News

Geo-tagging drive launched as Punjab struggles to recover Rs 1,100 crore in property tax

CHANDIGARH: The cash-strapped Punjab government has begun geo-tagging properties across the state to improve property tax recovery. At present, around 94,000 commercial property owners owe nearly Rs 1,100 crore in property tax, as identified by various civic bodies. Poor recovery has begun to affect revenue-dependent essential services. Of the total 1.55 lakh owners of commercial, industrial and other properties, 94,000 are commercial property owners. The Local Bodies Department has so far completed surveys in 20 urban local bodies (ULBs), while surveys in another 22 ULBs are currently underway. In the states 167 ULBs, an initial survey has revealed an average shortfall of Rs 2 crore to Rs 3 crore per ULB in property tax collection. In larger ULBs with municipal corporations, the deficit is expected to be significantly higher. Sources said executive officers of municipal councils and commissioners of municipal corporations are being held accountable for property tax recovery. Annual collection targets are being increased by 3 per cent over the previous years collection. As a result, property tax collection has risen from Rs 282 crore in 202122 to Rs 400 crore in 202223 and Rs 486 crore in 202324, after officials were assigned specific targets. The department has also identified 48 major commercial property defaulters who together owe Rs 2.15 crore in property tax. Geo-tagging of all properties has been initiated as authorities suspect a wide mismatch between tax receipts and the actual number of properties in urban areas. Geo-tagging enables the department to record the exact location, actual covered area and the nature of activity conducted on a property. Due to the absence of such mapping earlier, many properties in large cities such as Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar had remained outside the departments purview. Surveys have already been completed and identification plates affixed in cities including Patiala, Hoshiarpur, Sultanpur Lodhi, Dera Bassi, Khanna and Chamkaur Sahib. Punjabs property tax collection remains significantly lower than that of other states, largely because several high-value commercial establishments continue to default on payments. Despite multiple notices, repeated opportunities for compliance and the introduction of a one-time settlement (OTS) scheme, defaults persist. A fact-finding report on illegal structures in Ludhiana during the previous government revealed discrepancies between power connections issued by the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), approved layout plans and property tax receipts. It also highlighted mismatches between the assessed covered area and the actual built-up area of properties. Under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, ULBs are mandated to achieve at least 85 per cent property tax collection. However, recovery remains poor. An audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) found that ULBs collected only 48 per cent to 54.14 per cent of property tax between 2015 and 2020. The audit also noted failures in recovering user charges such as water and sewerage cess.

Dense fog grips Punjab, Haryana; Hoshiarpur shivers at 4.8 deg C

The winter chill intensified at many places in Punjab and Haryana as a thick blanket of fog enveloped several areas in both States

From employees and farmers to lawyers, Punjab AAP government faces wave of public outrage

CHANDIGARH: With 14 months left for the assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab is grappling with a wave of public anger across the state, from employees and lawyers to farmers. Bus services in parts of the state remained affected on Saturday as employees of Punjab Roadways, Punjab State Bus Stand Management Company Limited (PUNBUS) and Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) continued their protest for the second day. The state transport department issued notices asking them to call off the strike and return to work, warning that their services would be terminated if they failed to comply. A senior official said employees have been instructed to end the strike and resume work as notices have been served. If they do not return, we will have no option but to terminate their services, as these are contractual and outsourced employees. They cannot be suspended and can only be terminated, the official said. Sandeep Singh, senior vice-president of the PUNBUS Contract Workers Union in Hoshiarpur, alleged that four of their leaders, state committee member Kulwant Singh, district president Raminder Singh, secretary Narinder Singh and cashier Dharminder Singh, were still detained. Until they are released, the kilometre-scheme tenders are cancelled, and contractual workers are regularised, our dharna and strike will continue, he said. He further claimed, In the last four years, the government has not provided even a single new bus to Punjab Roadways. Over 500 old buses have gone off the road, and those still running face major repair issues. The department does not have funds even for tyres and essential repairs. Employees began the strike yesterday against the opening of tenders related to the kilometre-based bus scheme, which they say is a backdoor attempt to bring in private buses and dismantle the state-run transport system, enabling private operators to run buses on government-notified routes. Bus services crippled across Punjab as contract workers launch strike to protest 'systematic privatisation' Ahead of the protest, many union leaders were detained by police, sparking chaos across Punjab as workers clashed with police personnel. Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee leader Sarwan Singh Pandher extended support to the contractual employees, criticising the state government over the scheme. Commuters were hit hard as the protests disrupted bus services across many routes. With government buses off the roads, passengers were forced to rely on private operators. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann appealed to employees to return to work and adopt the path of dialogue. He said the state government is making sincere efforts to resolve all issues of PRTC employees, some of which have been taken up in court. He urged the agitating workers to end their protest so the public would not face inconvenience. Mann added that the government understands the problems of PRTC employees and is working to address their concerns. He also announced that the state will soon introduce 900 new government buses to improve transport services. Meanwhile, the PSEB Engineers Association (PSEBEA) has announced a state-level protest meeting on December 2, expected to be attended by over 1,000 power engineers and dignitaries. Several key decisions are likely to be discussed as engineers express resentment against the management, accusing it of exerting undue pressure to make officers fall in line or face extreme actions. Ajay Pal Singh Atwal, general secretary of PSEBEA, said engineers from across Punjab will gather in Patiala to express their strong opposition to arbitrary actions, the sale of power sector properties, growing interference in the power sector, inaction on the Electricity Amendment Bill 2024, and attempts to undermine technical autonomy and institutional integrity. The association is demanding an immediate halt to the sale of power sector assets, resumption of the process to set up the state-sector 2 800 MW supercritical units at Ropar, unconditional revocation of the suspension of Chief Engineer Harish Sharma, and concrete steps to curb political interference and limit the role of private consultants in technical and administrative decisions. Farmers unions are also up in arms. Senior SKM leader and BKU (Lakhowal Group) president Harinder Singh Lakhowal said 18 of their demands remain pending, with no decisions from the state government. These include a one-time settlement scheme for farmers who took loans from cooperative and land mortgage banks, relief for those affected by recent floods and rains two years ago, and measures to control the stray cattle menace, among others. On November 19, parts of tractor-trolleys allegedly stolen on March 19, after the government forcibly lifted the 13-month-long dharna of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and SKM (Non-Political) at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, were recovered from the compound of the executive officers residence in Nabha, sparking fresh outrage among farmer unions. On November 22, the Sangrur district bar association blocked the LudhianaDelhi highway for about two hours, alleging political interference by AAP MLA from Sangrur Narinder Kaur Bharaj in a private land dispute pending in court. The lawyers demanded a written apology from the legislator. On November 21, the District Bar Association of Sangrur unanimously resolved to debar sitting MLA Narinder Kaur Bharaj from all its events as it decided that the legislator will not be invited to any association event unless she tenders a written, unconditional apology, allegedly accusing her of unwarranted interference in a private land dispute pending before the court and exerting pressure on the local administration. They also sought registration of an FIR against those who uploaded derogatory videos targeting the legal fraternity on social media. The advocates had also staged a dramatic protest by blocking the DelhiLudhiana highway, spreading blankets on the road and demanding action against the MLA for allegedly violating court orders. The secretary of the association Simrandeep Singh Blaggan had warned that if the promised action is not taken within ten days, the association will protest.

Motorcyle-borne men open fire at AAP leader's house in Punjab's Phagwara; no one injured

PHAGWARA: Two motorcycle-borne men opened fire at the house of a ruling AAP leader near Darvesh Pind village on the Phagwara-Jandiala road early Thursday, police said. No one was injured in the incident. Phagwara coordinator of ruling AAP's 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' drive (drive against drugs) Daljit Singh Raju told reporters that 23 rounds were fired at his house around 1.13 am, shattering window and door panes. Raju is considered a close confidante of Hoshiarpur MP Raj Kumar Chabbewal. Phagwara Sub divisional Superintendent of Police (SP) Madhvi Sharma told reporters that approximately 23 rounds were fired at the house. CCTV footage was being viewed and police force deployed at the site, she said, adding raids are being conducted and all angles of the incident are being investigated thoroughly. We are taking full stock of the situation and will soon nab the miscreants, she said. Giving details of the incident, Raju said two armed men came on a motorcycle. After parking the bike at a distance, they walked up to the house and started firing. First I thought that some firecrackers were being burst but then my wife saw that two men were firing at the house, he said, adding, he immediately rang up the police. A hand-written slip was found at the site, sources said. Written in English, it mentioned the name of a certain group as well as an amount of Rs 5 crore, they said. When asked if anyone had made a ransom demand earlier, Raju asserted that he has neither any enmity with anybody nor has he got any ransom call. About the slip found at the site, the police officer said it was a matter of investigation.

