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Congress leader Navjot suspended from party for Rs 500 cr CM remark
Chandigarh: Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singhs namesake wife was on Monday suspended from the primary membership of the party for the Rs 500 crore CM remark. His wife and Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu claimed that it costs Rs 500 crore to become Punjab CM. She was placed under suspension by PPCC chief Amarinder Singh Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
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Navjot Kaur Sidhu suspended from Congress after row over 'Rs 500 crore to become CM' remark
CHANDIGARH: After a backlash over her 'Rs 500 crore for chief minister's chair' remark, Congress leader Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu has been suspended from the primary membership of the party with immediate effect. Days after claiming that it costs Rs 500 crore to become Punjab Chief Minister and making utterances against her party colleagues, Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu was placed under suspension by Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu is hereby suspended from the primary membership of the party with immediate effect, read the order issued on Monday evening. Senior Congress leader and leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said, It is the right decision at the right time, you cannot make such baseless allegations. Her intentions were not right for the party. Bajwa hinted that the BJP is the master of deceptive moves as she met the state governor Gulab Chand Kataria and then made the statement after coming out of Raj Bhawan. Responding to her remark, MP from Gurdaspur and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said that the party made Navjot Singh Sidhu a minister and also president of the Punjab unit of the Congress. I want to ask him how much money did he give and to whom for that? The status of party chief is higher that the Chief Minister. Leveling such allegations when you have served as party president is anti-party. The high command should take a note of it, he said, adding that Sidhu has not been active for four years but has now started leveling allegations as assembly polls are scheduled for 2027. Twist given to straight comment, says Navjot Kaur Sidhu after controversy over her 'Rs 500 crore' remark Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, also slammed her comments, saying, Let her be admitted to a hospital, some good mental hospital. After her statement, the BJP and AAP claimed that she had exposed the ugly truth of how the grand old party functions, and the money bag politics it indulges in. Following the backlash, Navjot Kaur had claimed that her comments had been twisted. I am shocked to see the twist given to a straight comment saying that our Congress party has never demanded anything from us. On being asked about Navjot becoming a CM face from any other party, I stated that we have no money to offer for a CM post, Kaur said in a post on X on Sunday evening. Former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu had triggered a row on Saturday by implying that only someone who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore can become the CM. She also said her husband will return to active politics if the Congress declares him as the party's chief ministerial face in Punjab. Navjot Sidhu will return to active politics if he is declared as Congress's CM face in Punjab polls, says his wife
CHANDIGARH: With the assembly elections in Punjab scheduled to be held after 14 months, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday made the surprise announcement that he will fight these polls from Gidderbaha assembly constituency instead of Jalalabad. Interestingly, the Gidderbaha seat was represented by his late father and former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal from 1969 to 1985. Sukhbir made the announcement following an intense demand from party workers while inaugurating the party office in Gidderbaha for the Block Samiti and Zila Parishad elections. He also declared that people who had betrayed the party, including Hardeep Singh Dhillon, would never be taken back into the fold. He interacted with party candidates contesting the Block Samiti and Zila Parishad elections from this constituency. He said the Panchayati Raj elections were a litmus test for the party and urged the rank and file to ensure its candidates were elected with flying colours. Sukhbir also attended the Foundation Day celebrations of the Malwa Public School. Talking to The New Indian Express , political analyst Prof Kuldip Singh said that for a Chief Ministerial aspirant, individual victory is meaningless if the person is not able to ensure victory in the state. This constituency is the Badal fiefdom therefore he can win from there and concentrate on the rest of the state, he said. Hardeep Singh Dhillon of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is currently the sitting MLA from Gidderbaha. Having left the SAD and joined the AAP, he won the bypoll from this seat in November last year, defeating Amrita Warring, wife of Punjab Congress President Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, by 21,969 votes. Amrinder Singh Raja Warring was MLA from here twice, but had to resign after becoming an MP from Ludhiana in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He had won the Gidderbaha assembly seat in 2022 by a narrow margin of 1,349 votes, defeating Dhillon who was then in the SAD. Sukhbir had won from Jalalabad three consecutive times in 2009 (bypoll), 2012 and 2017 before losing to an AAP candidate in the 2022 assembly polls. His move to Gidderbaha carries significance as the Badal family has deep roots in the constituencyhis father, former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, served as the MLA from here for five consecutive terms from 1969 to 1985 before shifting to Lambi in 1997 (SAD had boycotted the elections in 1992). After the byelection in 1995, Sukhbir's cousin Manpreet Singh Badal, who was earlier in the Akali Dal, had represented Gidderbaha for four consecutive terms before losing in 2012 to Warring. In last years bypoll, former state finance minister Manpreet, who is now in the BJP, could only get 12,227 votes.
