Private firm to invest Rs 1,000 crore in Ludhiana, claims Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora

Ishroop Narang wins silver at Junior Asian Judo Championship

Ishroop Narang, a 19-year-old judoka, has secured a silver medal for India at the Junior Asian Judo Championship in Jakarta. Her journey began in Ludhiana before she moved to Chandigarh. She previously won gold at the Taipei Junior Asian Cup 2025. Coach Vivek Thakur, a former corporate employee, now trains young athletes.

Trident Group Deepens MENA Footprint with AED 6 million Investment at Sleep Expo ME 2025

Trident Limited is the flagship company of Trident Group, an Indian business conglomerate and global player. Headquartered in Ludhiana, Punjab, Trident Limited is a vertically integrated textile (Towels, Yarn, Bath & Bed Linen) and Paper (Wheat Straw-based) manufacturer. Tridents towels, yarns, bedsheets, and paper businesses have earned global recognition and are delighting millions of customers across India and the world. The group has offices in New York and London, and exports products to over 150 countries and is one of the largest home textiles companies in the world.

Jatinder Singh: Oman captain with Ludhiana roots | Father served in Royal Oman Police | Asia Cup 2025

Jatinder Singh: Oman captain with Ludhiana roots | Father served in Royal Oman Police | Asia Cup 2025

Dengue cases rising with 411 infections so far in J&K; 21 new cases, one death reported

Municipal areas remain hotspots *Fogging intensified in Jammu City Govind Sharma JAMMU, Sept 13: Dengue cases are climbing in Jammu and Kashmir with 21 fresh infections reported on Friday, taking the Union Territorys tally this year to 411. The outbreak has already claimed one life-an adult male from Rehari, Jammu, who succumbed on June 29 while being shifted from a private hospital to DMC Ludhiana after his attendants took him away against medical advice. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on [] The post Dengue cases rising with 411 infections so far in J&K; 21 new cases, one death reported appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

'Tricked into military service, forced to fight for Russian Army': Indian youngsters share SOS videos

CHANDIGARH: At least nine Indian youngsters, mostly from Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu, have sent desperate SOS videos from the frontline of the Russia-Ukraine war, stating they were tricked into military service and are now being forced to fight for the Russian Army. The videos show the young men -- wearing Russian military fatigues -- pleading for urgent rescue, claiming they were misled by agents who promised jobs or student visas. In response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued fresh advisory, warning Indian citizens to avoid such dubious offers. Calling the situation fraught with danger, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government has taken up the matter strongly with Russian authorities in both Delhi and Moscow. We are in touch with the families and have demanded an immediate end to this practice, he said. The issue was also raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Russia last year, he added. One of the trapped youngsters, Samarjeet Singh from Ludhiana, said that nine Indians, including himself, were sent to the frontlines and are being grossly mistreated, with barely any food. Buta Singh, another victim, said some belonging to their group have already died in combat, while others fear for their lives every day. We were promised work in Moscow, but instead were pushed into war, he said. Ankit Jangra, 23, from Kumharia village in Fatehabad, Haryana, said he and 12 others are trapped. When we ask to return, the Russian soldiers point guns at us and say, Kill or dietheres no going back. Ankit had travelled to Russia on a student visa and was working part-time at KFC before being conscripted. Another youth from the same village, Vijay Poonia, is also among the stranded. Families allege that agents orchestrating this trafficking racket are not only sending youth into war zones but are also siphoning off death benefits and pensions meant for the injured or deceased. Congress MLA Pargat Singh, who brought the families to Chandigarh, accused both Centre and state governments of negligence. He claimed 126 Indian youth are currently trapped in Russia, with 15 missing. This is not isolated fraudits a full-blown human trafficking network, and the silence of the government is indefensible, he said.

Indian youths caught in crossfire of Russia-Ukraine war seek Centre's help to rescue them

CHANDIGARH: Young men from Punjab, Haryana and Jammu who were caught in the crossfire of Russia-Ukraine war have sent an SOS pleading to rescue them at the earliest. In video messages shared by these youths, they could be seen dressed in Russian military uniforms and pleading for urgent intervention by the Indian government to rescue them. We are being grossly mistreated. We're being sent to the frontline daily and we're starving, said one Samarjeet Singh from Ludhiana. Another youth Buta Singh, claimed some among them had already died in the war. He added that they were promised work in Moscow but recruited in the Russian army. The situation is dire, get us out immediately, he pleaded. Echoing the same view, Sumeet Sharma from Jammu said that they have been deceived by travel agents. 23-year-old Ankit Jangra from Kumharia village in Fatehabad district said that he and 12 others from India are now trapped in Russia. Vijay Poonia of the same village is also trapped with Ankit and fighting for the Russian army. Both Ankit and Vijay had gone to Russia on student visas to study the Russian language. Lamenting lack of effective action from the Indian government, Jagdeep Singh, whose brother Mandeep is among the missing said,`` Since July this year, these new recruitments have taken place, and the stranded youths have been making frantic calls to the Indian embassy in Russia, but there has been little response. Family members of these youth allege that compensation for youths killed in the war or pensions for injured ones are being siphoned off by the agents. Congress MLA from Jalandhar Cantonment Pargat Singh, who brought these family members to Chandigarh to press for action, criticized both the Centre and the state government for failing to identify arrest the travel agents. ``The continuous inaction of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Moscow constitutes a breach of duty and dereliction of responsibility. As government agencies persist in issuing ineffective advisories, our youths are dying on foreign battlefields while families are left unsupported, uninformed, and denied even the dignity of adequate investigation or compensation, he said. Singh claimed that in July this year 15 Punjabi youths were taken to Russia under false job promises. By August, five were dead, three missing, and seven were forcibly conscripted. At least126 youths from across north India remain trapped in Russia and about 15 are missing, he said. These are not isolated cases of fraud this is a coordinated, large-scale operation that the Indian system has utterly failed to acknowledge or combat. The Punjab Governments ongoing delay in prosecuting the agents whose criminal exploitation even robs families of death benefits and insurance payouts is inexcusable and unacceptable, he further added. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal meanwhile emphasized that India has repeatedly raised the issue with Moscow and urged families to maintain close contact with the authorities. We have seen reports about Indian nationals having been recruited recently into the Russian Army. The government has, on several occasions over the past year, underlined the risks and dangers inherent in this course of action and cautioned Indian citizens accordingly. We have also taken up the matter with Russian officials, both in Delhi and Moscow, demanding an end to this practice and the release of our nationals. We are also in touch with the families of the affected Indian citizens. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also raised the issue during his visit to Russia last year.

J&K Cong Leader Dina Nath Bhagat Dies

Jammu, Sep 8: Senior Jammu and Kashmir Congress leader Dina Nath Bhagat died at a hospital in Punjabs Ludhiana early Monday after a brief illness, his family said. He was 79. The former MLA from Chenani constituency is survived by his wife, three sons and two daughters. Bhagats son Naresh, an advocate, said his father was unwell for the past 10 days and breathed his last in a hospital in Ludhiana around 3.30 am. He was initially undergoing treatment at [] The post J&K Cong Leader Dina Nath Bhagat Dies appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Ambulance falls into gorge, three killed in Himachal

In a tragic incident, an ambulance carrying a patient to Ludhiana crashed into a gorge in Una district, Himachal Pradesh, resulting in the death of three individuals. The accident occurred near Gagret when the driver lost control on a curve near Manghuwal. Two others, including the driver, sustained severe injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital.

Rattling the nuts and bolts in Ludhiana

Punjabs industrial hub known for engineering tools, textiles, and basmati rice exports braces for the U.S. tariff fallout. While the ripple effects are not immediate, early signs such as reduced working hours and cost-cutting in factories point to an imminent impact on production and livelihoods across industrial sectors.Vikas Vasudevafinds that business owners are currently holding off on layoffs despite an order slump

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: Alert Issued In Ludhiana After Embankment Faces Strong Flow Of Sutlej River

Punjab Floods: Ludhiana district faces flood threat as Sutlej river pressures embankment; villages like Sasrali and Mangli Tanda at risk.

Reprieve from incessant heavy rains in past 24 hours in flood-hit Punjab

CHANDIGARH, Sep 5: In some reprieve for the people of flood-hit Punjab from incessant heavy rains, light showers at a few places were reported in the state during the past 24-hour period. According to the weather department, among the few parts of Punjab which received light rain during the 24-hour period ending 8:30 am Friday included Ludhiana 9.8 mm, Patiala 1.8 mm, Gurdaspur 1.7 mm, Faridkot 3.5 mm and Rupnagar 0.5 mm. Chandigarh, the common capital of Punjab and Haryana, [] The post Reprieve from incessant heavy rains in past 24 hours in flood-hit Punjab appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Punjab flood: Ludhiana administration sounds alert after embankment faces strong flow of water

Rescue centres have been set up at 'Satsang Ghars' on Rahon (Ghonsgarh), Chandigarh and Tibba roads here and Kailash Nagar, as well as at Khassi Kalan, Bhukhri, and Mattewara schools and mandis.

Centre Clears 40km Baramulla-Uri Rail Line, Qazigund-Badgam Doubling To Boost J&K Connectivity

The planning group also cleared two capacity expansion projects in Punjab and Haryana---third line between LudhianaJalandhar Cantt and fourth line between Ambala CanttSahnewal

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.

Uttar Pradesh woman finds missing husband through social media reel

LUCKNOW: A woman from Hardoi, central Uttar Pradesh, identified her husband, who had been missing since 2018, through a social media reel. However, the joy of identifying her husband was short-lived for the woman named Sheelu, as the man was posing with another woman as her husband. Jitendra had left home, leaving behind a newborn son. A dowry harassment complaint was also registered against him. While his family accused Sheelu's relatives of being involved in his disappearance, she lived for years with the uncertainty, raising their son alone. Acting on this input, the police began an inquiry into the matter. They traced the 32-year-old man, Jitendra Kumar alias Babloo, to Ludhiana, where he had allegedly remarried. He was later taken into custody. The police authorities said that Sheelu, the first wife of Jitendra Kumar, filed a complaint, and a case was registered against him under Section 82(1) (bigamy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Sandila police station. She accused her husband of faking his disappearance, remarrying. She also accused his family of concealing the truth of his presence in Ludhiana from her. During the inquiry, it was found that Jitendra had married another woman in Ludhiana. He has been taken into custody, said Santosh Kumar Singh, Circle Officer, Hardoi. Police said their investigation revealed that the complainant had married Jitendra, who was also from Hardoi, in 2017. However, in April 2018, Jitendra suddenly disappeared. His family searched extensively for him but couldnt find him anywhere. Eventually, his father filed a missing persons complaint at the Sandila police station. Despite repeated efforts over the years, Jitendras whereabouts remained unknown until now. As per the statement recorded by the police, Sheelu said that she had recently come across a reel on social media and was shocked to recognise her missing husband in it. Taken aback by the sight, police said she began contacting people close to Jitendra and his family to verify whether it was indeed him. During her inquiries, police said she came to know that Jitendra had been living in Ludhiana for the past several years.

Anand Mahindras 3-Storey Ancestral Home Collapses Amid Rain Fury In Ludhiana

A large part of Anand Mahindras ancestral house in Ludhiana collapsed under heavy rain, but no casualties occurred as the building was unoccupied at the time

Declare Floods in Punjab, J-K, Himachal As 'National Calamity', Demands Punjab Congress President

The Ludhiana MP emphasised that the scale of devastation caused by the floods in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir calls for them to be declared a 'national calamity'

Punjab Police arrest Jaish-e-Mohammad activist, two others in cab drivers murder case

