India's gross manufacturing leasing posts 49 pc CAGR since 2021
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 9 (IANS) India's gross manufacturing leasing has reached a cumulative 69 million sq ft, registering a compound annual growth rate of 49 per cent since 2021, a report said on Wednesday. Indias manufacturing sector is witnessing an unprecedented transformation, with leasing demand for industrial spaces projected to capture 40 per cent of the market by 2030, the report from commercial real estate services firm JLL said. Manufacturing has now emerged as the second-largest occupier segment after third-party logistics (3PL), signaling a fundamental restructuring of Indias industrial real estate hierarchy. Gross absorption touched 19.2 million sq. ft. in 2025, and H1 2026 recorded 10.2 million sq. ft.a 19 per cent year-over-year increase for the first half. With manufacturing leasing absorption forecast to reach approximately 46 million sq. ft. by 2030, the sector's trajectory underscores India's evolution toward becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse aligned with its Vision 2047 aspirations, the report noted. The growth in the manufacturing real estate asset class reflects two distinct yet complementary strategies shaping India's industrial landscape. Tier-I cities are witnessing aggressive leasing of Grade-A facilities as manufacturers prioritise speed-to-market and be capex-light due to paucity of affordable land, said Yogesh Shevade, Managing Director, Industrial & Logistics, India, JLL. Simultaneously, Tier-II markets are seeing manufacturers opt for land acquisition, seeking greater customisation and long-term operational control, Shevade said. Both approaches signal robust manufacturing commitment; whether through leasing or ownership, India is becoming the factory floor of choice, he added. Grade-A properties captured 90 per cent of manufacturing leasing in 2025 and the shift toward high-specification facilities reflects stringent adherence to enhanced building standards, hygiene protocols, and safety norms. Nearly 14 emerging markets including Lucknow, Jaipur, Chandigarh tri-city, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Surat, Nagpur, Nashik, Goa, Indore, Sambhajinagar, Tuticorin, Coimbatore & Vizag are witnessing manufacturers prioritise land transactions over leasing, reflecting diverse regional strategies aligned with specific operational requirements.
IPS Officers Posted Earlier in Jammu Kashmir Get New Assignments in Chandigarh
SRINAGAR: The Chandigarh Police has ordered a reshuffle of four senior officers, including several officers who have served in or recently been transferred from Jammu and Kashmir, with the new assignments taking effect immediately. Rajesh Kumar Sharma, IPS (2014 batch), who joined Chandigarh on transfer from Jammu and Kashmir, has been posted as SSP Operations, []
Teachers Need the Courage of the Overman, Not the Comfort of the Last Man
Every Teachers' Day, we celebrate the indispensable role of teachers in shaping society. We honour them as mentors, guides and nation-builders. However, celebration should also invite reflection. What kind of teacher does contemporary society encourage? More importantly, what kind of teacher does democracy require? The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche offers an unexpected but illuminating framework through his distinction between the bermensch (Overman) and the Last Man . While these ideas emerged in a different historical context, they provide a powerful metaphor for understanding the changing nature of teaching today. The Last Man, in Nietzsche's philosophy, is not an immoral person. Rather, the Last Man chooses comfort over courage, conformity over creativity, and approval over excellence. Content with security and social acceptance, such a person avoids risk, conflict and difficult questions. The Overman, by contrast, is defined by continual self-overcoming. The Overman questions inherited assumptions, creates new possibilities and refuses to allow comfort to replace intellectual growth. The distinction is not between good and bad teachers. It is between two educational cultures. Across the world, higher education and schooling are increasingly shaped by market-oriented reforms, performance indicators, student satisfaction metrics, accreditation frameworks and