Arms Smuggling Module Linked To Pak-Based Handler Busted; 6 Held
CHANDIGARH, Dec 8: The Punjab Police on Monday claimed it has dismantled a cross-border arms smuggling module with links to a Pakistan-based handler and apprehended six persons, including a juvenile. Police recovered six pistols from the accused, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were in direct contact with a Pakistan-based handler through social media platforms, who shared coordinates for weapon consignments, he said. In a post on X, the DGP said, [] The post Arms Smuggling Module Linked To Pak-Based Handler Busted; 6 Held appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
CHANDIGARH: Amid a political row over her 'Rs 500 crore for chief minister's chair' remark, Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu has said a twist was given to her straight comment. I am shocked to see the twist given to a straight comment saying that our Congress party has never demanded anything from us. On being asked about Navjot becoming a CM face from any other party, I stated that we have no money to offer for a CM post, Kaur said in a post on X on Sunday evening. Former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu had triggered a row on Saturday by claiming that one who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore becomes the CM. Speaking to reporters, Navjot Kaur Sidhu had said her husband will return to active politics if the Congress declares him as the party's chief ministerial face in Punjab. She further said they do not have money to give to any party but can transform Punjab into a golden state. We always speak for Punjab and Punjabiyat. But do not have Rs 500 crore which we can give to sit in chief minister's chair, she told reporters on Saturday after meeting Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on issues, including alleged deteriorating law and order in the state. When asked if anybody demanded money from them, she said nobody has demanded but the one who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore he becomes the CM. Following her statement, the BJP and AAP claimed that her comments exposed the ugly truth of how the grand old party functions, and the money bag politics it indulges in. Reacting to Navjot Kaur's remarks, AAP Punjab general secretary Baltej Pannu on Sunday said they have exposed the ugly truth of how the Congress functions, how its leadership is decided, and how Punjab's interests are sidelined for personal ambitions and monetary deals. Navjot Kaur Sidhu made two explosive claims that Navjot Singh Sidhu will re-enter Punjab politics only if Congress declares him as its chief ministerial face, and that the Sidhus do not have Rs 500 crore to pay, implying that becoming a chief minister in the Congress requires a Rs 500 crore deal, Pannu had said. BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh had said Navjot Kaur has exposed the politics of money bags in the Congress by publicly stating that the chief minister's chair in Punjab costs Rs 500 crore, which her husband Navjot Singh Sidhu cannot pay. In a statement, Chugh had said, When the wife of a senior Congress leader herself admits that the chief minister's position can be purchased through financial deals, it demonstrates a complete moral collapse in the party led by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
Rs 500cr suitcase makes a CM: Navjot Singh Sidhu wifes claim sparks firestorm
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Chandigarh Bill to FDTL pause: NDA 3.0 opts for consultative approach
In its third term, the NDA government is embracing a fresh strategy characterized by increased flexibility and collaboration in lawmaking. With a slimmer majority, they've pulled back on certain proposals and are opting for further examination on others. This change reflects a newfound openness to parliamentary discourse and a commitment to fostering consensus.
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Punjab Civil Aviation Secretary Sonali Giri said IndiGo Airlines has around 30 bags of passengers, which will be sent to them at their residences free of cost by the airline
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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.