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Police has busted a terror module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and apprehended three Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)-based persons in connection with the abduction and murder of a cab driver, Anil Kumar. In another incident, two associates of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang were arrested by the police. Director General of Police, Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, said here today that those arrested have been identified as Sahil Bashir (19), a resident of Handwara Langate village in Kupwara; Munish Singh alias Ansh (22), of Kotli in Doda village; and Aijaz Ahmed Khan alias Wasim (22), of Manjpura village in Kalamabad. The police have also recovered the snatched white-coloured Maruti Swift Dzire (PB01-D-6299) and the .32 bore country-made pistol used in the crime from the possession of the arrested accused persons. In her complaint, Anil Kumars wife, Sudha Devi, stated that her husband drives a taxi and, on Friday morning, like every day, at around 8:30 a.m., he left home to take a ride from Kharar to Railway Station, Chandigarh. Later, she kept on calling her husband continuously but both his mobile phones were switched off, she stated. Yadav said that in connection with the abduction and murder of cab driver Anil Kumar, a resident of Nayagaon in Mohali, a case was promptly registered after a preliminary investigation revealed that three unidentified persons, who had hired the cab from Kharar, had forcibly snatched his vehicle. Considering the grave and sensitive nature of the matter, multiple police teams were constituted, and, acting with speed and precision, all three accused were apprehended, he said. Yadav added that the arrested accused, Sahil Bashir, is a wanted individual in an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Arms Act case registered at Police Station Qalamabad, Handwara, in J&K. His brother, Aijaz Ahmad, had earlier been arrested with a cache of weapons and materials linked to JeM, he said, while adding that both are identified as Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of the JeM. Sharing operation details, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ropar Range, Harcharan Singh Bhullar, said that acting swiftly on the complaint, separate teams of Mohali Police were formed under the supervision of SP City Sirivenella, SP Investigation Saurav Jindal, and DSP City-1 Prithvi Singh Chahal. The police teams, led by Incharge CIA staff Harminder Singh and SHO Police Station Naya Gaon Satnam Singh, jointly took action and, using technical and human resources, the accused were arrested from Bus Stand, Batala and Gurdaspur areas, he said. He said that during interrogation, the arrested accused persons confessed to having fatally shot the driver after an altercation and later disposed of the body in the Mohali area. Sharing more details, Senior Superintendent of Police of SAS Nagar, Harmandeep Hans, said that the interrogation of the accused revealed that they had booked the cab on the pretext of going from Kharar to Chandigarh railway station and had first asked the taxi driver, Anil Kumar, to go to Airport Road via Phase 3B2, Mohali. When Anil Kumar took the accused to Kandala village, they took Kumar out of the vehicle and shot him dead before escaping with the car and other belongings, he said. He said that following disclosures of the arrested accused persons, police teams have retrieved the mortal remains of deceased Kumar. Three bullet shells were also recovered from near the dead body, he added. Initially, a case dated August 31 was registered under section 127(6) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station Naya Gaon, while sections 140(3), 103, and 304 of the BNS and section 25 of the Arms Act have now been added in this case. In another case, Muktsar Police apprehended two associates of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and recovered five illegal weapons from their possession. DGP Yadav said that those arrested have been identified as Gurdeep Singh of Badhni Kalan in Moga and Gursewak Singh alias Mota of Manu Ke Sandhu village in Jagraon, Ludhiana. The recovered weapons include four .32 bore country-made pistols and one .30 bore country-made pistol along with 10 magazines. He said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the duo arrested persons are linked with the gang and are actively involved in furthering its criminal activities. Further investigation is ongoing to establish forward and backward linkages in this case, he said, while adding that more arrests and recoveries are likely in the coming days. Sharing operation details, Senior Superintendent of Police of Muktsar Sahib, Dr Akhil Chaudhary, said that acting on specific intelligence, a special naka was laid by CIA Malout. During checking, the police apprehended two suspects carrying a blue kit bag, he said, while adding that upon searching the kit, police teams recovered the illegal weapons. Chaudhary said that the probe has revealed that accused Gurdeep Singh came into contact with Harjot Singh alias Neela and Jagdeep Singh alias Jagga, both close associates of Lawrence Bishnoi. On Neelas instructions, Gursewak and Gurdeep travelled to Indore, where an unidentified person delivered five pistols to them, he said, while adding that out of these, two pistols were retained by the accused, while the remaining three were to be supplied to Neela. Meanwhile, Harjot Singh alias Neela and Jagdeep Singh alias Jagga are wanted criminals, with 12 and 10 FIRs registered against them in different districts and states respectively. In this regard, a case has been registered under section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Kabarwala in Muktsar.

Missing For 7 Years, UP Man Traced After Wife Spots Him In Instagram Reel With Another Woman

Investigators discovered that the man had faked his disappearance and settled in Ludhiana, where he remarried and began a new life

Punjab: Congress targets Bhagwant Mann govt & Centre for abandoning flood-hit state in its 'darkest hour'

CHANDIGARH: Punjab opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa on Monday targeted the Bhagwant Mann government and the Centre for abandoning the flood-hit state in its darkest hour. We have all seen how AAP MLAs are now claiming that it was the fault of officers, and even cabinet minister Barinder Kumar Goyal went on record saying he would suspend erring officials. But the people of Punjab are asking one simple question why did Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann convene the first flood control meeting only on June 5 when the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had already issued warnings of heavy rainfall as early as May? Bajwa questioned. The Centre, he added, cannot escape blame either. Flood management is not the responsibility of the State alone. The Central Water Commission (CWC), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, has a crucial role in collecting hydrological data, issuing flood forecasts, monitoring river basins, and guiding states in reservoir and flood management. Yet, despite CWCs wide network of forecasting stations and technical expertise, there was no convergence between the Centre and the State to prevent the disaster. Bajwa added that the CWC regularly publishes data on rainfall, river flow, reservoir storage, and inflow forecasts for dams, all of which are meant to ensure efficient planning and timely response. However, Punjab witnessed the opposite floodgates were not repaired or opened in time, desilting of canals and drains was neglected year after year, and coordination between irrigation, disaster management, and revenue departments was absent. The Centre, too, failed to ensure real-time coordination and allowed Punjab to be left vulnerable. Instead of taking preventive measures and protecting the people, they now indulge in blame games, token announcements, and photo-ops. The annadatas of Punjab have lost their crops, homes, and livelihoods. They deserve accountability, not excuses. It is high time both governments admit their failure and take serious steps to ensure that such tragedies are not repeated, he said. What we are witnessing today is a complete collapse of governance. Punjabs farmers have lost their entire seasons livelihood, yet they are being offered just Rs 6,750 per acre for partial loss less than 10 per cent of the real earnings. One acre of paddy yields over Rs 70,000, but this so-called compensation is nothing more than an eyewash. Bajwa explained why Punjab had stayed out of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) since 2017. We objected because the scheme assessed losses at the village level instead of individual fields, imposed extra premium burdens, and delivered compensation after long delays. The only beneficiaries were insurance companies, not farmers, he said. Hitting out at the Centre, Bajwa said, at a time when Punjab needed the Centres support the most, the Prime Minister has not announced even a single rupee of relief. Nor has he shown the will to reform and extend PMFBY in a way that suits Punjabs realities. This is nothing short of criminal neglect of the very annadatas who feed the nation. Bajwa demanded that the Centre and state act immediately by extending a reformed PMFBY to Punjab with plot-level coverage and speedy payouts, creating a state-level insurance fund, expanding insurance to cover crops, livestock, and farmer health, while also investing in early warning systems, embankments, and desilting so that farmers get relief that is fast, fair, and future-proof. Unless PMFBY is reformed and extended, and unless Punjab establishes its own robust insurance mechanism, our farmers will continue to drown in despair every time nature strikes. Both Modi and Mann must be held answerable for this betrayal of Punjabs annadatas, he said. Meanwhile, Punjab Congress president and member of parliament from Ludhiana, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring demanded a probe against the mismanagement of dams and water headworks and also the criminal negligence of people involved in their management. He said that there was one common question asked by people, as why did the authorities, whosoever responsible, allow the water in dams to overflow till the last minute. Why was not the water released gradually in advance, so that later the dams could hold the extra water? he asked, noting that had it been done on time, the extent of devastation may well have been minimized. He also referred to the crashing of three floodgates of the Madhopur headworks, which, he said, happened because these were not properly maintained. He said, since extra water from the headworks was also not released on time, it led to huge pressure and eventually crashing of the gates. The PCC president called for fixing the responsibility for this disaster and punishing those guilty. `` We do not expect people at the responsible positions not to act in time and that too at such critical times, he observed, asking, what are they meant for?

Punjab reels under worst floods: 1,312 villages affected, 26 dead; CM Mann seeks Rs 60,000 Cr 'pending' state fund

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 Rs 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 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.

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.

CBSE Parenting Workshops 2025: Dates, venues, schedule, objectives and why they matter

The CBSE is enhancing parental involvement in children's development through offline workshops in September 2025, following the Parenting Calendar 2025-26 launch. These interactive sessions, held in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Siliguri, Ludhiana, and Indore, will equip parents with practical tools and strategies. The workshops aim to promote holistic growth, positive parenting, and stronger school-home partnerships.

AAP revives old land scheme to plug revenue gap; Congress dubs it selling family silver

CHANDIGARH: After the land pooling scheme had to be withdrawn , now the cash-strapped Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab Government is set to reintroduce the more than two decades old Optimum Utilisation of Vacant Government Lands (OUVGL) Scheme in a new format - OUVGL Scheme 2.0 - as a potential scheme to earn much-needed revenue. Interestingly, it is the same policy which was first introduced by the then SAD-BJP Government in 1997, as AAP has been hitting out at both SAD and BJP for anti-people policies. Sources said most of the unutilised government land was encroached upon by unscrupulous elements and all department heads had been instructed to identify all vacant and unutilised land, including the encroached, within a few days. The government will first get the pool of land ready and then, based on the demand for housing for commercial or industrial use, get it developed at various places. Under the OUVGL Scheme 2.0 all prime unutilised state government properties are proposed to be transferred to Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) which will develop these properties into residential, commercial and industrial areas before auctioning them, said an official. Sources further pointed out that last week Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha took a meeting of all administrative secretaries to discuss how to implement this scheme and identify land or properties that can be transferred to PUDA for auctioning in the near future. The state government proposes to fund its populist schemes, including implementation of the Rs 1,100 per month for women, from the money it gets from this scheme and also use revenue for capital expenditure. Between April and July this year, the expenditure was Rs 41,352.80 crore but the government could only manage to get Rs 30,662.64 crore in revenue. Thus the revenue deficit in four months was around Rs 10,690.16 crore. The state government has raised a loan of Rs 12,191.52 crore during this period to meet its expenses. Under the land pooling scheme, the government was targeting a revenue of Rs 8,000 crore during this fiscal, but it has been withdrawn now. In the past, both SAD-BJP and Congress governments have also earned revenue under this OUVGL scheme. Punjab Congress President and Member of Parliament from Ludhiana, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, said that the OUVGL is an admission of bankruptcy in Punjab. After being forced to withdraw the land looting scheme the @AAPPunjab government has now come out with another idea of selling the family silver to make up for the huge financial losses it has subjected the state to, through the Optimum Utilization of Vacant Government Lands (OUVGL). This only proves that the AAP government has proved to be an economic and financial disaster for Punjab and pushed the state towards bankruptcy. You only sell the family silver once you have turned completely bankrupt after exhausting/squandering away all other resources, he wrote on X. Meanwhile, in another related development, in order to reinforce fiscal discipline and maximise revenue realisation, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced that the Punjab Excise Commissionerate has intensified efforts to recover long-pending excise arrears inherited from previous SAD-BJP and Congress governments. The department has already recovered Rs 1.85 crore in the current financial year 202526, and permission has been granted to sell 27 properties with a combined base value of Rs 20.31 crore (at Collector Rate), marking a significant step toward financial accountability. Cheema said that the auction process for these properties is now underway. As part of this recovery drive, 14 properties located in Muktsar, Fazilka, and Mansa districts will be auctioned during the first two weeks of September, he added. He said that six properties in Mansa and Bathinda districts, comprising agricultural and commercial, residential land with a base price of Rs 5.4 crore, will be auctioned on September 4. On September 8, four agricultural properties in Muktsar with a total base price of Rs 4.89 crore will go under the hammer. Another set of four agricultural properties in Muktsar and Fazilka, valued at Rs 1.99 crore, will be auctioned on September 11. He also announced that eight additional properties will be auctioned later in September, ensuring sustained momentum in the recovery campaign. He emphasised that the government anticipates substantial revenue recovery from 67 pending arrears cases within this financial year alone.

Gangster Kartik Baggan Shot Dead By Assailants In Ludhiana; Rival Gang Claims Role

Kartik Baggan was shot dead in Ludhiana by assailants linked to the Gopi Ghanshampura gang. Police suspect old rivalry and are searching for the accused.

Jaswinder Bhalla: From Phd to famous Punjabi comedian, a look at the life and career of a scientist who was known for Advocate Dhillion

Jaswinder Bhalla News: Jaswinder Bhalla, the celebrated Punjabi comedian who breathed his last on August 22, was equally esteemed as a professor of agricultural science. He taught at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, holding a PhD in the field. Bhalla masterfully juggled his academic responsibilities with a thriving entertainment career, marked by iconic characters and roles in popular Punjabi films.

