centres providing machinery on rent have an important role to play. The benefits of one machine should reach multiple farms. He said youth in villages should be trained to operate and repair farm machinery and provide agriculture-related services. This would help reduce farmers costs while also creating new employment opportunities in villages. The Chief Minister also called for greater focus on crop diversification. He said that wherever conditions are suitable, possibilities for cultivating pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits and other appropriate crops should be explored. He urged industries to support farmers by providing training on quality and food safety standards and helping them connect with better markets. The Chief Minister said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, farmers welfare is a priority of the government. The government is committed to increasing farmers income, expanding irrigation facilities, promoting natural farming, encouraging crop diversification and integrating agriculture with technology. He said around 2 lakh farmers have registered 3 lakh acres of land on the portal launched to promote natural farming. Of these, verification of 23,930 farmers for adopting natural farming on 44,000 acres has been completed. In 2025-26, natural farming was undertaken on 20,727 acres in the state. The Chief Minister said under the PM-KUSUM scheme, farmers are provided a 75 per cent subsidy for installing solar pumps, and 1.95 lakh solar pumps have been installed so far. He said Rs 1,200 per acre has been provided for proper management and baling of paddy stubble. So far, Rs 907 crore has been provided as subsidy to 10 lakh farmers.
Smriti, Bholas capabilities will provide direction: Haryana BJP chief
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 23 (IANS) Former Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary Smriti Irani was on Wednesday appointed the partys in-charge for Haryana, while national secretary and MP Bhola Singh has been named co-in-charge, as part of organisational changes announced by the BJPs central leadership. Welcoming the two leaders on behalf of the Haryana BJP, state president Archana Gupta said their experience and organisational capabilities would bring new energy and direction to the state unit. In a statement, she said Iranis extensive experience in national politics, government and the organisation would provide important guidance to the state BJP. She added that Bhola Singhs long organisational experience and ability to work closely with party workers would further strengthen the unit. Gupta said the BJPs organisation is continuously working to expand and strengthen its network from the booth level to the state level, adding that the process would gain further momentum under the guidance of the new in-charge and co-in-charge. Meanwhile, Gupta said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strengthened the countrys unity and integrity while undertaking the historic task of connecting Kashmir with Kanyakumari through the railway network, often described as the poor mans mode of transport. She noted that the transformation of Indian Railways over the past 12 years, ranging from indigenous hydrogen-powered trains to the worlds highest railway bridge over the Chenab, has strengthened public confidence in the national transporter. As part of the Kahani Badlav Ki (story of change) campaign under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, which marks 25 years of PM Modis public life of service, dedication, sacrifice and commitment, Gupta travelled by a hydrogen train from Gohana to Jind on Wednesday. Accompanied by members of the BJP state executive, she interacted with youths, women, children and other passengers during the journey and sought their experiences and suggestions. She also discussed issues including womens safety, modern railway facilities, cleanliness and the expectations of young people. She said the hydrogen train introduced in Haryana was not merely a new train but a symbol of Indias progress towards a clean, green and self-reliant future.
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India A-Australia A Women's Multi-day Game Shifted From Dharamshala To Mohali
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket: The upcoming four-day red-ball game between India A and Australia A women has been shifted from Dharamshala to Mohali owing to adverse weather and poor outfield conditions caused by incessant rainfall in the picturesque hill station in Himachal Pradesh, said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The match, scheduled to be played from September 29 to October 2, 2026 at the HPCA Stadium, will now take place at the PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on the same dates. The venue change has been necessitated due to the impact of prolonged rainfall in Dharamshala on the outfield and the prevailing ground conditions, said BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia in a statement on Wednesday. The red-ball game serves as the culmination of Australia A womens tour of India, which began on September 12 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. Australia A won the three-match T20 series 3-0 via wins over India A by six wickets, 30 runs and seven runs respectively. In the 50-over leg of the multi-format series which began on September 20 at the PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali, India A bounced back through a four-wicket win. While the second game is still underway, with India A posting 338/6, thanks to captain Yastika Bhatia hitting 112 along with knocks of 60 each from Tejal Hasabnis and Anushka Sharma, the third 50-over game between the two teams will take place on September 25, before attention shifts to the one-off red-ball match. The red-ball game serves as the culmination of Australia A womens tour of India, which began on September 12 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. Australia A won the three-match T20 series 3-0 via wins over India A by six wickets, 30 runs and seven runs respectively. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Australia A squad: Darcie Brown, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Sianna Ginger, Milly Illingworth, Charli Knott, Anika Learoyd, Katie Mack, Lilly Mills, Frankie Nicklin, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Rachel Trenaman (captain), Courtney Webb, Tahlia Wilson, and Tayla Vlaeminck Article Source: IANS
Chandigarh Police boost security after bomb threats; ED raids firms
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Chandigarh Police Respond to Bomb Threats with Urgent Meeting