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FRK rice supply rules spark fresh tussle between Punjab millers and FCI
CHANDIGARH: The new instructions regarding the production and supply of Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) rice by the Union Government has led to fresh tussle between rice shellers of Punjab and the Food Corporation of India (FCI). After the union government had stated this year, out of the 104 lakh tonnes of rice to be generated from the 156 lakh tonnes of procured paddy from Punjab, at least 25 lakh tonnes will be taken as upgraded rice, which has just 10 per cent broken grains. The remaining 80 lakh tonne will be accepted only as FRK-mixed rice for the central pool. With delays in the supply of FRK rice, milling operations have not started, although the units are stacked with procured paddy. The Punjab government has written to the Centre requesting it to accept 25 lakh tonnes of non-FRK CMR, but so far, no action has been initiated. A letter dated November 28, sent to Chairman of Food Corporation of India by Secretary-cum-Director, Food and Civil Supplies, Punjab, reads, `To ensure grain integrity, DFPD from this Kharif has introduced more elaborate testing protocols for pre-testing of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRKs), which is likely to result in comparatively slower pace of supply of FRK by manufacturers to rice millers. In view of slower than expected pace of FRK supply during KMS 2025-26, it is likely that slow supply of FRK may impact rice delivery of Fortified Rice (FR) to FCI during KMS 2025-26. During KMS 2024-25 also, the state was constrained to seek extension in delivery period of milling and delivery of rice during previous Kharif till September 15, 2025 well beyond the March 31, 2025 deadline. Accordingly, to avoid being constrained to seek extension in milling period of delivery of rice during KMS 2025-26, it is requested that Punjab be allocated a quota of Non-Fortified Rice of minimum of 25 Lakh Metric Tonnes, on lines of a similar quota being allocated by FCI to Uttar Pradesh Region. It is assured that the state is fully geared up to deliver rice at the earliest with Closure Physical Verifications (PVs) of paddy stocks stored during KMS 2025-26 have almost been completed, it added. As per the food safety and standards authority of India (FSSAI) norms, chalky grain above 5 per cent is considered unfit for human consumption that FCI as rejected the rice samples and recently suspended its two technical officers, a field assistant, and a quality manager as freshly milled 10 per cent of the upgraded rice supplied to the FCI has been found to be defective. Also the laboratory of the corporation has rejected the rice sample because the amount of chalky was more than 5 per cent thus panic spread in rice millers. The millers have warned that further delays in milling will lead to deterioration in the quality of rice with each passing day, leading to financial losses. Bharat Bhushan Binta president of Punjab Rice Industry Association said that a virtual meeting held last month between FCIs Executive Director (Quality), senior quality officials, and DFPDs Under Secretary made it blatantly clear that the improved rice supplied by Punjab under last years ilot project did not meet the prescribed standard. Thus they are facing serious challenges in selling this stock under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS), he claimed. Binta said that they were told that the quality of improved rice procured last year from Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra is considerably better than the stock received from Punjab. argued that despite these concerns, FCI can easily sell such rice across India under OMSS, as is being done with stocks from other states, he said. This decision has mounted more pressure on millers in the state. The orders give no deadline or timeline for the samples to be cleared, said Ranjit Singh Jossan, Vice President of the Association. He said, Punjab has been grappling with acute storage shortages for three consecutive years. If FCI lifts the estimated 25 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of improved rice from the state, the space crisis will ease significantly. But if FCI delays or refuses to accept this stock, Punjab may again face a severe storage crunch, potentially delaying delivery of the seasons total commitment of 105 LMT by more than a year. A high-level meeting between state authorities and rice millers associations will be held on Monday, where the issue will be discussed in detail. The Punjab government and the associations are expected to formally raise the matter with the central government to find a resolution. Fortified rice are enriched with micronutrients such as iron, folic acid, B-complex vitamins, vitamin A and zinc.
