Punjab

Punjab sets up 'smog war room' to tackle hazardous air pollution

But Wednesday's index score for Lahore fell short of last week's unprecedented score of 1900, which had exceeded recommended levels by more than 120 times, prompting closure of primary schools

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Khalistani sympathiser Amritpal's close aide Papalpreet Singh arrested

Radical preacher Amritpal Singh's close aide Papalpreet Singh has been arrested from Punjab's Hoshiarpur, police said on Monday. Papalpreet was arrested in a Punjab Police operation that also involved its counter intelligence wing, they said. Papalpreet is considered to be his mentor and has allegedly been in contact with Pakistan's ISI. Amritpal and Papalpreet had been on the run since March 18 when the Punjab Police launched a crackdown against the Khalistan sympathiser and his aides. The radical preacher escaped the police net in Jalandhar district on March 18, switching vehicles and changing appearances. He and his associates have been booked under several criminal cases related to spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police personnel and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duty by public servants.

Akali Dal's Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal, several others from Punjab join BJP

Prominent Akali Dal leaders Sardar Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal and Sardar Jasjeet Singh Atwal, along with several others from Punjab, joined the Bharatiya Janta party (BJP) in New Delhi on Sunday.

Punjab minister launches helpline for farmers to report unfair practices

Punjab Agriculture Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Saturday launched a helpline number and asked farmers to register complaints on it if they find any unfair practice during the special field inspection being conducted to assess crop loss due to inclement weather. Dhaliwal said he himself is supervising the ongoing work of 'girdawari' by visiting fields. He said the state government was fully committed to compensate farmers for their crop loss due to the rough weather. "My effort is that every farmer gets due compensation but if any farmer is facing inappropriate or unfair practice in the 'girdawari' process, then a concerned farmer can register his complaint on 9309388088 without any hesitation," Dhaliwal said in a statement here. He further said complaints can be made through WhatsApp on this number. The minister further said the complaint lodged on this number will be taken seriously and immediate action will be taken. He assured that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's promise

AAP MP seeks special package from Centre for weather-struck Punjab farmers

AAP MP Raghav Chadha Saturday sought from the Union Finance Minister a special package for Punjab farmers ensuring them adequate compensation for their crop damaged by an inclement weather. In a letter to the Finance Minister, Chadha, who is Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, sought to draw his attention towards the plight of the Punjab farmers, saying that since March 24, rains, high-velocity winds, and hailstorm have impacted wheat crop more than 14 lakh hectares of 34.9 lakh hectares of total wheat area in the state. "The unseasonal rains have adversely affected the yield and the quality of the standing wheat crop," said Chadha in his missive to the FM. "I met a Manjeet Singh at a village in Barwa, who clutched the stems of his damaged crop tightly as he described his plight with teary eyes. Manjeet has a sick wife to look after and a daughter to educate. "For those inspecting, loss of crop may well be just a matter of records and statistics. However, for our farmers, it also means a l

Punjab to miss fiscal targets by a wide margin due to freebies: Ind Ra

The AAP government's freebies push in Punjab will have the state, which already is one of the most fiscally stressed states, missing the fiscal targets by a wide margin yet again this fiscal, shows an analysis. According to an India Ratings' analysis of the Punjab budget for FY24, the Bhagwant Mann government will likely close the year with a fiscal deficit of Rs 33,216 crore which is a whopping 5.3 per cent of GSDP or gross state domestic product from the budgeted Rs 23,835 crore or 3.8 per cent in FY24. This comes on top of the state closing the previous year with a 5 per cent fiscal deficit. The Centre allows a state to borrow annually only 3 per cent of its GSDP and an additional 50 bps more on meeting certain reforms in the power distribution and public transport sectors. Punjab's fiscal stress will continue even in the medium-term and will remain one of the fiscally most stressed states, says Sunil Kumar Sinha, the senior director at the agency. This is because the state's .

