Two Punjab villages ban kite flying over deaths, injuries due to Chinese manjha
CHANDIGARH, Jan 28: Two gram panchayats in Sangrur and Bathinda districts in Punjab have decided to ban kite flying in their villages in the wake of recent deaths and injuries caused by the use of banned Chinese manjha, glass-coated synthetic strings used for flying kites. Two villages Jhaloor in Lehragaga block in Sangrur and Bhaini Chuhar in Bathinda passed resolutions in their respective panchayats to ban kite flying and the sale of kites. Jhaloor village Sarpanch Gurwinder Singh said [] The post Two Punjab villages ban kite flying over deaths, injuries due to Chinese manjha appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
From Bathinda to Kartavya Path: Punjab lad commands T-90 Bhishma tank at RD parade
2 held, gaming fraud racket busted in Bathinda
Vigilance probes paper leak as 22 of 100 job exam toppers from Bathinda
Bathinda youth dies of pneumonia in Canada, kin seeks help to bring body back
Punjab government approves modernisation of bus terminals in five districts
Punjab is set to modernize its major bus terminals in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Sangrur, Patiala, and Bathinda through a Public Private Partnership. This initiative aims to significantly enhance passenger facilities, safety, and overall efficiency at these vital transport hubs. The upgrades will focus on improved waiting areas, sanitation, accessibility, and integrated commercial spaces, ensuring better connectivity for millions daily.
In a heartbreaking incident early Saturday on Bathinda's Bharatmala Expressway, a Fortuner SUV, struggling through thick fog, tragically collided with a road divider near Gurthari village. Among the five victims were a woman constable from Gujarat who had been returning from a Himachal Pradesh vacation.
Congress to contest 2027 Punjab polls under joint party leadership: Bhupesh Baghel
Addressing a press conference in Bathinda, Mr. Baghel said all senior leaders of the party are chief ministerial faces
Punjab Govt preparing youth for competitive exams through Mission Pragati: Mann
BATHINDA, Jan 11: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday said the State Government is making focused efforts to prepare the youth for future competitive examinations by providing free academic and physical training under Mission Pragati. Interacting with students at the district library here, Mann said the initiative has been launched to support rural and meritorious students who cannot afford costly coaching. Free coaching has started at the district library for exams related to the Services Selection Board [] The post Punjab Govt preparing youth for competitive exams through Mission Pragati: Mann appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Fog reduces visibility in parts of Punjab, Haryana
Bathinda was the coldest place in Punjab recording a minimum temperature of 1.6 degrees Celsius while Hisar, at a low of 2.2 degrees Celsius, was the coldest place in Haryana, according to the weather office
Intense cold weather prevail at many places in Haryana, Punjab
At 4.5 Celsius each, Bathinda and Faridkot in Punjab also reeled under intense cold, recording similar minimum temperatures
An NRI, Harwinder Singh alias Sonu, died in Punjabs Fazilka district after a loaded pistol tucked into his waist accidentally went off while he was at home with relatives. The incident was captured on CCTV. He was rushed to hospital but died on the way to Bathinda. Police conducted a post-mortem and handed over the body to the family.
Punjab, Haryana reel under intense cold as dense fog envelops many areas
CHANDIGARH: Punjab and Haryana are reeling under intense cold while dense fog enveloped many areas in both states on Saturday. Ballowal Saunkhri in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district was the coldest place in Punjab, recording a low of 4.4 degrees Celsius, according to a report of the local meteorological department. Among other areas in Punjab, Amritsar recorded a low of 5.1 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal. Ludhiana shivered at 4.6 degrees Celsius while Patiala's minimum was 7 degrees Celsius. Pathankot, Bathinda, Faridkot and Gurdaspur recorded their respective lows of 5.4, 6, 4.9 and 5.8 degrees Celsius. Chandigarh, the joint capital of the two states, recorded a minimum of 6.9 degrees Celsius. In neighbouring Haryana, Gurugram was the coldest place with a low of 4.9 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in Ambala was recorded at 9.3 degrees Celsius, three degrees above normal, while Hisar's low was 5 degrees Celsius. Karnal recorded a low of 8 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal. Narnaul, Rohtak, Bhiwani and Sirsa registered minimum temperatures of 5.5, 7.2, 6.5 and 7 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Politics over nomenclature of Veer Bal Diwas, Centre tell states to host events in schools
CHANDIGARH: Politics has erupted over the nomenclature of Veer Bal Diwas after the Union government wrote to all states and Union Territories directing them to organise activities in schools on Friday to mark the day, which commemorates the martyrdom of the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh. Despite demands from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the Akal Takht, the Congress, several Members of Parliament and Sikh scholars seeking a change in the nomenclature, the Centre has refused to rename Veer Bal Diwas. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has rejected the demand, hitting back at its former ally SAD, saying the name was acceptable earlier and became objectionable only after the alliance broke. In a letter sent last week to additional chief secretaries and secretaries of the departments of school education and literacy under the Union Ministry of Education, schools were instructed to organise activities such as drawing, storytelling, essay writing, poem recitation, debates and digital presentations. The instructions apply to all schools, including Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas. Veer Bal Diwas is organised annually as a nationwide initiative dedicated to honouring children as the foundation of Indias future. This initiative emphasises nurturing young minds and inspiring them to contribute to the vision of a Viksit Bharat, the letter said. In a subsequent communication dated December 22, the ministry said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the main event at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Friday. On January 9, 2022, the Union government designated December 26 as Veer Bal Diwas to honour the supreme sacrifice of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, the younger sons of the 10th Sikh Guru, who were martyred in 1705 at the ages of nine and six, respectively. Delhi Shiromani Akali Dal chief Paramjit Singh Sarna said the demand to rename the observance as Sahibzadey Shahadat Diwas was rooted in historical accuracy, ethical reasoning and the partys long-held position. Sarna recalled that in 2019, the SAD had formally supported replacing Bal Diwas, earlier observed on the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, with a national observance marking the martyrdom of the Sahibzadey of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. There is no inconsistency, as is being alleged, Sarna said. The party has always maintained that the martyrdom of Sahibzada Baba Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Baba Fateh Singh deserved national recognition. When the Centre instituted Veer Bal Diwas, it acknowledged that position. At the same time, the name attached to a commemoration carries weight, because language shapes how history is understood. He said the phrase Veer Bal, while emotionally evocative, was broad and imprecise and risked obscuring the specific historical event being marked. This is not a general observance of childhood courage. It commemorates a recorded shaheedi in which the Sahibzadey were bricked alive for refusing to renounce their faith. The term Sahibzadey Shahadat Diwas conveys that reality directly, without dilution, he said. Sarna added that aligning the national observance with the terminology Sahibzadey Shahadat Diwas, as articulated by Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, would strengthen public understanding. Recognition without precision reduces history to abstraction. Precision itself is a form of respect, he said. Meanwhile, AAP MP from Anandpur Sahib, Malvinder Singh Kang, wrote to Prime Minister Modi on December 9 on the issue. Akal Takhts acting jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, also wrote to Sikh MPs urging them to formally request a name change. Congress MLA from Bholath, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, strongly objected to commemorating the martyrdom of the Sahibzadey under the name Veer Bal Diwas, saying it undermines the historical, spiritual and moral magnitude of their sacrifice. Responding to the controversy, BJP Punjab state spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal issued a rebuttal to the Shiromani Akali Dal and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal. Citing an earlier public tweet by Harsimrat, Baliawal said she herself had advocated commemorating the martyrdom of the Sahibzadey under the title Bal Diwas in 2019. He questioned why a term considered appropriate by the Akali Dal until then had suddenly become objectionable after the breakdown of the BJPSAD alliance. Baliawal further pointed out that in 2018, during an event organised at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal had expressed concurrence with the name Bal Diwas. He said the present opposition by the Akali Dal contradicted its own earlier stand. BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa also defended the Centres decision, saying the existing name appropriately honours the supreme martyrdom of the Sahibzadey.