Cross-Border Arms Smuggling Module Busted In Punjab: DGP
Chandigarh, Dec 7: The Punjab Police on Sunday said it has busted a cross-border arms smuggling module with links to Pakistan following an arrest of one person. Five pistols were recovered from the arrested individual, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused, along with wanted associate Saifli Singh, had been retrieving weapon consignments on the directions of a Pakistan-based handler and supplying them to criminals and gangsters in Punjab, Yadav said on X. An [] The post Cross-Border Arms Smuggling Module Busted In Punjab: DGP appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Punjab records maximum food stock damage in past five years in India
CHANDIGARH: Punjab, considered the food bowl of India, recorded food stock damage of 8,226.04 metric tonne (MT) of Food Corporation of India (FCI) in the last five years. Punjab topped the list, followed by Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha. These figures were placed on record in the Lok Sabha by the Union Minister for state of consumer affairs, food and public distribution Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya in reply to an unstated question asked by Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai, Member of Parliament from Dadra and Nagar Haveli. As per the figures placed in the parliament showed that the cumulative loss over five years in Punjab stood at 8,226.04 MT of this the lowest was in 2020-21 at 25 MT, then 100 MT in 2021-22, then 264 in 2022-23, then 7,746 MT in 2023-24 and 91.04 in 2024-25. The second highest was in Tamil Nadu with 3,001.39 MT damaged in 2024-25, as only 7 MY in 2023-24 bringing its total to 3,008.39 MT. Then followed by Haryana at 2,511-MT loss in 2023-24, Uttar Pradesh the highest 2,254.32 MT in 2024-25, before that 2 MT in 2023-24, 47 MT in 2022-23, 78 MT in 2021-22 and 69 MT in 2020-21 taking its overall figure to 2,450.32 MT. Meanwhile, Maharashtra recorded an accumulated 2,856.68 MT of damaged stock over five years, including highest 1,985.68 MT in 2024-25 and Odisha reported 1,157 MT, mostly from 1,145 MT in 2020-21. But Punjab recorded the sharpest single-year damage, several other states reported sizeable losses. Also year-wise and commodity-wise assessments of damaged wheat and rice along with valuation were given. The highest recorded value of damaged food grains in the period was for rice in 2024-25, amounting to Rs 13.06 crore, linked to 0.072 lakh tonnes of damaged stock against an off take of 259.55 lakh tonne, translating to a 0.028% loss. For 2023-24, rice damage stood at 0.012 lakh tonnes, valued at Rs 2.06 crore. Wheat losses were recorded as 0.01 lakh tonnes in 2020-21, 0.004 lakh tonnes in 2022-23, and 0.0067 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, with corresponding values of Rs 0.64 crore, Rs 0.46 crore, and Rs 0.814 crore. The reply also stated that no central pool foodgrains got damaged due to insufficient FCI godowns. The overall storage capacity of Punjab is 174 lakh MT, comprising 124 lakh MT under the Food Corporation of India and another 49 LMT with state agencies.
Delhi fourth most polluted city in India; all top 10 cities from Haryana, UP: Study
CHANDIGARH: Delhi ranked fourth among the most polluted cities in the country in November, as per a report released by Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Ghaziabad topped the list, followed by Noida, Bahadurgarh, Delhi, Hapur, Greater Noida, Baghpat, Sonipat, Meerut and Rohtak. Despite a significant reduction in stubble-burning, 20 out of 29 cities in National Capital Region (NCR) recorded higher pollution levels than the previous year. Punjab and Haryana had been blamed in the past for being the primary cause of air pollution in the NCR; the two states have registered an 80 to 90 per cent drop in farm fire cases over the last four years. The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA)s November 2025 Monthly Air Quality Snapshot, draws data from real-time continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS) PM2.5. The report indicates a substantial deterioration in air quality across the country. Ghaziabad emerged as the most polluted city in the country in November this year with a monthly average PM2.5 concentration of 224 g/m, violating the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) on every day of the month, the report stated. It further said the city experienced 19 Very Poor days, 10 Severe days, and one Poor day. The report further reads, Uttar Pradesh accounted for six of the top ten cities, followed by Haryana with three, along with Delhi. All cities in the top 10 list recorded higher PM2.5 levels than the previous year, except for Delhi. Delhi ranked as the fourth most polluted city, recording a monthly average PM2.5 concentration of 215 g/m in November, about twice its October level of 107 g/m. The city experienced 23 Very Poor days, six Severe days, and one Poor day throughout November, the report stated. Despite widespread pollution, the contribution of stubble burning was an average of 7 per cent in November, down from 20 per cent last year. Peak contributions of stubble burning reached 22 per cent, significantly lower than 38 per cent recorded in the previous year. Except for Bahadurgarh, none of the top ten cities recorded even a single day within the safe daily NAAQS limit. Several other cities, including Charkhi Dadri, Bulandshahr, Jind, Muzaffarnagar, Gurgaon, Khurja, Bhiwani, Karnal, Yamunanagar and Faridabad, also recorded PM2.5 levels above NAAQS every day of the month. Sonipat recorded very poor' air quality with PM 2.5 at 121-250 g/m on 29 of the 30 days, while Bahadurgarh remained the second most polluted with a PM 2.5 average of 215 g/m, it added. While seven cities of Punjab exceeded the standard as Mandi Gobindgarh was the most polluted in Punjab with PM 2.5 at 93 g/m. Despite a significant reduction in stubble-burning influence, 20 out of 29 NCR cities recorded higher pollution levels than the previous year, and many still did not register a single day within NAAQS limits. This clearly indicates that the dominant drivers are year-round sources such as transport, industry, power plants, and other combustion sources. Without sector-specific emission cuts, cities will continue to breach standards, said Manoj Kumar, analyst at CREA. At the state level, Rajasthan had the largest number of polluted cities, with 23 of 34 exceeding the NAAQS in November. Haryana had 22 of 25 such cities, while Uttar Pradesh had 14 of 20 above the standard. Pollution levels were also high across other states, with 9 of 12 cities in Madhya Pradesh, 9 of 14 in Odisha, and 7 of 8 in Punjab recording concentrations above NAAQS.