Punjab Police Arrest 2 Members Of Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Gang, Seize Weapons

In a significant breakthrough, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab, in coordination with Hoshiarpur Police, apprehended two active members of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, officials said on Friday.

CBI registers fresh disproportionate assets case against suspended Punjab DIG Bhullar

CHANDIGARH: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a fresh case of amassing disproportionate assets against arrested and suspended Punjab Police Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Harcharan Singh Bhullar. Sources said that the assets seized during the searches have revealed alleged illicit wealth that is multiple times over and above his known sources of income, prompting the agency to register a fresh FIR against Bhullar. The apex agency will take the seized wealth as the starting point and may unravel more assets during the probe. A copy of the FIR, which is with TNIE, reads, A written and signed complaint dated October 29 has been received from Sonal Mishra, Inspector, CBI, ACB, Chandigarh. The said complaint is attached as Annexure 'A'. The allegations mentioned in the complaint prima-facie disclose commission of cognizable offences punishable under section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(b) of PC Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018) & 61(2) BNS 2023 against HS Bhullar, DIG, IPS:2009, Punjab Cadre and unknown others. A regular case is therefore registered under section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(b) of PC Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018) & 61(2) BNS 2023 and substantive offences thereof against Bhullar and unknown others. Annexure A attached in the FIR reads, In continuation of the investigation of said case, residential premises of accused Bhullar at House No 1489, Sector 40B, Chandigarh, were searched on October 16 and 17. During the search, cash amounting to Rs 7,36,90,000 was recovered. Further, gold jewellery and silver items with a total value of Rs 2,32,07,686, and 26 branded and expensive watches were also recovered. Immovable property documents were also seized, which include documents of H.No.1489, Sector 40-B, Chandigarh and Flat No.1014, Sector 39, Chandigarh and documents pertaining to acquisition of agricultural land measuring around 150 acres in the districts of Mohali, Hoshiarpur and Ludhiana and commercial properties in the name of Bhullar, his family members (comprising wife Tejinder Kaur Bhullar, son Gurpartap Singh Bhullar and daughter Tejkiran Kaur Bhullar) and others, it added. The annexure stated, Bhullar and his family members were also found to be in possession of five vehicles including high-end vehicles such as Mercedes, Audi, Innova and Fortuner. There is a balance of Rs 2.95 crores (approximately) as on October 17 in five bank accounts and two fixed deposits (FDs) in the name of Bhullar and his family members. As per the salary account of Bhullar in HDFC Bank, Sector 9 Chandigarh, a net salary to the tune of Rs 4,74,140 for the month of August and September was credited. As per the income tax returns for the Assessment Year 2025-26, Bhullar has declared his total income from all known sources to the tune of Rs 45,95,990. Further, income tax of Rs 13,82,270 was paid by Bhullar on the said total income and as such his net income, after deduction of income tax, is Rs 32 lakh approximately for the whole financial year 2024-2025, it read. It further stated, The recovery of Rs 7,36,90,000 in cash, from the residence of Bhullar at Chandigarh, along with high-value jewellery valued at Rs 2,32,07,686, luxury items, high-end vehicles and substantial bank balances/fixed deposits, prima facie reveal that during the check period from August 1 to October 17, the accused Bhullar, in connivance with unknown others, has acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, thereby intentionally enriched himself illicitly during the period of his office, for which Bhullar could not satisfactorily account for. This constitutes an offence punishable under Section 13(1)(b) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018) and 61(2) of BNS 2023. The acquisition of immovable properties and other assets, India and abroad, may be examined in detail during the course of investigation. The role of family members, who may have abetted Bhullar in acquiring assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, may be looked into during the course of investigation, it concluded. On October 16, Bhullar was arrested by the CBI for allegedly accepting Rs 8 lakh in a bribe from a scrap dealer as sewa pani. Subsequent searches resulted in the seizure of cash worth Rs 7.5 crore besides gold jewellery weighing 2.5 kg, 26 luxury watches, including those from Rolex and Rado brands, documents pertaining to more than 50 immovable properties held in the names of family members and suspected benami entities, locker keys and details of multiple bank accounts and four firearms along with 100 live cartridges. Since his arrest, the CBI has also checked several of his bank lockers. Earlier, the CBI had registered a corruption case against Bhullar. The FIR was filed by the CBI Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), Chandigarh, under Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Meanwhile, in a related development, the CBI court here has granted a nine-day remand of Kirshanu Sharda, who was arrested along with Bhullar in the alleged bribery case, to the CBI. The agency had filed the application before the Chandigarh CBI court under Section 187 of the BNSS, 2023, seeking Shardas police custody for 12 days. He was produced in a court on Wednesday. Narender Singh, public prosecutor of the CBI, said that the agency had received a diary, 100 GB data from different devices and long chats with other public servants. The CBI stated that this information and data would be confirmed with the accused. The link with other public servants as shown in the documents will also be verified. On the other hand, Gurbir Singh Sandhu, advocate appearing on behalf of Sharda, said that he was being falsely implicated in the case. Sandhu argued that there was no direct link between the accused and the complainant and Bhullar.

Punjab tops in drug deaths; Five overdose cases in three days

Punjab recorded five suspected drug overdose deaths in three days. Four men died in Ferozepur district, followed by another death in Hoshiarpur. Families reported victims struggled with addiction. Narcotics were allegedly easily available in the border village. Punjab led the nation with 89 drug-related deaths in 2023, according to NCRB data.

Government will continue ban on wheat & flour exports: Prahlad Joshi

NEW DELHI: Union Minister of Food and Consumer Affairs Prahlad Joshi on Wednesday declined the industrys request for permission to export wheat and flour, emphasising that domestic needs will be prioritised over exports. India has maintained a ban on wheat exports since 2022. During his address to the Roller Flour Miller Federation of India (RFMFI), he urged the industry to help in expanding wheat acreage and increase production to meet domestic requirements and buffer stock. Wheat production has not met expectations since 2022, hindering the countrys ability to achieve its procurement targets. The procurement levels reached 43.32 million metric tonnes (mmt) in 2021-22, but experienced a sharp decline due to adverse weather. According to government data, procurement came down to 18.78 mmt in 2022-23 and then rose to 26.58 mmt in 2023-24; 26.59 mmt in 2024-25, and 30.02 mmt in 2025-26 during the rabi marketing season. This year there are concerns regarding wheat production in Punjab Indias food bowl. The state is facing severe siltation of agricultural fields due to the worst flooding in four decades, which may adversely affect wheat sowing and production. Punjab received around 50% more rainfall than normal, according to the IMD data. In the 2024-25 procurement season, Punjab contributed 11.92 mmt, accounting for approximately 40% of the total central pool. According to the RFMFI, five major districts in Punjab Fazilka, Mansa, Amritsar, Ferozepur, and Gurdaspur may experience delays in sowing due to siltation. Such delays could disrupt the wheat trading ecosystem and negatively impact both quality and production. Siltation has affected large areas in these districts, said Navneet Chitlangia, president of RFMFI. It will delay sowing and impact grain flow in the market, Chitlangia added. The siltation has also affected areas like Kapurthala, Pathankot, and Hoshiarpur. Experts warn that the excessive siltation could make cultivating land difficult, resulting in substantial financial losses and long-term impacts on agricultural productivity. It may also lead to ongoing land degradation, making farming in affected areas more challenging and costly in the future. Additionally, the RFMFI has advised the government to increase procurement levels to stabilise market prices. The government needs to keep its stocks higher than usual. The current year-end stock stands at 7.5 mmt, which should be increased to 18 mmt, Chitlangia said. Millers body asks govt to increase procurement Additionally, the RFMFI has advised the government to increase procurement levels to stabilise market prices. The government needs to keep its stocks higher than usual. The current year-end stock stands at 7.5 mmt, which should be increased to 18 mmt, Chitlangia said.