Akali Dal exposes Rs 200-crore liquor scam in Punjab, demands CBI probe

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday exposed a Rs 200-crore liquor scam in the Excise Department in Punjab and demanded a CBI probe into the fraud

Punjab paid back entire Rs 20,200 cr electricity subsidy for FY22: Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Friday said the state has cleared its entire electricity subsidy bill of Rs 20,200 crore for the last financial year and has witnessed a jump in excise and GST revenue. Mann, addressing the media here, said the state has registered a revenue of Rs 8,841 crore for the financial year 2022-23, up by 41.41 per cent as against revenue of 2021-22. He said his government has set a target of 10,000 crore in excise revenue for the current fiscal, as he criticised the previous governments for allowing "liquor mafia" in the state. Mann said that the state has registered a 16.6 per cent jump in the Goods & Services Tax collection, earning Rs 18,126 crore in revenue for the year 2022-23. "We are now among the top states in terms of GST collection," he said. Mann said the state has registered a rise of 78 per cent in stamp duty and fee collection in the month of March. The government had earlier announced an exemption of 2.25 per cent on stamp duty and fees .

Netherland's firm keen to invest in Punjab's renewable energy sectors

Inviting the NexusNovus to invest in Punjab, the minister informed that Punjab is predominantly an agrarian state and over 20 million tonne paddy straw is being produced every year

AAP names former Congress leader Rinku as candidate for Jalandhar LS bypoll

Former Congress MLA Sushil Rinku on Thursday was named as the AAP's candidate for the upcoming Jalandhar Lok Sabha bypoll, a day after he joined the ruling party in Punjab. Polling for the Jalandhar parliamentary seat will take place on May 10 and counting of votes will be done on May 13. Rinku had joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the presence of party chief Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday. In a tweet, Mann on Thursday shared information about Rinku being named as the AAP candidate for the bypoll. Rinku was earlier the Congress MLA from Jalandhar West. In the 2022 assembly polls, he was defeated by AAP's Sheetal Angural. The Congress on Wednesday had expelled Rinku from the party for allegedly indulging in anti-party activities. The bypoll was necessitated due to the death of Congress MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary in January. The 76-year-old died after suffering a cardiac arrest during the party's Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jalandhar's Phillaur.

Punjab CM Mann overrules minister, scraps Rs 40 crore land scam inquiry

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has overruled decision of his own minister and ordered the closure of the Rs 40 crore Bhagtupura land scam inquiry

Pak's election commission announces Punjab poll on May 14 as directed by SC

Pakistan's election watchdog on Wednesday announced that it will hold the polls in the politically crucial Punjab province on May 14 as directed by the Supreme Court a day earlier. A three-member bench of the apex court led by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Tuesday fixed May 14 as the new date for elections to the Punjab Assembly, as it quashed the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) decision to extend the polls date from April 10 to October 8. As per the schedule announced by the election commission on Wednesday, polling for elections in Punjab will be held on May 14. The last date for filing an appeal against the decision of the Returning Officer regarding the nomination papers will be April 10. "The ECP hereby recalls its notification of even number dated March 22, 2023 and in partial modification to this commission's notification of March 8, 2023 hereby revises the following stages of the election programme for the conduct of general elections to the provincial assembly o

Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann launch 'CM di Yogshala' programme in Punjab

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday blamed the Centre for the suspension of free yoga classes under the AAP government's 'Dilli Ki Yogshala' initiative but expressed hope that it will restart again, saying good things cannot be stopped. He was speaking during the launch of 'CM di Yogshala' programme in Punjab. The initiative was initially launched for four cities -- Patiala, Amritsar, Ludhiana and Phagwara by Kejriwal along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. A 'CM di yogshala' portal was also launched on the occasion. Kejriwal was referring the AAP government's 'Dilli ki Yogshala' programme that offered free yoga classes and was launched in the national capital in 2021. The programme, however, was stopped last year amid a tussle between the city government and Lt Governor VK Saxena. Under the Punjab government's initiative, people could give a missed call on a helpline number 7669400500 to seek a free yoga teacher from the state government. Sixty people have

Fully geared up to deal with Covid-19: Punjab health minister Balbir Singh

Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh on Wednesday said the government is prepared to deal with any situation arising out of a rise in Covid cases. Currently, there was no Covid patient in ICU or on ventilator support in the state, Singh said and assured that the situation was under control. "Our oxygen plants are functional. Our staff, wards, emergency system, all are active," he said and asserted that "our entire system is fully geared up". The minister advised people to wear masks while going out, particularly in crowded places. He advised immunocompromised patients not to go out and asked those showing symptoms of cough and fever to get themselves tested for Covid. Singh also reviewed the arrangements at the government-run Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. Punjab on Tuesday had reported 73 fresh cases of coronavirus with the highest (22) in Mohali followed by 14 in Jalandhar and 11 in Ludhiana. There were 396 active cases in the state as on April 4 and the positivity rate was 3.27