institutional branding. These developments have undoubtedly expanded access and accountability. Teachers are increasingly expected to satisfy stakeholders, minimise complaints, produce measurable outcomes and maintain favourable evaluations. Success is often quantified through feedback scores, pass percentages, employability statistics and institutional rankings. While these indicators have administrative value, they cannot fully capture the transformative purpose of education. Education is not just the transmission of information. Its deeper purpose is the cultivation of independent judgment. This requires teachers who are willing to ask unsettling questions, challenge intellectual complacency and expose students to ideas that may initially be uncomfortable. Genuine learning rarely occurs without some degree of cognitive discomfort. It demands that students reconsider assumptions, confront contradictions and engage with perspectives different from their own. However, an educational culture centred primarily on satisfaction can unintentionally discourage precisely these practices. A teacher who fears poor evaluations may avoid difficult discussions. A curriculum designed around measurable outcomes may leave little room for experimentation. Intellectual risk gradually gives way to pedagogical safety. In this sense, Nietzsche's metaphor becomes relevant. The concern is not that teachers themselves have become Last Men, but that educational institutions increasingly reward Last Man qualities: predictability instead of originality, compliance instead of critical inquiry and managerial efficiency instead of philosophical imagination. Teachers should not be reduced to service providers in a competitive marketplace. Their responsibility extends beyond delivering content or preparing students for examinations. They are custodians of curiosity, critical thinking and democratic dialogue. A teacher's highest achievement is not to produce agreement but to cultivate the intellectual confidence to disagree thoughtfully. This is particularly significant in an age shaped by artificial intelligence, algorithmic recommendation systems and instant access to information. Facts are increasingly available at the click of a button. What remains uniquely human is the capacity to interpret, question, synthesise and exercise ethical judgment. These capacities cannot be automated; they must be nurtured by teachers who themselves embody intellectual courage. Teachers, however, cannot shoulder this responsibility alone. Educational policy must create conditions that allow them to innovate without fear, experiment without penalty and engage students in meaningful dialogue without reducing every educational outcome to a numerical indicator. Professional autonomy is not a privilege for teachers; it is a prerequisite for quality education. On Teachers' Day, therefore, the challenge is not merely to celebrate teachers but to ask whether our educational institutions empower them to become creators of minds rather than managers of performance. Nietzsche believed that civilisation advances when individuals possess the courage to overcome inherited limitations and imagine new possibilities. Education requires precisely such courage. The teacher who merely satisfies expectations preserves the present. The teacher who inspires students to question, create and think independently helps shape the future. The greatest tribute we can pay teachers is not only to honour their work but also to create an educational culture that rewards intellectual courage over conformity, critical inquiry over comfort and self-overcoming over complacency. If education is to remain a transformative public institution, it must continue to nurture teachers who aspire to the spirit of the Overman rather than settle for the ease of the Last Man. (The author is teaching Political Sociology at UILS, Chandigarh University, Punjab. Feedback: ashwinsociology@gmail.com )
ED expands Suntec City probe, summons Mohali SSP
Two youths die in suspected drug overdose cases
Shots fired outside businessmans house in Mohali
Snatching, burglary cases keep Chandigarh police on toes
Humidity rises as Chds rain deficit widens to 14.4%
Commuters face uncertainty as UT suspends Uber, Rapido licences
PNG push sputters in Chandigarh, UT plans VAT cut to 5%
The Long Road To Reclaiming A Stolen Vehicle