Punjab panchayats pass resolutions asking migrant labourers without documents to leave

CHANDIGARH: Following in the footsteps of Maharashtrawhich has often been in the spotlight for targeting outsiders amid the Maha Marathi rowseveral panchayats in Punjab are now passing resolutions directing migrant labourers to leave their villages. Around 27 villages in Hoshiarpur district have passed such resolutions, announcing that they will no longer issue residence verification (residence certificates) to migrant labourers in their respective areas. Migrants without valid documents issued in Punjab are being asked to leave within a week. According to the resolutions, those without proper paperwork will not be allowed to reside in these villages. These decisions come in the wake of the gruesome murder of a five-year-old boy in Hoshiarpur on September 9, allegedly by a migrant worker. The incident has triggered growing resentment against migrant populations across various parts of the state. The Chabbewal Panchayat passed its resolution on Sunday. Charanjit Singh, a panchayat member and husband of sarpanch Reena Sidhu, confirmed that many other villages in the region have either passed similar resolutions or are in the process of doing so. There is unity among villages across communities and castes on this issue, he added. On September 13, a meeting was held in Bajwara village, attended by sarpanches from around 27 hamlets, including Chak Sadhu, Nandan, Singhpur, Bassi Bahian, Dada, Kila Baroon, Allahabad, Bilaspur, and Anandgarh. A joint resolution was passed stating that panchayats would no longer attest any official documents of migrant workers lacking valid identity proof issued by the Punjab government. It was also resolved that such migrants would not be allowed to stay in the villages. A formal request was submitted to Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain for administrative support in implementing these resolutions. Similar decisions were also reported from Jaja and Zahura villages in the Tanda sub-division. Bajwara sarpanch Rajesh Kumar alias Bobby Mahe said: Migrants without valid identity documents have been asked to vacate the villages. Those already living here with documents such as Aadhaar or PAN have been informed that their relatives arriving from outside will not be eligible for any verification by the panchayat. He further stated that migrant workers residing on rent would only be allowed to do so if their landlords submit a written undertaking to the panchayat, taking full responsibility for them. Mahe claimed that around 200-250 migrant labourers currently live in Bajwara. He alleged that many of them have illegally encroached upon panchayat land, building permanent houses with electricity meters and water connections without paying rent or obtaining legal permission. A complaint regarding these encroachments was reportedly submitted to the Deputy Commissioner on September 8. He added that approximately 25 panchayats in the district have passed resolutions to withhold document verification for migrants since the September 9 incident. The Baddla Panchayat's resolution specifically mentioned members of the Gujjar community, who are also migrants. It instructed that any migrant with criminal records must report to sarpanch Kamlesh Rani. The resolution further stated that individuals with Aadhaar cards showing Baddla village as their address must submit photocopies of their documents to the sarpanch. Additionally, farmers employing such workers are required to provide written details about them. In Purhiran village, which also has a significant migrant population, a similar resolution was passed. Elsewhere, two village panchayats in Bathinda districtDeepes and Gehari Bhagipassed comparable resolutions. The Deepes village panchayat even held a protest, declaring that outsiders will not be permitted in the village. Labourers were instructed to stay near tube well motors rather than inside the village. Farmers hiring migrants must also ensure that their police verification is completed. In Gehari Bhagi, the diktat was even more extreme. The resolution stated: Migrants cannot purchase property or homes in the village. They are prohibited from registering voter IDs or Aadhaar cards with village addresses. They may only reside in tube wells or farm huts, not within village residential limits. Farmers employing them will be held entirely responsible and must ensure police verification. Even Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Sidhu Pur backed the resolutions, claiming that migrants, particularly from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, are disrupting the social fabric of the region. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann responded to the village panchayats' stance by cautioning against any form of discrimination. He said, Tomorrow, Punjabis with businesses in Raipur (Chhattisgarh) or Kolkata could be targeted the same way. There cannot be such discrimination. Earlier this year, in July, the Lakhanpur Garcha Patti village panchayat in Fatehgarh Sahib district ordered all illegally residing migrants to vacate within a week. The resolution cited harassment of women and children by migrants loitering in the area. Sarpanch Barinder Singh Binda said that while migrants initially came to work in fields, many had permanently settled near canal banks in unauthorized shanties. Last year, similar controversial measures were adopted by Jandpur and Mundo Sangtia village panchayats in SAS Nagar district. On November 24, the Jawaharke village panchayat in Mansa district went even further by passing a resolution that prohibited residents from marrying migrants. The panchayat warned that any resident violating the order would be expelled from the village.

Indian women trafficked to Malaysia on visa-free entry for domestic work

CHANDIGARH: It is not only Gulf countries where women from India, who had gone there on the pretext of a job offer, got trapped; Malaysia has now become the new destination. Women, especially from Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh, are being taken to this Southeast Asian nation with promises of legitimate domestic work. Travel agents use the visa-free entry route to lure them, after which they are forced to live and work in conditions described as unstable and precarious. In an advisory issued on September 9 this year, the High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur (Labour Wing), in a document titled Indian nationals getting stranded in Malaysia, a copy of which is with this newspaper, stated: The majority of the affected individuals are unskilled/semi-skilled labourers and hail from several states in India including Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh. They are invariably misled with false promises of employment by unscrupulous agents in India and Malaysia. The following issues of concern came to the notice of the High Commission: Indian nationals travelling under the pretext of tourism but intending to look for employment are often denied entry on arrival. Those who manage to enter the country often overstay beyond 30 days and are thus declared illegal. Entry is also refused to those Indian nationals who are genuine tourists but fail to provide valid documentation, including return tickets, proof of accommodation, and financial means, it stated. It further read: It has been observed that unscrupulous agents in India and Malaysia entice a number of Indian nationals with prospects of employment and arrange their travel to Malaysia on the pretext of tourism to get visa-free entry and stay for 30 days in Malaysia. Such individuals become illegal after expiry of 30 days and are thus vulnerable to various forms of exploitation locally. They are also subjected to detention, imprisonment and associated legal actions by Malaysian enforcement agencies. The High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur has further advised all State Governments, Protectors of Emigrants (PoE) and immigration officers to issue public advisories and exercise strict scrutiny of Indian nationals, especially ECR passport holders, departing to Malaysia from international airports including Trichy, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Cochin, Bengaluru and Amritsar. It has also been stated that passengers deceived by agents should be encouraged to provide full details of such agents, and that information may be compiled and shared with state and central government authorities for appropriate action. The state governments of Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh have been requested to initiate extensive awareness campaigns by disseminating correct travel procedures and highlighting the risks associated with misuse of visa-free entry to Malaysia for employment purposes. A statement issued by the High Commission also said that a significant number of Indian female domestic workers are being brought into Malaysia through channels in violation of both Indian and Malaysian immigration and employment laws. As per the guidelines laid down by the Immigration Department of Malaysia, India is one of the nine countries approved for the recruitment of foreign domestic helpers (FDH). Malaysian employers intending to hire Indian domestic workers are required to obtain a Visa with Reference (VDR) from the Immigration Department of Malaysia. Based on the VDR, the prospective worker applies for an employment visa at the Malaysian High Commission or Consulate in India. Upon arrival in Malaysia, the employer is responsible for converting the VDR into a temporary employment visit pass, it read. It further stated: However, it has been observed that many Indian domestic workers are being brought into Malaysia by agents using visa-free entry, thereby violating the established procedures. Indian emigration guidelines do not permit recruitment of Indian women who are below 30 years of age and hold ECR (Emigration Check Required) category passports to take up overseas employment as domestic workers. Sources said that in July this year, a 39-year-old woman from India was beaten, locked in a hotel room and forced into prostitution. She was rescued during a raid by the Malaysian police in Kuala Lumpur city centre. She had arrived in Malaysia on July 11 after being promised work as a domestic helper, only to be held captive and exploited. Speaking to this newspaper, Yashu Deep Singh, Protector of Emigrants, Chandigarh, said that earlier reports were being received regarding women being rescued from Gulf countries who had paid around 50,000 to 1 lakh to agents based in Dubai on tourist visas and were then pushed further to other countries such as Oman on the pretext of domestic help jobs but were exploited. We are getting reports of 20 to 30 such cases per year from the Consulate General of India, Dubai. However, once these rescued women are repatriated back, they do not give complaints against the unscrupulous agents, which is necessary to initiate action against such agents. The advisory from the High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur is also on these lines to avoid the trap of unscrupulous agents and always rely on Ministry-approved recruiting agents for overseas employment opportunities. The list of such registered agents is publicly available on www.emigrate.gov.in, he said. Five Common Service Centre-Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras established in Punjab Five Common Service Centre-Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras (CSC-PBSKs) have been established in Punjab by the Protector of Emigrants (PoE). These will provide citizen-friendly eMigrate web-portal related services and strengthen outreach to aspiring youth at the grassroots level. The centres will be located in Rupnagar, Mohali, Hoshiarpur, and two in Jalandhar. Yashu Deep Singh, Protector of Emigrants, Chandigarh, said that the CSC-PBSKs will serve as extended arms of the PoE and will function as information, facilitation and grievance-redressal platforms for the general public. These centres will provide guidance and assistance on a wide range of emigration-related matters, primarily related to overseas employment. These centres will provide assistance regarding details of Registered Recruiting Agents (RAs), Emigration Clearances (ECs), and facilitation of public grievances against registered or illegal recruiting agents (IRAs). They will also give guidance to intending emigrants/applicants regarding overseas job opportunities, scheduled RA interviews, and recruitment procedures, and support in verifying the authenticity and licence status of RAs through the official eMigrate portal. They will also raise awareness on safe, legal and transparent mobility channels, discouraging irregular migration practices. Besides, they will provide assistance regarding Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) insurance services, information on Emigration Check Not Required (ECNR) registration, and related facilities, he said.