Punjab govt to give all help to youth in setting up business ventures: Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday said his government will provide full support to the youth in starting new business ventures, stressing that they should become job providers instead of job seekers. In a video message, the chief minister said his government will also hold 'naujawan sabha' (youth meeting) twice a month during which youths will be able to share their business ideas and seek necessary help. Mann also pointed out the low enrolment in technical institutes. "(I) don't know why we are going away from studies," he said. The enrolment in Punjab Technical University is just 34-35 per cent. There are over 40,000 students in Lovely Professional University in Jalandhar but only 5,200-5,500 of them are from Punjab, he said. "Today's time is for technical education and we are not taking admissions," he added. Mann said youths of Punjab have the talent and potential to excel in their lives but somehow they do not get enough opportunities. "The Punjab government

Kejriwal, Mann to jointly launch Punjab's 'CM di Yogshala' on Apr 5

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will launch 'CM di Yogshala' programme in Punjab on Wednesday, the party said in a statement here. The statement came a day after Mann said his government will initially start 'CM di Yogshala' initiative in four cities -- Amritsar, Ludhiana, Phagwara and Patiala. Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Tuesday said they have launched a helpline 7669400500 where people can give a missed call to seek a free yoga teacher from the state government. People will be able to get all kinds of information about diet and yoga exercise, he said. "Today, so many people are suffering from diseases related to the respiratory system, blood pressure, sugar levels and heart issues. Therapeutic yoga can help all these patients a great deal," Singh said. He said 60 people have been trained at Guru Ravidas University to teach yoga under the 'CM di Yogshala' initiative. "With 'CM di Yogshala', people will lead a healthier life, they wi

Ensure farmers receive crop loss compensation before Baisakhi: CM Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday asked officials to expedite the process of special 'girdawari' (revenue survey) to assess crop damage due to inclement weather and ensure that farmers receive compensation before Baisakhi. Baisakhi will be celebrated on April 14. Untimely rains, hailstorm and high-velocity winds have damaged wheat and other crops in many areas of Punjab. The state government has announced a 25 per cent hike in compensation for crop loss due to the vagaries of weather. In a statement issued here, Mann asked all the MLAs to meet the affected farmers. "The MLAs should meet the farmers and listen to their grievances. Likewise, the officers should make sure that the special 'girdawari' is completed soon so that we can disburse compensation before Baisakhi," Mann said in a statement here. Expressing solidarity with the farmers who lost their crops due to rain and hailstorm, Mann said his government is with the food growers in this hour of crisis. He said th

Punjab gives nod to 25% hike in crop loss compensation due to untimely rain

The Punjab Cabinet on Friday gave nod to 25 per cent hike in compensation for crop loss because of vagaries of weather. A decision to this effect was taken by the council of ministers in the Cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Bhagwant Mann, said an official statement. Keeping in view the loss incurred by the farmers recently due to heavy rains, hailstorms and strong winds, the Cabinet has decided to enhance the relief amount from Rs 12,000 per acre to Rs 15,000 per acre for 76 to 100 per cent for loss of crops. This measure will give a healing touch to the affected farmers who will be able to get a reasonable financial relief from the government. The relief rate will be applicable from March 1, it said. Untimely rain accompanied by hail and high-velocity winds in the recent past have caused damage to wheat in several parts of the state. The Cabinet in another decision gave its consent to extend the exemption of 2.25 per cent stamp duty and fees on registration of propertie

Cong leader Navjot Sidhu likely to be released from Patiala jail tomorrow

Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu is likely to be released from the Patiala jail on April 1, said his counsel HPS Varma on Friday. The 59-year-old was serving a one-year sentence in a 1988 road rage case. On May 20 last year, Sidhu, the former Punjab Congress chief, was jailed following his surrender before a court in Patiala after he was sentenced to one-year rigorous imprisonment by the Supreme Court. The top court had in its order said any sympathy in imposing an inadequate sentence would do more harm to the justice system and undermine the public confidence in the efficacy of law. A 65-year-old man, named Gurnam Singh, had died in the incident. Varma said as per the Punjab Prison rules, a convict with good behaviour is entitled for general remission. "He is most likely to be released on Saturday from the Patiala jail," said Varma.