A round table with industry associations from across Punjab was held on Thursday here, with state Industry Minister Sanjeev Arora and Finance Minister Harpal Cheema with the main demand to revamp all focal points and industrial zones.

At the outset, the industry representatives expressed gratitude to the Punjab government for announcing the long-pending one-time settlement policy, allowing resolution of litigated industrial plot dues in focal points by paying eight per cent interest penalty.

Various critical issues affecting industry were raised, including the urgent need to revamp all focal points and industrial zones, capping high mortgage and hypothecation fees for industrial loans, reduction of GST on bicycles from 12 to five per cent, rationalisation of wheeling charges for solar power transmission, provision of dry port container facilities for rice exporters in Amritsar and expediting the development of convention centres in Amritsar, Mohali, and Ludhiana.

Punjab Water Resources Minister Barindar Kumar Goyal on Tuesday informed the Assembly that the proposal to widen the Ghaggar river near Tiwana village in Dera Bassi and strengthen its embankment is under consideration.

Replying to the call attention motion moved by Kuljit Singh Randhawa, the minister said that due to heavy rainfall in 2023, the water level in the Ghaggar had risen significantly.

Consequently, floodwater from the Ghaggar inundated the cultivable land on the left bank, and erosion caused the ground level to drop by approximately eight to 10 feet.

Subsequently, the department installed stone revetment and studs along a 2,500-foot stretch to protect the cultivable land from erosion. To support this revetment, an embankment was constructed behind it by filling it with soil.

He informed that the department spent Rs 5.06 crore on this project. Minister Goyal said that heavy rainfall in the Ghaggar's catchment area on June 29 caused the river's water level to surge suddenly, but the stone revetment remained completely intact.

After three hours of intense debate of allegations and counter allegations, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday unanimously decided to refer the highly emotive Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill of 2025 to a select committee for consultation with all stakeholders.

On the suggestion of both the treasury and the opposition benches, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan said the select committee would gather public opinion on the Bill and return with recommendations within six months.

Earlier, the Chief Minister proposed a four-month timeline. The Bill proposes stringent penalties for sacrilege-related offences, prescribing a minimum sentence of 10 years, extendable to life imprisonment, along with fines ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.

The holy scriptures referred to in the Bill are Guru Granth Sahib or extracts thereof, the Bhagavad Gita, the Quran and the Bible.

In a significant milestone for Indian urology, a team from the Department of Urology at PGIMER have performed India’s first robot-assisted vasovasostomy.

This pioneering procedure offers a modern alternative to the conventional microscope-based technique used in male infertility surgery. The patient, a 43-year-old man, presented with secondary infertility due to vasectomy and was discharged the next day following surgery.

To mark the occasion of Van Mahotsav, DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh organized a Tree Plantation Drive on its campus on 5th July 2025. The event was held in collaboration with the Forest Department, Chandigarh, as part of a collective effort to promote environmental sustainability and awareness among students.
A total of 70 saplings were planted during the drive, including a diverse mix of flowering, medicinal, and fruit-bearingplants. The plantation aimed to enhance the college’s green cover while also educating students on the ecological importance of trees.

In a proud and inspirational moment for the city and the nation, Cadet Padma Namgail of DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh, has achieved the extraordinary by successfully scaling Mount Everest in May 2025.

DAV College, Chandigarh extends its profound and heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed members of the DAV Managing Committee, the venerable Former Principal Shri R.C. Jeevan, and the Hon’ble Justice Pritampal, Senior Vice President, whose unwavering support, visionary guidance, and steadfast commitment continue to illuminate the path of our institution. Their enduring encouragement stands as a pillar of strength, inspiring excellence and nurturing the noble pursuit of knowledge.

DAV College, Sector-10, Chandigarh proudly unveiled its Prospectus for the academic session 2025–26. The occasion was marked by the esteemed presence of Sh. Shiv Raman Gaur, Director, Higher Education, DAV College Managing Committee,who officially released the prospectus. Dr. Mona Narang, Principal of DAV College and Dr Ghanshyam Dev, Registrar, DAV College Chandigarh  also graced the occasion with their presence.
Sh. Shiv Raman Gaur highlighted the college’s rich legacy, illustrious alumni, and innovative teaching practices that have made it one of the premier institutions in North India. He expressed confidence that the newly released prospectus would guide aspiring students towards making informed educational choices.

On the World Environment Day, Desh Bhagat Radio, 107.8 FM (Aap Ki Awaz) Chandigarh in collaboration with State Bank of India (SBI) organised a Cyclothon ``End Plastic pollution”. Regarding the event, station head RJ Sangmitra, Desh Bhagat Radio shared the information that the World Environment Day acts as a reminder to people to be more considerate and aware of the Earth’s existing condition, in terms of the environment. We all should try to create awareness among people to maintain a plastic free Environment. She also said that this cyclothon is an initiative taken every year by DB Radio 107.8 FM. The cyclothon started from SBI local head office (LHO) sector 17 to sukhna lake via Matka chowk at 6:30 am and more than 400 people had registered for it.

The Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has approved a major amendment to the Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958, aimed at reducing compliance burdens on 95% small businesses and enhancing the ease of doing business in the state.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Council of Ministers held today at the Chief Minister’s official residence.

A spokesperson from the Chief Minister’s Office disclosed that, under this progressive amendment, all establishments employing up to 20 workers will be exempted from all provisions of the Act. This move is expected to directly benefit lakhs of shopkeepers across Punjab. However, such establishments will still be required to submit relevant information to the Labour Department within six months of the Act coming into force or the commencement of their business.