Punjab government to introduce policy allowing farmers to remove sand from flood-hit fields, to sell extracted sand

CHANDIGARH: The AAP-led Punjab Government is set to introduce a new policy allowing farmers to remove sand from flood-hit fields, and to sell extracted sand for additional income. Punjab Incharge of AAP Manish Sisodia, today announced that the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government is set to bring major relief for farmers affected by the recent floods. The state government will soon announce a policy to allow farmers to freely remove sand deposited in their fields due to the floods, ensuring agricultural activities can resume without delay. Sisodia said, The floods have destroyed crops, damaged homes, and claimed livestock. But the biggest concern of our farmers right now is the sand left behind in their fields, which could make future farming impossible. We have taken their feedback seriously. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already discussed this issue with officials and assured that a clear policy will be announced in the next few days to allow farmers to remove the sand from their fields without any bureaucratic hurdles. He added that the decision will not only help farmers prepare their land for the next sowing season but also provide them with an opportunity to sell the sand if it can be used for construction purposes. AAP, BJP trade charges over cause of Punjab floods as Congress blames both for collective failure This will be a double relief, the land will be cleared for crops, and farmers can also earn some income from selling the sand, Sisodia said. He claimed that the Mann government has been working round-the-clock to support people affected by the floods. All our ministers, MLAs, and volunteers have been on the ground providing relief. I personally visited many districts and villages, met with farmers, understood their problems, and assured them that the government stands firmly with them, he said. Sisodia pointed out that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other senior leaders spoke to the Chief Minister, no concrete financial assistance has been announced yet. Punjabs rightful dues of over Rs 60,000 crore, including Rs 58,000 crore of GST, are pending with the Centre. If this amount had been released earlier, relief and rehabilitation work could have progressed much faster. I urge the Prime Minister to release Punjabs dues before his visit on September 9 , he said. Punjab Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that 504 cattle or buffaloes, 73 sheep and goats and 160 pigs have perished across 14 districts. These districts include Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Barnala, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Tarn Taran, Patiala, Jalandhar, Rupnagar and Moga. Additionally, 18,304 poultry birds died in Gurdaspur, Rupnagar and Fazilka due to the collapse of poultry sheds. He further said that approximately 2.52 lakhs animals and 5,88,685 poultry birds were affected by the floods. Khudian added that 481 teams have been deployed to provide treatment and arrange medicines for affected livestock. Till now, 22,534 animals have been provided treatment. He further said that the department has distributed relief supplies, including over 12,170 quintals of feed and 5090.35 quintals of green fodder, dry fodder and silage, to support livestock in flood-affected districts, in collaboration with the district administration and social organisations. Uromin licks are also being supplied to the animals to boost their immune system. Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry Rahul Bhandari said that the department has already released a total of Rs 31.50 lakh for the treatment of animals affected by the floods. Meanwhile Rajya Sabha Member, Sanjay Singh and Punjab Panchayat Minister, Tarunpreet Singh Sond visited flood-affected border villages of Fazilka district on September 7. Singh said that Punjab has been battling floods for nearly a month, yet the Centre continues to wait for reports instead of providing immediate relief. He expressed hope that during his visit to Punjab on September 9, the Prime Minister will announce a substantial relief package for the affected areas. He said that even though the Union Agriculture Minister had earlier visited Punjab, no relief has been provided so far. While Sond stated that relief operations in the district are being carried out with full speed. He added that as water levels begin to recede, the administration is gearing up for the next set of challenges. These include the risk of waterborne diseases and assessment of damages. He emphasised that medical teams, veterinary units, and district administration officials are actively working in the affected villages to ensure that every person in need receives relief supplies.

Serving the nation from 1896: Lieutenant Parul Dhadwal joins Indian Army as fifth generation officer

NEW DELHI: The commissioning of Lieutenant Parul Dhadwal into the Indian Army on Saturday stood out as a benchmark as she became the fifth generation of her family to continue a proud legacy of valour and service to the nation. She also happens to be the first woman officer of the family. Lt Dhadwal was commissioned into the Indian Army Ordnance Corps after successfully passing out from the prestigious Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. Her dedication to the service was conspicuous as she was awarded the President's Gold Medal for standing first in the Order of Merit in her course. The Indian Army said the rare instance of three serving officers from two generations of the same family stands as a testament to their enduring commitment to the nation. 362 Short Service Commission officers join Indian Army after passing-out parades at OTA in Chennai, Gaya The Army said, The commissioning of Lt Parul Dhadwal not only strengthens this illustrious martial tradition but also highlights the growing role of women in the Indian Armed Forces. Lt Dhadwal hails from Janauri village in Hoshiarpur district in Punjab, a region renowned for its strong martial tradition. Lt Dhadwal's commissioning marks a remarkable moment where legacy and modernity converge, with a daughter of the family donning the Olive Greens for the first time, said the Army. The Dhadwal family's service lineage traces back to Subedar Harnam Singh of 74 Punjabis, her great-great-grandfather, who served the Army from 1896 to 1924. Her great-grandfather, Major L.S. Dhadwal, was part of 3 JAT, while the third generation saw distinguished service by Colonel Daljit Singh Dhadwal (7 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles: Jak Rif) and Brigadier Jagat Jamwal (3 Kumaon). The tradition continues with her father, Major General K.S. Dhadwal, and her brother, Captain Dhananjay Dhadwal, both serving in the same battalion of the Sikh Regiment.

Lieutenant Parul Dhadwal commissioned into Indian Army Ordnance Corps

Lt Parul Dhadwal represents the fifth generation of her family in uniform, hailing from Village Janauri, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab, a region renowned for its strong martial tradition

Ambulance Falls Into Gorge on Hoshiarpur-Dharamshala Highway, 3 Dead

The ambulance carrying a patient plunged into a gorge near Manugwal after the road berm caved in due to rains

Beas river records highest-ever inflow; BBMB ensures controlled release of Bhakra Dam in Punjab

CHANDIGARH: The Beas river has recorded its highest-ever inflow of water this year, touching 11.70 billion cubic meters (BCM) between July 1 and September 5. Despite the unprecedented inflow, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) maintained a controlled release of not more than one lakh cusecs. BBMB chairman Manoj Tripathi said this years inflow was 20% higher than in 2023, when Beas received 9.52 BCM, and well above the previous highs of 7.94 BCM in 1988 and 5 BCM in 2019. This years inflow is unprecedented. Never before has the Beas carried such volumes, he said. At the Bhakra Dam, the reservoir recorded an inflow of 9.11 BCM. Tripathi noted that the highest inflow had been in 1988 at 9.52 BCM, followed by 8.59 BCM in 2019. The inflow this year is almost equivalent to those years, he added. Importantly, the water level has not crossed the maximum permissible mark of 1,680 feet. In 1988, the level had gone above 1,685 feet, but this year it is around 1,679 feet, Tripathi said. He explained that a rule curve for water regulation was introduced last year after the 2023 floods, in consultation with the Central Water Commission (CWC). The rule curve prescribes how much water should be stored at a given date, based on historical inflows and IMD data. We are strictly adhering to it, he said. Referring to the Pong Dam, Tripathi said that despite receiving the maximum inflow this year, the release was kept at 1.51 lakh cusecs, lower than in 2023. Even though the inflows were above one lakh cusecs for several days, we avoided sudden discharges of 22.5 lakh cusecs. The releases have been gradual, controlled, and done with the consent of all partner states, strictly following the rule curve, he explained. He also clarified that water release decisions are not arbitrary but are taken by a technical committee comprising BBMB members, chief engineers of partner states, and the CWC. Yesterday, 85,000 cusecs were released from Bhakra, and today, after inputs from Ludhiana, the outflow was reduced to 75,000 cusecs, Tripathi said. Sources said the Ludhiana deputy commissioner had sent an SOS to BBMB after reports that embankments along the Sutlej were facing breaches. The Ludhiana administration has since sounded an alert, with embankments in the eastern part of the district under heavy pressure due to the strong river flow. Villages including Sasrali, Boont, Rawat, Hawas, Seera, Boothgarh, Mangli Tanda, Dheri, Khawajke, Khassi Khurd, Mangli Kadar, Mattewara, Mangat, and Meharban are at risk of flooding if the embankment weakens further. Meanwhile, the Pong Dam water level stood at 1,394.71 feet, with inflows reducing to 1,05,950 cusecs and outflows at 99,763 cusecs. The flood situation in Punjab remains grim, with the death toll rising to 43. As many as 1,948 villages are inundated, impacting 3.84 lakh people. Of these, 21,929 have been evacuated, while crops on 1.72 lakh hectares (4.32 lakh acres) have been destroyed. According to official figures, the highest casualties have been reported from Hoshiarpur (7), Pathankot (6), Barnala and Amritsar (5 each), and Ludhiana and Bathinda (4 each). Three persons are missing in Pathankot. Punjab is facing one of its worst flood disasters in decades, caused by overflowing riversSutlej, Beas, Ravi, and Ghaggaralong with torrential rains in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