BJP, AAP clash in Punjab as state government halts saffron partys welfare camps over data misuse row

CHANDIGARH: The Bharatiya Janata Party and Aam Aadmi Party are at loggerheads in Punjab, as the mega outreach programme BJP De Sewadaar Aa Gaye Ne Thuade Dwar started by the BJP in rural areas of the state to enrol locals in central government schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and PM-Kisan has been shut down by the AAP-led state government. The state government alleged that private operators were illegally collecting personal data of residents. As per the advertisement issued by the BJP, people were being enrolled under Awas Yojana (Housing Scheme), Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), Ayushman Bharat (Health Insurance Scheme), E-Shram Card, Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana, pensions (NSAP Widow, Disability, Old Age), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Girl Child Support Programme). Sources said the programme was launched on May 20 and that 1.57 lakh people had been enrolled in different schemes, as per their eligibility. These camps, set up in 39 constituencies, were to be expanded to 50 constituencies in the next few days. The BJP had hired a few professionals, who the party claims were party workers with laptops and KYC documents, to enrol state residents into various central schemes. The party also said that records of enrolled beneficiaries were maintained, and fees ranging from Rs 30 to Rs 40 for certain schemes were borne from its own kitty. A delegation of the BJP led by its state working president Ashwani Sharma met Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria today and submitted a memorandum requesting his intervention to prevent harassment of BJP workers, volunteers and villagers during these camps held on central welfare schemes. We wish to draw your kind attention towards the continuous and deliberate harassment being inflicted upon our workers, volunteers, and the innocent inhabitants of several villages across Punjab, where awareness camps have been initiated to spread vital information about Central Government welfare schemes. It is deeply regrettable that the Punjab Government has repeatedly attempted to create obstacles in this noble cause. In almost every camp, the state police and local administration have intervened to stop BJP workers and volunteers from providing information, the memorandum stated. This disruption is being justified on two pretexts: firstly, that prior permission from the Deputy Commissioner/SOM is required, and secondly, that parties are allegedly collecting personal data of the inhabitants, it added. It further read: It is respectfully submitted that no such permission is mandated under any law for awareness programmes of this nature, and the allegation regarding data collection is false, baseless, and politically motivated. Further, the volunteers and workers engaged in these camps hold valid Common Service Centre (CSC) IDs. Hence, there is no illegality in the conduct of such programmes. The underlying reason for such obstruction appears to be political vendetta and fear of the rising popularity of the BJP in Punjab. Instead of allowing welfare information to reach the poor, the marginalised, and the SC/ST communities, the ruling party is using state machinery to suppress legitimate and democratic activities of our workers. Instead of extending cooperation, the Punjab Government is victimising them and thereby depriving citizens of their rightful benefits, the memorandum said. It added that the BJP had most humbly and firmly requested the Governor to direct the state government to desist from harassing BJP workers, volunteers, and local inhabitants who were voluntarily participating in awareness programmes. The party also urged that no obstruction be created in the organisation of such camps, which it said were meant for the welfare of the poor, farmers, and SC/ST communities. The memorandum further sought the Governors intervention to safeguard the democratic rights of the people of Punjab, so that they can freely access information and avail benefits of Union Government welfare initiatives without fear or intimidation. The state police today detained saffron party leaders from various camps that were being organised across Punjab. BJP leader Pritpal Sharma was detained from one such camp at Sukhna Ablu village in the Gidderbaha Assembly segment. His wife, a PCS officer, is currently posted in Fazilka district. Pritpal, in a live video on Facebook, said, The camp was set up to facilitate poor people, but the state government has stooped so low that it is detaining people like me. BJP leader and former Lok Sabha MP Sushil Rinku, along with two party workers, was also detained as he had gone to supervise arrangements for the camp at Khurdpur village of Adampur. Rinku went live on social media during the incident. In Shahkot area of Jalandhar, ex-MLA KD Bhandari was detained while he had gone to attend the camp at Roopewal Mandi. Meanwhile, SAS Nagar District BJP President Sanjeev Vashisht and workers were detained during the outreach programme at Nagla village. Similarly, BJP Ludhiana District Rural President Sunny Kainth and his workers were also detained as they prepared to attend the camp. A state government spokesperson, however, said, The government has received credible reports that certain private operators are illegally collecting personal data of local residents, allegedly on behalf of political parties. Under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act), any collection or use of personal data without consent is a punishable offence. The local police have been directed to take strict penal action against those engaged in such unlawful activities. The government has learned that several individuals who shared their personal data were later targeted in scams and banking frauds, including incidents where phone numbers and OTPs were misused to siphon off money. The government, therefore, strongly urges citizens not to share their personal information with unauthorised persons or agencies, as it may be misused at any stage. Citizens are advised to remain vigilant and immediately report any such illegal activity to the authorities, he said. In another statement, a Punjab Police spokesperson said, The Punjab Police has formed several teams to investigate the camps which are allegedly collecting the personal information of individuals in the name of government schemes. The inquiries have been instituted after receipt of complaints stating that personal data of citizens is being collected by unauthorised persons who are holding camps, making the personal data vulnerable to thefts and fraud. It has also been reported that forms are being filled up at these camps. The District Police Authorities have instructed the inquiry teams to join concerned persons in the inquiries, visit the alleged places of holding camps and conduct investigations following law, he added. The spokesperson appealed to citizens not to share their personal data, including Aadhaar details, with unauthorised individuals and instead access government schemes directly online or through authorised mechanisms. He added that Government Suvidha Centres are facilitating citizens wishing to enrol themselves in government schemes or download beneficiary cards, available after authentication of the applicants identity from the database.

How A Farmer From Punjab Became The Owner Of A Shatabdi Express For 5 Minutes

Lawyer Rakesh Gandhi said they were tired of urging Railways to clear dues, so the court let them identify properties; Judge Verma even granted the Ludhiana station office

Punjabs Rs 12,700 crore NH projects stalled; Rs 828 crore PMGSY road works scrapped over delays

CHANDIGARH: Multiple key road infrastructure projects in Punjab including major national highway developments and those under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY), are facing serious setbacks, with no clear timeline for completion. As many as sixteen national highway projects worth 12,700 crore, being implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Punjab Public Works Department (PWD), have either been stalled, significantly delayed, or face termination. The primary reasons cited are land acquisition hurdles and delays in obtaining statutory clearances. Simultaneously, rural road development has also taken a hit. Projects under PMGSY-III worth 828.87 crore, involving the upgradation of 64 roads and construction of 38 bridges, have been scrapped due to the state governments failure to float tenders and commence construction on time. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, in a written reply to Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, confirmed that eight projects are being executed by NHAI and another eight by the state PWD, all of which have encountered delays or stoppages. Projects in the state of Punjab are mainly delayed, stalled, or terminated due to land acquisition issues and delay in obtaining statutory clearances. The government is taking requisite measures, in consultation with stakeholders including the state government, to resolve these issues, the Minister stated in Parliament. Key Affected Projects Under NHAI DelhiAmritsarKatra Expressway (Spur-II): 30.5 km stretch worth 2,197.17 crore terminated due to lack of land; fresh bids to be invited once land is acquired. DelhiAmritsarKatra Expressway (Spur-III): 28.07 km stretch worth 1,951.70 crore delayed, now scheduled for completion by 30 November 2026. AmritsarBathinda (Package-I): 39 km project worth 1,229.38 crore, originally set to finish by November 2024, now delayed until 31 December 2026. AmritsarGhomanTandaUna (Package-I): 45.73 km stretch worth 1,443.47 crore also delayed, with a new completion target of 30 June 2026. Package-II of this corridor (31.05 km, 818.41 crore) has been terminated due to land issues. The LudhianaRupnagar corridor has also been severely affected: Package-I (37.7 km, 1,368.91 crore): Work halted after the contractor issued a termination notice over delayed land handover; matter is under review by a Conciliation Committee. Package-II (47.24 km, 1,488.23 crore): Terminated for similar reasons; re-tendering will occur post land possession. Projects Delayed Under Punjab PWD JalandharHoshiarpur (NH-3, 39.13 km): Sanctioned for 1,069.59 crore, awarded in 2017, now facing termination due to persistent land acquisition delays. Widening of a 3.57 km stretch of same highway (15.04 crore): Facing right-of-way constraints; revised completion date: 30 November 2025. MakhuArifke (NH-703A, 24.6 km): Worth 192.48 crore, including two ROBs, now rescheduled to finish by 31 December 2025 (original deadline was May 2021). ROB at Fazilka (NH-07, 38.02 crore): Delayed due to pending railway clearances, now progressing with a target completion date of 31 October 2025. ArifkeFerozepurMuktsarMalout (NH-354, 63.27 km, 263.19 crore): Delayed due to NOCs from the Irrigation Department and land issues. Muktsar SahibMalout section (27.66 km, 152.58 crore): Toll plaza construction stalled; PWD advised to redesign within available land. PMGSY Projects Worth 828 Crore Scrapped Road and bridge projects sanctioned under PMGSY-III have been scrapped due to the Punjab governments inability to initiate work before the required deadline of 31 March. The Centre had sanctioned 64 rural roads (628.48 km) and 38 bridges (each over 15 metres in length) for a total of 828.87 crore. Some of these were located in sensitive border districts such as Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, and Tarn Taran. In correspondence with the Union Ministry of Rural Development, Punjabs PWD stated that many of these roads were recommended for urgent repairs by Members of Parliament and were of utmost importance. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also wrote to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan requesting reconsideration, stating that without these bridges, the completed roads would be of little use. However, the Centre responded that only projects tendered and already under construction by the original March 2025 deadline now extended to March 2026 would be allowed to continue. Works which have started on the ground but are not feasible to continue further shall be foreclosed, the Ministry clarified. Sources revealed that 59 of the roadworks were to be implemented using Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) technology, for which very few consultancy firms in India have adequate expertise another contributing factor to the delays. With Punjabs road infrastructure plans facing widespread disruption, the delays pose serious questions over administrative efficiency, land management, and inter-agency coordination at both the state and central levels.

Punjab records over one lakh dog bite cases with daily 882 incidents in five years amid rising concerns

CHANDIGARH: Punjab has recorded a staggering rise of more than one lakh dog bite cases in the last five years, with daily averages now touching 882 incidents. The state, which has around 6.5 lakh dogs, including over three lakh stray dogs, has witnessed a sharp increase in cases, with officials warning of the public health risks. In the first seven months of this year alone, a total of 1.88 lakh dog bite cases have been reported, while last years total stood at 2.13 lakh. The worst affected districts are Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Patiala. As per the official data accessed by this newspaper from the state health department, between January and July this year, Amritsar district recorded the highest number of cases at 29,504, followed by Ludhiana (21,777), Patiala (14,120), Jalandhar (12,349), Hoshiarpur (10,920) and SAS Nagar (9,860). There has been a steady jump in incidents over the past five years, 1.10 lakh cases in 2020, 1.26 lakh in 2021, 1.65 lakh in 2022, 2.02 lakh in 2023, and 2.13 lakh in 2024, reflecting a rise of more than one lakh cases during the period. This year, three deaths have been reported. Last month, a mother and daughter allegedly died of rabies in Pathankot, and on July 17, a 32-year-old man succumbed in Patiala after being bitten by a stray dog. An analysis of data from 2020 to 2024 shows Jalandhar district has recorded the highest total of 1.12 lakh cases over the four years, followed by Ludhiana (99,678), Patiala (63,782), Hoshiarpur (56,113), SAS Nagar (55,286) and Amritsar (44,249). Stray dogs in Delhi: SC slams local authorities for inaction, reserves order According to the 2019 animal census conducted by the state animal husbandry department, there were 2.90 lakh stray dogs and 3.32 lakh pet dogs in Punjab. The latest animal census has been completed this year but is yet to be notified. There has been an increase of 5 per cent in the dog population in the state after the last census, said an official. Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh said vaccination for dog bites is available at all community health centres (CHCs) and treatment has now been extended to all Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state. The people should immediately rush to the nearest government health centres for treatment, which is free, and should not ignore it at all, he added. The health department is yet to issue standard operating procedures (SOPs) for government doctors, whose diagnosis will determine compensation for dog bite cases. Although SOPs have been formulated, they have not been circulated. A five-member committee was constituted following an order from the Punjab and Haryana High Court last year, which announced compensation of Rs 10,000 for each tooth mark and Rs 20,000 for every 0.2 cm of wound where the flesh is torn off, said sources. A veterinary expert said that in 50 per cent of dog bite cases, the culprit is a pet dog biting its owner or someone else, not a stray. However, the general perception remains that stray dogs are primarily responsible. Sources added that the animal birth control (ABC) programme to sterilise dogs has been outsourced to private agencies by most municipalities under the local bodies department, but it has not achieved the desired results, particularly in major cities. Sterilisation is the only scientific method to control the stray dog population and thus, in turn, can reduce dog bite incidents, said a senior officer on condition of anonymity. It was also pointed out that there are few dog shelters in large municipalities across the state for post-animal care under the birth control set-up, and no dedicated dog pounds exist.

Here's why Punjab govt struggles to raise revenue to fund its populist schemes

CHANDIGARH: After scrapping the controversial land pooling scheme, the cash-strapped AAP-led Punjab government seems to have landed itself in trouble. It is presently struggling to raise revenue to fund its populist schemes. In order to secure a loan to fund the schemes, the government has asked the Housing and Urban Development Department to prepare an inventory of the Rs 20,000 crore worth of property belonging to the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) for auctioning. The properties to be auctioned, after consultations with the Finance Department, includes residential, commercial and industrial sites in Mohali. This matter was discussed at a recent meeting headed by Chief Secretary KAP Sinha. However, GMADA at present owes a loan of nearly Rs 5,000 crore to financial institutions. Interestingly, out of the eight urban development authorities, only GMADA and the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority are financially viable in the state. The other six housing authorities, Amritsar, Bathinda, Patiala, Jalandhar, Anandpur Sahib (Urban) and Dera Baba Nanak, are allegedly unable to even meet their expenditure. Sources further said that a part of the total inventory could be used to raise a loan from financial institutions to fund populist schemes, such as providing Rs 1,100 monthly assistance to women above 18 years of age. Defending the move, sources claimed that this kind of practice is not new, as previous governments had also mortgaged assets of the state to raise loans and had even pledged future income to raise resources. During the SAD-BJP rule, the then government had raised a loan of Rs 2,000 crore by mortgaging its properties to banks. Later, the properties were transferred to the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) for auction after developing them under the optimum utilisation of vacant government land scheme. On the other hand, sources said that the decisions on proposals received from deputy commissioners of some districts for increasing the collector rates have been kept in abeyance for the time being. While the government has increased the collector rates by 550 per cent in 12 districts, the proposals sent by administrations of some of the remaining districts to the state revenue department have so far not been implemented. The Ludhiana administration had sent a proposal to increase the collector rates by 2540 per cent, which is still awaiting approval. In Bathinda, the rates have been increased by five per cent, but the approval for a further increase in some of the posh areas is awaiting clearance from the revenue department. It is learnt that the state government allegedly wanted to increase the revenue collection from stamps and registration to Rs 7,000 crore this year, compared to Rs 5,750 crore earned last year. Sources said that the government is yet to issue a notification to scrap the land pooling scheme, which was scrapped amid opposition from farmers unions. The notification is being prepared, said an official, adding that the government is likely to summon a cabinet meeting for scrapping the policy. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has decided to continue its protest against the land pooling policy until an official notification regarding its withdrawal is issued. The farmer leaders have asked the state government to clarify the issue by August 20, or they would be forced to intensify their struggle. Senior SKM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said the farmers rally, to be held on August 24 in Samrala regarding the land pooling policy and other demands of farmers and labourers, would be held as announced.

