Anindita Mitra assumes charge as Secretary Cooperation 

Chandigarh: Senior IAS officer Anindita Mitra on Monday assumed the office of Secretary Cooperation and Managing Director The Punjab State Co-operative Bank. A 2007 batch IAS officer, Mitra has rendered services as DC SBS Nagar and Hoshiarpur, Director food and civil supplies, Director Public Relations and Commissioner Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh. After assuming the charge of office, she said that the focus will be to further strengthen the cooperative movement in the state. She said that there is a huge scope of well being of every strata of society especially the farmers and weaker section through the cooperative sector. Mitra said that no stone will be left unturned to fulfil this noble task under the visionary and dynamic leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

BJP’s Sirsa candidate  Rohtash Jangra  withdraws; Party to 'support’ Gopal Kanda        

Sirsa:  The Bharatiya Janata Party Sirsa candidate Rohtash Jangra on Monday said that he has withdrawn nomination for the constituency as the party has decided to extend support to Haryana Lokhit Party chief Gopal Kanda, sitting MLA from Sirsa. He had earlier extended support to the BJP government.  "I have withdrawn my nomination. The decision has been taken in the interest of the state and the country. We have to ensure a 'Congress-mukt Haryana'," Jangra said. Asked if he had withdrawn in Kanda's favour, Jangra said, "Gopal Kanda has supported us (BJP) for five years. We have taken this decision for Sirsa's development."  Last week, the BJP released its third and final list of candidates for the Haryana polls, in which the party fielded Jangra from Sirsa. The Indian National Lok Dal said on Thursday that it was extending support to Kanda in Sirsa. The INLD is contesting the assembly polls in alliance with the BSP.

CM Saini accuses Cong of being involved in corruption & promoting nepotism

Kaithal: Exhorting BJP workers and leaders to unite and work to bring the party back to power for the third consecutive term in the State, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday accused Congress of being deeply involved in corruption and promoting nepotism Saini addressed two Jan Ashirwad rallies – one in Indri in support of party candidate Ram Kumar Kashyap, and second in Pundri in Kaithal district in support of party’s candidate Satpal Jamba.  “Hooda ruled Haryana for ten years, but the decisions made in just 56 days of our government surpassed that entire period. This is just a trailer; after October 8, the entire picture will be released,” said Saini. In Pundri, the CM highlighted his return to his ‘family’ and his ‘home’ in the constituency. Recalling the results of the 2019 election, Saini, who was an MP from Kurukshetra then, expressed gratitude to the people of Pundri for their support.

47 candidates in the fray for Gurgaon’s four Assembly seats; 15 withdraw nominations

Gurugram:  A total of 47 candidates are in the fray for four Assembly seats in the Haryana Assembly elections as 15 nominations were withdrawn on Monday, the last day of the withdrawal of nomination papers.  Prominent among those in the fray for Gurgaon seat are BJP's Mukesh Sharma, Congress' Mohit Grover and Independent Naveen Goyal.  Likewise, former minister and BJP candidate Rao Narbir Singh is from Badshahpur while Vardhan Yadav is from Congress.  Similarly, BJP's Bimla Chaudhary is from Pataudi (SC) constituency, Congress' Parl Chaudhary. from Sohna assembly constituency and BJP Tejpal Tawar from Sohna seat, Congress Rohtas Khatana and others.  According to a statement issued by the District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner Gurugram Nishant Kumar Yadav, 15 candidates withdrew their candidature in the office of respective returning officers in the district, leaving 47 candidates in the poll fray.  Yadav said that election symbols have been allotted to the candidates who have filed nominations in all four Assembly constituencies of the district namely Pataudi, Badshahpur, Gurgaon and Sohna.

 Badshahpur constituency will see rapid development; Rao Narbir Singh

Gurugram: BJP candidate from Badshahpur assembly constituency and former minister Rao Narbir Singh said that there is a great need to improve basic facilities all over Gurugram including Badshahpur.
"Most of the government schools and hospitals here are in a bad condition. The weak hands leading Badshahpur during the last five years are responsible for these conditions. If the people of Badshahpur support him and send him to the assembly, then every government school in Gurugram will become a model school like a private school," he said.  Rao Narbir Singh said that during the last 20 years, the condition of Gurugram has changed rapidly. The population here has exceeded 30 lakhs but the resources are still limited. The common man of Gurugram is still not able to get the full benefit of government facilities because the arrangements here have never been given proper attention.  Singh, while explaining his plan, said that this time he wants to improve the system of government schools and government medical facilities. There are 827 government schools in Gurugram. To make all these government schools model schools, cooperation will be taken from multinational companies. There are more than 400 MNC offices here, with whose help the condition of every government school will be improved and made the best," he added. Apart from this, it is necessary to have four civil hospitals in the four corners of Gurugram.

Congress criticizes AAP Govt’s half-term performance in Punjab

Chandigarh:  As the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab reaches the halfway point of its term, the Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa on Monday sharply criticized its performance, accusing it of failing to meet expectations and deliver on its promises. “The law and order situation in Punjab has worsened since AAP took power. The state’s fiscal health is in crisis, and the government has not lived up to the hopes of the Punjabi people,” Bajwa stated. He pointed to rising issues with drug abuse and a lack of progress on key promises, such as making Punjab drug-free and providing a promised Rs 1000 monthly stipend to women over 18. Bajwa also criticized AAP leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, for making unfulfilled promises. “Despite claims of providing clean governance and combating corruption, AAP has been marred by corruption allegations involving several ministers and leaders,” he added. He further noted widespread discontent among various societal groups, including farmers, laborers, and government employees, who have expressed dissatisfaction with the government's policies. Bajwa concluded that the AAP government has been ineffective in addressing these grievances and providing transparent governance.

First Spiti Marathon on Sep 28-29

Chandigarh: For promoting sports and adventure in the Spiti region, the Indian Army in association with Team Snow Marathon will organize the first edition of Spiti Marathon on September 28 and 29. Entry in the marathon is free and nearly 1000 athletes from nook and corner of the country are expected to participate. Organizer Gaurav Schimer informed that the marathon will be organized in four categories. The 77 km long Spiti Avengers Challenge will be held from Kaza to Samdoh while the route for the 42 km full marathon will be Samdoh - Hurling - Samdo. The stretch of the 21 km half marathon is from Samdoh - Gyu - Samdoh. Apart from these, a 10 km fun run will also be organized. The Spiti Marathon will be the second big event in the tribal areas after the Snow Marathon Lahaul. Registrations are invited on www.spitimarathon.in