Punjab floods: Death toll reaches 37, schools shut till September 7 as fresh rains bring more trouble

CHANDIGARH : A fresh spell of heavy rains compounded the flood situation in Punjab with the death toll rising to 37 on Wednesday, while crops on 1.75 lakh hectares of land in 23 districts got damaged by the worst deluge in the state since 1988. Rescue and relief operations are underway on a war footing as help poured in from several quarters for over 3.55 lakh people in 1,655 villages, desperately looking for succour. Following heavy rains, an alert has been sounded in Rupnagar and Patiala districts, urging people to remain vigilant, while all schools, colleges and universities have been closed till September 7. With rains refusing to relent in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, the already swollen Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers originating in the Himalayas and seasonal rivulets inundated towns, villages and agricultural lands, upending normal life. The Punjab government released Rs 71 crore as an immediate relief and rehabilitation measure, with the AAP dispensation reiterating that it was committed to compensating people for their losses. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will visit the flood-hit areas in Punjab on Thursday to review the extent of crop damage. AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, along with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, will also assess the flood damage on the same day. He will take stock of the relief work being carried out in the state and interact with the affected people, said the party. Rains in Punjab have aggravated the flood situation. The water level in the Bhakra dam at 6 am was 1,677.84 feet, against its maximum capacity of 1,680 feet. The inflow in the dam was 86,822 cusecs while the outflow was 65,042 cusecs. Punjab declared disaster-hit as floods submerge 3.75 lakh acres; 30 dead, 3.55 lakh affected In view of heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh, the water discharge from the dam was being increased from 65,000 cusecs to 75,000 cusecs, officials said and warned that Nangal's villages may be inundated. Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said the state is reeling under one of the worst floods in recent decades, with widespread crop devastation reported across 1,75,216 hectares of farmland. Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Mansa, Ferozepur and Fazilka are among the worst-hit districts, accounting for the bulk of the agricultural losses, he said. The minister said that 37 lives have been lost across 12 districts, while three persons remain missing in Pathankot. The highest fatalities have been reported in Hoshiarpur, where seven lives have been lost, followed by six in Pathankot, five in Barnala, four each in Amritsar and Ludhiana, three each in Bathinda and Mansa, and one each in Gurdaspur, Patiala, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar and Sangrur. The flood-related data is from August 1 to September 3. Gurdaspur alone suffered crop damage over 40,169 hectares, followed by Mansa 24,967 hectares, Amritsar 23,000 hectares, Fazilka 17,786 hectares, Ferozepur 17,620 hectares, and Kapurthala 14,934 hectares, among others. The Rupnagar district administration has asked people living near the Sutlej river to stay on alert in the wake of an increase in the discharge of water from the Bhakra dam. Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Bains appealed to Sri Anandpur Sahib residents living on riverbanks and low-lying areas to shift to safer places or relief camps. He visited over two dozen flood-affected villages and personally oversaw the evacuation of families stranded along the Sutlej river. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria visited the flood-ravaged areas in Pathankot district, while AAP leader Manish Sisodia visited the flood-hit areas in Tarn Taran district. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha announced providing Rs 3.25 crore from his Local Area Development Scheme fund for relief work. MP Sandeep Pathak visited flood-hit villages in Ferozepur district and released Rs 5 crore from the MPLADS funds for the affected villages in the border district. Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal also announced a grant of Rs 50 lakh from his discretionary funds to support the affected people. Relief and rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, Border Security Force, Punjab Police and district authorities are underway in the affected areas, officials said. Meanwhile, the Patiala district administration issued an alert for villages near the Ghaggar river in the Rajpura sub-division in the wake of heavy rains in the catchment areas. According to officials, the water level of the Tangri river has risen close to the danger mark in Ambala and is expected to rise in Patiala following heavy rains in Ambala and Kala Amb.

PUNJAB CM TAKES STOCK OF RELIEF AND RESCUE MEASURES IN FLOOD AFFECTED HOSHIARPUR DISTRICT

Punjab Floods Live Updates: Over 1,400 Villages Submerged, Rescue Operations Underway

Punjab Floods Live Updates: Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Jalandhar and Rupnagar (Ropar) are the worst-hit districts.

PM Modi calls Punjab CM Mann, assures all possible help over flood situation

CHANDIGARH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to discuss the flood situation in the State and assured all possible assistance from the Centre. The conversation took place shortly after Prime Minister Modi landed in New Delhi following his visit to China. According to official sources, the Prime Minister expressed concern over the flood damage and reiterated the Union Governments commitment to extend all necessary support to Punjab. On Sunday, Mann had written to PM Modi, urging him to release Rs 60,000 crore in funds which, he claimed, are pending with the Union Government. In his letter, the Chief Minister said that Punjab is witnessing one of the worst flood disasters in decades, impacting approximately 1,300 villages and affecting lakhs of residents. He said that heavy monsoon rainfall, coupled with the release of water from dams, has led to extensive flooding across seven districts, Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Hoshiarpur. Mann expressed concern that the situation remains volatile and could deteriorate further in the coming days. He also noted that nearly three lakh acres of agricultural land, primarily paddy fields are submerged under floodwaters, causing significant crop losses just weeks ahead of the harvest. Additionally, he reported widespread loss of livestock, which has severely affected rural households dependent on dairy and animal husbandry for their livelihoods. Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged both the Central and State governments to intensify and expedite relief and rescue operations. Given the scale of devastation, the government must work in mission mode. Farmers, labourers, cattle rearers, and common citizens should receive immediate and effective assistance, he said. The loss of lives and widespread destruction due to the severe floods in Punjab is extremely tragic and painful. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the safety of all those stranded, Gandhi said. Army aviation wing flies for over 250 hours; rescues 5,000 civilians, 300 paramilitary personnel from flood-affected states

PM Modi Dials Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann To Discuss Flood Situation, Assures Help: Sources

Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of full support as massive floods hit districts like Amritsar and Hoshiarpur.

Punjab recorded 74% excess, Haryana received 32% more than normal rain in August

CHANDIGARH: In August, Punjab received 253.7 mm of rain, the highest the state has witnessed in the past 25 years, while Haryana recorded 194.5 mm of rain against an average of 147.7 mm for the month. Punjab received deficient rainfall multiple times in the past couple of decades, but this year it recorded the highest rainfall figures for August in the last 25 years, the Met department stated. Punjab recorded 253.7 mm rainfall in August, which was 74 per cent more than the months normal of 146.2 mm. The neighbouring Haryana received 194.5 mm of rain in August against an average of 147.7 mm for the month, which was 32 per cent in excess. Both states received excess rain in August only five times in the past 25 years, including this year. Heavy rains lash several parts of Punjab, Haryana 18 out of the total 23 districts in Punjab recorded excess rain, while a few districts like Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib recorded deficient rainfall. Meanwhile, Gurdaspur recorded 577.5 mm rainfall, 181 per cent more than normal of 205.3 mm; Pathankot received 944.2 mm of rain in August which was 152 per cent in excess than the normal of 375.2 mm; while Tarn Taran recorded 208 mm of rain against the normal of 87.1 per cent in August, which was 139 per cent in excess; Ferozepur received 170.6 mm of rain against a normal of 74.5 mm, which was 129 per cent in excess; Fazilka recorded 146.8 mm of rain as against 68.1 mm, a rise of 115 per cent; Hoshiarpur received 360.6 mm of rain in August, 74 per cent in excess of the normal figures of 207.6 mm; and Amritsar received 226.8 mm of rain in August against a normal of 162.4 mm, which was 40 per cent more. 18 out of the 22 districts in Haryana recorded excess rain in the month of August while four districts including Bhiwani and Ambala, recorded deficient rain. In Haryana excess rainfall was recorded in Fatehabad (252 per cent), Hisar (68 per cent), Faridabad (31 per cent) and Gurugram (24 per cent). Meanwhile Chandigarh (Union Territory), the common capital of Punjab and Haryana, recorded 308.5 mm rainfall in August as against the normal of 248.8 mm which was only 8 per cent more.