Punjab government to hold special assembly session against replacement of MGNREGA with VB G RAM G
CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government will convene a special session of the state assembly next month to protest the replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB G RAM G), which it views as the union governments attempt to hit the livelihoods of the poor. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, The BJP government at the Centre is trying to hit the livelihoods of the poor by replacing the MGNREGA scheme. A special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha will be called in the second week of January to raise the voice of Punjabis against this oppression. The decision to convene the special assembly session was taken by the partys top leaders, including AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, on Thursday evening. Kejriwal is currently on a three-day tour of the state. The previous special session of the Vidhan Sabha, held on November 24, was prorogued by the Governor on December 17. Meanwhile, several unions have begun protesting against the replacement of MGNREGA with VB G RAM G. Lachman Singh Sewewal, general secretary of Punjab Khet Mazdoor Unions, said protests were held yesterday in Bathinda, Moga, Muktsar, Faridkot, and Sangrur, where effigies of the Central Government were burnt. He added that the change in the scheme would remove assured employment in rural areas and was being introduced to erase the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. The VB G RAM G Bill was recently introduced in Parliament and passed amid protests by opposition MPs. Since the new funding model will require states to contribute financially, its implementation could pose a challenge for cash-strapped states like Punjab. Punjab AAP spokesperson Neel Garg alleged that the union government has relied on hollow slogans and political theatrics to mislead the public while systematically eroding welfare guarantees for the poorest. This is not merely a change of name, nor about removing Mahatma Gandhis name. The real issue is that the Centre has effectively sounded the death knell for MGNREGA and is trying to hide its anti-labour agenda behind manufactured TV debates and distractions, he said. Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said the move was not a routine policy adjustment but a direct assault on Mahatma Gandhis legacy and a calculated rollback of one of independent Indias most transformative social security legislations. He warned that shifting MGNREGA from 100% central funding to a 60:40 CentreState cost-sharing formula would place an unbearable fiscal burden on financially stressed states. This decision arms the Centre with another tool to discriminate against opposition-ruled states by arbitrarily curtailing funds. It strikes at the foundation of cooperative federalism and threatens a crucial employment lifeline for rural India, Bajwa asserted. Highlighting Punjabs financial challenges, he said the BJP has consistently squeezed opposition-ruled states by withholding the Rural Development Fund (RDF) and delaying GST compensation. Punjab and several other states were forced to fight for their legitimate GST dues. In such a hostile fiscal environment, imposing additional financial liabilities will only push cash-starved states deeper into distress, he added. Bajwa emphasised that the BJPs policy shift would disproportionately harm societys most vulnerable sections. Dalits, landless labourers, and marginalized rural workers will bear the brunt of this regressive decision. This is not reformit is ideological vandalism and an unapologetic attack on social justice, he stated. The Shiromani Akali Dal also expressed concern over the Centres proposal to institute a 60:40 cost-sharing ratio, calling it fundamentally unacceptable as it diluted the core essence of the scheme and undermined its primary objective of guaranteeing livelihood security through wage employment in rural areas.
Zero visibility across north India as IMD sounds red alert for Delhi
A thick blanket of dense fog covered large parts of north India on Friday morning, severely impacting the visibility. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Delhi, warning of major disruptions to road, rail and air traffic. Satellite imagery showed widespread fog over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, northeast Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. Visibility dropped to zero metres at several locations, including Agra, Bareilly, Saharanpur and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh; Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bathinda and Adampur in Punjab; Safdarjung in Delhi; Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh; Bhagalpur in Bihar; and Daltonganj in Jharkhand. The IMD cautioned that extremely poor visibility could impact airport operations and cause delays on highways and railway routes. An orange alert was issued for multiple districts in Uttar Pradesh, parts of Uttarakhand, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar, and several districts in Punjab, including Amritsar, Patiala and Sangrur. Meteorologists warned of hazardous driving conditions and an increased risk of road accidents, along with the possibility of power line tripping in affected regions. Residents were advised to avoid unnecessary travel, use fog lights, and stay updated on transport advisories. According to IMD definitions, very dense fog occurs when visibility ranges between 0 and 50 metres, while dense fog refers to visibility between 51 and 200 metres. As North India chokes, there can be no hiding 'behind the smokescreen of farm fires anymore' In Delhi, early morning visibility remained poor due to dense fog mixed with smog. Delhis air quality remained alarming, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 382, placing it in the very poor category and close to severe. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed that 14 monitoring stations reported severe air quality, while the remaining recorded very poor levels. Vivek Vihar registered the worst AQI at 434. The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi has forecast that air quality will stay very poor until Saturday and may deteriorate to severe on Sunday. Meanwhile, stricter pollution control measures came into effect in the national capital on Thursday. The entry of non-Delhi private vehicles below BS-VI emission standards has been banned, and the No PUC, No Fuel rule is being enforced. Fuel stations are denying fuel to vehicles without valid Pollution Under Control certificates, with checks supported by automatic number plate reader cameras, voice alerts and police deployment. 'More headline and image management': Unreliable data mask just how bad India's air quality crisis is
Punjab Declares Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, Talwandi Sabo As Holy Cities
The Punjab government has declared the walled city of Amritsar, Sri Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district, and Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district as Holy Cities of the state, imposing wide-ranging restrictions to preserve their religious sanctity.
The Punjab government on Monday formally declared the walled city of Amritsar, Sri Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district, and Talwandi Sabo (Sri Damdama Sahib) in Bathinda district as Holy Cities of the state, imposing wide-ranging restrictions to preserve their religious sanctity.