Kuldeep Bags Impact Player Of The Series Award After Indias 2-1 Series Win
Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium: After India secured a 2-1 victory in the ODI series against South Africa, left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav was named the impact player of the series award. The Kanpur-based spinner took nine wickets in three matches at an average of 20.77 and became the leading wicket-taker in a series heavily dominated by batters. Guys, I've got the honour and the pleasure of presenting the impact player of the series. I just think in a series where everyone contributes, I know we say it a lot, but in a series where you've all contributed in all three games, and a series where the bat dominates in most of the contests, the impact player of the series for this series is Kuldeep Yadav, said India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate in a video posted on BCCIs social media accounts on Sunday. Nothing much from my side. Everything the coach has already told. So, congrats to Virat bhai and Jaisu - he played an unbelievable innings and thats it, enjoy, said Kuldeep. Kuldeep started with figures of 4-68 in the opening game at JSCA Stadium in Ranchi, before taking just one wicket at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium in Raipur. But he bounced back to take another four-wicket haul while conceding just 41 runs in the series decider at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, which India won by nine wickets to seal the series 2-1. Kuldeep started with figures of 4-68 in the opening game at JSCA Stadium in Ranchi, before taking just one wicket at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium in Raipur. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The series continues with matches in New Chandigarh (December 11), Dharamsala (December 14), Lucknow (December 17), and Ahmedabad (December 19). Article Source: IANS
If made Congress's CM face: Navjot Singh Sidhu return to active politics? What his wife said
Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife, Navjot Kaur Sidhu, stated that her husband would return to active politics if the Congress party declared him as its chief ministerial candidate. She emphasized their commitment to Punjab's welfare over personal gain and expressed concerns about internal party infighting potentially hindering his elevation.
Now, younger Canadians turn against immigration due to rising concern over housing affordability
CHANDIGARH: Blaming the housing affordability, now the younger people are turning against an increased intake of newcomers. In Canada, a public opinion on immigration shifted dramatically twice in the past 30 years. These were the findings in a recent paper, 'Who Changed Their Minds? Two Shifts in Canadian Public Opinion on Immigration: 1995-2005 and 2023-24', published by the Institute of Research on Public Policys Centre of Excellence on the Canadian Federation. The paper written by Randy Besco, an associate professor at the University of Toronto and Natasha Goel, a scholar there, stated that the Canadian public opinion on immigration shifted dramatically twice in the past 30 years. It became more positive between 1995-2005 and then more negative in 2023-24. The brief on immigration was based on over 40 years of surveys conducted by the Environics Institute to compare shifts in the opinions of different demographic groups. Overall, the 1990s-2000s shift was remarkably broad-based, with most groups following the general pro-immigration trend and previous gaps due to education and immigrant status narrowing. However, the 2023-24 shift was quite different. First, it was primarily an anglophone phenomenon, with francophone and Quebec respondents showing less movement. Second, the gender gap has flipped: previously, men were more supportive, but now women are. Third, the role of age has reversed: in the past, older people were more likely to say there is too much immigration, but now it is young people espousing that view. Recent shifts are clearly a new phenomenon, rather than simply a reversion of previous changes, it reads. Canadas new immigration rules: What are the reforms and how do they impact migrants and aspirants It further stated, he average opposition to immigration for four different age groups from 1980 to 2025. In general, over that time frame, older respondents tended to think there was too much immigration. These differences were modest, however, and shifts occurred over time in all age groups. The mid-1990s to mid-2000s decline is evident across all groups, and all groups clearly expressed increased opposition to immigration in 2024. Strikingly, however, the age gradient was reversed in 2024. Respondents aged 18-29 showed the most opposition, with 32 per cent strongly agreeing there was too much immigration. Ontario and Alberta often had the highest anti-immigration sentiment, but this was not always the case, nor was it by a substantial