Up Next: Ride-Easy Plan To Decongest NH-5
Congs Brijendra hits out at Centre over pruning of voters list in Bihar
Sunday morning rain turns Zpur-Patiala road into a river
Gumthala bridge: Precious life lost, but govt yet to wake up
UT schools must report safety incidents within 24 hours under new audit order
Punjab info panel raps appellant for suicide threat, RTI misuse
NGT fines HP officials for not disclosing action against polluting sewage treatment plants
Centuries of unity: Muslim family in Chamba crafts sacred Minjars for iconic festival
Guv visits disaster-affected areas in Mandi, calls for stronger disaster preparedness
Condolences pour in for anti-Khalistani activist Sukhi Chahal; cremation details awaited
PGIs Rs 490 cr Advanced Neuroscience Centre nears launch by Sept
Three arrested for robbing taxi driver at gunpoint
Drainage to Sukhna Choe to keep Chandigarhs first underpass flood-free
1,855 trees cut without permission in Mohali: DFO to NGT
Boulder crushes car, kills man; JCB operator plunges to death in HP; states monsoon toll now 184
2 narco smugglers held, drone, heroin recovered
Will SGPC permit SAD leaders to hold delegate meeting at teja singh samundari hall on august 11
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), undergoing reorganization as directed by the Akal Takht, has requested permission from the SGPC to hold a delegate meeting at Teja Singh Samundari Hall on August 11 to elect its President. Gurpartap Singh Wadala expressed optimism that the SGPC would grant permission, citing the Akal Takht's directives.
Punjab CM Mann announces 200 new Aam Aadmi Clinics, launches WhatsApp chatbot for 881 existing ones
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday announced that the state government will open 200 new Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state, taking the total number of such clinics to 1,081, in a bid to further enhance the delivery of quality healthcare services to people. Addressing a gathering during the inauguration of a WhatsApp Chatbot for 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics, Mann said it was a historic day for the healthcare sector in Punjab as these clinics have now been connected to a WhatsApp Chatbot. He said these clinics cater to nearly 70,000 patients daily, and in todays digital age, the chatbot will be highly beneficial for patients. He added that the initiative is expected to bring revolutionary changes in healthcare services. Mann said that, as approximately 90 per cent of people own a smartphone, they can now be reached directly through WhatsApp. Patients will now receive complete health-related information via WhatsApp, including access to doctors' prescription slips through the chatbot. Diagnostic test reports will also be shared, and patients will receive reminders about their next consultation dates. He added that regular WhatsApp updates will be provided on care for elderly people with diabetes or blood pressure, pregnant women, and newborns. The new system will eliminate the need for patients to physically store prescriptions or medication records, as all information will be accessible digitally. The Health Department will also maintain a digital database of patients, their ailments, and treatments. Mann reiterated the state governments commitment to ensuring quality healthcare for all and said Punjab will soon launch 200 more Aam Aadmi Clinics. He also noted that Punjab is the first state in the country to implement the Mukhya Mantri Sehat Yojana, which provides medical treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh per family. He further said that the government is making significant efforts to transform the state into a medical hub and informed that approval has been given for establishing four new medical colleges in Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Sangrur, and Nawanshahr.
Ahead of monsoon session, Congress remains indecisive about CLP leader
Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar alleges AAP government is operating like a 'political gang'
CHANDIGARH: Hitting out at the AAP government, Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party Government in the State is operating like a political gang instead of tackling gangsters. He accused the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led dispensation of indulging in arm-twisting politics and said there is no space for such kind of politics in the state. He added that the vigilante action against Ranjit Singh Gill, who had recently joined the BJP, was a blatant act of political vengeance. He also accused CM Mann of outsourcing governance of the State to Delhi leaders, he said, Mann has given his government on contract to political masters in Delhi led by Arvind Kejriwal. He warned that when governments change, it will be the chief minister and ministers who face consequences for looting public funds, while contractors escape unscathed. He labelled the action against Gill a violation of democratic norms, suggesting the government is intimidating opponents to deter them from joining rival parties or deviating from its agenda. Jakhar said that the AAP government has sent a message that whoever goes against the wishes of the Arvind Kejriwal-led outfit, the state vigilance bureau will carry out a raid against them. They (AAP government) should reply why they are doing this (VB raid)? Are you scaring somebody? Is it not against democracy? Earlier, he (Gill) was with the Akali Dal. Did the (AAP government) not see anything there, and when he joined the other party, the very next morning, they conduct a raid, Jakhar quipped. Chandigarh Diary | AAP MP criticises land pooling, deletes post He also said the VB action against Gill was an attempt to politically browbeat the realtor, as the Gillco Developers, a real estate firm promoted by Gill, was the biggest landholder in Mohali. Their arm-twisting action could be to politically browbeat him, he said. Jakhar sarcastically suggested that AAP should register itself as ``Aam Aadmi Builder & Developer Private Limited instead of a political party. They should go to the Registrar of Companies and register as a company because they are not functioning like a government, he said. Jakhar added that Chief Minister Mann has reacted to the VB raid on Gill by saying 'as you sow so shall you reap'. I want to tell Mann what he is sowing today, he will have to reap it tomorrow. He must discharge his duty like a Chief Minister, he said. Jakhar said that Punjab government's land pooling policy is facing widespread resentment from the farmers. He said the farmers will not allow it to be implemented. With Mann saying feedback from all stakeholders, including farmers over the land pooling policy will be further taken into account on August 2, Jakhar dubbed it a joke. The government has notified 65,000 acres under land pooling and now CM is saying he will talk to farmers, he said. Jakhar also questioned whether the raid on Gill was driven by AAPs financial interests or tied to an alleged collusion with another builder in land pooling deals. Several BJP leaders, including Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, strongly condemned the Vigilance Bureau's action against Gill, accusing the AAP government of indulging in political vendetta. Gill was inducted into the BJP by Saini at his official residence here on August 1. On August 2, VB sleuths raided Gill's residence in Chandigarh, his office in Kharar. The VB said the searches were conducted in furtherance of investigations into the disproportionate assets case registered against Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia.