Cash-strapped Punjab government hopes to generate Rs 3000 crore by selling land under OUVGL Scheme
CHANDIGARH: The cash-strapped AAP-led Punjab government, whose outstanding debt touched Rs 3.98 lakh crore till October this year, hopes to generate Rs 3,000 crore through monetisation. It has identified parcels of unused land to be developed and sold under the three-decade-old Optimum Utilisation of Vacant Government Lands (OUVGL) Scheme to fulfil its pre-poll promise of providing a Rs 1,100 per month honorarium to all women in the state. With only 14 months left for the Assembly elections, the move is aimed at tiding over the financial crisis. Most of these lands belong to the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). Employees and officers of the corporation have now decided to launch a protest movement against the sale of power sector land and assets, saying it will severely compromise future expansion of critical infrastructure such as substations, transmission corridors and power projects. Sources said a meeting of the empowered committee of the OUVGL, headed by Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, was held on Thursday, during which the development costs and net revenue expected from disposing of several land pockets in Patiala, Bathinda, Amritsar, Ludhiana and Jalandhar were discussed. It is estimated that Rs 2,789 crore could be generated from the sale of these land parcels belonging to PSPCL, the Health Department, the Transport Department, MARKFED, the Punjab Mandi Board, the Punjab Agro Industries Corporation and the Punjab Khadi and Village Industries Board. Of the Rs 3,000 crore the state hopes to generate from the sale of these assets, the maximum revenue of Rs 2,219.58 crore is expected to come from six PSPCL properties in Patiala, Bathinda, Ludhiana and Jalandhar that are being considered for disposal. These properties are proposed to be transferred to urban development authorities. The meeting also reviewed progress in retrieving land from various departments for transfer to these authorities, sources said. Discussions were also held on transferring a 57.82-acre site in Mullanpur Garibdas village in Mohali from the Forest Department to the urban development authority. The land was first transferred to PUDA in March 2004, but in October 2010 the empowered committee of PUDA approved its transfer to the Forest Department as it fell under a green belt where a nature park was later developed after compensatory afforestation. About 19 acres of the land were left untouched as they were encroached upon. As the land is not classified as forest land and was only used for compensatory afforestation, the government believes it can now be used for other activities. In lieu of this, compensatory afforestation would be carried out on a parcel of government land in Ludhiana, sources said. Meanwhile, officers and employees from various unions and associations of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited held a meeting. After detailed deliberations, all unions unanimously resolved to launch a joint protest movement against the sale of power sector land and assets. They expressed deep concern that the sale of valuable land would severely compromise future expansion of critical infrastructure such as substations, transmission corridors and power projects. The unions demanded that the government immediately withdraw the proposal and warned that any attempt to harm or compromise power sector assets would trigger immediate and statewide protests.
CHANDIGARH: A few days after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) objected to the Punjab governments proposed programme to celebrate Veer Bal Diwas in Ludhiana on December 12, the Akal Takht (highest temporal seat of Sikhs) has shot off a letter to all Sikh MPs, asking them to urge the Centre to rename Veer Bal Diwas as Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas. Sending these letters via email to the MPs, Akal Takht acting jathedar (high priest) Kuldip Singh Gargaj directed Sikh MPs to strongly represent Sikh sentiments in Parliament and press to officially declare the martyrdom day of the Sahibzadas as Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas. These letters have been sent to eleven Lok Sabha MPs from Punjab -- Dr Amar Singh from Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurjeet Singh Aujla from Amritsar, Harsimrat Kaur Badal from Bathinda, Malwinder Singh from Anandpur Sahib, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa from Gurdaspur, Gurmeet Singh from Sangrur, Sher Singh from Ferozepur, Sarabjit Singh from Faridkot, Charanjit Singh from Jalandhar, Amritpal Singh from Khadoor Sahib and Amarinder Singh Raja Warring from Ludhiana besides two Rajya Sabha MPs Vikramjit Singh and Harbhajan Singh. The letter has also been sent to Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. The letter states that the Union government has been observing the Sahibzadas martyrdom day as Veer Bal Diwas since 2022 which misrepresents Sikh ethos and tenets. Gargaj said that although the Sahibzadas were young in age at the time of their martyrdom, their sacrifice was no less significant than that of any adult. He added that devotees have been conveying their objections to this nomenclature, prompting the Akal Takht to act. On its instructions, the SGPC had already written to the Union government urging that the day be renamed Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas in line with Sikh beliefs, he said. The central government has designated December 26 as Veer Bal Diwas to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Gobind Singhs sons Baba Fateh Singh and Baba Jorawar Singh. A few days back a controversy had erupted when the SGPC and other Sikh bodies objected to the proposal of the state government to celebrate Veer Bal Diwas in Ludhiana on December 12. They claimed that the event violated Sikh tenets, particularly the proposal to hold fancy-dress contests asking children to dress as the Sahibzadas, Mata Gujar Kaur or Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, an act they said hurts Sikh sentiments.