amount. Some people assume that opinion in Quebec is generally more anti-immigration due to political debates around reasonable accommodation and preservation of the French language. In 2024, only 22 per cent of Quebec respondents strongly agreed there were too many immigrants much lower than the next lowest province, British Columbia, at 32 per cent, and far less than the highest, Alberta, at 42 per cent, the paper adds. It states,Previously, women had been slightly more likely than men to think there was too much immigration. In 2024, the gender gap for strongly agree that there is too much immigration was eight percentage points (men 37, women 29), compared to just two years earlier when it was only two percentage points (men 14, women 12). The conclusion that the 2023-24 shift to much greater concern over immigration is quite different. The most striking reversal is seen in the generational divide. Older Canadians had long been less positive about immigrants. However, in the latest surveys, younger respondents expressed higher levels of opposition. This change may reflect concern about the housing affordability crisis, which disproportionately affects younger Canadians. High rents and limited prospects for home ownership, combined with media coverage and statements by politicians, may be leading younger respondents to link immigration to their economic anxieties. It adds that the 2025 federal budget, presented on November 4, reinforced the sweeping changes to Canadas immigration policy first announced a year earlier. These changes include a 21 per cent drop in the target for new permanent residents in 2025, with further decreases into 2027. The 2025 budget also announced a sharp decrease in temporary residents admissions, including stricter rules for temporary workers and international students (Government of Canada, 2025). The background to these shifts was a prevailing narrative that rapid population growth partly fuelled by the influx of temporary foreign workers and international students had aggravated the existing affordability crisis by helping to fuel a mismatch between housing supply and demand. Canada Immigration Law Reforms | Changes to immigration policies could hit Indian migrants hard
Sidhu will return to active politics if Congress declares him CM face, says wife Navjot Kaur
CHANDIGARH: Navjot Singh Sidhu will return to active politics if the Congress declares him as the party's chief ministerial face in Punjab, his wife and party leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu has said. Navjot Kaur Sidhu further said they do not have money to give to any party but can transform Punjab into a golden state. We always speak for Punjab and Punjabiyat... but do not have Rs 500 crore which we can give to sit in chief minister's chair, she told reporters on Saturday after meeting Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on issues, including alleged deteriorating law and order in the state. When asked if anybody demanded money from them, she said nobody has demanded but the one who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore he becomes the CM. If any party gives him that power so that he can improve Punjab. We do not have money to give it to any party but we will give results and we will turn Punjab into a golden state, she said. She also pointed towards infighting within the Punjab Congress unit, claiming that there are five leaders aspiring for the chief minister's position, and they won't let Sidhu come forward. Replying to a question, she said her husband was strongly attached with the Congress and party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. But with so much infighting, I do not feel that they will let Navjot Sidhu be promoted as there are already five CM faces, and they are hell bent on defeating the Congress. If they (high command) understand this then it is a different matter, she said. Asked if the BJP gives him this responsibility then whether the cricketer-turned-politician will rejoin the BJP, she said, I cannot comment on his behalf. On whether Sidhu will return to active politics if the Congress announces him as chief ministerial face, she said he will return. But otherwise, he is earning good money and he is happy, she added. Former Punjab Congress chief Sidhu has not been participating in the party's events and activities for the past many months. He did not campaign in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls also. Sidhu had made a comeback to cricket commentary in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. In April, Sidhu had launched his new YouTube channel 'Navjot Sidhu Official' for sharing his life experiences, talking about cricket, commentary, motivational talks, lifestyle. At that time, when Sidhu was asked about returning to active politics, he had then said time will tell, stating that he did politics for people's welfare and it was never a business for him. Assembly polls are due in Punjab in 2027.