PU evicts juice shop over 10L rent arrears
Tibet freedom march reaches PU, draws students into debate
Faculty member flags delay in PUTA polls, seeks VCs intervention
Sukhbir to address Punjab Bachao Rally in New Chandigarh on Sept 10
15 acres cleared in Kaimbwala anti-encroachment drive
Panchkula to add 3 more road sweepers in 18 crore sanitation push
15 safai workers return, more likely as strike nears end
AAP alleges BJP shielding liquor, drug mafia
Arrest Cheema, says Opposition; stop vulture politics, counters AAP
BJP, SAD turn heat on Punjab govt over Gulzar Singh death
Sukhbir Badal calls for registration of suicide abetment case against Punjab Minister
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 8 (IANS) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday called for registration of an abetment of suicide case against Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and all others named by suicide victim Gulzar Singh in his dying declaration. The SAD President visited the residence of Gulzar Singh at Tur Banjara village of Sangrur district and assured all help to the aggrieved family. He also asserted the SAD would take this case to its logical conclusion and would not rest till Cheema was arrested and punished for his crime. Talking to the media, Badal said Gulzar Singh's only fault was that he spoke the truth at a Lok Milni addressed by the Minister. Gulzar was devastated at the sale of the 'chitta' drug which had also led to his son becoming addicted to the same. This is why he asked Cheema about the rampant sale of drugs in his village which was not to the Minister's liking. The Minister's accomplices in the village also harassed Gulzar and pressurised him to apologise for speaking the truth. Since Gulzar was not able to stomach this harassment, he ended his life, the SAD Chief added. Asserting that a statement given as part of a dying declaration was sacrosanct, Badal said: Supreme Court guidelines are also clear. A case has to be registered in case of a dying declaration. An FIR should be registered against the Finance Minister and all others named by Gulzar. The police should not try to protect the culprits. He added that it was shocking that people were resorting to such extreme acts like suicide due to the wrong policies of the Aaam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led state government. The drug menace has crossed all boundaries. Things have come to such a head that home delivery of drugs is taking place in the state. He also asserted that AAP leaders were patronising the drug mafia and protecting them against police action in lieu of monthlies. This is why drug addiction and drug overdose deaths are on the rise, the former Deputy Chief Minister added.
Education builds self-confidence, character: CM Saini
Punjab enforces no work, no pay rule as employees extend strike till Sept 11
HC scraps elections of Hisar, Jind, Barwala and Narwana bar associations
Political storm in Punjab over farmers suicide after questioning minister on drugs
Minister appeals to protesting govt staff: End strike, resolve issues through talks
NCSC demands action-taken report within 5 days over Sangrur death
Harsimrat approaches national womens panel over handling of 2 rape cases in Punjab
Haryana bureaucratic shakeup: 16 IAS and 10 HCS officers transferred
Dairy farmers claim bovine breeding rules will hurt sector
Saini pitches women as architects of change, highlights Haryanas empowerment push
Punjab govt work hit as employees go on strike till Sept 11
Calgary cops release pics of 15 suspects who target South Asian community
Fatehabad police crack Rs 7.4L highway robbery in 43 hours, 4 held
Hisar municipal workers adopt Gandhigiri on 34th day of strike
Man opens fire at brothers-in-law over domestic dispute in Hansi
PSPCLs slow canal fixes trigger Rs 210cr power generation loss
Monkey attacks man making momos in Fatehabad, bites off part of ear
Haryana DGP orders action against non-performing SHOs
Uber and Rapido banned in Chandigarh; licenses suspended for 6 months.
The State Transport Authority (STA) has suspended the licenses of Uber and Rapido in Chandigarh. Residents and visitors to Chandigarh will no longer be able to use these cab services.Uber and Rapido banned in Chandigarh.If you live in Chandigarh and use cabs to commute, this news is impo...