Severe cold grips north India; IMD warns of cold wave, fog across multiple states
NEW DELHI: Cold conditions prevailed across north India on Sunday, with the Amarnath yatra base camp being the coldest recorded place in Jammu and Kashmir at minus 4.3 degrees Celsius and parts of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan reporting minimum temperatures between three and seven degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said cold wave conditions were very likely to prevail in isolated pockets over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha on Monday and Tuesday. In Delhi, the minimum temperature was recorded at eight degrees, up from 6.8 degrees a day ago and yet 1.6 notches below normal. The maximum temperature was 24.7 degrees Celsius, 0.1 notch below normal, while the relative humidity was 92 per cent in the morning. For Monday, the weather department forecast a minimum of 10 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 25 degrees Celsius, with mist expected. Pollution levels in Delhi remained in the very poor category on Sunday, prolonging the spell of toxic air that has hung over its residents for several weeks now. The city logged a 24-hour average AQI of 308. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI between 0 and 50 is classified good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor and 401 and 500 severe. Further in the north, the night temperatures in Kashmir rose by several degrees but stayed below the freezing point, officials said. The Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir, which serves as the base camp for the annual Amarnath yatra, was the coldest recorded place in Jammu and Kashmir as the minimum settled at a low of minus 4.3 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in Srinagar -- the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir -- settled at minus 0.9 degrees Celsius, a rise of 3.2 degrees compared to the previous night. The gateway town to the valley, Qazigund, recorded a low of minus one degree Celsius, while the minimum settled at minus 0.8 degree Celsius in north Kashmir's Kupwara, and 1.1 degrees Celsius in south Kashmir's Kokernag, according to officials. The meteorological department said the weather would remain generally cloudy but dry on Sunday, and a brief spell of light snowfall at isolated places in the higher reaches of north and central Kashmir is likely on December 8. In Himachal Pradesh, The IMD predicted dense fog in parts of the state until Wednesday. A yellow alert for dense fog was also issued in parts of the reservoir area of the Bhakra dam in Bilaspur district and over some parts of the Balh valley in Mandi district during early morning till Monday. In Punjab, Faridkot remained the coldest place, with the minimum temperature settling at 4.4 degrees Celsius, while in Haryana, Narnaul saw the lowest temperature at 4.6 degrees Celsius, according to the local meteorological department. Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a minimum temperature of 8.2 degrees Celsius. In Punjab, Bathinda and Gurdaspur recorded a minimum temperature of 4.6 degrees Celsius, while Ferozepur recorded 6 degrees, Amritsar 6.1 degrees, Ludhiana 6.8 degrees, and Patiala 8.9 degrees. In Haryana, Bhiwani recorded a low of six degrees, Hisar 6.2 degrees, Sirsa 6.6 degrees, Karnal seven degrees, Rohtak 7.8 degrees, and Ambala 9.8 degrees. Rajasthan, similarly, reeled under intense cold, the Meteorological Centre here said. Fatehpur in the Sikar district continued to record the lowest minimum temperature, albeit at 3.5 degrees Celsius, slightly up from 2.3 degrees a day ago. According to the weather department, Lunkaransar (Bikaner) recorded a low of 5 degrees Celsius, followed by Dausa at 6 degrees, Churu at 6.3 degrees, Vanasthali (Tonk) at 6.4 degrees and Jhunjhunu at 7.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday morning. The department said a fresh but weak western disturbance is likely to cause partly cloudy skies in some parts of the state over the next few days. Under its influence, the minimum temperature is expected to rise by two to three degrees Celsius, providing relief from the cold wave, it said. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, eight districts recorded minimum temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, the IMD said, noting a cold wave in parts of the state. Gumla recorded the lowest temperature in the state at 3.5 degrees Celsius up from three degrees Celsius while Khunti logged five degrees Celsius, the IMD weather bulletin stated. The minimum temperature in Jharkhand's capital, Ranchi, was 7.5 degrees Celsius, while Daltonganj recorded 6.5 degrees and Jamshedpur recorded 9.6 degrees Celsius. Deputy Director of the Ranchi Meteorological Centre, Abhishek Anand, said, North-westerly winds prevailing in the lower tropospheric levels over Jharkhand have caused the drop in mercury. Dry weather conditions are likely to prevail across the state over the next five days.The minimum temperature may rise by 2-3 degrees Celsius during the next 72 hours, he added. In West Bengal, the mercury dipped below the 10-degree mark for the first time this winter in the state's plains with Sriniketan in Birbhum districts recording a minimum temperature of 9.8 degrees Celsius on Sunday, the IMD said. Its forecast for West Bengal suggested dry weather across all districts of West Bengal for the next week, with shallow to moderate fog likely in the northern districts. Darjeeling was the coldest in the hills at 6.2 degrees Celsius, while the other Himalayan tourist town of Kalimpong was warmer at 10.5 degrees Celsius. The other places which recorded low night temperatures are Alipurduar (11 degrees), Kalyani (11.4 degrees), Purulia (11.4 degrees) and Panagarh (11.9 degrees). Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 15.2 degrees Celsius, the IMD said, forecasting mist in the morning on Monday. IMD further predicted dense fog conditions in isolated pockets of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura between December 8 and 12. It was also very likely in parts of west Madhya Pradesh on Monday and in Odisha until Tuesday. In west India, a gradual fall by two to three degrees over the next three-four days is expected, and no significant change is anticipated thereafter, the IMD said.
Northern India shivers as temperatures plunge; Delhi chokes under very poor air
North India continued to reel under sharp winter conditions on Friday, with large parts of Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana recording minimum temperatures well below normal, even as Kashmir saw a brief improvement in the cold due to overcast skies. Delhi, meanwhile, remained choked under very poor air quality as a cold wave was forecast for the day. Rajasthan recorded the lowest temperature in the region, with Fatehpur in Sikar district plunging to 1.9C on Friday morning. The Jaipur Meteorological Centre said minimum temperatures stayed below 10 degrees Celsius across several districts, including Sikar at 3C, Nagaur at 3.1C, Lunkaransar at 3.2C, Churu at 4.5C and Pilani at 4.8C. Dry conditions are likely to persist over most parts of the state for the next week, it added. Bone-chilling cold also gripped Punjab and Haryana. Faridkot, at 3C, was the coldest among the two states. In Punjab, Bathinda recorded 3.2C, while Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Gurdaspur and Ferozepur reported lows between 5.5C and 6.2C. In neighbouring Haryana, Narnaul was the coldest at 3.5C, while Hisar recorded 3.7C. Karnal, Rohtak, Bhiwani and Sirsa registered temperatures ranging between 5.4C and 7.7C. Chandigarh, the shared capital, reported a minimum of 6.1C. Kashmir, however, witnessed an improvement in night temperatures as cloud cover pushed the mercury above those recorded in recent days. Srinagar, which had plunged to 4C the previous night, recorded a low of 0.4Cover four degrees higher. Qazigund reported 0.2C, Kupwara 0.2C, Kokernag 0.8C, Pahalgam 1.8C and Gulmarg 0C. Konibal in Pulwama district remained the coldest in the Union Territory at 3C. The weather office said light snowfall is possible in the higher reaches later on Friday, while another brief spell is likely on December 8. In Delhi, there was no respite from toxic air as the Air Quality Index stood at 323 at 9 am, firmly in the very poor category. Bawana recorded the highest AQI in the city at 373, while 30 monitoring stations reported very poor levels. The capital saw fluctuating pollution levels through the week, with the AQI rising from 279 on Sunday to 372 on Tuesday before settling at 304 on Thursday. The IMD said a cold wave is expected through the day, with the minimum temperature dipping to 5.6C, nearly four degrees below normal. The maximum temperature is likely to hover around 22C, while relative humidity touched 100% in the morning. (With inputs from PTI)
Anandpur Sahib, Talwandi Sabo and Galiara, close to Golden Temple in Amritsar declared 'holy cities'