SABLO slams arbitrary pre-closure of Amarnath Yatra, demands compensation

Ludhiana, August 8: The Shri Amarnath Barfani Langars Organisation (SABLO) has strongly opposed the abrupt pre-closure of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2025, which ended 1011 days ahead of the scheduled closing date, Shravan Purnima. In a detailed press statement, SABLO condemned this move as a violation of religious rights, customs, and the trust of lakhs [] The post SABLO slams arbitrary pre-closure of Amarnath Yatra, demands compensation appeared first on Northlines .

Street food vendor dips plastic packets in hot oil to open them; video viral

Hyderabad: A street food stall making bread pakodas in Ludhiana showed their trick of pouring oil in a frying pan, shocking everyone in the process. In a now viral video, the vendor is seen dipping the oil packets directly into the hot frying pan with residual oil, which makes the plastic melt, making it easy 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 .

Ludhiana vendor dips plastic pouches in hot oil to fry pakode, video stirs outrage online

A vlogger is heard asking him about his unique method. But the vendor looks unconcerned and simply says that the pouches open instantly as soon as the oil is hot enough.

APS Akhnoor clinches Bronze at CBSE Cluster XVIII U-14 Basketball Tourney

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 6: Army Public School (APS) Akhnoor has brought pride to the institution by clinching the Bronze Medal in the CBSE Cluster XVIII Under-14 Boys Basketball Tournament (2025-26), held at BCM School, Ludhiana (Punjab). The prestigious tournament featured 18 top schools from across the region. APS Akhnoor kicked off the tournament with a dominant 28-20 victory over Montgomery GNP School, Jalandhar, followed by an impressive 24-08 win against Pratap World School, Pathankot in the quarterfinals, securing [] The post APS Akhnoor clinches Bronze at CBSE Cluster XVIII U-14 Basketball Tourney appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Punjab farmers intensify protest against land pooling policy, AAP leaders quit in solidarity

Punjabs land pooling policy challenged in High Court as activists flag environmental concern CHANDIGARH: Apart from facing backlash from farmers and opposition parties over its controversial land pooling policy, Punjab's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is now grappling with growing internal dissent. The political storm has reached Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's Dhuri assembly constituency, where several party leaders have resigned, denouncing the scheme as anti-farmer. According to sources, a few local leaders have conveyed the people's concerns to the party leadership. In the latest development, AAP block president from Dhuri, Gurjeet Singh Kanjhla, resigned stating that This fight against land pooling policy is not just of the farmers, but also of the entire state. Former OSD to CM Mann, Onkar Singh Sidhu, who was removed last year, criticised the policy on social media, People of Punjab have never bowed before Delhi, and they never will. AAP's Kisan wing leader from Jalandhar, Jaswant Singh Lovely also resigned, posting on social media that I hope the party will reconsider its decisions. I request my companions to stand with our farmer brothers. It is in your hands whether you want to become a son of Punjab or a son of Delhi. He also wrote that he resigned Gian Singh Mann, the CM's cousin from Satauj village, posted on social media, Just as the anti-sacrilege law has been sent to the standing committee for review and to seek public opinion, the same way the views of the landholders and farmers should be sought. Farmers take out tractor marches demanding immediate withdrawal of land pooling scheme in Punjab Last week, Harmanjit Singh Brar, the Chairman of the District Planning Board of Moga and former district president of AAP in Moga, resigned citing strong opposition to the policy. He gave up his post but remained in the party. Brar announced his resignation through a Facebook post, stating that the decision was made in solidarity with the farmers, whose interests he believes are being compromised by the new policy. The government's land pooling scheme is against the welfare of the farming community. I cannot remain silent while farmers are pushed to the brink, he wrote, urging the state leadership to withdraw or review the controversial policy. A few days back, AAP's Jodhan block president in Ludhiana district Tapinder Singh Grewal also resigned from his post, denouncing the new scheme as anti-farmer. He also announced his decision via a post on Facebook, I, Tapinder Singh Jodhan block president of AAP appreciate all the good work done by the Punjab government. However, I strongly oppose the newly introduced land pooling policy and hereby resign from the post and my responsibilities within the party. Earlier, AAP Anandpur MP Sahib Malvinder Singh Kang criticised the scheme in a post on X and asked his party leaders to earn the trust of farmers before introducing any such policy. He had suggested the need for addressing the objections of farm unions through empathy and meaningful dialogue. But Kang later deleted the post drawing criticism from the opposition leaders who had commended him for breaking ranks with AAP to support the farmers. Kang had tweeted, The objections raised by farmer unions on the Land Pooling Policy must, in my view, be heard with empathy and addressed through meaningful dialogue. In the last three years, our government has ensured uninterrupted agri-power, pushed canal water to every field, fast-tracked mandi reforms and promoted crop diversification. On this, too, trust must be earnednot assumedbefore any policy takes root. With nineteen months left for the 2027 assembly elections, the AAP government faces mounting pressure as farmer protests intensify. Protesters have burned effigies of CM Mann and Arvind Kejriwal, while opposition parties have termed the policy anti-peasantry and impractical. The policy has also been challenged in Punjab and Haryana High Court. On the other hand, the government claims that many farmers have agreed to follow this policy and give up their lands. However, compared to the protesting farmers, the number of farmers complying is very less: only 115 land owners in total (15 from Ludhiana and 100 from Mohali) have come forward to adopt the scheme since it was launched on June 2. As per the policy the state government plans to acquire 65,533 acres of land across 21 cities and towns in the state to develop both industrial and residential zones. The move is said to be the largest acquisition of land by the Punjab government since 1966. Partially relenting to the protest, the government has decided to implement the policy only in Ludhiana, Patiala and Mohali while putting smaller towns on hold. Last week, CM Mann said his government would continue engaging with farmers, calling their consent and their consent would remain pivotal to the land pooling policy. A senior AAP functionary said the party was holding talks to explain the policy's benefits.

ED Initiates PMLA Probe In Axis Mutual Fund 'Front-Running' Case, Conducts Multi-City Searches

The ED searches under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act were conducted in Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Bhuj, Gurugram, Kolkata and Ludhiana, the sources said.

Jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria threatened to kill my son, alleges Punjab Congress MP Randhawa

CHANDIGARH: Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament from Gurdaspur, Punjab, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, has alleged that the jailed gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria has threatened to kill his son, Udhayveer Singh Randhawa. Randhawa, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, who is currently in the national capital for the Monsoon Session of Parliament, said that a person named Parminder Singh from Fatehgarh Churian and a few other party supporters came to meet his son at 10 am on Thursday. An hour after a picture from the meeting was posted online, there was a firing at his son's turban shop. But thankfully, no one was injured. I have brought the matter to the notice of the Punjab DGP, he said. He alleged that even from inside prison, Bhagwanpuria was threatening people and that one of his associates had also received a threatening call. After the firing incident on Thursday evening, one person repeatedly wrote objectionable comments on my son's social media post, Randhawa added. He questioned the functioning of the states law enforcement agencies, asking, Where is their intelligence, where is their cyber crime unit? If a common individual posts a status with a gun in hand, they are arrested immediately. But those who are openly threatening otherswhat action is being taken against them? Threats didnt deter us even during the days of terrorism. We are not afraid. But my concern is: where does the law and order situation in the state stand today? Alleging that law and order has collapsed in Punjab, Randhawa pointed to a recent incident where a prominent businessman was shot dead in broad daylight outside his showroom. There have been several other serious crimes. What is the situation today? he asked. This latest incident comes just over a month after Bhagwanpurias mother, Harjit Kaur, and a relative, Karanvir Singh, were shot dead in Batala, Gurdaspur district, on June 26. The rival Davinder Bambiha gang claimed responsibility for the killings. Randhawa said that after the Batala incident, an MLA from the ruling AAP claimed the killing of Bhagwanpurias mother was a political murder. The police should have taken his statement and questioned how it was a political murder. What are the police doing? I have repeatedly brought to the notice of senior officers the issue of a police officers nexus with gangstersa matter that threatens national securitybut no action has been taken, he said. Earlier, Randhawa also posted on X, stating: Jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria has threatened to kill my son. One of my associates met my son and within an hour of leaving, he was fired upon today. Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal have turned Punjab into a gangster's paradise where law and order have totally collapsed. I am in Delhi for the Parliament session. No gangster can shake me! Randhawa has previously accused Bhagwanpuria of influencing voters in Dera Baba Nanak during elections, including the November 2023 assembly bypoll, where he alleged the gangsters family intimidated locals to support AAP candidates. Responding to the allegations, AAP spokesperson Neel Garg said Randhawa should provide full details so the matter can be investigated. He added, Everyone knows that gangsters got patronage under previous Congress governments. The AAP government has zero tolerance towards gangsterism. We do not spare anyone who tries to disturb law and order. Since coming to power, we have jailed several gangsters and even attached their properties. Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, a gangster with over 128 criminal casesincluding murder, extortion, arms smuggling, and drug traffickingis currently lodged in Silchar Central Jail, Assam, under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. He was shifted there from Bathinda Central Jail in March this year. He was already in the custody of Punjab Police in connection with the 2022 murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala and faces several other criminal charges. Reacting to Randhawa's claims, Leader of the Opposition in Punjab and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa said, A jailed gangster openly threatening a senior INC leader, former Deputy CM, and sitting MPthis is not just a law and order failure, its a damning indictment of the complete collapse of governance under Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal. If gangsters can intimidate elected representatives from behind bars, what chance does the common man in Punjab stand? Is this the badlav AAP promiseda state where criminals rule and citizens live in fear? Bajwa accused the AAP government of turning Punjab into a playground for gangsters, saying, While Kejriwal remains busy marketing false narratives, Punjab has become lawless under AAP. Punjab Congress president and Ludhiana MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring also condemned the incident, saying, A gangster has the audacity to threaten a senior INC leader from inside jail! Imagine the plight of common people in Punjab. This reflects the complete collapse of law and order in Punjab.

Farmers take out tractor marches demanding immediate withdrawal of land pooling scheme in Punjab

CHANDIGARH: With anger mounting against the controversial land pooling scheme of the Punjab government, farmers across the state held tractor marches demanding its immediate withdrawal. The state government plans to acquire 65,533 acres of land across 21 cities and towns in the state to develop both industrial and residential zones. It is the largest acquisition of land by the government in the state since it was reorganized in 1966. The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) comprising 35 farm unions had given a call for tractor marches which got support from other farm unions including the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and BKU Ekta-Ugrahan, the largest farm union of the state. On the call given by the SKM, tractor marches were taken out in various parts of the state including Ludhiana, Amritsar, Sangrur, Mohali, Bathinda, Taran Taran, Patiala, Ferozepur, Fategarh Sahib, Ropar, Jalandhar, SBS Nagar, Hoshiarpur, Moga and Mansa districts despite inclement weather. The biggest show of strength by farmers was witnessed in Ludhiana district where the state government proposes to acquire 45,861 acres of land. This includes 24,311 acres of land for residential purposes and 21,550 acres for setting up industrial zones. The epicentre of the protest was Dana Mandi in Jodhan near Ludhiana. A cavalcade of nearly 300 vehicles including tractors and tempos carrying many farmers and activists made its way through various villages. Senior SKM leader and president of BKU (Lakhowal Group) Harinder Singh Lakhowal who himself led the tractor march from Kum Kalan to Ratangarh village, covering 30 villages of the area, told TNIE that farmers in thousands participated in the tractor march, which started at around 9.30 am and ended at 2 pm. On August 4, a meeting of the SKM will be held to decide where to hold the massive rally which we have planned for August 24. If by then the government does not take back the land pooling scheme, a big agitation will be announced by us, he added. Without naming the AAP, posters have been put up in many villages, which read, Any official or leader of any party who wants to apprise about the benefits of the scheme will not be allowed to enter the village. Terming the policy a 'major conspiracy' to erase villages from the map of the state, senior SKM leader and president of BKU (Rajewal Group) Balbir Singh Rajewal said the tractor rally was held in several places of Ludhiana district including Kumkalan, Balion, Dakha, Jodha and Jagraon. It was the biggest-ever march in recent times, as the public in rural areas showed their anger against the governments bid to take over their fertile lands and displace them from their homes. This policy will ruin at least 20,000 families of farmers and leave farm labourers jobless, he said. In Amritsar district, tractor marches were taken out in Ajnala and Mannawala as farmers from villages around Guru Ka Bagh marched towards Gurdwara Morcha Sahib on the Amritsar-Ajnala road where they were joined by another cavalcade from villages around Rajasansi. A march was also taken out in neighboring Tarn Taran district. In Sangrur district, the rally started from Sohian village, near Sangrur, and culminated at the deputy commissioner's office. Farmers led by SKM leaders also started a dharna against the government in front of the DC office in Fatehgarh Sahib. Sarwan Singh Pandher, General Secretary of Kisan Mazdoor Sangarsh Committee, said they appeal to the government to withdraw the policy before a massive agitation starts. We know that the proposed acquisition announcement by the government was just a start, he said. Several tractors were fitted with music systems and extra seating to accommodate more protesters. These mobile convoys passed through the villages where the government reportedly plans to acquire land under the pooling policy. Women also extended support to the protesting farmers as they offered refreshments including chabeels, langars and parshad. The farmer leaders say that farmers are getting ready to fall into direct confrontation if such a situation arises. We are determined to oppose the land pooling scheme and do not want to part with our fertile lands and will go to any length to stop our land to be taken forcibly, said a farmer Kamalpreet Singh. The AAP government has been facing flak from opposition parties, including the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP, which dubbed its land pooling policy a looting scheme to rob farmers of their land. In return, the AAP has hit out at the opposition parties for spreading misleading propaganda.

New Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat: The Train For Your Next Vaishno Devi Visit | Complete Guide

New Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat: The cities connected by the services are New Delhi, Ambala, Ludhiana, Pathankot, Udhampur, Kathua, Jammu Tawi, and Katra

Punjabs land pooling policy challenged in High Court as activists flag environmental concern

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Governments controversial land pooling policy, aimed at acquiring nearly 65,000 acres across the state for residential and industrial development, has come under legal scrutiny, with a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging it in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. A PIL was filed stating that this policy fails to comply with statutory safeguards, including social and environmental impact assessments, fair compensation, and rehabilitation of affected families. The petition comes at a time when farmers and opposition parties are protesting against the implementation of this policy. Social activists Naveender PK Singh and Samita Kaur are the petitioners in this case and have submitted to the High Court that the move to acquire such a large chunk of land would have widespread negative effects on the agrarian economy of Punjab, which is a major contributor to the food grain supply of the country. This petition has been moved by advocates Sahir Singh Virk and V.B. Godara. During the hearing, the High Court was informed that the said policy is directly contrary to the spirit and mandate of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (LARR Act), which is a central legislation. The case was heard by the division bench headed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu. Responding to the plea, the counsel for the Punjab Government contended that the land pooling policy was notified under the 2025 policy and not under the LARR Act 2013, as argued by the petitioner. On this, the bench of the Chief Justice advised the counsel for the petitioner to amend the petition accordingly to challenge the acquisition of land as per the 2025 policy. The matter was adjourned for August 19 for further hearing. Virk said that they will now amend the petition challenging the Land Pooling Policy 2025. Although we tried to convince the court that there is not much difference between the policies as the 2025 policy is in continuation of the 2013 policy, on the advice of the bench, we will amend our petition accordingly. The next date of hearing has now been fixed for August 19, he said. The petition stated that the policy mechanism was arbitrary and unjust and lacked any legal framework for ensuring transparency or protecting farmers' rights. Moreover, it circumvents the safeguards of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (LARR Act). The policy is being used as an indirect and illegal method of land acquisition that sidesteps the mandatory procedures laid down under the LARR Act, particularly Sections 4, 8, and 10, which mandate social and environmental impact assessments and bar acquisition of fertile agricultural land except in exceptional circumstances, the plea states. The petitioners have alleged that the state government, through agencies like the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA), is pressing ahead with the project despite massive opposition. More than 1,600 landowners and farmers have already submitted affidavits before GLADA opposing the move. Media reports have extensively covered the protests and highlighted discrepancies between the states claims and the situation on the ground, the petition further stated. The petitioners have prayed for quashing the impugned notifications dated July 4 and to restrain Punjab from proceeding with the land pooling policy without adhering to the due process of law under the LARR Act, especially when such fertile agricultural land is at stake.

Van falls into Punjab canal, women & kids among 8 dead

A tragic accident occurred in Ludhiana as an overloaded pick-up van carrying 25 pilgrims returning from Naina Devi temple plunged into the Sirhind canal. Eight people, including women and children, died, and two remain missing. The vehicle, carrying pilgrims from Manakwal village, veered off the Jagera bridge, leading to the devastating incident, while some passengers managed to swim to safety.

Six dead, three missing as pick-up truck with pilgrims falls into canal in Ludhiana

CHANDIGARH: At least six people, including two children, died and three others went missing after a pick-up truck carrying 25 pilgrims returning from the Naina Devi Temple in Himachal Pradesh plunged into the Sirhind canal late Sunday night. The accident occurred near Jagera Bridge on the Malerkotla road, close to Dehlon in Ludhiana district. According to sources, the devotees, all residents of Manakwal village, were on their way home after offering prayers at the hill shrine when the driver lost control of the vehicle and it veered off the bridge into the canal. Local residents rushed to the spot to help before rescue teams arrived. A total of 22 people were pulled out of the canal, of whom 16 are said to be safe. Those injured were taken to hospitals in Dehlon, Payal, Ludhiana, Ahmedgarh Mandi, and Khanna. Efforts are on to trace the three missing persons. Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana Himanshu Jain confirmed the death toll and said those missing include one man, one woman, and a child. Rescue teams are working to recover the remaining victims, who are feared to be stuck in the mud, he said. Senior Superintendent of Police, Khanna, Dr Jyoti Yadav, said police received a call about the accident around 9. 45 pm. A rescue operation was immediately launched. The injured have been admitted to different hospitals, she said. Local MLA Manvinder Singh Giaspura and senior civil and police officials also visited the site and supervised the rescue efforts.

AAP government facing backlash as village panchayats pass resolutions against land pooling policy

CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab Government is facing backlash in many villages across the state over the controversial land pooling policy , which it has notified and plans to acquire 65,533 acres of land across 21 cities and towns in the state to develop both industrial and residential zones. As many as 107 panchayats across the state have passed resolutions in their respective villages, saying they will not give up their land to the government and in the coming days, many more panchayats are expected to pass similar resolutions. Talking with TNIE , Senior Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) leader and president of BKU (Lakhowal group) Harinder Singh Lakhowal said that the opposition to the state government's controversial land pooling policy is growing, despite CM Bhagwant Mann and several AAP leaders insisting that land acquisition will be purely voluntary. Around 15 to 20 panchayats in Jodha, Dohal Kallan, Rattana and other villages near Ludhiana have already passed resolutions in their respective panchayats not to give land to the government. Also, many other village panchayats who had earlier passed resolutions not to give land are now re-passing the resolution because the original resolutions were not legally tenable. A proper procedure has to be followed to call a gram sabha and appoint a secretary who will oversee that the resolution has been passed, he added. AAP govt in hot water in Punjab as farmer unions oppose land pooling; BJP, Congress give tactical support to stir Lakhowal said that a total of around 200 panchayats of 160 where land is being acquired for residential purposes and another 40 where, in the coming week, land will be acquired for industrial purpose, are expected to pass the resolutions soon. Most of them are in Ludhiana, and around 24,000 acres of land is being acquired in the district, followed by Moga, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar districts, he added. Besides this 24,000 acres to be acquired in Ludhiana for residential purpose and another 21,000 acres is being acquired for industrial purposes, the notification of the same is expected to be issued in the coming week for that the farmers unions have called for a meeting tomorrow to oppose the acquisition and we will ask the villagers if they want to give their land to the government or not as all of them have already objected, he said. Pawandeep Singh of Mehlon said that 250 acres of land is being acquired in their village, which is being opposed. The very thought of losing his small landholding and moving to a new place did not let him sleep, he said. Gurinder Singh of Nathu Bhaini village says that around 350 acres of land in their village are being acquired by the government, leaving nothing to the villagers. This is the first legal hurdle we have cleared in what we assume will be a long fight with the state government, he said. In Bhattian village near Phillaur, where 700 acres of land is to be acquired, the sarpanch of the village Ranjit Singh Batth said that the panchayat passed a resolution against the acquisition a few days ago. Many farmers are drawing parallels between this policy and the three farm laws that were introduced in 2020 by the BJP-led Union Government, which were later repealed after a year-long struggle. Senior SKM leader and president of the BKU (Rajewal Group) said that the SKM was also guiding panchayats on filing of resolutions against their land being taken away. The government is falsely saying that the farmers support this policy, he said. The farmers from across the state will take out a tractor march on July 30 against the land pooling policy.

CGST Ludhiana unearths Rs 260 crore fake billing scam in iron, steel sector; 2 arrested

CGST Ludhiana officers busted a syndicate in Mandi Gobindgarh involved in fake ITC claims within the iron and steel sector. The operation revealed a scheme using debt-ridden rolling mills to evade GST scrutiny. Two individuals have been arrested, with preliminary assessments indicating bogus bills worth Rs 260 crore and a GST loss of Rs 47 crore.

Punjab Police reveal bomb threats to Golden Temple were sent through 'dark net', VPN

CHANDIGARH: Police have revealed that the emails sent to the Shiromani Parkhandak Gurdwara Committee (SGPC) threatening to bomb the Golden Temple were sent via the 'Dark Net' and 'Virtual Private Network' (VPN). Sources said that the SGPC received nine threats via email since July 14. Three days ago, Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport at Amritsar received an RDX blast threat, following which the CISF and Punjab Police tightened the security around the airport. On July 18, the Nanakjhira Gurdwara management in Bidar in Karnataka also received an RDX blast threat. Sources said that all threatening emails had similar content, as the sender repeatedly raised issues related to the people of Tamil Nadu, criticising the government of that state. We strongly believe that the emails were sent from Tamil Nadu, but we have to substantiate it with technical evidence. We have approached a US-based software company and its subsidiary companies, which can provide the source of the same; we are waiting for a response. We have also informed central agencies, said an officer on condition of anonymity. The police arrested Shubham Dubey from Faridabad in Haryana following a technical probe. His laptop and mobile were seized and sent for forensic analysis. Meanwhile, Congress MPs from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on Thursday staged a demonstration outside the parliament house, demanding immediate action related to threats being issued to the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Those who joined the protest included Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Charanjit Singh Cahnni, Dr Amar Singh, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Dharamvir Gandhi, Manish Tewari, Kumari Selja, Sher Singh Ghubaya and Gurjeet Singh Aujla. Later, talking to the media, Punjab Congress President and Ludhiana MP Warring pointed out that threats were continuously being issued against the Golden Temple. He said that while the Punjab government had claimed to have arrested one of the accused, he was said to be not involved in issuing the threats. He said, the union government and the union Home Ministry must take serious note of these threats and identify the culprits and bring them to book. They must understand the seriousness and sensitivity of the matter, he added.

HC Raps Sri Amarnath Shrine Board, Restores Langar Rights of Bhole Bhandari Trust

NL Correspondent Jammu Tawi, July 23: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the Sri Amarnath Shrine Board to entertain the pending request of the Bhole Bhandari Charitable Trust (Regd.), Ludhiana to be considered for holding Langar at Panjtarni as they have been doing in the past. The singly Bench presided [] The post HC Raps Sri Amarnath Shrine Board, Restores Langar Rights of Bhole Bhandari Trust appeared first on Northlines .

Punjab government, SGPC spar over parallel events for Guru Tegh Bahadur's 350th martyrdom anniversary

CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex representative body of Sikhs, are at daggers drawn over events planned to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur from November 19 to 25 this year. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the Punjab government should focus on establishing meaningful memorials in connection with the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the Ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Teg Bahadar, instead of creating a confrontational atmosphere by organising parallel religious events. Dhami said the SGPC had already planned a series of events related 350th martyrdom anniversary a year in advance, beginning in April 2025 from Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal, Amritsar. Since then, events have been organised across various parts of the country. He said that the Punjab governments announcement of parallel eventsoverlapping with those planned by the SGPC at Anandpur Sahibwill cause confusion among the Sangat (community) and goes against long-standing traditions He alleged that the government appears to be deliberately trying to sideline Sikh institutions. Historically, centenary celebrations related to Sikh heritage and history have been led by the Khalsa Panth, with participation from all Sikh sampradas and organisations while the governments supporting them. Dhami questioned why the government has not shown due seriousness towards nearly 12 Sikh centenaries during its tenureincluding the centenary of the Guru Ka Bagh Morcha, the centenary of the Saka Panja Sahib, 200 years of Shaheedi of Akali Baba Phoola Singh, Guru Angad Devs Guruship Day, and the 450th Jyoti Jot Diwas of Guru Amar Das. He recalled how earlier governments cooperated with the Panth in marking the centenaries, establishing major memorials such as Guru Nanak Dev University, Guru Nanak Hospital (Amritsar), and colleges during Guru Nanak Devs 500th Prakash Purab (birth anniversary) in 1969; Virasat-e-Khalsa and Panj Piara Park during the 300th Khalsa Sajna Diwas in 1999 and a historical memorial at Chappar Chiri in 2010 in remembrance of Baba Banda Singh Bahadars victory at Sirhind. However, the current government led by Bhagwant Mann is instead interfering in the jurisdiction of Panthic institutions and organizations, he alleged. Dhami reaffirmed that the SGPC, as the supreme religious body of the Sikh Panth, has already made clear that heads of all governments will be invited to participate in these commemorations, ensuring inclusivity. In such a context, the government's move to announce parallel programs raises serious concerns. Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday had announced a series of events to be organised by the state government to commemorate the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur. After chairing a meeting, Mann said the events would primarily be held at Anandpur Sahib under the aegis of the state government . He had said that from November 19 to November 25, a series of events will beorganised with deep reverence and respect across the state. In a statement, Mann said these events will primarily take place in Anandpur Sahib under the auspices of the state government. To mark the occasion, CM Mann announced that four grand yatras will begin from different corners of Punjab and converge at Anandpur Sahib. The first will begin on November 21 from Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir and pass through Pathankot and Hoshiarpur to reach Anandpur Sahib. Likewise, CM Mann said that the second yatra will start from Gurdaspur and travel through Baba Bakala, Amritsar Sahib, Tarn Taran, and Jalandhar, eventually reaching Anandpur Sahib. He said the third yatra will start from Ferozepur, pass through Moga and Ludhiana to proceed towards Anandpur Sahib and the fourth yatra will also start from Ferozepur and will pass through Faridkot, Bathinda, Barnala, Sangrur, Mansa, and Patiala, and conclude at Anandpur Sahib. The CM had added that light-and-sound shows and poetry sessions based on Guru Sahib's life and sacrifice would be organised in all 23 districts of Punjab. Blaming the SGPCs stance, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, You know the reasons. They do not want to meet us. Through you, we are extending an invitation to them. They can call us or approach the state government.