Punjab minister Cheema responsible for suicide: Congress workers protest
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 8 (IANS) Thousands of Congress workers from across Punjab on Tuesday staged a demonstration against the Aam Aadmi Party government. Led by the state party President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, the party workers gathered outside the Punjab Congress Bhawan here and started marching towards the Chief Ministers residence for the gherao. However, they were stopped by a police contingent, which prevented them from reaching the Chief Ministers residence. Speaking on the occasion, Warring demanded the dismissal of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and his arrest for being responsible for the alleged suicide of Gulzar Singh of Dirba after raising the drug issue in Punjab. He pointed out that Gulzar Singh had said in his dying declaration that Cheema was responsible for his suicide. He also referred to the police brutality unleashed on Mohanjit Singh of Sheron village just because he had dared to show a black flag to the Chief Minister. Warring also questioned the Chief Ministers silence over the protection granted to a rape accused. The BJP wants AAP to help it in Gujarat by dividing the anti-BJP votes and, in a quid pro quo, the BJP will help AAP in Punjab, he said, adding that this is why the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was playing a fixed match with the Punjab Police over the arrest of corruption accused. He asked why the ED did not act the way it acted in the case of the Congress leaders like Sadhu Singh, who were straightway arrested. The ED did not ask the Punjab Police to register a first information report (FIR) in that case, he pointed out, adding that in the case of AAP leaders it was dilly-dallying deliberately. Lashing out at AAP for inducting convicted gangsters like Gupreet Sekhon, Warring said that while the people of Punjab wanted to get rid of the gangsters, the ruling party was inducting them and providing them with a political platform and power. He said Sekhon had been convicted and sentenced and was out just because the High Court had suspended his sentence. What message are you giving to people of Punjab? he asked CM Mann.
Punjab BJP delegation calls on Guv, seeks probe into suicide over drug issue, 'custodial assault'
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 8 (IANS) A delegation of the Punjab BJP, led by state President Kewal Singh Dhillon, on Tuesday met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and submitted a memorandum, seeking impartial action in two serious cases related to Sangrur -- first, the suicide by Gulzar Singh over the state drug crisis and another, the alleged custodial assault of Mohanjit Singh. Dhillon said Gulzar Singh had raised the issue of the alleged open sale of chitta (synthetic drug) in his area during a public meeting held by Finance Minister Harpal Cheema and had sought action against the drug menace. He said Gulzar Singhs family had also been facing difficulties due to his sons alleged serious addiction to chitta. The BJP said in a video purportedly recorded before his death, Gulzar Singh had named the Finance Minister and others, whom he allegedly held responsible for the circumstances leading to his death. The party demanded that the case should not be treated merely as a suicide case and that the allegations made by Gulzar Singh should be thoroughly investigated in accordance with law. The delegation sought a CBI probe into his death to ensure an independent investigation. It also demanded that video recordings, relevant communications and statements of family members be preserved as evidence. State President Dhillon also brought the alleged custodial assault of Mohanjit Singh to the Governors notice. Dhillon said Mohanjit Singh was detained after he protested against the state governments handling of the drug menace during Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns visit to Sangrur. The party said Mohanjit Singh subsequently alleged physical abuse and custodial torture and had to undergo medical treatment. The BJP demanded registration of FIRs against all civil officials who allegedly ordered or authorised Mohanjit Singhs removal from the protest site, as well as against police officials found responsible for his removal, assault or alleged custodial torture. It also sought an independent CBI probe into the matter and demanded immediate preservation of medical records, CCTV footage, police station records, duty rosters, official communications and all other records related to his detention. The BJP also announced that it would stage statewide protests on Wednesday demanding justice in both cases.
Chandigarh suspends Uber, Rapido licences for 6 months over policy violations
Chandigarh's State Transport Authority suspended Uber and Rapido licenses for six months. This action resulted from their failure to comply with the Chandigarh Aggregator Policy. Both companies received multiple notices but did not submit required documents. The suspension impacts cab and bike-taxi bookings significantly in the city. App-based rides constitute a substantial portion of daily commutes.