Heavy rains lash several parts of Punjab, Haryana

CHANDIGARH: Rains lashed several parts of Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory Chandigarh on Monday, with Ludhiana logging the highest rainfall of 216.70 mm. According to the Met department here, several places in Punjab and Haryana received rain during the 24-hour period ending 8:30 am Monday. Among other places in Punjab which received rain included Amritsar (24.1 mm), Patiala (80.4 mm), Pathankot (3.6 mm), Bathinda (3 mm), Faridkot (10.2 mm), Gurdaspur (2.7 mm), SBS Nagar (112.7 mm), Mohali (64 mm), Mansa (42 mm) and Rupnagar (82.5 mm). Chandigarh, the joint capital of both states, received 76.5 mm of rainfall. Among other places in Haryana, Ambala recorded 48.4 mm, Hisar (11.8 mm), Karnal (12.8 mm), Narnaul (66 mm), Rohtak (13.4 mm), Sirsa (130 mm), Panchkula (57 mm), Panipat (33 mm) and Gurugram (9.5 mm). Punjab is under the grip of massive floods, caused by the swollen Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers and seasonal rivulets due to heavy rain in their catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Villages worst-affected by the floods were in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar districts. Relief and rescue operations by the NDRF, Army, BSF, Punjab Police and district authorities continued on a war footing in the affected areas.

Punjab reels under worst floods: 1,312 villages affected, 26 dead; CM Mann seeks Rs 60,000 Cr relief from Centre

CHANDIGARH: The flood situation in Punjab has worsened due to incessant heavy rainfall, causing major rivers including the Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, and Ghaggar to swell. Out of Punjabs 23 districts, 22 have been affected so far. A total of 1,312 villages are impacted, nearly 3 lakh acres of standing crops have been inundated, and 26 people have lost their lives. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the release of 60,000 crore in state funds that he claims are pending with the Union Government. Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian confirmed that the 1,312 affected villages include, 93 in Amritsar, 26 in Barnala, 21 in Bathinda, 1 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 92 in Fazilka, 107 in Ferozepur, 324 in Gurdaspur, 86 in Hoshiarpur, 55 in Jalandhar, 123 in Kapurthala, 26 in Ludhiana, 4 in Malerkotla, 77 in Mansa, 35 in Moga, 81 in Pathankot, 14 in Patiala, 2 in Rupnagar, 22 in Sangrur, 1 in SAS Nagar, 3 in SBS Nagar, 74 in Muktsar and 45 in Tarn Taran. Emergency response teams from the state machinery, along with NDRF, SDRF, the Army, and Punjab Police, are working round-the-clock to protect lives and property. Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Anurag Verma, after inspecting villages along the Sutlej River in Ferozepur district, reported that nearly 3 lakh acres of land have been affected and around 1.25 lakh people are impacted by the floods. He added that the government has ordered a special girdawari (crop damage assessment) to provide compensation for crop losses. District authorities have been instructed to gather accurate loss data, and compensation will be disbursed per CM Manns directives. Currently, six NDRF teams are deployed in Gurdaspur and one each in Fazilka, Ferozepur, Pathankot, and Amritsar. Two SDRF teams are operational in Kapurthala. The Army, Navy, and Air Force are assisting in Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, and Pathankot, while BSF teams are engaged in Gurdaspur and Ferozepur. Punjab Police and Fire Brigade are also assisting in Kapurthala and Ferozepur. Additionally, 15 boats in Kapurthala, 12 in Ferozepur, and 4 in Pathankot are engaged in evacuations, with airlifting operations carried out where required. So far, 26 people have died in the floods, including an irrigation department employee who fell into the Ravi River last week while trying to open flood gates at the Madhopur barrage. Sources said that the Ghaggar River is also overflowing due to excess water from the Markanda and Tangri rivers. Water levels at Chika (Haryana), Khanauri (Sangrur), and Sardulgarh (Mansa) are very high, though still below the danger mark. CM writes to PM Modi In his letter to Prime Minister Modi, CM Mann said that Punjab is facing one of its worst flood disasters in decades, with around 1,300 villages and lakhs of people affected. He said heavy rains and dam releases caused severe flooding in Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Hoshiarpur. He noted that nearly 3 lakh acres of mainly paddy crops are submerged just weeks before harvest. Losses of livestock have also deeply affected rural families. The Chief Minister emphasized that Punjab has suffered a permanent revenue loss of Rs 49,727 crore due to the GST replacing VAT, with no compensation granted. Additionally, reductions in RDF and MDF have cost the state over Rs 8,000 crore, and the scrapping of PMGSY projects worth Rs 828 crore has further hurt development. He also slammed the existing State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms, calling them grossly inadequate. Current compensation for crop loss exceeding 33% stands at Rs 17,000 per hectare (or Rs 6,800 per acre). Mann stated the state government already tops this up to Rs 15,000 per acre, but given the extent of devastation, at least Rs 50,000 per acre should be provided. He urged a revision of SDRF norms and assured the Centre that Punjab would continue contributing its 25% share as per scheme guidelines. The Punjab government has extended school holidays till September 3. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the decision was taken on CM Manns instructions to ensure student safety. He urged parents to prioritise their childrens well-being and requested teachers to stay in touch with district administrations to support community efforts. Schools were originally closed from August 27 to 30.

Punjab floods: Death toll rises to 24; 1018 villages affected

CHANDIGARH: The floods in Punjab has claimed 24 lives so far. The flood situation continues to remain grim with 1,018 villages affected and standing crops in 1.51 lakh acres (61,273 hectares) remaining under water in nine districts of the state due to the surging Ravi, Beas and Sutluj rivers. The state has suffered huge financial loss due to crop damage and livestock deaths. As per reports from district headquarters, 16,632 hectares of land have been affected in Fazilka, 10,806 hectares in Ferozepur, 11,620 hectares in Kapurthala, 7,000 hectares in Pathankot, 9,928 hectares in Tarn Taran, and 5,287 hectares in Hoshiarpur. Currently, 77 relief camps are fully operational out of 87 set up in flood affected areas, providing shelter to 4,729 people. The administration is taking care of all the essential needs of these people. The Ravi river continued to flow at 4.60 lakh cusecs, well above the danger level at Dharamkot in Gurdaspur district. The water levels at the Madhopur and Ujh barrages receded to 39,000 cusecs and 7,700 cusecs, respectively. Both the BJP and the Congress party have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a special relief package. The leader of opposition and senior congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa, in his letter, demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a special central relief package, to provide compensation to the next of kin of the victims and farmers who suffered crop loss. Among other things, he also sought assistance for reconstruction of damaged roads, schools and homes and the launch a long term flood management plan for Punjab including strengthening embankments, delisting rivers, and coordinating water release with neighboring states. He also appealed to the PM to personally visit the state to witness the scale of devastation and reassure the affected families. Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar has also written a letter to PM Modi, urgently requesting central assistance. He emphasized the need for additional and immediate assistance given the severity of the disaster and urged the Prime Minister to deploy central assessment teams to evaluate the ground situation and announce a special relief package to address the immediate needs of Punjabs flood-affected people. Former Chief Minister and BJP leader Capt Amarinder Singh said that the devastating floods have shaken the entire state of Punjab, causing unprecedented damage to life, agriculture, and infrastructure. While almost every region has been affected, the most severe impact extends from Bhoa Assembly to Fazilka, along with Kapurthala district, Tarn Taran, Amritsar. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately announce a special relief package for Punjab and to deploy additional central forces to assist in the ongoing rescue and rehabilitation operations. Timely assistance is crucial so that affected families and farmers are not left to suffer in silence. Punjabs economy, already under stress, cannot withstand this scale of destruction without urgent intervention from the Centre, he said. Punjabi singer Satinder Sartaaj has sent one month's ration for 500 families of the flood-affected border sub-division Ajnala. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney instructed her team of volunteers to deliver these materials to the needy. Another Punjabi singer Jasbir Jassi and Raj Kundra, husband of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, too, have announced relief for the flood-affected area. She said that drones were being used to reach out to people whose houses were submerged in the waters of the Ravi river in Ramdass area. She along with officers was today at Harar Kalan village in Ajnala and stated that the distribution of relief material had been started in the affected villages of the border subdivision. The district administration has also set up relief centres for animals in Chamyari and Ajnala Dana Mandi. Amid the ongoing flood situation in Punjab, acting Jathedar of Akal Takht (Highest Temporal seat of Sikhs) Giani Kuldip Gargay appealed to all the people to stand by one another in this difficult time and extend help to those in distress. He stressed that the real reasons behind the recurring floods in Punjab must be probed and then reasons should be made public so that the people of the state could be prepared for future natural calamities and concerted efforts be made to avoid or mitigate it.