CHANDIGARH: The cities of Anandpur Sahib, Talwandi Sabo and the Galiara around the Golden Temple in Amritsar have been accorded the status of 'holy cities' in the special Vidhan Sabha session at Anandpur Sahib to mark the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur. This is the first time in the history of the State that a session was held outside the assembly building in Chandigarh. The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during a special session of the Punjab Assembly and was unanimously passed. Mann said that along with this, an interfaith committee related to all religious institutions in these holy cities will be formed, comprising representatives of all faiths. He said that the Punjab Government will make dedicated efforts for the development, cleanliness, security, and promotion of religious tourism in these holy cities. He also said that the state government will allocate the necessary budget, and also seek funds from the Central Government, as this is imperative to perpetuate the legacy of these towns for the next generations. Meanwhile, Mann said that as a humble tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur, the State government has organised a series of events across the State to commemorate the 350th martyrdom day. He said that todays session was part of these events, only adding that the sacrifice made by Guru Tegh Bahadur was supreme and unprecedented, as it was aimed at protecting the religion of others. He said that Guru Tegh Bahadur made the supreme sacrifice to protect the religious rights of humanity to set an example for the world. Mann said that these functions will continue and be held across the State in the coming years, too. He added that every year, events will be organised to mark the martyrdom day. He also remarked that the State government has made elaborate arrangements for facilitating the devotees coming to the holy city to pay their reverence. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and National Convener of AAP Arvind Kejriwal said that for decades, people have been seeking holy city status for these towns. They said that there are five Takhts of Sikhs, out of which three are Akal Takht (Amritsar), Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda) and Takht Keshgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib). They said that the sale and use of meat, liquor, tobacco, and other intoxicants will be prohibited in these cities to fulfil the long-pending demand of the devotees. They also said that these cities are not just religious centres but also symbols of our civilizational heritage, adding that, therefore, this demand is not confined to any single political party, community, or religion, but rather an essential step towards the preservation and global promotion of our cultural heritage. Kejriwal and Mann said that the state government will ensure the holistic development of these cities, besides accelerating religious tourism. Earlier, the House also passed another resolution to draw inspiration from Guru Tegh Bahadur's life and teachings to work towards the welfare and prosperity of the people of Punjab, promoting peace, tolerance and harmony in society. According to a resolution moved by Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, the House expressed its deepest reverence and humbly bowed down to the Sikh Guru in respect, devotion and faith. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa also spoke about the supreme sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur, saying it is a moving testament to his unwavering commitment to the principles of freedom of religion and human dignity. Notably, Bajwa raised the issues of Chandigarh, Panjab University, the pending rural development fund and the water sharing issue and said all Punjabis should come together for the state's rights. In a veiled attack on the BJP-led Centre, Bajwa said attempts were being made to ewrite history. A makeshift assembly hall was created at Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial Park in Anandpur Sahib for the special session, replicating the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh. The state government is organising an elaborate three-day event from November 23 to 25 to commemorate the ninth Sikh masters martyrdom in 1675. On November 25, the government will organise state-wide blood donation and plantation drives, Sarbat Da Bhalla congregation and a drone show. The events are also dedicated to Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Dyala, who were also martyred along with the Guru. A 360-degree mixed reality (MR) experience has been introduced by the government, aiming at bringing Guru Teg Bahadurs legacy closer to the younger generation. Thus, QR codes have been placed at the event venue, which will allow visitors to access the MR experience through a smartphone scan, bridging technology and spiritual devotion. The interactive journey blends virtual storytelling with real-world surroundings to portray key episodes from the life of the ninth Sikh Guru. The MR layer has been developed with the support of Flam, and the augmented reality technology creates immersive visuals while highlighting the teachings and sacrifice of Guru Teg Bahadur. The central feature of the experience, entitled The Eternal Flame of Sacrifice, recreates 11 significant moments from the Gurus life. These include his coronation, standing for religious freedom, his martyrdom at Chandni Chowk, and the secret cremation at Rakab Ganj Sahib. Each segment is presented with detailed visuals, authentic narration, and references from the Guru Granth Sahib and preserved historical records.
SGPC considers ban on lone women in Pakistan pilgrimage groups after devotee goes missing
CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is considering barring lone women from joining pilgrimage groups (jathas) to Pakistan after 48-year-old Sarabjeet Kaur, a devotee from Punjab, went missing during a recent pilgrimage. Kaur reportedly converted to Islam, adopted the name Noor Hussain, and married Nasir Hussain of Sheikhupura soon after entering Pakistan. Police and SGPC officials later confirmed that she has three cheating and fraud cases registered against her in Punjab. Kaur was part of a 1,932-member jatha that crossed the Attari-Wagah border on November 4 for Guru Nanak Devs 556th birth anniversary celebrations. When the group returned on November 13, she was missing. An 18-second video circulating on social media shows Kaur stating before a magistrate that she had known Nasir for nine years, loved him, and was willingly converting and marrying him. I am currently divorced and willingly marrying him, she says. The clip has not been independently verified, though Pakistani media reported that the nikah took place on November 5. Following the incident, SGPC secretary Partap Singh said this was the second such case, citing the 2018 instance of Kiran Bala, now Amna Bibi, who also stayed back in Pakistan after converting to Islam and marrying there. He said the SGPC had initially objected to Kaur travelling alone but allowed her after she produced recommendations from her village sarpanch and nambardar. Singh blamed central agencies for failing to detect that Kaur was already in contact with a Pakistani national. It is a failure of the agencies that they did not sense she was already in contact with a Pakistani national and that her visit was pre-planned, he said. Singh also added that Kaur has hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikh community and brought a bad name to the pilgrimage process. Woman pilgrim goes missing in Pakistan after Guru Nanak birth anniversary visit Police investigations revealed that Kaurs criminal background included three fraud and cheating cases in Bathinda and Kapurthala, while her sons, Lovejot Singh and Navjot Singh, had nine cases of fraud, assault and cheating registered against them in Kapurthala, Sultanpur Lodhi and Kabirpur. Officials said Kaur listed a permanent address in Malout on her passport, but did not provide her citizenship or passport number on her Pakistan visa immigration form. Her husband has been living in the United Kingdom for over fifteen years, and her sons were reportedly not on talking terms with her. Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora said police have met Kaurs sons, visited her village in Amanipur, and are coordinating with central agencies to understand her motives for visiting Pakistan. Gurinder Kaur, who headed the jatha, immediately informed SGPC member from Sultanpur Lodhi, Gurpreet Kaur, and asked her to visit Kaurs house in Amanipur. Gurpreet, who had recommended Sarabjeet Kaurs name, said she had recommended ten pilgrims in total. SGPC officials said the incident has hurt religious sentiments and brought disrepute to the pilgrimage process, prompting the body to reconsider allowing lone women to join jathas travelling to Pakistan.