BJP criticises Punjab government over continuing drug menace in state
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 8 (IANS) BJP leader Amit Malviya on Tuesday criticised the Punjab government over the state's continuing drug menace, amid fresh political outrage following the death of a Sangrur man who had publicly raised the issue of easy availability of heroin before state Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. The incident has once again brought the drug crisis to the centre of the political discourse, with Opposition parties questioning the effectiveness of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led government's much-publicised anti-drug campaign. Gulzar Singh, a resident of Sangrur district, had allegedly consumed poison after claiming that he faced pressure following his public questioning of Cheema over the prevalence of chitta in his village. His death has triggered a political storm, with the Opposition accusing the government of failing to address the concerns of families affected by drug addiction. Malviya said the incident exposed the grim reality behind the government's claims of waging a successful war against drugs in Punjab. He accused the Mann government of prioritising publicity over tackling the supply and distribution network responsible for pushing narcotics among the youth. The BJP leader's attack comes at a time when the Punjab and Haryana High Court has described drug addiction as a serious challenge for the state. The AAP government, however, has maintained that its 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' campaign has led to major action against drug smugglers and the dismantling of drug networks. The AAP government has also repeatedly accused the Centre of failing to check cross-border smuggling of narcotics and weapons through drones from Pakistan. Gulzar Singh, a resident of Toor Banjara village in the Dirba constituency, reportedly questioned AAP Minister Harpal Singh Cheema during his visit about the unchecked sale of chitta, saying that his own son was battling addiction and had sold off the familys belongings, Malviya wrote on X. He alleged, What followed, was pressure and harassment by local AAP-linked village leaders, who demanded that Gulzar Singh apologise for questioning the minister. He refused. In a video recorded before consuming poison, Gulzar Singh held four people responsible for his plight, including Harpal Cheema and local village leaders. He later died despite treatment. This is deeply disturbing. A government that cannot tolerate questions on the drug menace and intimidates a citizen for raising them, has a serious case to answer. Punjab deserves accountability, not intimidation, claimed Malviya. Meanwhile, the police have registered a case of abetment to suicide and harassment against a sarpanch and two others relating to the death of the Sangrur man. Deputy Inspector General (Patiala Range), Kuldeep Singh Chahal, told the media that the body would be handed over to the family after the postmortem. However, the police have denied allegations of harassment and said they are investigating the matter. Meanwhile, Punjab Polices drive against drugs 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' entered the 554th day with 62 drug smugglers arrested on Monday and recovery of 306 grams heroin and 190 intoxicant pills from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached 77,421 in just 554 days. As part of de-addiction drive, Punjab Police have convinced five people to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment, the government said.
Delhi-NCR to see partly cloudy skies, light rain; humidity to remain high
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast generally cloudy weather with light rain or drizzle in Delhi on Tuesday. The national capital is likely to witness partly cloudy skies on September 9 and 10, while another spell of light rain may occur from September 11. Humidity is expected to remain relatively high during the period. The weather department has not issued any warning for Delhi for the coming days. In Noida, partly cloudy conditions are likely to prevail from September 8 to 13. Maximum temperatures are expected to remain between 34 and 35 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is likely to stay around 26 degrees Celsius. Humidity levels could rise as high as 90 per cent. No weather warning has been issued for the city. Gurugram is also likely to experience partly cloudy weather from September 8 to 12, with maximum temperatures ranging from 31 to 33 degrees Celsius. On September 13, the maximum temperature is expected to be around 32 degrees Celsius, with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers possible. Humidity may reach 90 per cent, though no weather warning has been issued. Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon remains active over several parts of the country. The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other regions on Tuesday. The IMD has warned of heavy rain and thunderstorms across 17 states and Union Territories, including Bihar, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Wind speeds could reach 65-70 kmph in some areas. The weather department has forecast heavy rainfall in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh until September 13. Uttar Pradesh may receive rain between September 9 and 13, while Rajasthan could witness rainfall on September 12 and 13. Uttarakhand is likely to continue experiencing monsoon activity, while Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh may receive rain during September 8-13.