Rajnath Singh to unveil 125 BRO infrastructure projects in key areas
NEW DELHI: In a major push to strengthen Indias border infrastructure, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate and dedicate 125 strategically important projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Sunday from the Shyok Tunnel in Ladakh. Sources said these vital projects that the minister will unveil cover 28 roads, 93 bridges, and four miscellaneous strategic facilities across seven states and two Union Territories, including Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Mizoram. Showcasing Indias engineering and technological advancements, the event will highlight the 920-metre Cut and Cover Shyok Tunnel, which ensures uninterrupted movement of troops and civilians through landslide- and avalanche-prone terrain. The 3D-printed Himank Air Dispatch (HAD) Unit Complex in Chandigarh also highlights the countrys innovation in modern defence infrastructure. These projects mark a major milestone in enhancing operational preparedness, troop mobility, and socio-economic development in some of the most remote and challenging regions of the country, officials said. BROs achievements demonstrate its capability to operate across high-altitude, snowbound, desert, flood-prone, and dense forest terrains, while improving last-mile connectivity to remote villages, forward military posts, and strategic locations. Notable road projects include the Sela-Chabrela-BJG and Shungester-Sulula Roads in Arunachal Pradesh, the KalepGaigong Road in Sikkim, and connectivity works in Mizoram along the LawngtlaiDiltlangParva axis. Bridges such as Lumla I & II, Shungetsar I & II, Rabam Chu, and Tuichanglui enhance logistics and access across critical border stretches. Officials pointed out these projects are some of the toughest terrains and it is uphill task. Raised in 1960, BRO has an authorized strength of 41,600 personnel, including 2,426 officers and 39,174 subordinates, and continues to be the preferred agency for MHA, MEA, and MoRTH for projects in challenging terrains. Over the past two years, BRO has dedicated 356 infrastructure projects, with its budget increased from Rs 6,500 crore to Rs 7,146 crore in recognition of its strategic contribution. Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, Director General of BRO, lauded the dedication and professionalism of officers, supervisors, and labourers. Upholding its motto, Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam Everything is achievable through hard work, BRO continues to play a pivotal role in national security, strategic connectivity, and socio-economic development, linking Indias remotest and most strategically vital regions to mainstream.
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Stay In Your Domain: Gambhir Slams IPL Team Owner After ODI Series Win
Gautam Gambhir: Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir, under scrutiny following the recent Test series defeat to South Africa, delivered a fiery rebuttal to critics after India clinched the ODI series 21 with a dominant nine-wicket victory over the Proteas in the third and final match of the series in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. His strongest remarks were seemingly directed at Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal, who had publicly advocated for a split-coaching structure in Indian cricket. Addressing the media after the series win, Gambhir, who highlighted the absence of skipper Shubman Gill, sidelined with a neck injury, as a key factor in Indias Test series loss, asserted that individuals outside the cricketing ecosystem should refrain from commenting on matters beyond their expertise. He said: I am surprised that no one was talking about this (Gill's unavailability to bat) and all the discussions were around the pitch and many other things. There were people who had nothing to do with cricket also giving their opinions. An IPL team owner also wrote about a split coaching staff who had nothing to do with the game. People should stay in their domain. If I do not enter anybodys domain, they also have no right to enter my domain. Confirming Gills availability for the upcoming T20Is, Gambhir added: Shubman is ready to gothats why hes been selected. Hes fit, hungry to work, and improve. And look, there are quality players on this side. As Ive said many times, they are world-class players. He said: I am surprised that no one was talking about this (Gill's unavailability to bat) and all the discussions were around the pitch and many other things. There were people who had nothing to do with cricket also giving their opinions. An IPL team owner also wrote about a split coaching staff who had nothing to do with the game. People should stay in their domain. If I do not enter anybodys domain, they also have no right to enter my domain. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India now turns their attention to the five-match T20I series against South Africa, beginning December 9 in Cuttack, followed by games on December 11 (New Chandigarh), December 14 (Dharamsala), December 17 (Lucknow), and December 19 (Ahmedabad). Article Source: IANS
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Himachal Congress will be re-constituted within three months, says State unit chief Vinay Kumar
CHANDIGARH: With an eye on the 2027 assembly elections, the Himachal Pradesh Congress unit president Vinay Kumar said the Himachal Pradesh Congress will be re-constituted within three months. He said that the block presidents would be appointed first, followed by district presidents and then the state working committee. Kumar emphasised the need for unity within the party, highlighting his strong relationships with party members and his aims to bring equality and adequate representation for women and youth, especially from panchayat elections, in preparation for the 2027 assembly polls. All posts come with challenges. For the past year, there has been no Congress organisation in the state. I have been appointed as the state Congress president to unite everyone, as I have good relations with all. Once the team is in place, we will start preparing for the 2027 Assembly elections to repeat the 2022 success, said the three-time MLA from Renukaji Assembly constituency. He said that the diligent efforts were made by the state government during the recent monsoon disaster, particularly evident in the hardest-hit area of Mandi. An upcoming event will commemorate three years of Congress governance and focus on informing the public of the governmental efforts, he added. The 47-year-old Kumar was appointed as the new Congress state chief on November 22 after more than a year without a leader. He took charge on November 30. On November 6, 2024, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge dissolved the Pradesh Congress Committee in Himachal Pradesh, along with the district and block units, effective immediately. Despite this, Pratibha Singh remained in her position as state Congress chief.
