Balbir Singh Sidhu Visits Bhagomajra Grain Market, Holds Talks with Officials Over Farmers’ Problems Government Must Stop Harassing Punjab’s Farmers in Grain Markets : Balbir Singh Sidhu S.A.S.Nagar 16 October ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : Senior Congress leader and former Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu today visited the grain market in Bhagomajra village and listened to the problems faced by farmers. Taking note of the delays in paddy procurement and lifting at the market, he spoke over the phone with IAS officer Varinder Kumar Sharma, Director of Food Supplies, and Vishesh Sarangal, Managing Director of Markfed. He demanded that the procurement and lifting of farmers’ crops be ensured without further delay. Sidhu said that the poor state of procurement arrangements in grain markets across Punjab was causing immense inconvenience to farmers. It was completely unacceptable that farmers should be forced to struggle in markets to sell their produce while the government remained a mere...
Punjab Under AAP Has Become a Victim of Drugs, Gangsterism and Administrative Failure : Tarun Chugh
Modi’s 25 Years in Public Service Reflect a Commitment to Seva, Good Governance and Nation-Building : Tarun Chugh
Sangrur/Chandigarh 16 October ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : BJP National Headquarters In-Charge and Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh, addressing the Punjab BJP State Working Committee meeting in Sangrur, said that the 25-year journey of Narendra Modi in public life, which began with his assumption of office as Gujarat Chief Minister on October 7, 2001, represents an enduring commitment to public service, decisive governance and national development. He said that the guiding principle of Modi’s governance has been seva, with policies focused on improving the lives of ordinary citizens. From bringing approximately 25 crore people out of multidimensional poverty and providing free foodgrains to nearly 80 crore people to expanding housing, sanitation, healthcare, drinking water and financial inclusion, the Modi government has demonstrated that governance must deliver tangible results. Chugh said that Punjab, the land of the Gurus, brave soldiers, hardworking farmers and talented youth, must play a leading role in the journey towards a developed India by 2047.
Chugh said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s relationship with the Sikh Panth is rooted in faith, reverence and service, not electoral considerations. He highlighted the restoration of the historic Lakhpat Sahib Gurdwara in Gujarat, the opening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor in 2019, the national observance of Veer Bal Diwas in honour of the Sahibzadas, and the recognition of the sacrifices and teachings of the Sikh Gurus. He said that the formation of a Special Investigation Team in 2015 to reopen cases relating to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the subsequent judicial proceedings against those accused and convicted, additional compensation for affected families, and the reduction of the blacklist of Sikh families living abroad reflect important steps towards addressing long-standing concerns. He also highlighted the reimbursement of central taxes on langar ingredients under the Seva Bhoj Yojana, the facilitation of pilgrimage to historic Sikh shrines, support for persecuted Sikh refugees and initiatives to preserve Sikh heritage. These measures, he said, demonstrate the government’s commitment to honouring Sikh history and strengthening the community’s connection with its sacred institutions.
Highlighting the Centre’s contribution to Punjab, Chugh said that investments in healthcare, education, infrastructure and farmers’ welfare have strengthened the state’s development prospects. He cited AIIMS Bathinda, the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital at Mullanpur, scholarships for Sikh students, direct benefit transfers to farmers and the approval of the Hemkund Sahib ropeway project as examples of initiatives aimed at improving access to essential services and supporting communities. He also highlighted the importance of better connectivity, modern infrastructure and opportunities for young people. Chugh said that Punjab deserves a state government that complements these efforts with responsible administration, sound financial management and a clear development agenda. Instead, he alleged, the AAP government has allowed mounting debt, unemployment, uncertainty for industry and the distress of farmers and government employees to become major concerns.
Chugh accused the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government of failing to honour its promise of making Punjab drug-free. He said that deaths due to drug overdose in Punjab rose from 89 in 2023 to 106 in 2024, while 2,085 kilograms of heroin were seized in the state in 2025, accounting for 58 per cent of the national total cited in the figures. He questioned how such a large quantity of narcotics continues to reach Punjab despite repeated campaigns and declarations by the state government. Referring to the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa on October 13, Chugh said that those who stand up against drug trafficking must receive protection, not be left vulnerable to violence. He called for decisive action against trafficking networks, their financial resources and those providing them protection, alongside treatment and rehabilitation for people affected by addiction. He said that families, religious institutions, doctors, teachers, sportspeople and social organisations must become active partners in the fight to save Punjab’s youth.
Chugh said that Punjab’s deteriorating law and order situation has become a grave concern for every law-abiding citizen. Referring to the killing of ASI Iqbal Singh in Tarn Taran, the killing of ASI Harjit Singh in Amritsar, the daylight shooting of influencer Mad Sandhu and repeated incidents of gangster violence, he questioned the state government’s ability to protect its citizens and police personnel. He cited the rise in registered crimes from 43,738 in 2022 to 47,677 in 2024, and the increase in murders from 660 to 762 during the same period. He said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the Home portfolio, must answer for the worsening situation. Chugh also raised concerns over corruption allegations, the state’s growing debt, difficulties faced by industry and farmers, and outstanding dearness allowance for government employees. He said that Punjab cannot attract investment, generate employment or restore public confidence without accountability, effective policing and credible administration.
Chugh said that the BJP is committed to building a drug-free, safe, healthy and economically confident Punjab. He outlined a five-point approach: dismantling drug trafficking networks, breaking the supply chain from cross-border smuggling to local distribution, targeting the proceeds and assets generated through drug crime, ensuring treatment and rehabilitation for affected youth, and mobilising society against addiction. Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s stated target of making Punjab drug-free by March 31, 2029, under a BJP government in the state, he called upon party workers to intensify public outreach across all 117 Assembly constituencies. He said that the fight against drugs must be supported by sustained enforcement and a society-wide commitment to protecting young people. Concluding his address, Chugh said that Punjab’s identity is defined by the teachings of the Gurus, the courage of its soldiers, the hard work of its farmers and the aspirations of its youth, not by drugs and gangsterism. The BJP, he said, will work to restore Punjab’s pride and help place the state at the forefront of a developed India by 2047.
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