BHU Vice-Chancellor praises PGIMER Chandigarh as an iconic institution
The News Mill
BEL alerts MC after burglaries hit 8 CCTV network sites
Monsoon over, MC set to resume road recarpeting
Farmers call off week-long stir after Punjab govt gives written assurances
AI to strengthen doctors, not replace them: BHU VC
Chandigarh police officials transferred
City Beautiful soars to #7 in Swachh air survey
Chds vertical rise wont affect infra: Chief secy
FIR against 5 seniors for ragging in Solan school
HC protects Mohali green belt; bans tree felling, construction
Students remember Khalra with Sukhmani Sahib recitation
Chandimandir joins elite Army cancer care network
Stone-laden truck hits 4 vehicles, overturns on PR-7; major mishap averted
Dengue larvae found in 12 Phase-9 houses; checks intensified
Special trains to handle Diwali, Chhath rush
Administrator to hear public grievances in Manimajra on Sept 11
Pkls smart watch plan nears rollout
Panchkula police to verify delivery riders across district
Garbage piles up as sanitation strike drags on; civic body warns workers
Tunnel bypassing most landslide-prone zone of Manali highway to be opened in 4 days
Cop arrested after video of him buying drugs goes viral
CM Mann, Kejriwal meet Sanjeev Arora in jail
Rohtak bar poll: Candidate alleges bid to influence election
5 students booked after ragging video of pvt school in Solan goes viral
Ashwani Mishra takes oath as HC Chief Justice
Haryana clears Rs 283 crore infra works for water, power and roads
Congress protests 'purification' after Kharge event
HP mulls NPA for specialist medical officers
Cross-border drug and arms smuggling networks busted; 2kg heroin, 5 pistols seized
Cop buys drugs at naka, bystanders video nails him
Mansa village deaths: Mother, 2 children drown; conflicting accounts emerge
Woman, 2 kids drown in water works tank in Mansa
Haryana raises Lado Lakshmi income ceiling to Rs 1.8L, expands budget to Rs 6.5k crore
Raising questions over Chief Justices appointment unwarranted, says Punjab BJP
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 7 (IANS) Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon on Monday termed the questions being raised by the Aam Aadmi Party government in the state over the appointment of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra as the full-time Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court as unwarranted. Dhillon said that the appointment process of the Chief Justice has been carried out in accordance with constitutional provisions and the memorandum of procedure, and that instead of giving the matter a political colour, the facts need to be understood. In a statement, Dhillon said that after the recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium, the governments of Punjab and Haryana were asked to convey their views on August 10 as per the prescribed procedure. He said that the Haryana government and the Governors of both states had given their consent, while the Punjab government failed to submit its response within the stipulated time. The BJP leader said that as per the rules, if the government concerned does not convey its views within the prescribed period, it is treated as consent. Therefore, questioning the constitutional process of the appointment at this stage is not logical. He alleged that the Punjab governments tendency to keep important government files pending is affecting administrative and constitutional processes. He said that any unnecessary delay in matters concerning the judiciary is not in the interest of the effective functioning of institutions. Dhillon said that respecting the independence of the judiciary and the constitutional process is the responsibility of every government. He said that the Chief Minister of Punjab and other ministers challenging the independence of the judiciary is highly condemnable. Instead of creating a political controversy, the Punjab government should respect the constitutional process and the established rules.
