Mohali: Punjab defence services welfare and horticulture minister Mohinder Bhagat unfurled the Tricolour and took the salute at the 77th Republic Day function at Shaheed Major Harminder Pal Singh Govt College, Phase 6, Mohali.
He reiterated the state govt’s focus on strengthening healthcare, improving education, creating jobs and intensifying the fight against drugs and organised crime.Bhagat paid tributes to freedom fighters, Dr B R Ambedkar and the armed forces. He noted the ex gratia for martyrs and Agniveers had been raised to Rs 1 crore, the pension for freedom fighters increased to Rs 11,000, and 1% job reservation provided for their dependants.
On healthcare, he said the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana offers cashless treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh per family across govt and empanelled hospitals, covering 2,356 procedures. He added that 63,000 government jobs had been filled on merit. Reaffirming the state’s crackdown on drugs, he said 45,000 accused had been arrested. He also announced that the Progressive Punjab Investment Summit 2026 will be held in Mohali from March 13–15. tnnBhagat said the state raised Rs 36,948 crore from excise, Rs 81,417 crore from GST and Rs 19,016 crore from stamp duty in the past 3.5 years. The horticulture area expanded to 5.91 lakh hectares. The celebrations included a march past led by DSP City-1 Prithvi Singh Chahal, cultural performances, NCC contingents and tableaux. Awards were given to 81 individuals, five Veer Naris were honoured and 13 sewing machines distributed by the Red Cross Society.BOXRepublic Day Celebrated at District Court Complex, MohaliDistrict and sessions judge Atul Kasana unfurled the Tricolour at the District Court Complex, Mohali, and greeted judicial officers, court staff and students. The event concluded with the National Anthem sung by students of Government High School, Landran.