KMM reignites unity efforts, seeks meeting with SKM on Aug 26
Questions remain over Aug 11 meet of SAD rebels at Teja Singh Samundri Hall
Punjab BJP chief Jakhar slams AAP govt for vigilance raid on Ranjit Gill who joined saffron camp
Chandigarh, Aug 3: Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar on Sunday slammed the AAP government for the Vigilance Bureau raid on the premises of Ranjit Singh Gill, a day the prominent realtor joined the saffron party. Addressing a press conference here, Jakhar also accused the Bhagwant Mann-led dispensation of indulging in arm-twisting tactics, saying there is no space for such kind of politics in Punjab. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Saturday raided Gills residence in Chandigarh, his office in Kharar and [] The post Punjab BJP chief Jakhar slams AAP govt for vigilance raid on Ranjit Gill who joined saffron camp appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Indian-origin founder of Punjabi devils biker gang arrested by FBI on firearms, explosives charges
CHANDIGARH: Jashanpreet Singh, a 26-year-old Indian-origin man from Lodi, California, and founder of the Punjabi Devils Motorcycle Club, was arrested by the FBI at San Francisco International Airport as he attempted to flee to India. He now faces multiple federal firearms charges in the United States, including unlawful dealing of firearms and unlawful possession of a machine gun. According to a statement by Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez, a federal grand jury has returned a three-count indictment against Singh, charging him with: Unlawful dealing of firearms Unlawful possession of a machine gun Possession of an unregistered short-barrelled rifle Court documents reveal that Singh founded the Punjabi Devils, an outlaw motorcycle gang (OMG) based in Stockton and associated with the Hells Angels. On June 6, Singh allegedly attempted to sell several weapons to an undercover officer, including a short-barrelled rifle, three other assault weapons, three machine gun conversion devices, and a revolver. A search of his residence later uncovered more firearms, a silencer, and explosive devices. Among the items found were a live pineapple-style hand grenade and a military-style claymore mine, which were safely destroyed at the scene by the San Joaquin County Sheriffs Department bomb squad. Singh initially faced state charges in San Joaquin County and failed to appear in court on July 21, prompting the issuance of a bench warrant. On July 23, U.S. Customs and Border Protection alerted the FBI that Singh had booked a flight to India. He was arrested at the airport on July 26. Singh remains in federal custody. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex Crdenas and Adrian Kinsella and involves several agencies, including the FBI, ATF, Homeland Security Investigations, and multiple sheriffs departments. If convicted: Singh faces up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for unlawful firearms dealing 10 years and a $250,000 fine for machine gun possession 10 years and a $10,000 fine for possession of an unregistered short-barrelled rifle Sentencing would be determined by the court based on federal guidelines and other statutory factors. Singh is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America , a federal initiative targeting illegal firearms, transnational criminal organisations, and violent crime. It also falls under Project Safe Neighbourhoods (PSN), a collaborative programme aimed at reducing gun violence and improving community safety across the U.S.