In Hansi, striking workers detained after clash with police
HC puts Himachal govt on notice in spurious drugs case
Fatehabad police attach Rs 60L house of drug trafficker
Delhi man held for Rs 45 lakh online trading fraud
Farmers in Punjab call off protest after Mann govt accepts their core demands
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 7 (IANS) After a written assurance from the Bhagwant Mann government accepting the core demands of the agitating farmer unions, farmers protesting at the Chandigarh-Mohali border called off their stir on Monday evening. The formal written assurance was handed over to the farmer representatives by Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian. As per the written agreement, the Punjab government will convene a special session of the Vidhan Sabha within a month to pass resolutions on key issues and forward them to the Centre. These include seeking reconsideration of decades-old unconstitutional water-sharing agreements, repeal of Sections 78, 79 and 80 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act to restore the States riparian rights, annulment of the Dam Safety Act and withdrawal of the Seed Bill, 2025. Reaffirming the Bhagwant governments commitment to the welfare of farmers, Agriculture Minister Khudian said that the government believes in resolving issues through dialogue and mutual understanding. The Bhagwant Mann Government is fully committed to the welfare of our annadatas. We believe in resolving issues through dialogue and have accepted their genuine demands with full transparency in writing, he said. To ease the financial burden on farmers, the Minister also announced that a One-Time Settlement (OTS) policy will be formulated for outstanding loans, particularly those availed from cooperative banks, including the Punjab State Cooperative Bank and cooperative societies. A committee will be constituted in consultation with all political parties to formulate the OTS policy, which will be instrumental in clearing the debt burden of farmers, he said. On the issue of sugarcane pricing, Minister Khudian asserted that Punjab will continue to provide the highest sugarcane price in the country. He said directions had been issued to put up the file for fixing the sugarcane price on Monday itself, ensuring that the process is initiated without delay. The Minister further said that the government will ensure time-bound clearance of pending dues of farmers from private sugar mills. The One Window, One Payment system, presently applicable to cooperative mills, will be extended to private mills as well, he said. For the remaining demands of the farmer unions, Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian assured that a joint committee comprising senior officers of the Punjab Government and representatives nominated by the farmer unions will be constituted. The committee will examine the outstanding matters and work towards resolving them expeditiously.
One Chair Empty: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Absent As High Court Chief Justice Takes Oath
Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra has taken oath as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, despite the Punjab Cabinets demand that his appointment and oath be kept on hold. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria administered the oath in Chandigarh, with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini attending, while Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was absent. The Centre formally appointed Justice Mishra on September 5 following a Supreme Court Collegium recommendation. Punjab has alleged that the Centre bypassed the states constitutional rights by not obtaining its views before the appointment. The controversy comes amid a broader dispute over the Memorandum of Procedure for appointing High Court Chief Justices. Justice Mishra, formerly of the Allahabad High Court, joined the Punjab and Haryana High Court in July 2025.
Tennis: India's Karan Singh wins singles title in ITF M15 Bali
Chandigarh, Sep 7 (IANS) India's Karan Singh clinched the men's singles title at the ITF Mens World Tennis Tour M15, which was played in Bali, Indonesia. This is Karans fourth career title and his third of the 2026 season -- second in singles. The fourth-seeded Indian (ATP 604) defeated the fifth seed Isaac Becroft of New Zealand in a closely contested final on hard courts, clinching a 7-5, 7-6(3) win to lift the title. It was a phenomenal run for Karan, who trains at the Roundglass Tennis Academy (RGTA) and delivered a flawless week of tennis by winning the championship without dropping a single set. He began the campaign by defeating Indonesian qualifier Gunawan Trismuwantara 6-3, 7-5. In the second round, he got the better of local wildcard Rafalentino Ali Da Costa 6-3, 6-2. In the quarterfinals, Singh continued his dominance, defeating another Indonesian wildcard, Nathan Anthony Barki, 6-1, 6-4. In the semifinals, Karan was up against the seventh seed Ryotaro Taguchi of Japan. In a commanding performance, Karan got the better of the Japanese player, cruising to a 6-3, 6-3 straight-sets win to book his place in the final. The singles victory in Indonesia marks a highly successful continuation of Karan's 2026 calendar, coming just weeks after he clinched the doubles title at the ITF M15 Astana in Kazakhstan. In August, partnering with Russia's Martin Borisiouk, the unseeded pair battled through three consecutive match tiebreaks, including an upset over the top seeds in the semifinals, before dominating the local Kazakh pair of Danial Rakhmatullayev and Damir Zhalgasbay 6-3, 6-2 in the final. Karan, who hails from Karnal in Haryana, has a career-high ATP singles ranking of world No. 388 achieved on 8 August 2025. He also has a career-high doubles ranking of No. 436 achieved on 28 July 2025. The 23-year-old Karan has won one ATP Challenger doubles title at the 2024 Brazzaville Challenger with Florent Bax.