Punjab: Railways to revive century-old QadianBeas line
CHANDIGARH: With 14 months remaining before the Punjab Assembly elections, the wait for the 40 km QadianBeas rail line is finally nearing an end after 100 years. The Indian Railways has officially decided to restart work on the project, even though construction had begun nearly a century ago under the British. The line had remained in the freeze category for years due to alignment constraints, land acquisition issues, and local political roadblocks. Sources said that a letter from the Chief Administrative Officer (Construction), Northern Railway, states that the Railway Board has sought the immediate defreezing of the project and the re-submission of the detailed estimate for early sanction so construction can begin. Minister of State for Railways, Ravneet Singh, alias Bittu, directed officials to defreeze the project. He said his focus remains on initiating new projects, completing pending ones, and reviving those abandoned due to unforeseen challenges. I knew the importance of this project. Hence, I asked the officials concerned to remove all impediments and restart construction work. This track will give a major boost to the struggling industrial units of Batala, the regions steel town. He further stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw have made it clear that funding will not be a hurdle for Punjabs railway development. This rail track was planned and sanctioned in 1929 by the British government. The line was to be constructed by the North Western Railway. However, in 1932, the project was halted after nearly 33 per cent of the track had been completed. It resurfaced in the 2010 Railway Budget under the socially desirable projects category, which focuses on inclusive transport access regardless of profitability. However, financial concerns raised by the Planning Commission once again stalled progress. Welcoming the fresh initiative by the Ministry of Railways to revive the long-delayed project, Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa expressed hope that the New Year would finally bring the breakthrough the people of the region have awaited for nearly a century. Bajwa extended gratitude to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and MoS Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu for moving the project out of a prolonged bureaucratic freeze. He recalled that the QadianBeas link was first strongly pursued during his tenure as a Member of Parliament, when he persuaded then Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee to prioritize it. He also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017, urging him to initiate work on the project. He said the rail link represents not merely an infrastructure requirement but a century-old aspiration of the people, as work on this line was first initiated under British rule in 1928 and has faced repeated delays despite its formal sanctioning in 2010. Bajwa noted that the 40-km line, originally estimated at 205 crore, has now escalated to around 840 crore due to years of administrative inertia. The demand highlights the collective will of residents, industrialists, and religious communities across Qadian, Beas, and Batala for its early completion. He emphasized the immense socio-economic value of the project, particularly for Qadian, which serves as the international headquarters of the Ahmadiyya sect and receives a steady flow of domestic and global visitors. He added that the rail link would significantly benefit Batalas industrial sector by providing direct access to the AmritsarDelhi corridor, and would also facilitate the movement of pilgrims visiting Dera Beas and the Baba Namdev Dera at Ghuman, thereby enriching the regions spiritual and cultural connectivity. Bajwa further stressed the strategic importance of the QadianBeas line, explaining that it would provide an alternative supply route to Jammu and Kashmir and greatly strengthen military logistics a factor of considerable national interest. He urged the Ministry of Railways to approve the detailed estimate without delay so that work on the ground may begin promptly.