UT cyber police recover just 15cr of 95cr cheated in online frauds over 2 yrs
Most Covid-era O2 plants battle for life in Punjab hospitals
Chandigarhs solar boom: Renewable energy capacity grows 18-fold in a decade
Every village must produce a champion: CM Saini at Khel Mahakumbh
APS Damana organizes CBSE Capacity Building Programme
Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 2: Army Public School Damana, in collaboration with Centre of Excellence, Chandigarh, conducted a two-day Capacity Building Programme on Inclusive Education. The programme aimed to create awareness and equip teachers with strategies to handle diverse learning needs. The event began with lamp lighting by Principal Pushpinder Kaur, Vice Principal Shallu Kapoor and Headmistress Anurita Koul, accompanied by resource persons. Students welcomed the gathering with a soulful song. Sessions were led by resource persons Geeta Sharma, [] The post APS Damana organizes CBSE Capacity Building Programme appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
222mm rainfall in day leaves Himachal Pradeshs Una in massive pain
Leafhopper outbreak threatens cotton crop in North India: SABC
Stubble trouble: Farmers shun community hiring for personal machines
Punjab VB raids premises of former SAD leader soon after he joins BJP
Pak court sentences Punjab farmer to jail, orders deportation to India after it
Trumped: Indian basmati may lose out to Pak, as 25% tariff gives neighbour 6% edge
Dera castration case: CBI court allows witness to depose via video conferencing
Punjab Police tightens security, launches spl op ahead of I-Day 2025
Chandigarh pollution board flags illegal groundwater extraction in UT
Battling land-pooling protests, Mann says will meet farmers
Pitch perfect: Himachal players natl cricket dreams take flight
At PGI, new hope to rein in type-2 diabetes
Mesh no match as monkeys take over PU hostels
Parks, green belts cry for attention, authorities yet to act
Water level in Pong dam rises sharply due to heavy rainfall; BBMB warns of possible spillway release
CHANDIGARH: Due to continuous heavy rainfall in the region over the past twenty-four hours, the water level in Pong Dam has risen significantly and is now approximately 29 feet below the danger mark. The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has issued a warning that excess water might soon be released from the dam by opening the spillway. The district administrations of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh and Hoshiarpur in Punjab have been asked to take immediate precautionary measures. Sources said that the water level in the reservoir of the dam, built over the River Beas in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, currently stands at 1361.07 feet as of this morning, significantly higher than the 1328.45 feet recorded on the same day last year. The increase has been attributed to heavy rainfall in the hill state, along with the recent release of water from the Pandoh Dam in Mandi district. Local tributaries such as Dehar Khud, Buhal Khud and Dehri Khud, which are also in full spate, have further contributed to the inflow into the reservoir. The dam's maximum storage capacity is 1410 feet, while the danger level is marked at 1390 feet. With an average inflow of 87,586 cusecs recorded this morning, the BBMB has ordered the release of 18,995 cusecs of water through the turbines. As per a letter dated August 2 written to the Deputy Commissioners of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh and Hoshiarpur in Punjab, along with other officials, the Additional Superintending Engineer (Water Regulation) stated, In view of the current inflow pattern at the Pong Dam and rainfall forecast issued by the Indian Meteorological Department for the Beas catchment area, excess water may be released through the Pong Dam spillway in the near future, it added. You are therefore requested to take all necessary precautionary measures and the concerned civil, irrigation, drainage and flood control authorities under your jurisdiction may please be informed accordingly, the letter reads. Sources further added that sirens have been installed at Rey, Sthana, Sansarpur Terrace and Riyali to warn locals in advance of any water release from the dam. Sources also stated that since yesterday evening, Una district in Himachal has received extremely heavy rainfall measuring 222.8 mm, leading to severe water accumulation on roads, markets and residential areas, significantly disrupting daily life. The ChandigarhDharamshala National Highway has also experienced flooding in multiple locations, with water entering several homes. While the River Beas and its tributaries remain flooded, a section of the bridge over the river near Sujanpur Tira in Hamirpur district has developed cracks. Additionally, the road link between Sujanpur Tira and Khairi near Sandhole has been completely severed due to high water levels in the river.