Chandigarh police convened a crucial meeting to address recent bomb threats, enhancing security measures across various institutions. Chandigarh Police Respond to Bomb Threats with Urgent Meeting
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'If Rohit-Virat Stay, There Is A 90% Chance Of Winning World Cup': Raina
If Rohit Sharma: Suresh Raina believes India will have a 90 percent chance of winning the 2027 ODI World Cup if veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain part of the team for the marquee tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Rainas comments came after former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh called for consistency in Indias ODI setup and urged the team management to avoid making too many changes ahead of next years World Cup. Speaking about Yuvrajs advice, Raina backed the experience of Rohit and Kohli and highlighted their record of winning major trophies for India and in the IPL. Absolutely, I think we have the gun player; we have a gun machine at home. We have the best captains who won a lot of trophies in IPL as well as for the country, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Virat, we dont need any introduction because they are different player. I think I have played a lot of matches with them, Raina told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Delhi. Virat wants it. I think this time we are playing the World Cup in South Africa and Zimbabwe. I think if both of them stay, there is a 90% chance of winning the World Cup, he added. Raina also referred to Indias defeat to Australia in the 2003 World Cup final, saying the team would have added motivation when it returns to South Africa for the 2027 edition. Especially when we lost in South Africa in 2003, we have to take revenge for that as well, Raina said. Yuvraj had earlier stressed the importance of giving a settled group enough game time before the World Cup, with India having limited ODI fixtures between now and the tournament. They need to focus on building the same team to play in a years time, because you dont want to make big changes at the last moment, Yuvraj told Cricinfo. Whoever your players are, whether they are 16 or 20, its important that everybody gets game time because obviously now there are more T20s and fewer 50-over cricket matches. Whatever matches there are, its important that players get enough game time to prepare for the World Cup, he added. They need to focus on building the same team to play in a years time, because you dont want to make big changes at the last moment, Yuvraj told Cricinfo. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The series will begin in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, followed by the second ODI in Guwahati on September 30 and the third in Chandigarh on October 3. Shreyas Iyer, meanwhile, will be part of Indias Asian Games campaign. Article Source: IANS
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Punjab Police asks personnel to avoid uniform while commuting after ASI's killing
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 22 (IANS) Punjab Police issued a security advisory directing police personnel to avoid travelling in uniform while commuting between their homes and places of duty, following the recent killing of Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Harjit Singh in Amritsar. In the wake of the incident, and keeping in view the safety of police personnel posted in districts along the Pakistan border, the Inspector General (IG), Border Range, has issued an advisory to police personnel. The IG Border Range has written to the Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) of Amritsar Rural, Batala, Gurdaspur and Pathankot, directing them to implement measures aimed at enhancing the security of police employees while they travel to and from their places of duty. According to the advisory, police personnel have been instructed to wear plain clothes while travelling from their homes to their places of duty and while returning home after completing their duties. They have specifically been advised to avoid wearing their police uniforms during such journeys. The advisory further states that while undertaking personal travel, police personnel should neither carry nor display any sign, symbol or other item that could reveal their identity as members of the police force. The letter also emphasises that all prescribed security protocols should be strictly followed by police personnel during private travel, with officers being advised to remain particularly cautious about their identity and personal safety. ASI Harjit Singh was killed while performing his duty on September 18. Following the incident, police teams launched efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the killing. A high alert was subsequently sounded across Amritsar and adjoining areas, with police intensifying checks at toll plazas and other key points as teams continued to search for the suspects. Police later received specific information that the suspects were moving in the area and could potentially be looking for another target, prompting security teams to intensify their efforts to track them down. One of the accused in the murder case of Punjab Police ASI Harjit Singh was killed in an encounter on September 19. Punjab Police Commissioner Harmanveer Singh Gill said that while one of the main accused was killed during the encounter, his accomplice managed to escape under the cover of darkness. Commissioner Gill also stated that the murder was part of a conspiracy involving Pakistan-based handlers. According to him, the youths were lured with promises of money and a share in the illegal drug trade. The handlers demanded proof of loyalty by targeting police personnel. Investigators also found that after shooting ASI Harjit Singh, the accused allegedly returned to the crime scene and recorded a 3040 second video to send to their overseas handlers as proof that the task had been completed. The act was reportedly captured on CCTV, while forensic examination of mobile phones is underway. Commissioner Gill appealed to parents to closely monitor their childrens activities and protect them from being exploited through social media, drugs and criminal networks.
Punjab woman gets loan after 3 years of death; FIR filed
A deceased woman's identity was used for a loan in 2022. Forged documents, including another woman's photograph, facilitated this fraud. Investigators uncovered this after a fact-finding inquiry by the Punjab Bureau of Investigation. The Shubh Lakshmi Private Finance Limited sanctioned the loan using fake identities. Two other loan fraud instances involving similar document misuse were also flagged.