RS Chairman Dhankhar accepts AAP leader Sanjeev Arora's resignation with effect from July 1

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar announced on Monday that he has accepted Sanjeev Arora's resignation as a member of the Upper House, effective July 1. Arora, an Aam Aadmi Party leader, was elected from Punjab in April 2022. His resignation follows his victory in the Ludhiana West assembly bypoll.

AAP govt in hot water in Punjab as farmer unions oppose land pooling; BJP, Congress give tactical support to stir

CHANDIGARH: The political scenario in Punjab is heating up once again. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government now finds itself in hot water as farmer unions in the state gear up to take a stand against the controversial land pooling scheme. This agitation is set to reshape the political dynamics in the state. A tractor march is scheduled for July 30, followed by a grand rally on August 24. Whats particularly intriguing this time is that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), along with the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and Left parties, is stepping in to provide tactical support for the farmers' agitation a noteworthy turn of events since these unions have historically opposed the saffron party. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Friday held a meeting with representatives of all political parties to explain their stance on the land pooling policy, which they perceive will turn farmers from 'landlords to landless'. This meeting was attended by representatives of the Congress, BJP, Shiromani Akali Dal and communist parties among others. In similar meetings convened by the SKM during the course of the 2020-21 farmer protests at the Delhi border, leaders of the saffron party were not invited. Senior SKM leader and President of BKU Lakhowal Harinder Singh Lakhowal told The New Indian Express that the SKM invited all political parties for the meeting including the AAP but the latter did not send a representative. The BJP was represented by Kewal Dhillon. It was decided in the meeting that the farmers unions and all others are opposed to the land pooling scheme recently floated by the ruling AAP. Thus, on July 30, a tractor march will be held in villages where land is being acquired mainly around Ludhiana as the government wants to acquire 24,000 acres in that belt. Then, on August 24, a big rally will be held at Mullapur Dhakha near Ludhiana, where farmers from across the state will come, he said. When representatives of political parties came to attend our meeting, we told them categorically that we welcome their tactical support but they will not be allowed to share the stage with farmer leaders. We did not allow it even during the protest against the three now repealed farm laws on the borders of Delhi, he said. He added that the state government should call a special assembly session and cancel all the water agreements besides implementing the recently announced agriculture policy. Senior Punjab BJP leader Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina said the state government was hell-bent on ruining Punjabs farmers by grabbing their land to hand it over to the real estate mafia. He said the party would fight for the cause of farmers by staging protests and exploring legal options. Chinna alleged that in Amritsar district alone, more than 4400 acres of land is being grabbed by the government in the name of land pooling. Our party is committed to fight for the cause of the farmers, he said, adding that more than 75,000 acres of land is being taken up throughout Punjab by the state government. During the farmers' agitation against land pooling under the aegis of the Zameen Bachao Sangharsh Committee, two BJP leaders Gurdev Sharma Debi and Balkar Singh Sidhu have already addressed farmers gatherings around Ludhiana. Leaders of the SKM who are opposed to the BJP dismiss this as a one-off incident but leaders of the saffron party have been seen at various protests organized by farmer unions along with others. In 2022, the AAP had stormed to power with an overwhelming majority due to the tactical support of some farmer unions, especially from the Malwa region. Regarding the land pooling scheme, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said it is completely farmer-friendly and based on mutual consent. Not a single inch of land will be forcibly taken from any farmer. Whether to give land or not is entirely up to the farmers will, he said. Criticizing the Congress, BJP and Akali Dal, Cheema alleged that during the previous governments in the past decade and a half, thousands of illegal colonies were developed in Punjab, where even basic facilities like roads, electricity, water and sewerage were absent. He alleged that in the last ten years, with the collusion of senior leaders of the Akali-BJP and Congress governments, land mafias illegally developed colonies on approximately 30,000 acres of land across various cities. Cheema said that keeping in mind the hardships faced by the common people, the AAP government decided to acquire land itself through a land pooling policy. This will benefit both farmers and the public, he added.

How Punjab Woman, Daughter Duped Bachelors To Exploit Their Desire To Settle Abroad

A mother-daughter duo from Punjab's Ludhiana district found a novel way to dupe prospective bachelor emigrants to Canada by exploiting their eagerness to settle abroad.

Chandigarh diary | Kangana concerned over lack of respect for MPs

Bollywood actor and Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut in a recent interview roughed many of her party leaders after she expressed concern about lack of respect and resources for MPs. The national award-winning actress said she had implied that she was not enjoying her work as an MP as people would came to her with panchayat-level problems. If you are an MP, you cannot be in the profession if your are an honest person, she said. When asked if she expected to be part of the Union Cabinet, Kangana said she expected to get a portfolio. She said after her contributions toward the people and the Centre, she believes she should have been assigned a ministry. Mann praises 2 Cong MLAs in the assembly 2: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann showered praises on two Congress MLAs in the recent special Assembly session; the legislators being Pargat Singh from Jalandhar (Cantonment) and Rana Gurjit Singh from Kapurthala. The CM As Captain of the Indian hockey team, he (Pargat) witnessed the Tricolour being raised during international hockey competitions. He also praised Rana Gurjit, calling him Bapu (father-figure) . Both Congress legislators were left surprised by the CMs words of affection. Pargat and Rana have been critical of Punjab Congress president and Ludhiana MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and LoP Partap Singh Bajwa. Sainis dressing down to cops over law & order Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini chaired a 3-hour-long meeting over law and order last week with the top brass of state police. In the meeting that ran well into the night, Saini did not mince his words in conveying his displeasure over the poor law and order situation in the state. He reportedly stressed the need for each police station to consistentl y track crime patterns and respond swiftly to any rise in criminal incidents. Accountability should be ensured not only at the district level but also at the police station level, the CM said. Saini told the officers that he was in power because of the mandate of the people and not due to some ones generosity. Harpreet Bajwa Our correspondent in Chandigarh hsbajwa73@gmail.com

AAP government in Punjab to hire retired doctors amid severe shortage of medical specialists

CHANDIGARH: Facing an acute shortage of medical specialists, the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government has begun hiring retired doctors, even as it claims to have improved the states healthcare infrastructure. Nearly 47 per cent of sanctioned specialist posts in government hospitals remain vacant across Punjab. Sources said that out of the 2,098 posts of sanctioned specialists, 990 are lying vacant. Not only specialist doctors but also posts of doctors in the general medical officer cadre are lying vacant. 1,962 posts are yet to be filled out of 3,847, which comes to 51 per cent. Sources said that the state health department has decided to recruit 100 retired medical specialists through walk-in interviews. Thus, it has invited applications from the retired government doctors to apply for these contractual posts of consultants in district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals and community health centres (CHCs). As per the notification issued by the state health department, the posts to be filled include 21 in paediatrics, 20 in general medicine, 20 in gynaecology, 15 in general surgery, 13 in anaesthesia, 7 radiologists and four doctors in psychiatry. Also, only retired specialist doctors between 58 and 64 years of age will be eligible to apply. The contract will be for one year and can be extended annually based on performance and subject to the approval of the finance department. These doctors will get remuneration equivalent to the last pay drawn, minus pension, plus dearness allowance as admissible on the date of appointment. Besides, they must be free of disciplinary proceedings. They will not be allowed to engage in private practice during the contractual period and will only do clinical duties (outpatient, inpatient, and emergency care) and will be exempted from medico-legal, administrative, or post-mortem responsibilities. Recently, posts of specialised doctors were advertised, but only 60 doctors joined. In 2022, the government also tried to fill 634 posts of specialist doctors but did not get a good response. The reason that doctors refrain from joining the state medical services is due to pay disparities, lack of emergency medical staff thus, specialist doctors have to take care of emergencies, and they are also deployed for VVIP duties. This decision of the state health department to hire retired specialists has not gone well with the young doctors, and many of them say they have been awaiting recruitment since November 2022, when the last advertisement for regular posts was issued. Interestingly, 31 specialist doctors who pursued post-graduation under the government quota have exited service without completing the mandatory service period or depositing the stipulated bond amount of Rs 50 lakh. As per rules, after one gets admission under the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) quota, one has to serve with the state government as one signs a 10-year service bond in exchange for subsidised admission. As four doctors each resigned from Sangrur and Ludhiana, three each from Kapurthala, Mansa, and Faridkot, two each from Mohali, Tarn Taran, and Ropar and one each from Bathinda, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar and Barnala. They have also not deposited the bond amount they pledged at the time of admission. The health department has directed civil surgeons to initiate recovery proceedings. The civil surgeons have been instructed to contact these doctors immediately and serve them a 21-day notice to deposit the bond, amount and if they fail, disciplinary action will be initiated, and the department has directed that a formal request be made to the Punjab Medical Council or relevant regulatory bodies to cancel their medical registration. Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) president Dr Akhil Sarin said a few months back, 110 specialised doctors joined as part of their bond obligation, and in the coming days a few more are likely to join after the end of the extensions granted to them. Also, walk-in interviews for an additional 160 specialist posts are also in the pipeline. All these steps are effectively aimed at providing specialist services to the poor and underserved. In 2020, the then government stalled career progression of medical officers this was one of the causes why specialised doctors did not opt for government jobs. While lack of security is another issue, he said. ` A few years back their were similar schemes of re-employment of post retirement and few doctors had taken the extensions then, he said.

Amarnath pilgrim from Ludhiana goes missing in Ganderbal

Srinagar, July 12: An Amarnath pilgrim, identified as Surinder Pal Arora from Ludhiana, went missing in Ganderbal district after reportedly jumping over a railing near Z-Morh during a bout of high-altitude sickness, police said on Saturday. Arora was trekking from Brarimarg to Railpathri with six others when he began behaving erratically around midnightrunning aimlessly, taking [] The post Amarnath pilgrim from Ludhiana goes missing in Ganderbal appeared first on Northlines .

Amarnath Yatri From Ludhiana Goes Missing In J&Ks Ganderbal

Srinagar, Jul 12: An Amarnath yatri went missing in Ganderbal district after jumping off a railing, police said on Saturday. Surinder Pal Arora, a resident of Ludhiana, was trekking from Brarimarg to Railpathri in a group of seven when, around midnight, high-altitude sickness gripped him, police said. Arora exhibited erratic behaviour, started running up and down, took cold water showers, and later jumped from the railing near Z-Morh, near a glacier, they said. Police, Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs), and SDRF, [] The post Amarnath Yatri From Ludhiana Goes Missing In J&Ks Ganderbal appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

AIPL DreamCity Ludhiana to Host the 4th-Ludhiana District Pickleball Championship on July 12

The growing popularity of pickleball among youth and adults alike is being actively supported by infrastructure and initiatives like those at AIPL DreamCity, making Ludhiana a rising destination for sporting excellence.

One arrested after Dalit youth assaulted, paraded half-naked in Ludhiana village

LUDHIANA: A young Dalit man was assaulted and paraded half-naked with his face forcibly shaved and blackened after his friend eloped with a woman in a village here, police said on Sunday. A viral video of the incident, which happened at Seeda village on the outskirts of Ludhiana on Tuesday, has sparked widespread outrage. One person has been arrested in connection with the incident, while efforts are on to nab others involved, police added. According to police, Harjot Singh was targeted by the woman's family after they suspected him of helping the couple elope. Harjot's friend and the woman is said to have solemnised their marriage on June 19, following which tensions persisted in the village. On Tuesday, Harjot was at a salon when some men barged in, dragged him out and brutally assaulted him. They forcibly shaved off his beard and moustache, blackened his face, tore his clothes and paraded him semi-naked through the streets while hurling casteist slurs. The men also filmed the act and circulated it on social media, police said. The attackers have been identified as Gurpreet alias Gopa, Simranjeet Singh alias Simma, Sandeep alias Sam, Rajveer, and Ramandeep alias Kaka, they added. An FIR was registered on Saturday under Sections 115(2), 127(2) and 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita as well as the provisions of the IT Act and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Inspector Paramdeep Singh of Meharban police station confirmed that Simranjeet Singh has been arrested. He said all the remaining accused will be brought to book soon. This is not just a case of physical assault. It is a brutal attack on human dignity. We are investigating the matter thoroughly, said a senior police official. The victim's family has demanded justice and maximum punishment for the accused.