Woman pilgrim goes missing in Pakistan after Guru Nanak birth anniversary visit
CHANDIGARH: A woman Sikh devotee has gone missing in Pakistan after travelling as part of the 1,932-member Indian Sikh jatha that crossed into the neighbouring country via AttariWagah on 4 November to attend the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. Sources said the group of Sikh devotees returned to India yesterday, with 1,922 pilgrims accounted for, as eight members of the jatha, including Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Kuldip Singh Gargaj, had returned earlier on 9 November. However, Sarbjit Kaur, hailing from Amanipur village in Kapurthala district, did not return and went missing from the group. She did not mention her citizenship and passport number in the immigration form, raising concerns about her disappearance. It is learnt that her name was reportedly not found in the immigration records while exiting Pakistan nor in the records for re-entry into India. State and central agencies are now looking into the matter. Authorities are trying to trace her previous links to determine how, and through what means, she went missing inside Pakistan. It is also learnt that agencies are trying to trace her family members and have approached the Ministry of External Affairs and the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. Meanwhile, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee confirmed that Kaur was part of the devotees who crossed into the neighbouring country through the AttariWagah Integrated Check Post. Meanwhile, another devotee who was part of the group, 67-year-old Sukhwinder Singh from Chawke village in Bathinda district, died due to cardiac arrest at Gujranwala in Pakistan on 10 November. Earlier, at least 14 Hindu pilgrims who were part of the jatha were denied entry by Pakistan authorities at the Wagah border check post. These pilgrims, who had Indian passports but were of Pakistan origin, were then sent back, said people privy to the information. The jatha visited Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, Gurdwara Sacha Sauda in Farooqabad, and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur before it returned to India on 13 November. The Pakistani government had granted visas to 2,150 Indian Sikh devotees to attend the 10-day festival marking the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.
Tarn Taran Bypoll records 60.95% turnout
CHANDIGARH: Around 60.95 per cent of voters exercised their franchise in the Tarn Taran Assembly by-election in Punjab on Tuesday amid tight security, with polling concluding peacefully. This marks a decline of nearly five percentage points from the turnout recorded in the 2022 general elections for the same seat. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Punjab, Sibin C, informed that approximately 60.95 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 6 pm in the Tarn Taran Assembly constituency. He added that the final figures would be updated by Wednesday, once all polling parties return to the collection centres and data entry is completed. The CEO thanked the voters of Tarn Taran for participating in the by-election. Polling began at 7 am and started slowly but picked up pace as the day progressed, with more voters visiting booths to cast their votes. While Karanbir Singh Burj is contesting as the Congress candidate, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded Harmeet Singh Sandhu. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) nominee is Sukwinder Kaur Randhawa, while the BJP has fielded Harjit Singh Sandhu, president of the partys district unit. Independent candidate Mandeep Singh, backed by the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) led by jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh and several radical Sikh organisations including the Sikh Youth Federation (Bhindranwale), is also in the fray. Mandeep Singh is the brother of Sandeep Singh alias Sunny, an accused in the 2022 murder of Shiv Sena (Taksali) leader Sudhir Suri. Sandeep is also accused in an attack on three former police officers, two of whom were convicted in a fake encounter case in Tarn Taran, inside Patiala Jail. One of the convicted officers, Suba Singh, succumbed to his injuries on 17 September. The Tarn Taran seat fell vacant following the death of AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal in June. The by-election is being seen as a litmus test for Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the AAP leadership, with the 2027 Assembly elections on the horizon. The poll is equally crucial for SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, who, along with his wife and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, campaigned extensively for party candidate Randhawa, a retired government school principal and wife of a Dharmi Fauji (a Sikh soldier who deserted the army following Operation Bluestar in 1984). The constituency has 1,92,838 eligible voters, including 1,00,933 men, 91,897 women, and eight third-gender voters. A total of 222 polling stations were set up across 114 locations, 60 urban and 162 rural, including four model and three pink booths. According to sources, 12 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were deployed in the constituency, marking one of the largest security deployments ever by the Election Commission for a by-election.
Punjab Police arrested three Sikhs for Justice operatives for writing pro-Khalistan slogans in Bathinda in a joint Counter-Intelligence operation.
Farmer Mohinder Kaur's four-year defamation battle against BJP MP and actress Kangana Ranaut reached a turning point as Kangana appeared in Bathinda court, apologised, and was granted bail. The 78-year-old farmer vows to continue her fight for dignity and justice.
Kangana gets bail in defamation case, says regrets 'misunderstanding', respects every mother
Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut received bail in a defamation case in Bathinda, Punjab. She expressed regret over a social media post causing misunderstanding. The case stems from a retweet concerning Mahinder Kaur, a complainant from Bathinda. Ranaut stated that every mother is respectable to her. The court has scheduled the next hearing for November 24.
Kangana Ranaut apologises for social media post on woman farmer, granted bail by Bathinda court
CHANDIGARH: BJP MP and actress Kangana Ranaut on Monday was granted bail after appeared before a court in Bathinda in a deformation case filed against her by an elderly woman farmer Mahinder Kaur over an alleged derogatory remark made by her during the 2020-21 farmers' protest. Kangana said she had apologised for her social media post against the woman. Talking to the media after appearing in the court, Kangana said, This is just a misunderstanding. I had only retweeted a meme and did not intend to hurt specifically anyone. I have already discussed the matter with Mahinder Kaurs husband and apologised to him as she was not present today. During the farmers protest, several memes were being circulated, and one of them was retweeted by me inadvertently. Raghbir Singh Behniwal, counsel for the complainant Kaur, contested Kanganas claim, saying, Kangana Ranaut told the court that she had retweeted by mistake and not targeted anyone. But my clients husband Labh Singh has said she has never apologised in the past. Kangana also moved an application seeking permanent exemption from personal appearance on security grounds, which we opposed. The case has now been transferred from the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class to that of the Judicial Magistrate First Class (Special Court), with the next hearing scheduled for November 24. Last month, the court had dismissed a petition filed by the actor, seeking to appear through video conference. Judicial magistrate first class Lakhbir Singh had directed Kangana to appear before the court in person on October 27. She arrived at the court under tight security, escorted by police officials. Narinder Singh, Superintendent of Police, said the police had established barricades and strengthened security around the court complex. Our main focus is to ensure that law and order remain intact so that no mischievous elements attempt to create any disturbance, he said. The case pertains to a tweet by Kangana during the farmers protest, in which she shared a photograph of Mahinder Kaur, an elderly woman farmer from Bahadurgarh Jandian village in Bathinda, comparing her with Bilkis Bano, the elderly woman who became a symbol of the Shaheen Bagh protests. Kangana had allegedly claimed that such women were available for Rs 100 to join protests. The remark drew widespread criticism, prompting Kaur to file a defamation complaint in January 2021, alleging that her dignity and reputation had been harmed. In 2022, a judicial magistrate in Bathinda had issued a summons, directing Kangana to appear before the court. Later that year, she approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking the quashing of the defamation complaint and the lower courts summoning order. But the high court found no merit in the petition and dismissed it. Then the actress approached the Supreme Court. On September 12 this year, the apex court declined to entertain her plea. Thus Kanganas counsel chose to withdraw the special leave petition (SLP) in the matter. Last year, a woman constable from the CISF had slapped Kangana during a mandatory security check at the Chandigarh airport over her controversial remarks related to the farmers protest.