Court extends Majithias judicial custody till Aug 14
Cross-border smuggling ring busted, 3 held with 13kg heroin in Ferozepur
Barwala MLA Indra Nain dies at 92
Indias organ donation rate remains below one per million despite record 18,911 transplants in 2024
NEW DELHI: As many as 18,911 organ transplants were performed last year in India, which continues to face an acute shortage of organs for transplantation, a latest government report said on Saturday. The report, released by Union Health Minister JP Nadda, said that although the number of transplants in India has significantly increased from 4,990 in 2013 to 18,378 in 2023, and 18,911 transplants in 2024 from January to December, the organ donation rate remains low at less than 1 per million population. This starkly contrasts with the highest in the world at around 48 per million population in Spain, it said. India ranks third in the world, after the United States and China, in terms of total organ transplantation, and first in terms of total living donor organ transplantation. The annual report by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) under the Union Health Ministry also showed that Tamil Nadu and Delhi performed the maximum number of heart, kidney, lung and liver transplants. Over 63,000 individuals currently need kidney transplants, and around 22,000 need liver transplants in India. In 2024, there were 13,476 kidney transplants in the country, the highest number of which were performed in Delhi, followed by Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala and West Bengal. Similarly, there were 4,901 liver transplants. Delhi reported the highest number of liver transplants, followed by Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala and Telangana. A total of 253 heart transplants were performed in the country. The highest number was in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, Telangana and Maharashtra. Delhi was in sixth place. In lung transplants, 228, Tamil Nadu again reported the highest number. It was followed by Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Delhi. Just 44 pancreas transplants were carried out, and Chandigarh conducted the most, followed by Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Only nine small bowel transplants were carried out. Tamil Nadu (6) reported the highest number, followed by Karnataka and Maharashtra. As is the norm, more women pledged their organs as compared to men in 2024 as well. Speaking at the 15th Indian Organ Donation Day organised by NOTTO, Nadda said, India achieved a remarkable milestone of performing over 18,900 organ transplants in 2024, the highest ever recorded in a single year, a significant leap from fewer than 5,000 transplants in 2013. Nadda said the central government is continuously streamlining organ donation and transplantation so that more citizens can benefit from them. We are committed to improving the infrastructure and availability of trained manpower to ensure timely and smooth movement of organs between cities and successful organ transplants, he said. Underlining the importance of organ donation, Nadda said, There is an alarming rise in the cases of organ failures posing a serious threat to public health and increasing strain on the healthcare system. Every year, thousands of people wait for organ transplants. Despite the urgent need, there remains a significant gap between the number of patients waiting for transplants and the number of available donors. This gap is not due to a lack of willingness but often due to a lack of awareness and hesitation rooted in the myths and misconceptions. Today is an important day, giving us a platform to spread awareness, encourage conversation, and honour the donors and their families, he added. Unhealthy lifestyle and food habits are among the significant factors leading to organ failure, he pointed out. Nadda said that since the launch of the Aadhar-based NOTTO online pledge website in 2023, more than 3.30 lakh citizens have pledged their organs to donate, marking a historic moment in public participation. He highlighted that India leads the world in hand transplants, showcasing the country's cutting-edge surgical capabilities and the unwavering dedication of medical professionals. Each organ donor is a silent hero whose selfless act transforms grief into hope and loss into lives. One person can save up to eight lives by donating heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and intestines. Additionally, countless more lives can be transformed through tissue donations. He said that to make organ transplants more accessible, financial support of up to 15 lakh is provided to poor patients for transplantation of kidneys, liver, heart and lungs under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi. Poor patients are provided support of up to 10,000 per month after transplant to cover medical expenses. A kidney transplant package has also been included in the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). It is therefore necessary to take preventive measures and lifestyle interventions, he said, and urged all to adopt Yoga to promote overall well-being. The government has launched the year-long national campaign Angdaan Jeevan Sanjeevani Abhiyan, which promotes organ and tissue donation nationwide. The campaign emphasises the need for increased public participation, dispelling myths and misconceptions, and motivating citizens to pledge to organ donation.
Jandiala Guru attack: Lakhwinder Singh succumbs to injuries, 3 held, arms seized
Illegal mining: Ed attaches assets worth over 17.5 cr
AAPs plan to stagger the acquisition process signals a retreat: Bajwa
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Kumar Mittal brings resolution to designate Pak state sponsor of terrorism
Cheema inaugurates devp projects at Sangrur Police Lines
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla visits disaster affected areas in Mandi
Jailed MP Amritpal Singhs father accuses cops of mistreating family
HP CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasises on keeping religion separate from politics
Congress to meet in New Delhi to deliberate on party issues related to HP
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu urges Centre for relaxation in forest norms
SheExports in Hyderabad: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs to Scale Globally
This marks the seventh successful edition of the initiative, following impactful sessions in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Chandigarh collectively empowering hundreds of women entrepreneurs across India
IAF's midnight mission: Civilian with critical injury airlifted from Leh to Chandigarh
The Indian Air Force (IAF) executed a swift overnight mission, airlifting a civilian, Sonam Tsewang, with a critical head injury from Leh to Chandigarh for urgent medical care. Despite inclement weather, the IAF transported Tsewang after receiving a request from the Leh civil administration. He was admitted to Command Hospital Chandimandir.
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Saturday raided the residence and office of former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and prominent realtor Ranjit Singh Gill. The sudden raid comes after Gill was inducted into the saffron party by the Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday. There was heavy police presence outside Gill's office in Kharar. The state vigilance team was inspecting his residence in Sector 2 of Chandigarh. Gill was not available for comment, but his close associates confirmed the raids. Till the time of writing, there has been no official information on the raid yet. Gill was inducted into the BJP by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini at his official residence here on Friday evening. After joining, party Gill expressed confidence in the saffron party's policies and programmes under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sources in the BJP claimed that, Gill was allegedly pressured to join the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which led to his sudden, late-night switch to the saffron party. That is why he joined BJP abruptly. And by morning, the Vigilance Bureau was at his door-step, said a BJP leader who was present during Gills induction into the party. He had recently resigned from the primary membership of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He was once considered a close confidant of SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal. Gill had earlier claimed that loyal party workers in the SAD were being sidelined, while outsiders were gaining prominence in the constituency. Sources said that Gill is a strong contender for the party ticket from the Kharar Assembly seat in the next elections. He had unsuccessfully contested from the Kharar Assembly seat in the 2017 and 2022 Punjab Assembly elections.