7,689 people evacuated in Punjab as 836 villages, 1.10 lakh acres of crops hit; flood alert issued in Patiala

CHANDIGARH: The flood situation in Punjab remains critical, with 836 villages and standing crops across more than 1.10 lakh acres affected in eight districts, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar, due to swelling of the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers. So far, 7,689 people have been evacuated to safer locations. Heavy rains and the rising Ghaggar river, following intense rainfall in its catchment area and the opening of floodgates at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, have prompted a flood alert in Patiala. Drones have been pressed into service to deliver relief material, including medicines, dry rations and water bottles, to affected residents in Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district. Meanwhile, amphibious ATOR (All Terrain Off Road) vehicles have been deployed to evacuate stranded villagers in the Ramdas area of Amritsar. Chairing a high-level meeting to review the flood situation, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, The heavy flow of water from hilly areas has created havoc for the state. Till date, 14.11 lakh cusecs of water has been received in river Ravi. This is the highest discharge the state has ever received; it was 11.20 lakh cusecs when severe floods struck the state in 1988. He added that the state government has already written to Haryana and Rajasthan, urging them to release maximum water from the rivers. The army has already been deployed in five flood-affected districts and is conducting rescue operations along with the administration using state-of-the-art equipment and machinery, CM Mann said. Seventeen teams of the NDRF have also been deployed to carry out relief measures so that the flood-affected people can be rescued. He noted that continuous on-ground operations are ongoing to evacuate stranded people, assess damage, and prevent disease outbreaks. Flood situation remains grim in eight districts of Punjab; dams near capacity CM Mann also said the government has constituted a high-powered committee of three senior officers to supervise relief and rescue operations in the flood-hit districts daily. The committee, comprising senior officers from the Revenue, Water Resources and Food and Civil Supplies departments, will remain stationed in Amritsar and other affected areas. He asked the Chief Secretary to visit flood-affected areas to ensure relief and rescue operations are carried out more effectively. Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla said, With heavy rainfall in the catchment areas continuing to swell the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi and Ujh rivers, Punjab Police, along with teams from the Army, Border Security Force, NDRF, SDRF and civil administration, have been working in tandem. So far, 7,689 people have been evacuated and shifted to safe places. Shukla, personally supervising the situation, added, Drones are being used to trace people for evacuation and to deliver food packets and other essential items. He noted that 20 Indian Army helicopters have been stationed in the state to help evacuate and relocate people safely. Since 27 August, troops of the Army's Panther Division have been tirelessly operating in the flood-hit Ramdas-Ajnala belt. In 40+ submerged villages, soldiers are carrying out nonstop rescue and relief operationsevacuating families, delivering medical aid, distributing food and essentials, and supporting civil authorities in restoring normalcy, the Army posted on X. Amritsar district administration has deployed amphibious ATOR vehicles and boats to reach stranded villagers. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said, We are reaching out to stranded people in waterlogged villages by boat. People are being continuously evacuated to safe locations, and those who wish to stay back are being provided with necessary supplies through boats. While 836 villages and standing crops across 1.10 lakh acres were worst affected, heavy rains have triggered flood alerts in Patiala, where 202 villages in Gurdaspur, 107 in Kapurthala, 85 in Gurdaspur, 81 in Pathankot, 93 in Ferozepur, 64 in Muktsar and 45 in Tarn Taran are at risk. The Patiala district administration has issued a high alert for low-lying villages along the Ghaggar river following heavy rainfall in its catchment area and the opening of Sukhna Lake floodgates. Punjab flood crisis deepens: rivers overflow, dams exceed limits, villages submerged Villages along the Ghaggar river embankment near Derabassi were also advised to stay alert, although authorities assured residents there was no cause for panic. In Hoshiarpur, villages are still reeling from the damage caused by the Chakki Khad tributary of the Beas, which breached embankments and submerged farmlands in Mukerian subdivision. Residents have urged authorities to plug the breaches immediately to prevent further losses. Farmlands in several villages across Tanda and Mukerian subdivisions have remained submerged for days. Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain visited flood-affected areas of Tanda and Dasuya subdivisions and assured that all efforts were being made to provide timely assistance. The Ferozepur district remains heavily affected, with nearly 16,000 acres of crops inundated and 62 villages badly hit. Over 2,500 residents have been rescued, and 13 relief camps have been established to shelter displaced families. Officials also noted that the Pong Dam on the Beas river remains above the danger mark, with water levels at 1,391.98 feet on Friday morning, an outflow of 1,00,614 cusecs, and an inflow of 53,000 cusecs. Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said, All INC Punjab MLAs and I have decided to contribute one month's salary to the Chief Minister's Flood Relief Fund. In solidarity with the flood-affected families of Punjab, this is a humble gesture of empathy in these testing times. I urge all citizens and organisations to come forward for relief and rehabilitation. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had earlier stated that his entire cabinet and all AAP MLAs would donate one month's salary towards flood relief efforts. Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar visited the flood-affected Ajnala Assembly constituency, criticising the state governments utilisation of disaster funds. The Central Government has released 229 crore out of the allocated 611 crore for disaster management in Punjab, but the state government has failed to utilise these funds effectively, he said. Jakhar added that he would write to the Prime Minister to request additional assistance for Punjabs flood-affected people.

Flood situation remains grim in eight districts of Punjab; dams near capacity

CHANDIGARH: The flood situation remained grim in eight districts of PunjabPathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, and Amritsaras district administrations, with the help of the Army, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), continued relief and rescue operations. The water levels at Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams have already crossed the maximum limits, while at Bhakra dam, it is only nine feet short of full capacity. More than 300 government schools are likely to be affected by flood in these areas. The Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers, along with seasonal rivulets, rose following heavy rains in their catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, inundating large stretches of farmland and villages in Punjab. At Bhakra dam, the water level was recorded at 1671.85 feet, just nine feet below the maximum level of 1680 feet, with inflow at 38,583 cusecs and outflow at 52,584 cusecs. Pong dam stood at 1,393.36 feet, exceeding its maximum capacity of 1,390 feet, with inflow at 57,183 cusecs and outflow at 94,845 cusecs. Ranjit Sagar dam, which has a maximum limit of 527.91 meters, was at 525.49 meters, registering an inflow of 56,572 cusecs and outflow of 1.01 lakh cusecs. At Shahpur Kandi dam, the water level touched 399.60 meters against a maximum of 405 meters, with outflow at 89,932 cusecs. Punjab flood crisis deepens: rivers overflow, dams exceed limits, villages submerged Sources said if heavy inflows continue for another day or two, the increased release of water from reservoirs to maintain safe levels could worsen flooding in low-lying areas. In the Ramdass area of Amritsar district, around 40 villages have been submerged after the Dhussi Bandh on the Ravi river breached at three points, allowing water to enter nearby habitations. Army personnel are using vehicles and boats to rescue stranded people. Police have been making loudspeaker announcements urging residents to move to safer places as water continues to enter villages at high speed. Locals expressed concern that the rising waters could soon overflow into the Sakhi Nullah, posing a direct threat to Ajnala town. The highway is acting as a temporary barrier, but its capacity to hold back water is weakening. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said that with water levels rising and more villages submerged, tractors and army vehicles are being used for rescue as roads have become impassable. She added that additional NDRF teams from Bathinda were on their way and more army assistance was being mobilised. Sawhney herself had to abandon her vehicle and switch to a tractor to oversee operations. The situation in Ferozepur district also remained serious, with over 2,000 people rescued from affected villages in the past 48 hours. Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma said 12 relief camps have been set up at Bagge Wala, Bare Ke, Dulchi Ke, Fatte Wala, Joege Wala, Dona Mathar, and Madi Ke. Meanwhile, the Punjab Education Department has begun assessing the damage caused to schools. Preliminary reports suggest over 300 senior secondary and elementary schools have been affected. The state government had already declared holidays from August 27 to 30. Sources said many government schools in Kapurthala, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, and Fazilka districts were inundated. Schools in Amritsar, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Ropar, and Nawanshahar districts have also been affected. Furniture and other infrastructure in schools are likely to have been damaged, and safety checks will need to be conducted before classes can resume, said an official.