Seventh Punjab cabinet reshuffle in three years sees MLA Arora sworn in, NRI Affairs Minister Dhaliwal resigns

CHANDIGARH: With 19 months to go for the 2027 Assembly elections in the state, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday carried out yet another cabinet reshuffle, his seventh in a little over three years. In this reshuffle, newly elected Ludhiana (West) MLA Sanjeev Arora was inducted into the cabinet, while NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal resigned. Arora, a 61-year-old Ludhiana-based industrialist and social worker, who served as a Rajya Sabha MP for three years, was sworn in as a cabinet minister after winning the Ludhiana (West) by-election held on 23 June. He defeated his nearest Congress rival Bharat Bhushan Ashu by 10,637 votes. The seat had fallen vacant after sitting AAP MLA Gurpreet Singh Gogi allegedly died in January this year due to an accidental firearm discharge at his home. Arora had resigned from the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, a day before his swearing-in, which took place at the Punjab Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria administered the oath of office and secrecy to Arora in a simple ceremony conducted by Chief Secretary KAP Sinha. The oath was taken in Punjabi and the ceremony lasted only six minutes, concluding with a rendition of the national anthem. Arora is also known for his social welfare work and runs the Krishna Pran Breast Cancer Charitable Trust. With his induction, the total number of ministers in the Mann cabinet rose to 17, including the Chief Minister. However, Dhaliwals resignation brought the total back down to 16, with two berths remaining vacant. Dhaliwal, an MLA from the Ajnala constituency, announced his resignation via a post on X, writing, My hard work continues for the welfare of the people of Punjab. Sources said Arora has been allocated the portfolios of the Department of Industry and the Department of NRI Affairs. The Industries portfolio was taken away from Tarunpreet Singh Sond, who will continue to handle Rural Development, Labour and Tourism. Chief Minister Mann congratulated Arora on the new role. Sanjeev Arora ji has been given the responsibility of Industry & Commerce, Investment Promotion, NRI Affairs departments. I hope that Sanjeev Arora ji will live up to the expectations of the people of Punjab. He will work with full honesty and without any discrimination for the development of Punjab and the welfare of 3 crore people of the state, Mann said in a post on X. During the bypoll campaign, AAP convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said that Arora would be made a minister if elected. The last cabinet reshuffle in Punjab took place in September last year, when five new ministers were inducted and four were dropped.

Punjab: Newly elected Ludhiana West MLA Sanjeev Arora sworn-in as Cabinet minister

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann bolstered his cabinet by inducting Sanjeev Arora, the newly elected MLA from Ludhiana West, as a minister. Governor Gulab Chand Kataria administered the oath at Raj Bhavan. Arora's inclusion brings the cabinet's strength to 17, fulfilling AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal's promise made during the bypoll campaign following Gurpreet Bassi Gogi's death.

Two months after death of wife, Punjab man succumbs to burn injuries sustained during Pak drone attack

CHANDIGARH: Two months after Sukhwinder Kaur died following a Pakistani drone attack , her husband, 65-year old Lakhwinder Singh of Khai Pheme Ki village in Ferozepur district of Punjab, succumbed to his injuries at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) in Ludhiana. This is the second recorded civilian casualty outside Jammu and Kashmir caused by a drone attack by Pakistan. Sources said that Singh had sustained 70 per cent burns as debris of drone fell on their car parked in the verandah of their house on the night of May 8, after a Pakistani drone was intercepted by the Indian Air Defense system and shot down. The vehicle caught fire and caused severe burn injuries to Lakhwinder Singh, his wife Sukhwinder Kaur, and their son Jaswant Singh (24). Jaswant Singh suffered from leg injuries and has now recovered after treatment. Singh was undergoing treatment at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) in Ludhiana and government was bearing the expenses. Singh has been in critical condition since then and was on dialysis and died late yesterday night. On May 13, his wife Sukhwinder Kaur died due to 100 per cent burns. Their son Jaswant had been with his parents during their treatment. The state government bore the medical expenses of the couple. When the incident took place, Singh was trying to sleep, while Sukhwinder Kaur was in the kitchen. Despite the blackout, the lights were reportedly still on in their house when the debris of the drone struck. On May 9 evening, several drones were spotted in the Ferozepur cantonment and nearby areas amid the India-Pakistan tension following Operatation Sindoor.

Arora likely to be inducted into Mann-led cabinet

Sanjeev Arora, Aam Aadmi Party's Ludhiana West by-election winner, is expected to join the Punjab Cabinet. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will reshuffle the cabinet this week, filling vacant positions and assigning new portfolios. Arora, a Rajya Sabha member, is recognized for his understanding of industry needs. Arvind Kejriwal had promised Arora a cabinet position if elected.

AAP suspends former IPS officer-turned-MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh for five years over anti-party activities

CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has suspended former IPS officer-turned-MLA from Amritsar (North), Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, from the party for five years for anti-party activities, following a string of public criticisms levelled by him against his own government. Kunwar had recently questioned the action taken by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau against senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, prompting the party to suspend him, citing his remarks as anti-party activities. He has also not been attending party meetings for the past few months. The suspension was decided at a Political Affairs Committee meeting, said party sources. He had criticised Majithias arrest, stating that when the Akali leader was previously arrested, the government had not sought his remand and had instead accused police officers of facilitating his bail. He termed the arrest unethical. Kunwar said that although he had ideological differences with Majithia, this case was about ethics and integrity in the process. Majithia was arrested from his house in Amritsar last week. Kunwar has, on several occasions, publicly questioned his own partys government, particularly over the handling of the 2015 sacrilege cases and related police firing incidents. After the recent hooch tragedy in Amritsar, in which 27 people died after consuming illicit liquor, Kunwar alleged that some AAP leaders had joined hands with the liquor mafia. Commenting on Kunwars expulsion, AAP spokesperson Neel Garg said, He has been consistently making public statements against party activities, which is against political decorum and is unacceptable under any circumstances. Garg stated that the action taken against Bikram Majithia had the full support of the people of Punjab. For the first time, the people of the state feel that the government is genuinely taking action against the drug mafia. However, despite being an MLA from the party, Kunwar deliberately spoke against this action, which is entirely inappropriate, he said. He added that the AAP government was working with full commitment to eradicating drugs from Punjab and that the Punjab Police was continuously cracking down on drug smugglers and sending them to jail. At such a time, statements like those made by Kunwar are highly condemnable and unfortunate. Garg noted that if Kunwar had any objections, he could have raised them on the party platform or with the Chief Minister, instead of airing his grievances publicly. This is clearly against party rules, he said. Our goal is clear: to eradicate drugs, crime and corruption from Punjab, and anyone hindering this fight will not be tolerated. There can be no compromise in the battle against drugs, Garg asserted. He further said the action against Majithia was not only supported by the general public but also by several former police officers and ex-Enforcement Directorate officials involved in the investigations. These officials had provided vital information about Majithias activities to the Vigilance Department. Soon after news of his suspension emerged on social media, Kunwar posted on Facebook: Kabir, jis marne te jag dare, mere man anand (Kabir, the world is afraid of dying, but my mind is happy), hinting that he had no regrets. Commenting on the development, Punjab Congress President and Member of Parliament from Ludhiana, Amarinder Raja Warring, wrote on X, While suspension of @Kvijaypratap Singh is indeed an internal matter of the @AamAadmiParty, but that in no way means that the @AAPPunjab government does not owe answers to questions he has raised. Sacrilege and drugs remain unresolved. Party may have unsuccessfully tried to silence his voice, which it could not, it definitely cant avoid the questions that have started being raised. AAP governments question hour has begun and everyone knows it has no answers. It may suspend its MLA from the party, but what about 3 crore Punjabis who are asking the same questions Kunwar Vijay Pratap has been asking. Congress MLA Sukhpal Khaira said this just proved that there was no space for dissent or truthful politics in AAP. Khaira had earlier been elected as an MLA on an AAP ticket in 2017 but had soon parted ways with the party. Kunwar had also shared a video on Facebook on June 25, the day Majithia was arrested, and wrote: The dignity of a family is shared by allwhether one is a politician, actor, rich or poor, friend or foe. Carrying out a raid at someone's house early in the morning is against principles. Almost every government has misused the police and vigilance agencies for its own benefit, but the result has never been significant. He further wrote, I may have political or ideological differences with someone, but when it comes to principles, religion, and integrity, it becomes necessary to discuss. When Majithia sahib was in jail in a case registered during the Congress government, the Mann government did not seek any remand nor did any questioning. Later, the state apparatus under Mann sahib even facilitated his bail. The honourable high court granted bail (to Majithia) on grounds that if the police do not require (him) for interrogation, keeping in custody is against the law. When he was in custody, the government facilitated his bail, and now suddenly, notices are issued to him for questioning, and today a raid is being conducted at his house, he added. Kunwar had earlier expressed dissatisfaction over the handling of the 2015 sacrilege and police firing incident cases in Faridkot, repeatedly raising the issue in the Assembly. He was part of the special investigation team of the Punjab Police that probed the 2015 Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan police firing incidents. After taking premature retirement from the police service in 2021, he joined AAP and was later elected as the MLA from the Amritsar North seat.

AAP leader Sanjeev Arora takes oath as Ludhiana West MLA

Sanjeev Arora of AAP was sworn in as MLA for Ludhiana West after winning the recent bypoll, with Punjab Minister Aman Arora praising his honesty and thanking voters for their support. The victory leaves AAP's Rajya Sabha seat vacant, with the party yet to decide on a replacement.

Punjab cadre 1989-batch IPS Parag Jain appointed R&AW chief

NEW DELHI: The government on Saturday issued an order appointing 1989-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Punjab Cadre Parag Jain as the next Secretary of Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) for a tenure of two years. Jain will replace Ravi Sinha, a 1988-batch IPS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre, as he will complete his tenure as the chief of the R&AW on June 30 and Jain will take over from him on July 1. In an order the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT said, The Appointments Committee ofCabinet has approved the appointment of Shri Parag jain (PB:89) to the post of Secretary, Research & Analysis Wing (R$AW) under the Cabinet Secretariat for a tenure of two years from the date of assumption of the charge of the post or until further orders,whichever is earlier, in terms of provisions of FR 56 (d) and Rule 16 (1A) of All India India Service(Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rule, 1958. Jain is currently heading the Aviation Research Centre, which played a critical role during Operation Sindoor, by collecting intelligence about Pakistani armed forces and the exact locations of the terror camps situated in the neighbouring country. Jain is also credited with playing a key operational role during the terrorism days in Punjab. He had served in Bhatinda, Mansa, Hoshiarpur districts of Punjab as SP and was SSP Chandigarh and DIG Ludhiana in the past. Jain has also handled Pakistan in Indias external intelligence agency with tenures in Jammu and Kashmir during abrogation of Article 370 and Operation Balakote. The next R&AW chief has always been an unassuming officer while serving in Canada and in Sri Lanka as Indian representative in the respective missions there. During his Canada posting, he had taken on the Khalistan ecosystem there and had then warned Delhi that it was becoming something dangerous. With Jain taking over from Sinha after next Monday, Indias external intelligence agency would needs an overhaul as it was found wanting during Maldives and Bangladesh crisis in the past two years. The R&AWs role becomes very important considering the fact that Asim Munir has become a Field Marshal with cross border terrorism against India high on the governments agenda. Given that India has suspended the Indus Water Treaty, it is anticipated that Pakistan will continue to use terrorism as a proxy to strike back and for that Indias external intelligence needs to improve its ground activities rather than purely relying on technical inputs.

Punjab Congress leaders under vigilance scrutiny fear being targeted by AAP-led govt ahead of 2027 polls

CHANDIGARH: With 19 months left till the 2027 assembly elections, the Punjab Congress leadership is apprehensive that the current AAP-led Punjab government might target party leaders who are facing vigilance inquiries. Such concerns have been raised following the arrest of Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia in a drugs and disproportionate assets case, while former Health Minister and AAP MLA Vijay Singla and his OSD Pradeep Kumar were given a clean chit in a corruption case registered against them in 2022. Sources said that a charge sheet has been filed in cases registered against former Congress MLA Kushaldeep Singh Dhillon and former cabinet minister OP Soni. Other Congress leaders who are facing vigilance inquiries include: Punjab Congress President and Member of Parliament from Ludhiana Amarinder Raja Warring, former Chief Minister and Member of Parliament from Jalandhar Charanjit Singh Channi, former cabinet ministers Sunder Shyam Arora and Vijay Inder Singla, and MLAs Barindemeet Singh Pahra and Pargat Singh. Channi, who himself is under the scrutiny of the vigilance, claimed that those politicians who are vocal against the government are being targeted by the AAP government. They have already been after me for a long time, several party leaders, including Jalandhar (Cantonment) MLA Pargat Singh, were under the lens of the vigilance bureau. After Bikram Majithia, Pargat Singh might be next target of the government, he said. Ludhiana MP Warring said, It would be premature to comment at this moment. On the other hand, Punjab Police has given a clean chit to former Health Minister and AAP MLA Vijay Singla and his OSD Pradeep Kumar in corruption case registered against them in 2022 at Phase 8 Police Station in Mohali. The state police have filed a closure report in a court in Mohali recently, citing that no conclusive evidence was found to proceed against the accused. The court will take up the matter on July 14. While thhe complainant in the case, Rajinder Singh, a government engineer on deputation with Punjab Health System Corporation, has agreed with the closure report. It is worth mentioning here that the complainant had submitted that he was summoned to Punjab Bhawan, and a commission of one per cent was demanded from him. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had dismissed Singla from his cabinet.