Punjab Vigilance Bureau raids Ranjit Singh Gills residence a day after he joins BJP
Chandigarh, Aug 2: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Saturday raided the premises of former Akali leader and prominent realtor Ranjit Singh Gill here, sources said. The action came just a day after Gill joined the BJP. Gill was inducted into the BJP by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini at his official residence here on Friday evening. VB sleuths raided Gills residence in Chandigarh. However, there is no official word on the raid operation yet. Gill had recently resigned [] The post Punjab Vigilance Bureau raids Ranjit Singh Gills residence a day after he joins BJP appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
10-year low for new coal mines masks climate risk of planned projects
A new report reveals that newly-opened coal mine capacity has hit a decade low in 2024. However, planned projects in China, India, Australia, and Russia threaten global emission targets. These projects could release 15.7 million tonnes of methane, jeopardizing the Paris Agreement goals, despite a recent slowdown in coal mine development.
No land in IT Park, but 48 acres offered in Sarangpur for new HC complex
Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh willing to take dope test amid drug abuse allegations: Lawyer
Love across the lane sparks village boycott in Punjab
AAP questions Congress stance on gangsterism
High court upholds summons to Kangana Rananut in Rs 100 tweet defamation case
5 former Punjab cops convicted of 1993 fake-encounter killing of 7 men
Debt-ridden Himachal turns to lottery to make a quick buck
Pakistan-linked arms rackets busted in Amritsar, 9 arrested
Punjab arms its schools in the war against drugs
Chandigarh administration expands electric vehicle incentives, increases quota for e-cars
Chandigarh police arrest gang of 10 for duping elderly woman of Rs 1cr in digital arrest
State bar council warns lawyers against advertising legal services on social media
Chandigarhs Swayam self-defence academy shut down, training now limited to schools
BJP announces protest against govt in Mandi on Aug 6
Punjab police dismantles cross-border arms smuggling rings, arrests four, including juvenile
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Police has busted two separate cross-border illegal arms smuggling modules with the arrest of four operatives, including a juvenile, and recovered seven sophisticated pistols from their possession. Director General of Police, Punjab, Gaurav Yadav said here today that those arrested have been identified as Sikanderjeet Singh (19) of Bhagwanpura village in Tarn Taran, Pradeep Singh alias Babbal (43) of Antarjami Colony in Amritsar, Jarnail Singh (34) of New Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar in Amritsar and one 17-year-old juvenile from Tarn Taran. The recovered weapons include two Glock pistols, four .30 bore Star pistols and one .32 bore pistol, along with six live cartridges. Apart from recovering the weapons, police teams also seized their motorcycle, which they were allegedly using to deliver the consignment. Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused were allegedly in touch with Pakistan-based smugglers and retrieved weapon consignments near the international border. The weapons were meant to fuel gang rivalries and disrupt peace in the region, he said. He added that further investigation is underway to trace forward and backward linkages to unearth the entire smuggling network. Sharing details of the operation, Commissioner of Police of Amritsar, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, said that preliminary investigations revealed accused Sikander along with the juvenile was allegedly in contact with Pakistan-based smugglers. They reside close to the vicinity of the international border and retrieved the drone-dropped consignments from the locations provided by the smugglers, he said. In the other module, Bhullar said that accused Pardeep and Jarnail are alleged associates of deceased Ravneet Singh alias Sonu Mota, who had a rivalry with the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang. These weapons are sophisticated pistols received from Pakistani smugglers and were allegedly handed over to them by slain Sonu Mota prior to his death, he said, while adding that the recovery of these weapons averted a major criminal activity in the area. He said that further investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are likely in the coming days. In this regard, two separate cases, FIR No. 187 dated 26.07.2025 under Sections 25(7) and 27 of the Arms Act at Police Station Gate Hakima, Amritsar, and FIR No. 160 dated 29.07.2025 under Section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station B-Division, Amritsar, have been registered.