Data shows over 5,300 acres of land washed away in Punjab during recent floods
CHANDIGARH: More than 5,300 acres of land were washed away in 15 out of the 23 districts in Punjab during the floods that ravaged the state in August and September. Teams from the Union Government are expected to visit the state to assess the losses caused due to the floods. Sources said that the state government has completed the special girdawari of the flood-affected areas in the state, and found that 5,307 acres of land have been washed away due to heavy flow of water in the Ravi, Beas and the Sutlej rivers. The highest loss was in the Amritsar district, where around 1,515 acres were washed away, followed by the Ferozepur district, which lost 1,101 acres, as per data with the revenue department of the state government, said sources. Land was not washed away in Bathinda, Faridkot, Mansa, Muktsar, Sangrur, Barnala, Malerkotla, and Fatehgarh Sahib districts. In the past many decades, no one has ever witnessed or heard that such huge portions of land being washed away. A second assessment was done as when we got the initial data, no one could believe it. Now the affected land owners will be given compensation by the government, said an officer. It is learnt that, as per the norms from the State Disaster Response Fund, the owners who lost land will get a compensation of Rs 19,000 per acre. Sources added that most of the washed-away land was owned by private individuals, highlighting that the land had been encroached first and was later allotted to people by the successive state governments. Not only were these lands inside what was once a riverbed, but it was also at a throwaway price, prompting people to buy the land when the risk of floods was not grave. However, after many decades, rivers were in spate, which increased the risk of floods. Sources pointed out that illegal mining also contributed to the land being washed away, as both the AAP-led state government and the BJP-led central government have been at loggerheads over the issue of illegal mining in the riverbeds. Sources added that deep craters were developed on the affected land, making it uncultivable for another three to four years. They further said the central government teams will be visiting the state as the Punjab government has already submitted a memorandum requesting Rs 12,905 crores in compensation for flood-related losses. The Centre is assessing the extent of the damage and to verify the estimate sent by the state government, a team of experts from the union government will soon visit the state, said an officer. Earlier, the state government had drafted a memorandum seeking Rs 13,300 crore from the Centre for compensation and reconstruction, but was finally scaled down to Rs 12,905 crore.
CHANDIGARH: Undue pressure by Amneet P Kumar, the wife of deceased IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, and MLA Amit Rattan and two other cops forced Assistant Sub-Inspector Sandeep Kumar Lathar to end his life, according to an FIR registered in the suicide case. The FIR was lodged based on a complaint by Lathar's wife, who has levelled serious allegations against Amneet Kumar, an IAS officer, and her brother, who is the MLA from Bathinda Rural. Puran Kumar, too, committed suicide in Chandigarh earlier this month. Sandeep's wife, Santosh, has also sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the entire episode. Amneet Kumar and Rattan could not be reached for a response. ASI Lathar, who was posted in the cyber cell in Rohtak, had allegedly shot himself dead on October 14. He left behind a note, in which he levelled corruption allegations against the late IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, who also served in the same district. In a six-minute video, he had also made a reference to Puran Kumar's wife, who is a senior bureaucrat in Haryana. ASI Lathar had played a role in the arrest of head constable Sushil Kumar, who was IG Puran Kumar's gunman. Sushil Kumar was arrested in connection with a case pertaining to a bribery complaint filed by a liquor contractor. The contractor alleged that Sushil Kumar had sought Rs 2.5 lakh in the name of Puran Kumar when he was posted in Rohtak. Puran Kumar, 52, who had recently been posted as Inspector General, Police Training Centre in Rohtak's Sunaria, had shot himself dead at his Chandigarh residence on October 7. In a 'final note' left by Puran Kumar, he alleged harassment, including caste discrimination, by senior cops in Haryana. Police have lodged a case in the matter. A separate abetment of suicide case was filed on October 15 in connection with the death of ASI Sandeep Kumar Lathar following a complaint by his wife, Santosh. The FIR was registered against IAS officer Amneet P Kumar, Bathinda Rural MLA Rattan, Puran Kumar's gunman Sushil Kumar, another policeman posted at Rohtak IG office, Sunil, and an unknown person. Santosh alleged that before and after the registration of the corruption case, Puran Kumar's gunman, Sushil Kumar; Sunil Kumar, another cop posted at the IPS officer's office in Rohtak; and others were continuously pressuring and threatening her husband. The threats, Santosh alleged in her complaint, were made, citing the influence of IG Puran Kumar's wife Amneet P Kumar, her brother (MLA Amit Rattan), and their relatives in the Scheduled Castes Commission because my husband Sandeep was involved in the investigation of this case. Santosh alleged a vigilance investigation was underway against Puran Kumar and his wife, as well as some other IAS and IPS officers, and the government was expected to take strict action against them. To avoid government action against them, Puran Kumar's family and some other corrupt officers were exerting undue pressure to stop these proceedings and were seeking action against honest officers, she said. Because of this, IG Puran Kumar committed suicide. IG's wife Amneet P Kumar and her brother, Amit Rattan, did not get the post-mortem of Kumar's body done in order to put pressure on the government to arrest honest officers and employees of the police department... she claimed. Santosh said that while Sushil Kumar was arrested, others were yet to be arrested. She added that this is why her husband, ASI Sandeep Lathar, committed suicide. This is why my husband took this extreme step and ended his life. This is a fight between honest and corrupt officers, she wrote in the complaint. Santosh asked authorities to look into the properties owned by them and the accused to determine who is corrupt and who is honest. There should be a CBI probe into the entire episode, she said.
241 stubble burning cases in Punjab from September 15 to October 18: Data
CHANDIGARH: Punjab has recorded 241 stubble burning incidents so far this season, with Tarn Taran district accounting for the biggest share at 88 as farmers continue to ignore government appeals to stop burning crop residue, according to official data. Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is often blamed for the rise in air pollution in Delhi after the paddy crop is harvested in October and November. As the window for sowing the Rabi crop -- wheat -- is very short after paddy harvest, some farmers set their fields on fire to quickly clear the crop residue. Punjab recorded 241 stubble burning incidents from September 15 to October 18, an increase of 125 from 116 on October 11, according to Punjab Pollution Control Board data. Tarn Taran witnessed the highest number of farm fires at 88, followed by Amritsar at 80, Ferozepur at 16 and Patiala at 11, the data showed. The exercise of recording farm fire incidents will continue till November 30. Fines worth Rs 5.60 lakh have been imposed as environmental compensation in 113 cases so far. Of the total amount, Rs 4.15 lakh has been recovered. The data showed that a total of 132 FIRs -- 50 in Tarn Taran and 37 in Amritsar -- have been registered. The cases have been registered under Section 223 (disobedience of order duly promulgated by a public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The state authorities also marked 87 red entries, the maximum in Tarn Taran and Amritsar, in the land records of farmers who burnt crop residue. A red entry bars farmers from getting loans against their farmland or selling it. The farm fire incidents are taking place despite the state government launching an extensive campaign to highlight the ill effects of stubble burning and benefits of crop residue management machinery. Punjab recorded a total of 10,909 farm fires in 2024 as compared to 36,663 in 2023, a 70 per cent drop. The state recorded 49,922 farm fires in 2022, 71,304 in 2021, 76,590 in 2020, 55,210 in 2019 and 50,590 in 2018, with Sangrur, Mansa, Bathinda and Amritsar accounting for a large number of these.
