Briefs: 44 more Sewa Kendras to be set up in state: Minister

Chandigarh: In a move to enhance citizen experience through more efficient governance and service delivery, the state government is expanding its services network by adding 44 more Sewa Kendras across the state. The expansion includes setting up 16 new kendras and reopening 28 previously closed ones, said Aman Arora, Minister of Good Governance and Information Technology.

National award for state

Chandigarh: Industries and Commerce, Investment Promotion and NRI Affairs Minister Sanjeev Arora said the state had been awarded gold medal in the “state category” for the prestigious national “One District, One Product” Awards-2024. The award was announced on July 14 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, by Union minister Piyush Goyal. It was received by Surabhi Malik, Director, Industries and Commerce, Punjab.

116 drug smugglers held

Chandigarh: With “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign having completed 137 days, the police on Wednesday arrested 116 drug smugglers and seized 532 gm heroin, 51 kg poppy husk and Rs 39,570 drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested so far has gone up to 22,226.

72 kg poppy pods seized

Sangrur: The Lehra police have seized 72 kg of poppy pods from a car while its two occupants managed to flee towards the fields when they saw a police party near Haryau village. A case has been registered against Hardeep Singh of Bijalpur village in Patiala district, and an unidentified person under the NDPS Act.

Punjab