GNDU VC Karamjit Singh seen on stage with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Kerala, courts controversy
Punjab and Haryana HC dismisses Kanganas plea seeking quashing of defamation complaint
CHANDIGARH, Aug 1: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday dismissed a plea of BJP MP Kangana Ranaut seeking quashing of a defamation complaint against her and the summoning order by a court in Bathinda. The actor-turned-politician had challenged the defamation case which stemmed from her retweet consisting of her own comment about the complainant during the 2020-21 farmer protests against the now repealed farm laws. The complaint was filed by Mahinder Kaur (73) of Bahadurgarh Jandian village in [] The post Punjab and Haryana HC dismisses Kanganas plea seeking quashing of defamation complaint appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
CHANDIGARH: Once again, the Aam Aadmi Party led Punjab Government and BJP led Union Government are at loggerheads, as Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has denied political clearance to Punjab Power and Public Works Department Minister Harbhajan Singh for his scheduled visit to the United States. Singh is supposed to attend the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit 2025 to be held in Boston, Massachusetts from August 4 to 6. He is the fourth Aam Aadmi Party leader (minister or senior functionary) who has been denied approval for foreign travel. Sources said that political leaders require clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs for travelling abroad. The MEA cited security reasons for the refusal. Harbhajan Singh said that this conference would have been a good learning experience as a legislator and an opportunity for international exposure. The summit would have provided a platform to connect with legislative peers and policy innovators from across the globe, enabling me to bring back innovative ideas and best practices that can be implemented for the benefit of Punjab, he said. When asked why he was denied permission, Singh said that the MEA would know better. AAP Punjab spokesperson Neel Garg questioned, Why is the Modi Govt afraid of @AAPPunjab leaders going abroad? CM Mann blocked, Speaker Sandhwan blocked, Minister Aman Arora, now Harbhanjan Singh ETO blocked. 4AAP leaders denied political clearance. Minister Harbhajan was to represent Punjabs governance model at the NCSL conference in Boston. But the Centre got scared of truth, of transparency, of a real alternative model. Is foreign diplomacy now @BJP4India's monopoly? Why is AAP being stopped from global platforms? Is this an attack on India's federal structure? We strongly condemn this decision, he wrote on X. Last year, the central government denied political clearance to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to travel to Paris for the Indian hockey team's quarterfinal match at the Olympic Games. Punjab assembly speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan was also denied political clearance for going to the US to participate in a legislative conference in August last year. In 2022, Punjab Renewable Energy and Governance Reforms Minister Aman Arora was denied political clearance for a knowledge-sharing study tour to Europe. Punjab BJP spokesman Anil Sareen said that it is not a political issue but an administrative one, and that AAP leaders should not politicise it but instead check with the MEA why the ministers permission was denied. The invitation to Singh was extended jointly by the NCSL and National Legislators Conference Bharat (NLC Bharat). The NCSL Legislative Summit 2025 is one of the largest gatherings of legislative leaders, staff experts and policymakers worldwide, creating an environment filled with unparalleled learning, networking, and inspiration opportunities. The summit would feature open sessions covering various aspects of governance, professional development workshops and networking events designed to facilitate knowledge exchange among legislative colleagues from different countries and jurisdictions, as per an official release issued on July 28.
Punjab & Haryana High Court dismisses Kangana Ranauts plea to quash defamation case against her
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed a petition filed by actor-turned-politician and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut seeking to quash the summoning order on a defamation complaint filed against her by an elderly woman of Bathinda. Ranaut had sought quashing of the criminal complaint filed under Sections 499 and 500 of IPC, as well as the summoning order and all subsequent proceedings in the matter. After considering the matter, the High Court found no merit in the petition and dismissed it. The Bench of Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya did not accept the argument for quashing the complaint and the summoning order. There are specific allegations against the petitioner who is a celebrity, that false and defamatory imputations by her in the retweet have dented the respondents reputation and lowered her in her own estimation, as also in the eyes of others. Therefore, filing of the complaint to vindicate her rights cannot be termed mala fide, the high court has observed in its detailed order. The court further observed that the magistrate has duly applied mind to the material on record, and only after recording satisfaction that commission of offence under Sections 499 IPC is prima facie made out against the petitioner, the process has been issued. With this, she has to face the trial before the local court in Punjab. Kangana Ranaut says she never feared ageing: Politics is kinder to older women than movies On February 22, 2022, Bathinda judicial magistrate had issued summons asking Kangana to appear before the court. But she had approached the Punjab and Haryana high court contending that the trial court had misapplied Section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The defamation complaint against Kangana was filed by 73-year old Mahinder Kaur of Bahadurgarh Jandian village in Bathinda district. Kaur in her complaint before the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Bathinda had alleged that it had falsely compared her to another elderly woman associated with the Shaheen Bagh protests by farmers and featured in a magazine. She contended that the defamatory content not only hurt her pride and honour, but also lowered her reputation among fellow protestors. She asserted that she had no connection with the Shaheen Bagh protests or the woman featured in a magazine, and that the imputations were wholly false. She alleged that Kangana Ranaut had defamed her in a tweet by identifying her wrongly as Bilkis Bano of Shaheen Bagh fame and implying that such women could be hired for Rs 100 to participate in the protest. The tweet, which was later deleted, targeted Mahinder Kaur during her participation in the farmers' agitation at Delhi's borders.