Delhi-NCR to remain dry as IMD forecasts clear skies; mercury to touch 34 degree Celsius
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 22 (IANS) The national Capital is likely to witness clear skies and relatively pleasant weather on Tuesday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a minimum temperature of around 24 degree Celsius and a maximum of nearly 34 degree Celsius. According to the weather agency, Delhi is expected to remain largely dry throughout the day, marking a change from the cloudy conditions and occasional showers witnessed recently. The forecast of clearer skies could provide some relief from the persistent humidity experienced across the city over the past few weeks. The relative humidity is likely to remain around 60 per cent, while weather conditions are expected to be generally comfortable for residents. However, temperatures are likely to rise during the afternoon before easing later in the day. Among the weather stations in the national Capital, Palam is likely to record a minimum temperature of around 23 degree Celsius. Lodi Road and Ayanagar may register minimum temperatures of 24.3 degree Celsius and 24.2 degree Celsius, respectively. The Ridge could witness a comparatively cooler morning, with the minimum temperature expected to settle at around 22.5 degree Celsius. While Delhi-NCR is likely to remain dry on Tuesday, several other parts of the country are expected to experience rainfall and thunderstorms in the coming days due to a weather system developing over the Bay of Bengal. Odisha is likely to witness some of the most intense weather activity as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal becomes more organised. The system is expected to move towards the South Odisha-North Andhra Pradesh coast and reach the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal near the coast around the morning of September 23. The IMD has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm in Kandhamal, Gajapati, Ganjam and Puri on September 23. A similar red alert has been issued for Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Rayagada for September 24. Rainfall is expected to remain active across Odisha until September 27, with different districts placed under red, orange and yellow alerts depending on the anticipated intensity of rainfall. Kerala is also likely to experience wet conditions during the week. Light to moderate rainfall has been forecast in several areas between September 21 and 25, while isolated heavy showers are possible in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur. The IMD has advised residents in areas vulnerable to waterlogging and landslides to remain alert and follow instructions issued by local authorities. Weather activity is also expected to increase across parts of the Northeast and eastern India. Assam and Meghalaya may experience thunderstorms and lightning on September 22, followed by heavy rainfall between September 23 and 25. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim could witness thunderstorms, lightning and squally conditions on September 22. Heavy rainfall is likely in these areas on September 23 and 24, while very heavy showers are possible on September 25. East Uttar Pradesh is expected to see increased rainfall activity from September 24, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and squall-like conditions. Similar weather is likely to develop over West Uttar Pradesh from September 25. In contrast, Delhi-NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad, is unlikely to receive significant rainfall on Tuesday. The region is expected to remain predominantly dry as the southwest monsoon continues to withdraw from northwest India. However, weather conditions could become more active towards the end of the week, with the IMD forecasting thunderstorms, lightning and squall-like conditions over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi between September 25 and 27. The developing weather system over the Bay of Bengal is expected to remain the primary factor influencing rainfall and thunderstorm activity across several parts of the country in the coming days.
23-Year-Old Law Student From Kashmir Dies in Chandigarh Road Accident
SRINAGAR: A 23-year-old law student from Kralgund in Kupwara district, Suhail Aijaz Langoo, died in a road accident in Chandigarh, according to information shared by local residents and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone. Lone, in a post on X on Tuesday, said Langoo was killed in an accident in Chandigarh and was pursuing a law degree. []
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Gujarat: Liquor worth Rs 86.63 lakh seized in Rajkot, eight booked
Digital Desk | Rajkot, Sep 21 (IANS) Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) seized Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and beer worth Rs 86.63 lakh during a raid near the Ahmedabad-Rajkot Highway in Rajkot city on Monday, with the total value of the seized liquor, vehicle and other material put at Rs 1.10 crore, officials said. The team, led by Police Inspector P.B. Jebaliya, conducted the raid near Radhe-Krishna Hotel, close to Bamanbhor village, within the jurisdiction of Airport Police Station. According to the State Monitoring Cell, the team seized around 604 boxes of IMFL and beer containing 21,792 bottles. The liquor was valued at Rs 86,63,712. Police also seized one vehicle and other material, bringing the total value of the property recovered to Rs 1,10,91,012. The action followed directions issued by Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik to take legal action against illegal liquor and gambling activities in the state. Police registered a case at Airport Police Station under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83, 98(2) and 116(B) of the Prohibition Act and Sections 336(2), 336(3) and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Eight people have been named as accused in the case; one has been arrested, while seven are wanted. The arrested accused has been identified as Dilipsinh Rawat, a resident of Sobiyana village in Beawar, Rajasthan. The seven wanted accused include Jitendrasinh Singh, a resident of Thikarwas, Kalan, in Rajasthan's Rajsamand district; Suresh, a truck owner; and an unidentified associate of Jitendrasinh in Chandigarh. Police have also named an unidentified person who allegedly took a four-wheeler to load the liquor, another unidentified person who arrived on a motorcycle carrying a transport slip, and an unidentified person who allegedly ordered the liquor consignment in Rajkot. Further investigation into the seizure and the persons named as wanted accused is underway, the State Monitoring Cell said.