Haryana ASI Sandeep Lather's suicide case: FIR against IPS Y Puran Kumar's wife Amneet, 3 others
The FIR names four people as accused -- including deceased IPS officer Y Puran Kumar's wife and IAS Amneet P Kumar, his gunman Sushil, and Bathinda Rural MLA Amit Ratna. Lather died by suicide on October 14, accusing late officer Kumar of corruption. Read on to know more on this.
Dalit IPS officers death: Haryana transfers Rohtak SP, family refuses autopsy
CHANDIGARH: The family members of Haryana IPS officer Y Puran Kumar has accused the Chandigarh Police of not consulting them before shifting his body to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) for autospy. Amit Rattan, AAP MLA from Bathinda (Rural) and brother-in-law of the deceased officer, said, The Chandigarh Police have shifted the body without asking us. Injustice is being done with the family. Four days after Kumars death, the Haryana government on Saturday took first action in the case by transferring Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarniya and appointed Surinder Singh Bhoria in his place. Bijarniya, a 2015-batch IPS officer, was among the police officers named in the final note recovered from Kumars pocket. The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has taken suo motu congnisance and sought a report from Chandigarh DGP Sagar Preet Hooda. Hooda on Saturday visited the residence of Amneet P Kumar, the IAS officer wife of the deseased, and said that the police requested the family to get the post-mortem done as early as possible. The post-mortem will be conducted only after the family gives its consent, Hooda said. No matter how influential culprit may be, action will be taken: Haryana CM on death of Dalit IPS officer Asked why the family is yet to give its consent for the autopsy, Hooda said they have some grievances. When questioned why the police have not added the names of the alleged suspects in the FIR, he said, An SIT headed by an IG-rank officer has been formed. The autopsy will be conducted at the PGIMER, for which a board, comprising a magistrate, forensic experts, and doctors, has been set up. After the registration of the FIR, Amneet on Friday had sought its amendment to accurately reflect the names of all the accused. In a letter to Chandigarh SSP Kanwardeep Kaur, Amneet also sought an amendment of the diluted sections of the SC/ST Act, which have been added to the FIR. In his eight-page final note, Kumar named eight senior IPS officers, including Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur and Bijarniya, for allegedly harassing and maligning him.
CHANDIGARH: The body of deceased Haryana IPS officer, Y Puran Kumar, who committed suicide, has been shifted to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) for postmortem autopsy by the Chandigarh Police. The family of the officer accused the police of shifting the body without consulting them and said they had not given consent for the autopsy . The medical board hasn't conducted the autopsy yet. The body was kept at the Government Multi-Specialty Hospital in Sector 16. Amit Rattan, AAP MLA from Bathinda (Rural) and brother-in-law of the deceased officer, said, The Chandigarh Police have shifted the body without asking us. Five days have passed since a senior IPS officer died, but we have not got justice yet. DGP of Chandigarh Police, Sagar Preet Hooda, today visited the residence of Amneet P Kumar and, after meeting the family, he said that the police have requested the family to get the post-mortem done as early as possible. The post-mortem will be conducted only after the family gives its consent. Asked why the family members have not given their consent till now, Hooda said they have some grievances, which are being discussed. When questioned why the police have not added the names of the alleged suspects to the FIR lodged in the case, he said an investigation is underway. A special investigation team headed by an IG-rank officer has been formed for the probe, said Hooda. He further said, The autopsy will be conducted at the PGIMER for which a board has been constituted comprising a magistrate, forensic experts, and doctors. Also, Videography and photography will be done. Hooda, however, said the post-mortem will be conducted only after the family gives its consent. After the registration of the FIR, Kumar's wife, Amneet, on Friday, had claimed it contained 'incomplete information', and sought its amendment to accurately reflect the names of all the accused. In the column meant for naming the accused, the FIR mentions as per the 'final note'. In a letter to Chandigarh SSP Kanwardeep Kaur, Amneet also sought an amendment of the diluted sections of the SC/ST Act which have been added to the FIR. In his eight-page 'final note', Kumar named eight senior IPS officers, including Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur and Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarniya, for allegedly harassing and maligning him. Kumar, a 2001-batch Indian Police Service officer, allegedly shot himself dead at his Sector 11 residence here on Tuesday. He had left behind a 'final note' accusing eight senior police officers of blatant caste-based discrimination, targeted mental harassment, public humiliation, and atrocities. Haryana government considers DGP replacement amid controversy over dalit IPS officer's death Chandigarh Police on Friday constituted the six-member SIT headed by IG Pushpendra Kumar for a prompt, impartial, and thorough investigation into the officer's death in a time-bound manner. Kumar was recently posted as Inspector General of the Police Training Centre in Rohtak's Sunaria. Four days after Kumar died, the Haryana Government took its first action in the case by transferring Superintendent of Police of Rohtak Narendra Bijarniya on Saturday and appointed Surinder Singh Bhoria in his place. The order issued today said that Bijarniya's posting orders would be issued separately. Bijarniya, a 2015-batch IPS officer, was among the police officials named in the final note recovered from Kumars pocket. Meanwhile, Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has written a letter to senior IAS officer Amneet, the wife of deceased IPS officer Kumar. Sonia expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the bereaved family. The news of the tragic death of your husband and senior IPS officer, Mr Y. Puran Kumar, is both shocking and deeply saddening. My heartfelt condolences to you and your entire family in this time of immense difficulty, she wrote. She added, The passing of Y. Puran Kumar is a reminder to us that even today, the prejudiced and biased attitude of those in power deprives even the most senior officials of social justice. I and Millions of people in the country stand with you on this path to justice. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi have also condemned Kumars suicide and the circumstances that drove him to take the drastic step. While two Congress MPs, Deepinder Hooda Member of Parliament from Rohtak in Haryana, Randeep Singh Surjewala Rajaya Sabha Member of Parliament and former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi Member of Parliament from Jalandhar in Punjab, today met the family members of the deceased officer and assured full support to them. Haryana Transport Minister, Anil Vij met the family. The death of Kumar has brought national attention to questions about caste bias and workplace harassment.
