PM Modi to address rally in Sonepat on Sept 26

Chandigarh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a rally in Sonepat on September 26, his second for the BJP in the State Assembly elections, BJP 's State unit chief Mohan Lal Badoli said on Tuesday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah would release the party's poll manifesto for Haryana on Wednesday, he said while exuding confidence that the BJP would retain power in the state. “Prime Minister Modi ji will address a rally under Sonepat Lok Sabha on September 26,” he told reporters in Rohtak, adding that the PM would address a couple of more rallies in the days to come, including one under the Hisar Lok Sabha seat.

Senior BJP leader Virk joins Congress

Chandigarh: Ahead of the Assembly elections, senior BJP leader and former Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) Bakhshish Singh Virk on Tuesday joined the Congress in the presence of state party president Udai Bhan and former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda in New Delhi. Virk was denied a ticket for the upcoming elections, causing discontent among his supporters. His step is seen as a major boost for the Congress, particularly in the Assandh Assembly segment, where Congress candidate Shamsher Singh Gogi is contesting. Virk, a prominent Sikh leader, had earlier expressed his disappointment after being denied the BJP ticket, but had maintained that he would remain in the party and not contest the election. However, after consultations with his supporters, he has decided to align with the Congress. Virk was first elected from the Assandh constituency in 2014 during the Modi wave. He had won the seat by a margin of 4,608 votes. Meanwhile, JJP district spokesperson Yashkaran Rana also joined the Congress in Delhi on Tuesday. He had recently resigned from the post and started campaigning for Congress candidates in Karnal and Gharaunda.

Statewide seizures of illegal liquor, narcotics & valuables worth Rs 26.82 crore so far: Hry CEO

Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal on Tuesday said that from August 16 to September 16, 2024, a total of Rs. 26.82 crore worth of illegal liquor, narcotics, cash, and valuable items have been seized in the state. To prevent voters from being influenced by any form of inducement, the Commission is maintaining a rigorous stance, and various agencies are closely monitoring the movement of illegal liquor, narcotics, and cash in the state. Agarwal said that Haryana Police, along with other agencies, is continuously maintaining strict vigilance. Since the Model Code of Conduct came into effect, actions have been taken by the Police Department, Income Tax Department, Excise and Taxation Department, State Goods and Services Tax, Railway Protection Force, and Narcotics Control Bureau. Agarwal further informed that over Rs. 4.73 crore in cash have been seized by the police, Income Tax Department, and State Goods and Services Tax departments. In addition, various agencies have seized more than 3.26 lakh litres of illegal liquor worth over Rs. 9.82 crore. This includes over 2.39 lakh litres of illegal liquor worth more than Rs. 7.80 crore seized by the Haryana police, and over 86,121 litres worth more than Rs. 1.96 crore seized by the Excise and Taxation Department. Apart from this, other agencies have seized 725 litres of illegal liquor worth over Rs. 4 lakh.

Over 29,000 police personnel and 225 paramilitary companies to be deployed in Hry Assembly Polls: DGP Kapur

Chandigarh: Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur on Tuesday said that the State Police is fully prepared to ensure the smooth, free, fair, and peaceful conduct of the Assembly elections scheduled for October 5. More than 29,000 police personnel, along with 225 paramilitary companies, will be deployed across the state, with 70 paramilitary companies already stationed in various regions. The police are maintaining a strict vigil to ensure adherence to the Model Code of Conduct. Kapur further said that each aspect of maintaining law and order during the election process has been meticulously examined. He informed that a total of 20,629 polling booths will be set up at 10,495 polling locations across the state, where an adequate police presence will be maintained. Among these, 3,460 polling booths have been classified as critical, and 138 have been deemed vulnerable, necessitating additional security measures. DGP Kapur further highlighted that 155 interstate and 143 intra-state checkpoints have been established, where police teams will monitor movements closely. To maintain law and order and ensure compliance with the Model Code of Conduct, the state has also formed 480 flying squads, 419 static surveillance teams, and 32 quick response teams. Additionally, 1,128 patrolling parties are actively monitoring the situation day and night. Regarding licensed arms, DGP Kapur shared that a total of 1.32 lakh arms licenses have been issued in the state, of which 1.05 lakh licensed weapons have been deposited at police stations in view of the elections. So far, 52 licensed arms have been confiscated for violations of the Model Code of Conduct, and 1,080 arms licenses have been revoked.

INLD, JJP & HLP are B team of BJP: Bhupinder Hooda

Chandigarh: Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Tuesday said that INLD, JJP and HLP are the B team of BJP. “Their Jugalbandi has also become public in Sirsa. All the opposition parties of Congress are helping each other. These parties have also distributed tickets accordingly and are now doing the drama of withdrawing nominations,” he said. Sirsa BJP candidate Rohtash Jangra on Monday withdrew his nomination from Sirsa Assembly seat and said that he has extended his support to Haryana Lokhit Party chief Gopal Kanda.  Talking to reporters, the senior Congress leader said, “But now, no matter how many conspiracies BJP and its allies make, all communities of the state have made up their mind to bring Congress to power with a huge majority. Soon there will be big rallies of senior Congress leaders in the state and on October 8, the mandate will come in favor of the party.” “When the Congress government is formed, we will give a pension of Rs 6,000 per month to the elderly, domestic gas cylinder for Rs 500, one lakh permanent jobs in the first year, 300 units of free electricity to every family, Hooda added.

Punjab Water Resources Minister Inspects Bhakra Dam, Emphasizes Optimal Water Use

Chandigarh/Nangal: Punjab Water Resources and Soil and Water Conservation Minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra on Tuesday conducted an inspection of Bhakra Dam on Tuesday to evaluate its maintenance and current water levels. He emphasized the State Government's commitment to conserve groundwater by maximizing canal water usage for drinking, irrigation, and industrial purposes.  The Minister closely reviewed the dam’s maintenance procedures, interacted with the officials, and provided key directives for improving canal water utilization. He stressed that timely repairs and enhancements to the canal system are a top priority to ensure efficient water distribution across the state. During a media briefing, Jouramajra reaffirmed the State Government’s dedication to fulfilling its obligations within the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), including completing the recruitment of Punjab's share of posts in BBMB. The Minister also toured various facilities at the dam, including the power generation unit, infrastructure, and the modern museum. His visit concluded with a symbolic tree-planting ceremony, underscoring the government’s focus on environmental sustainability.