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Congress slams Centre, Punjab govt over wheat stocks ahead of paddy procurement
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 21 (IANS) Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government and the BJP-led Union government over their failure to clear wheat stocks occupying crucial storage space in rice mills and mandi yards ahead of the paddy procurement season. With the official procurement season set to begin on October 1, and early varieties already arriving in several mandis, Bajwa warned that the continued occupation of storage space by wheat stocks could trigger serious congestion across Punjabs procurement system. Citing recent reports, Bajwa said nearly 12 lakh metric tons (MT) of wheat is still lying in rice mills across Punjab, while another 1.83 lakh MT of Central Pool wheat remains in mandi yards awaiting movement to the Food Corporation of India (FCI). These figures expose the complete lack of preparedness of both the Punjab government and the Union government. Paddy procurement is just days away, yet vital storage space remains occupied by wheat stocks that should have been cleared and moved months ago, he said. He cautioned that the situation could become particularly difficult once paddy arrivals gather momentum, as mills and mandis will simultaneously have to handle the incoming crop while dealing with wheat stocks yet to be moved. If this bottleneck is not cleared immediately, farmers could be forced to wait for hours or even days to unload their paddy. Those who lack adequate storage at their farms will be especially vulnerable to distress sales. Prolonged delays can also create additional problems related to moisture and grain quality, Bajwa said. He questioned why the Punjab government and the Centre had failed to anticipate an entirely foreseeable problem. This is not an unexpected crisis. Everyone knew that the paddy procurement season was approaching. The Punjab government and the Centre had months to plan the evacuation of wheat, arrange transportation and ensure adequate storage capacity. Yet, they failed to act until the crisis was staring them in the face, he remarked. Accusing the AAP government of prioritising publicity over preparedness, Bajwa said, Instead of ensuring that the foodgrain management system was ready for the next procurement season, the AAP government remained focused on publicity exercises and political theatrics. Now, Punjabs farmers are being left to bear the consequences of administrative failure. Bajwa demanded that the Punjab government and the Centre immediately coordinate the evacuation of wheat stocks from rice mills and mandi yards, accelerate their movement to designated storage locations and ensure sufficient space is available before paddy arrivals intensify. Punjabs farmers should not be made to pay the price for the failure of two governments. The AAP government and the BJP-led Centre must stop passing the responsibility to each other and immediately clear the bottleneck. Farmers must have assured and hassle-free procurement when their crop reaches the mandis, he added.
Fight against drugs must be peoples movement: Haryana CM
Digital Desk | Fazilka, Sep 21 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday said Punjab was once known for its prosperity, vibrancy and hardworking youth. Still, today the drug menace has emerged as a major challenge to the future of its young generation. He stressed that turning the campaign against drugs into a peoples movement is the need of the hour. Addressing a gathering after joining the fourth phase of the Nasha Mukti Yatra in Fazilka, Saini said the fight against drugs is not a political party's fight, but a fight to save the youth and future generations. He said the Yatra, which began on September 18, will continue till September 30 and cover around 4,000 km across all 117 Assembly constituencies of Punjab. Saini added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is fighting the drug menace with determination and every section of society should ensure its participation in this campaign. Criticising the Aam Aadmi Party government, he said it had promised to eradicate drugs within six months. Still, the problem remains serious even as the government enters the final phase of its tenure. He also said the government had not fulfilled its promises to employ youth. Saini recalled that when industrialists from Punjab met him at his residence in Chandigarh and expressed their desire to set up industries in Haryana, he advised them to establish industries in Punjab itself to provide employment opportunities to the youth there. He claimed that the people of Punjab had made up their minds for change and that the coming time would belong to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Highlighting Haryanas governance, Saini said the state government has provided jobs to youth through a transparent system. He added that he meets many people at his residence daily and works to resolve their problems. He said the Haryana Government has fulfilled 70 of the 217 commitments made before the elections and has advanced several schemes for the welfare of women, farmers, people with low incomes and youth. He emphasised that the fight against drugs cannot be confined to law enforcement alone. Treatment, rehabilitation, sports and employment opportunities must also be taken forward simultaneously. He said Haryana is providing free treatment facilities at de-addiction centres, while special emphasis is being laid on connecting youth with sports and other positive activities.