Punjab: Several districts under grip of floods; rescue operations intensified

The worst-affected villages are in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar districts

Punjab floods: 400 students trapped in Gurdaspur; Army rescues 25, including CRPF personnel near Madhopur Headworks

CHANDIGARH: The flood situation remains grim in eight districts of Punjab --Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur and Fazilka-- where the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers are in spate. Approximately 400 students and 40 staff members are feared to be trapped in rising floodwaters at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Daburi village of Gurdaspur. The school is situated along the Gurdaspur-Dorangla road. According to sources, Kiran nullah, which flows adjacent to the school, has not been cleaned in years, which has led to the accumulation of floodwater in and around the premises. Meanwhile, as many as 22 CRPF personnel and three civilians were evacuated from a flooded village by an Army helicopter, just minutes before the building they were sheltering in collapsed. A defence spokesperson said that the Army, in a swift and daring operation, evacuated the people who were stranded near Madhopur Headworks, an area bordering Lakhanpur in Jammu and Kashmir. The building where these people were sheltering collapsed shortly after the evacuation, highlighting the timeliness and precision of the rescue. At 6 am on Wednesday, Army Aviation helicopters took off to carry out the rescue operation despite challenging conditions, and all stranded individuals were safely evacuated, he said. Indian Army Aviation undertook a high-risk helicopter rescue operation, evacuating stranded civilians and #CRPF personnel from a building surrounded by raging floodwaters and at imminent risk of collapse at Madhopur Headworks, #Punjab . Braving challenging weather and rapidly pic.twitter.com/8999qBrs0x ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) August 27, 2025 This successful operation once again reflects the Indian Armys unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and its ability to respond promptly in crisis situations. The synergy between the Army and local authorities averted a potential tragedy, he added. The water level in the Ravi river was recorded at 4.60 lakh cusecs early this morning, leading to flooding in Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Amritsar districts. The water level in the Ranjit Sagar Dam on the Ravi crossed the danger mark of 527.91 metres, prompting authorities to release water from the reservoir in a controlled manner. Yesterday, approximately 1.95 lakh cusecs of water were released from the dam. Controlled releases are also being made from the Bhakra and Pong dams. The catchment areas of the three dams in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh have witnessed heavy rainfall since the start of August. Mandi, the worst-affected district in the hill state, is one of the main catchment areas for the Beas river, on which the Pong Dam is built. Several cloudbursts have led to a massive inflow of water into the reservoir, causing a sharp rise in its levels. The Punjab government has already issued warnings to people residing in villages along the rivers to be prepared for any eventuality. Relief camps have also been set up in the affected districtsone in Kapurthala, six in Ferozepur and five in Hoshiarpur. In Fazilka, 36,435 acres of land have been inundated due to the floods, and 270 houses have either collapsed or developed cracks. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will be touring Pathankot and Gurdaspur districts today to take stock of the flood situation and oversee relief and rescue operations. Mann has also formed a committee for flood management and set up a central flood control room in Jalandhar. 34 dead as heavy rains lash J&K; mobile, internet service down

Army evacuates 25, including CRPF personnel, minutes before building collapse amid Punjab floods

CHANDIGARH: The flood situation remains grim in eight districts of Punjab --Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur and Fazilka-- where the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers are in spate. As many as 22 CRPF personnel and three civilians were evacuated from a flooded village by an Army helicopter, just minutes before the building they were sheltering in collapsed. A defence spokesperson said that the Army, in a swift and daring operation, evacuated the people who were stranded near Madhopur Headworks, an area bordering Lakhanpur in Jammu and Kashmir. The building where these people were sheltering collapsed shortly after the evacuation, highlighting the timeliness and precision of the rescue. At 6 am on Wednesday, Army Aviation helicopters took off to carry out the rescue operation despite challenging conditions, and all stranded individuals were safely evacuated, he said. Indian Army Aviation undertook a high-risk helicopter rescue operation, evacuating stranded civilians and #CRPF personnel from a building surrounded by raging floodwaters and at imminent risk of collapse at Madhopur Headworks, #Punjab . Braving challenging weather and rapidly pic.twitter.com/8999qBrs0x ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) August 27, 2025 This successful operation once again reflects the Indian Armys unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and its ability to respond promptly in crisis situations. The synergy between the Army and local authorities averted a potential tragedy, he added. The water level in the Ravi river was recorded at 4.60 lakh cusecs early this morning, leading to flooding in Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Amritsar districts. The water level in the Ranjit Sagar Dam on the Ravi crossed the danger mark of 527.91 metres, prompting authorities to release water from the reservoir in a controlled manner. Yesterday, approximately 1.95 lakh cusecs of water were released from the dam. Controlled releases are also being made from the Bhakra and Pong dams. The catchment areas of the three dams in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh have witnessed heavy rainfall since the start of August. Mandi, the worst-affected district in the hill state, is one of the main catchment areas for the Beas river, on which the Pong Dam is built. Several cloudbursts have led to a massive inflow of water into the reservoir, causing a sharp rise in its levels. The Punjab government has already issued warnings to people residing in villages along the rivers to be prepared for any eventuality. Relief camps have also been set up in the affected districtsone in Kapurthala, six in Ferozepur and five in Hoshiarpur. In Fazilka, 36,435 acres of land have been inundated due to the floods, and 270 houses have either collapsed or developed cracks. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will be touring Pathankot and Gurdaspur districts today to take stock of the flood situation and oversee relief and rescue operations. Mann has also formed a committee for flood management and set up a central flood control room in Jalandhar. 34 dead as heavy rains lash J&K; mobile, internet service down

Incessant rain wreaks havoc across Punjab, inundating large tracks of farmland, villages; schools closed

CHANDIGARH: Incessant rainfall in the catchment areas has continued to swell the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, while the release of surplus water from the Pong, Bhakra, and Ranjit Sagar dams has further aggravated the situation. The gushing waters have inundated large tracts of farmland and villages along the three rivers, throwing normal life out of gear in Punjab and turning the situation grim. The worst-affected districts are Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Ferozepur, and Fazilka, where schools have been ordered to remain closed. The swollen Ravi has become a major source of worry for residents of Gurdaspur as inflows into the river continue to rise due to heavy rains upstream. According to official data, the water level of the Ravi at Makora Pattan in Gurdaspur touched 2.50 lakh cusecs on Monday morning, prompting the civil administration to remain on alert. At Harike, where the Beas and Sutlej rivers converge, the water level was recorded at 2.34 lakh cusecs. As this water flows downstream to Hussainiwala in Ferozepur and further into Fazilka, local authorities and residents are on high alert and prepared for emergency evacuations. The water flowing from the Beas and Sutlej into the Harike Headworks has already ravaged thousands of acres of crops in several villages in Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, and Fazilka districts. Schools in Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, and Ferozepur districts have also been shut, while the respective district administrations have issued evacuation advisories to flood-hit villages as waters continue to rise. Due to heavy rainfall in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, the Ravi and Ujh rivers, along with the Jalaliya, Chakki, and various canals and drains flowing through Pathankot district, are running beyond capacity. In Gurdaspur, the release of water from the Ranjit Sagar dam has inundated farmland in the Dera Baba Nanak area. Several villages situated between the Ravi river and the international border, along with others, are also submerged. Meanwhile, relief camps have been set up across several districts, with teams from health, animal husbandry, water supply and sanitation, and revenue departments actively working in the affected villages. Cabinet minister Harbhajan Singh ETO has been tasked with reviewing flood relief work in Tarn Taran, while MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura and Barinder Goyal will be visiting flood-affected areas of Pathankot and Gurdaspur to oversee relief and evacuation operations. To monitor and coordinate relief measures, the state government has established a central flood control centre in Jalandhar and has roped in the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to assist district administrations and the police in rescue efforts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Ludhiana, Sangrur, Barnala, and Mansa districts, warning that intense rainfall and thunderstorms could disrupt normal activities and damage infrastructure.

No, Punjab Blast Wasnt Caused by Unexploded Munitions From India-Pak Conflict

The fire and blast seen in this video was caused by an LPG tanker colliding with a car near Hoshiarpur, Punjab