In a first, Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited records a profit of Rs 315 crore
CHANDIGARH: Between January 20 and July 22 this year, a total of 1,703 Indian citizens were deported from the United States, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed in response to a question in the Lok Sabha. The highest number of deportees was from Punjab, followed by Haryana and Gujarat. Of the total, 767 individuals returned on commercial flights from the US, while 333 were deported via US Customs and Border Protection (Military) flights. In a written reply to a question posed by MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh shared these statistics in the Lok Sabha. Among the deportees, 1,562 were men and 141 were women. The state-wise breakdown is as follows: Punjab (620), Haryana (604), Gujarat (245), Uttar Pradesh (38), Goa (26), Maharashtra (20), Delhi (20), Telangana (19), Tamil Nadu (17), Andhra Pradesh (12), Uttarakhand (12), Himachal Pradesh (10), Jammu & Kashmir (10), Kerala (8), Chandigarh (8), Madhya Pradesh (7), Rajasthan (7), West Bengal (6), Karnataka (5), Odisha (1), Bihar (1), Jharkhand (1), and six cases with the state of origin unknown. Further details on the modes of deportation revealed that 333 individuals were deported by the US Customs and Border Protection (Military) flights on February 5, 15, and 16. Another 231 were deported on charter flights by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 19, June 8, and June 25. Additionally, 300 people were deported on July 5 and 18 via Department of Homeland Security (DHS) charter flights. Seventy-two deportees arrived in India individually or in small groups, as and when their commercial flight tickets were arranged from Panama. Another 767 individuals returned from the US on commercial flights, again in small groups or individually. The Ministry stated that it remains engaged with the US authorities to ensure the humane treatment of deportees during these operations. It said concerns had been strongly registered with the US regarding the treatment of deporteesespecially the use of shackles, including on women and children. Concerns with regard to religious/cultural sensitivities, including the use of turbans and dietary preferences, have also been formally taken up with the US side. The Ministry has not received any complaint pertaining to the treatment of deportees on any flight after February 5, 2025, the reply stated. On the issue of monitoring the status of Indian students and migrants in the US facing deportation or visa-related challenges, including social media-based vetting procedures, the MEA said it had received several representations from Indian students and their families struggling to get student visa appointments. The Ministry took up the matter with the US Embassy in New Delhi as well as the US Department of State, the reply said. In response, the US side informed that additional security requirements for student visas had reduced the capacity of the US Embassy and consulates in India to process visas. However, student visa appointments are now open. For the J-1 physician category, the US side has launched a software-based solution to prioritise their appointments. Several students who had earlier reported difficulty in finding appointment slots under this category have now been able to secure appointments. The US Embassy is working to open a limited number of additional student visa appointments through the end of August in recognition of the urgent need before the start of the new academic year. A student visa fact sheet with frequently asked questions (FAQs) is also being developed to reduce uncertainty around the issue, the reply noted. The Ministry added that while visa issuance remains a sovereign prerogative of the host country, it has consistently raised with both the US Embassy in New Delhi and the US State Department in Washington, DC, the issues faced by Indian students in securing visas.
Jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria threatened to kill my son, alleges Punjab Congress MP Randhawa
CHANDIGARH: Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament from Gurdaspur, Punjab, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, has alleged that the jailed gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria has threatened to kill his son, Udhayveer Singh Randhawa. Randhawa, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, who is currently in the national capital for the Monsoon Session of Parliament, said that a person named Parminder Singh from Fatehgarh Churian and a few other party supporters came to meet his son at 10 am on Thursday. An hour after a picture from the meeting was posted online, there was a firing at his son's turban shop. But thankfully, no one was injured. I have brought the matter to the notice of the Punjab DGP, he said. He alleged that even from inside prison, Bhagwanpuria was threatening people and that one of his associates had also received a threatening call. After the firing incident on Thursday evening, one person repeatedly wrote objectionable comments on my son's social media post, Randhawa added. He questioned the functioning of the states law enforcement agencies, asking, Where is their intelligence, where is their cyber crime unit? If a common individual posts a status with a gun in hand, they are arrested immediately. But those who are openly threatening otherswhat action is being taken against them? Threats didnt deter us even during the days of terrorism. We are not afraid. But my concern is: where does the law and order situation in the state stand today? Alleging that law and order has collapsed in Punjab, Randhawa pointed to a recent incident where a prominent businessman was shot dead in broad daylight outside his showroom. There have been several other serious crimes. What is the situation today? he asked. This latest incident comes just over a month after Bhagwanpurias mother, Harjit Kaur, and a relative, Karanvir Singh, were shot dead in Batala, Gurdaspur district, on June 26. The rival Davinder Bambiha gang claimed responsibility for the killings. Randhawa said that after the Batala incident, an MLA from the ruling AAP claimed the killing of Bhagwanpurias mother was a political murder. The police should have taken his statement and questioned how it was a political murder. What are the police doing? I have repeatedly brought to the notice of senior officers the issue of a police officers nexus with gangstersa matter that threatens national securitybut no action has been taken, he said. Earlier, Randhawa also posted on X, stating: Jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria has threatened to kill my son. One of my associates met my son and within an hour of leaving, he was fired upon today. Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal have turned Punjab into a gangster's paradise where law and order have totally collapsed. I am in Delhi for the Parliament session. No gangster can shake me! Randhawa has previously accused Bhagwanpuria of influencing voters in Dera Baba Nanak during elections, including the November 2023 assembly bypoll, where he alleged the gangsters family intimidated locals to support AAP candidates. Responding to the allegations, AAP spokesperson Neel Garg said Randhawa should provide full details so the matter can be investigated. He added, Everyone knows that gangsters got patronage under previous Congress governments. The AAP government has zero tolerance towards gangsterism. We do not spare anyone who tries to disturb law and order. Since coming to power, we have jailed several gangsters and even attached their properties. Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, a gangster with over 128 criminal casesincluding murder, extortion, arms smuggling, and drug traffickingis currently lodged in Silchar Central Jail, Assam, under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. He was shifted there from Bathinda Central Jail in March this year. He was already in the custody of Punjab Police in connection with the 2022 murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala and faces several other criminal charges. Reacting to Randhawa's claims, Leader of the Opposition in Punjab and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa said, A jailed gangster openly threatening a senior INC leader, former Deputy CM, and sitting MPthis is not just a law and order failure, its a damning indictment of the complete collapse of governance under Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal. If gangsters can intimidate elected representatives from behind bars, what chance does the common man in Punjab stand? Is this the badlav AAP promiseda state where criminals rule and citizens live in fear? Bajwa accused the AAP government of turning Punjab into a playground for gangsters, saying, While Kejriwal remains busy marketing false narratives, Punjab has become lawless under AAP. Punjab Congress president and Ludhiana MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring also condemned the incident, saying, A gangster has the audacity to threaten a senior INC leader from inside jail! Imagine the plight of common people in Punjab. This reflects the complete collapse of law and order in Punjab.
NEW DELHI: Nearly 70 per cent of India's elderly population remains financially dependent, with many continuing to work post-retirement to survive, according to a new report. The study, Ageing in India: Challenges and Opportunities, was released by the Sankala Foundation in partnership with NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and the National Human Rights Commission. It draws on findings from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), offering a detailed snapshot of India's rapidly greying population. Despite improved life expectancy, the report highlights that many elderly Indians live with economic and health insecurities. The report said that about 6.4 per cent of the elderly reduced their meal sizes, 5.6 per cent went hungry without eating, and 4.2 per cent did not eat for an entire day at least once in the past year. Odisha (37.1 per cent) and Uttar Pradesh (36.6 per cent) reported the highest prevalence of underweight elderly, while Dadra and Nagar Haveli led among Union Territories with 40.1 per cent. Overweight and obesity were most prevalent in Punjab (28 per cent) and Chandigarh (21.5 per cent). Cardiovascular diseases affect 35.6 per cent, hypertension 32 per cent, and diabetes 13.2 per cent of those aged 60 and above. Sallapam to be lifeline for senior citizens battling loneliness Goa and Kerala report the highest rates of cardiovascular disease (60 per cent and 57 per cent, respectively), while diabetes is most prevalent in Kerala (35 per cent), Puducherry (28 per cent) and Delhi (26 per cent). Bone and joint issues are another concern, with 19 per cent of the elderly suffering from such conditions. Telangana leads with the highest prevalence at 33 per cent, while arthritis is most commonly reported in Jammu & Kashmir (22 per cent) and across all southern states. Mental health issues are rising, with 30 per cent of the elderly experiencing depressive symptoms and 8 per cent showing signs of probable major depression. The report noted a 10 per cent gap between self-reported and clinically screened cases, suggesting underdiagnosis. Elderly women are disproportionately affected, especially widows and those facing ill-treatment or poverty. Social isolation is growing, with 18.7 per cent of elderly women and 5.1 per cent of men now living alone. The erosion of joint family structures has exacerbated loneliness, especially among older women. In Kerala, 65 per cent smartphone penetration was found among the elderly. Age-based discrimination is prevalent, especially in Delhi, where 12.9 per cent of elderly respondents reported experiencing one form of discrimination and 12.3 per cent reported facing two or more. One in ten elderly felt that age was the primary reason for discrimination, with rural and poorer older adults more vulnerable. Kerala continues to top the chart with 16.5 per cent of its population aged 60+, followed by Tamil Nadu (13.6 per cent), Himachal Pradesh (13.1 per cent) and Punjab (12.6 per cent) as of 2021. Bihar (7.7 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (8.1 per cent) and Assam (8.2 per cent) reported the lowest proportions. While the central government has taken steps such as expanding Ayushman Bharat coverage to all citizens above 70 years, the report called for greater inter-ministerial coordination, investment in home-based care, and age-friendly infrastructure. It also advocated for public campaigns to challenge ageism and promote the social inclusion of older citizens. Delhi's senior citizens demand better safety and care amid fears over crime, health access