'Dragged out of car, hacked with swords': Former PA of SAD leader Jagdev Singh Talwandi murdered in Ludhiana; Police probe underway

Kuldeep Singh Mundia, ex-aide to Shiromani Akali Dal leader Jagdev Singh Talwandi, was killed near Ludhiana. Attackers assaulted him with swords. Police are investigating the murder. Separately, SAD workers protested the arrest of Bikram Singh Majithia. His wife criticized the police action, alleging improper procedure. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau took Majithia into custody and searched his home.

Newly-elected MLA from Ludhiana West Sanjeev Arora administered oath by Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker

Arora had defeated Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu by a margin of 10,637 votes in the Ludhiana West Assembly bypoll

Meerut Murder Dj Vu: Ludhiana Man's Body Tied With Rope Found Stuffed In A Blue Drum

Police confirmed that the body, believed to be that of a man around 40 years old, was wrapped in a bedsheet

Punjab: After Meerut drum murder case, man's body found in a blue drum in Ludhiana

A dead body was discovered in a blue drum in Ludhiana's Sherpur area. The victim's limbs were tied. Rag pickers found the drum and alerted the police due to a foul smell. Police investigation revealed the body was wrapped in a bedsheet inside a gunny bag. The victim is estimated to be around 40 years old.

Resignations pile up in Punjab Congress as party rift deepens after Ludhiana West loss

CHANDIGARH: All is not well within the faction-ridden Punjab Congress following the partys defeat in the Ludhiana (West) by-election, as senior leaders Pargat Singh and Kushaldeep Dhillon have resigned from their posts as state unit vice-presidents. This comes close on the heels of former cabinet minister and party candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu quitting his post. The knives are now being unsheathed within the grand old party, albeit carefully and in a calibrated manner. Both leaders have sent their resignations to All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal and general secretary in-charge for Punjab Bhupesh Baghel. Party sources said both Pargat and Dhillon, who had actively campaigned for Ashu, felt the election result called for honest introspection and that it would be wrong to interpret it as an individuals defeat. Punjab Congress president and Member of Parliament from Ludhiana, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, and Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa had largely stayed away from canvassing, appearing only in the final days of the partys campaign. Ludhiana district Congress chief Sanjay Talwar and former MLAs Surinder Dawar, Kuldeep Singh Vaid and Rakesh Pandey also stayed away from Ashus campaign. Sources further revealed that Ashu had categorically told the party high command that Warring and Bajwa should not campaign for him due to his differences with both top leaders. The resignations reflect the deepening fault lines within the party. The campaign for the Ludhiana (West) by-election was spearheaded by a group of senior leaders, including former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, MLAs Rana Gurjeet Singh and Pargat Singh. Rana is the same leader who had earlier described Warring as a selfish leader and had shown a strong interest in becoming the state Congress president. The developments come a day after Bharat Bhushan Ashu, who was appointed working president of the Punjab Congress on April 11, 2022, resigned from his post. He stated, I take full moral responsibility for this defeat. The state Congress president and the Leader of Opposition were nowhere in the campaign. He added that he had sent his resignation to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel. Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said he was not aware of the development as the resignations had not been sent to him. It is for the party high command to see, he said. Meanwhile, the tussle between Simarjeet Singh Bains and Bharat Bhushan Ashu has also come out into the open, with Bains calling Ashu arrogant, while Ashu responded by saying he did not consider Bains a Congressman.

MoRTH to frame IRC guidelines after adopting new-age machines for faster highway construction

NEW DELHI: After the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) decided to adopt Automated and Intelligent Machine-aided Construction (AIMC) for highway development to ensure timely project completion, it announced that Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines will be prepared based on feedback from contractors and concessionaires. The ministry has already sanctioned atleast 16 projects, where innovative machines will be used. According to the officials, Cabinet approval is awaited for 10 projects envisaged for implementation of AIMC system. With a significant growth in the national highways network including a significant increase in Greenfield and Brownfield highways with high embankments requiring a significant amount of earthwork and proper compaction in the last one decade, it has been felt appropriate to induct AIMC in highway construction, said officials. The decision to formally adopt the system was taken after evaluation of efficacy in a pilot; Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway Project, where in GPS-aided Motor Grader, Intelligent Compactor and Stringless Paver were used. The ministry also took into consideration the feedback from stakeholders and international guidelines and specifications. The ministry has also sought feedback on adoption of AIMC to formulate IRC guidelines, added officials. Officials added that the ministry would facilitate the concessionaire or contractor with the required license for the radio frequency range from the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) for the use of machines. The list of projects, which are already sanctioned, includes Western Bypass Gwalior (29 kms), 6-lane Greenfield Ludhiana Bypass (25 kms), Deoghar Bypass (49 kms), Shillong-Silchar Corridor (167 kms), Vrindavan Bypass (15 kms) and Patna-Arrah-Sasaram (125 kms) in Bihar. The projects which have been submitted for the Cabinet approval are Satellite Township Ring Road of Bengaluru (STRR) Karnataka (144 kms), BadveI Nellore Corridor (108 kms) in Andhra Pradesh, 4-lane access controlled Sirhind-Sehna section of NH-205AG (107 kms) in Punjab, and Nashik-Ahmednagar- Solapur-Akkalkot segment of the Surat-Chennai Expressway (374 kms). The ministry, in December, sought feedback from roads construction agencies, public work departments in states and union territories and other stakeholders on the proposal for adoption of the construction facilitated by innovatory. The benefits of AIMC are expected high adherence to design specification, improved rideability, performance durability and longevity and reduced wastage as well. The technology-driven construction also increases productivity, helps in real-time documentation, brings better transparency and minimises human interventions.

Punjab cabinet expansion in 2-4 days, Sanjeev Arora to be inducted minister: CM Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a cabinet expansion soon. Sanjeev Arora, winner of the Ludhiana West bypoll, will join as minister. The Aam Aadmi Party retained the Ludhiana West seat. Arora defeated Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu. Mann mentioned that there would be no changes in portfolios.

AAP tests it's anti-corruption plank in bypolls; bounces back

Aam Aadmi Party regained momentum after recent electoral setbacks. The party secured victories in Gujarat and Punjab by-elections. AAP retained both seats, improving their previous victory margins. The party focused on its anti-corruption platform. Gopal Italia won the Visavadar seat in Gujarat. Sanjeev Arora won in Ludhiana, Punjab. AAP leaders crafted campaigns focused on local issues.

Bypoll election results: AAP wins 2 seats, Trinamool & BJP 1 each; Congress wins in Kerala

In recent assembly by-polls across four states, AAP emerged victorious in two seats, retaining Ludhiana West and Visavadar. BJP, Congress, and Trinamool Congress each secured one seat, with BJP holding Kadi, Congress winning Nilambur from CPM, and Trinamool Congress retaining Kaliganj. The results reflect shifts in regional political dynamics ahead of upcoming elections.

AAP wins Ludhiana bypoll in Punjab; political circles see it as a face-saving victory

Congress candidate and working president of the State unit in Punjab resigns in the aftermath of the results

Infighting costs Congress dearly in Ludhiana (West) bypoll, BJP's momentum stalls, SAD hits another low

CHANDIGARH: The infighting and factionalism within the Congress appear to have cost the partys candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu dearly in the Ludhiana (West) assembly bypoll. Punjab Congress president and Ludhiana MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa were noticeably absent from the campaign. Despite Ashus aggressive campaign efforts, he only managed to get 24,542 votes in this bypoll -- a 27.22 per cent vote share, which is less than the 28.06 per cent vote share he got in the last elections when he got around 32,000 votes. Thus the grand old partys voter base in Ludhiana (West) seems to have eroded considerably. A visible rift between Punjab Congress president Amarinder Raja Warring and Ashu hurt the partys campaign. Warrings absence from key events including Ashus road show underlined the internal divisions. These differences within the state leadership severely damaged his winning prospects. In fact, Ashu ensured top leadership stayed away from his campaign trail. With both Warring and Bajwa noticeably absent from the campaigning, the party was led by former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and MLAs Rana Gurjeet and Pargat Singh. The faction-ridden Congress lost momentum during the crucial final stages. In a closed door meeting at the PPCC office where senior leaders including the party's Punjab in-charge and former chief minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel were present, the lack of involvement of the state leadership in the campaign was flagged. Baghel too appeared in Ludhiana only a day before canvassing ended. Earlier, he was present when Ashu filed his nomination papers. Ludhiana (West) assembly bypoll sees 51.33% voter turnout in four-cornered contest Punjab Congress working president Ashu served as MLA twice from this seat in 2012 and 2017. The 51-year-old was defeated by Gurpreet Bassi alias Gogi by a margin of 7,512 votes in the 2022 Punjab assembly polls. Ashu, who was food and civil supplies minister in the previous Congress government, recently got a clean chit from the Punjab and Haryana High Court in a corruption case, but was unable to emulate his earlier victories. The BJP failed to capitalise on the momentum from last year's Lok Sabha polls, despite aggressive campaigning by Union Ministers Ravneet Singh Bittu and Hardeep Singh Puri, former Union minister Anurag Thakur, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar. Party candidate Jivan Gupta, who is a member of the core committee of the Punjab BJP and was earlier the party's state general secretary, got 20,323 votes translating into a vote share of 22.54 per cent. Expectations had been high for the saffron party after its candidate Ravneet Singh Bittu had led from the Ludhiana West assembly segment, which is part of the Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat, in last year's general elections, though he lost to Congress candidate Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. Meanwhile, the downslide of the Shiromani Akali Dal continued as the bypoll result marked another low. The partys candidate Parupkar Singh Ghumman was at the forth sport with 8203 votes, which is 9.1 per cent of the vote share, despite campaigning by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal and senior leaders including Bikram Singh Majithia. In the 2022 assembly polls, senior party leader Maheshinder Singh Grewal got 10,072 votes.

AAP's Sanjeev Arora retains Ludhiana (West) assembly seat in Punjab; set to become cabinet minister

CHANDIGARH: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) retained the Ludhiana (West) assembly seat. In the by-polls, results for which were declared on Monday, party candidate Sanjeev Arora won by a margin of 10,637 votes. He polled 35, 179 votes as against the 24, 542 votes polled by his nearest Congress rival Bharat Bhushan Ashu. The BJP candidate Jivan Gupta came third with 20,323 votes. The Shiromani Akali Dal candidate Parupkar Singh Ghuman came a poor fourth. With this victory, Arora is all set to become a cabinet minister. The cabinet expansion is expected to happen soon. The Rajya Sabha seat vacated by him might go to a top AAP leader. It has to be seen whether AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal or his former Deputy Manish Sisodia, both of whom have largely been out of the spotlight since losing the Delhi assembly elections earlier this year, will be nominated for the Rajya Sabha. As opposition leaders had been claiming that the bypoll was engineered to facilitate either Kejriwal or Sisodia's entry into the upper house of parliament, a presumption the AAP has denied so far. Nonetheless, Aroras resignation from the Rajya Sabha will trigger a vacancy, giving the AAP window to manoeuvre. Meanwhile, speculations are rife now that at least one sitting cabinet minister might be asked to step down and there will be a reshuffle in the state cabinet. The byelection victory has come as a morale booster for the AAP which lost the Delhi Assembly elections in February earlier this year. The AAP threw its entire weight behind the campaign with the partys national leadership led by AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia and former Delhi health minister Satyendra Jain campaigning for the party candidate. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his wife, Dr Gurpreet Kaur Mann also campaigned extensively for Sanjeev Arora. Being a first time contestant, Arora didn't carry any political baggage like Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu. Arora had consistently raised local issues in Parliament, including pending National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) projects and the need for more seats in private medical colleges. He also funded various local development projects through his MPLADS funds, focused on schools, colleges, and civic infrastructure. His candidature was declared in February which gave him a good head start. The win consolidates AAPs hold on the Ludhiana West seat, which became vacant following the death of party MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi in January this year. A voter turnout of 51.33 per cent was recorded in the bypoll, a sharp drop from the 64 per cent voting registered in the 2022 assembly elections. Vote share of AAP improves The vote share of AAP has improved this time around. Arora polled 35, 179 votes which translates to 39.02 per cent of the vote share, while in 2022 assembly polls, AAP's vote share was 34.46 percent. The vote share of the Congress and the BJP has dropped. The Congress party's vote share was 27.22 percent as against the 28.06 per cent vote share of last elections. BJP candidate Gupta's vote share is 22.54 percent as against 23.95 percent of last elections.

Chance For Arvind Kejriwal As AAP Seat In Rajya Sabha Falls Vacant

Aam Aadmi Party's ability to retain one seat in the Gujarat by-election and Ludhiana has not only underscored its growing grassroots grip but also holds out hope for party chief Arvind Kejriwal's entry into Rajya Sabha.

Not Going To Rajya Sabha: Arvind Kejriwal After MP Sanjeev Arora's Bypoll Win

Former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said he would not go to the Rajya Sabha, after the party's sitting Upper House member Sanjeev Arora won the Ludhiana West bypolls in Punjab.

AAP wins Visavadar, BJP sweeps Kadi: Gujarat bypolls deliver mixed mandate

AHMEDABAD: In a high-stakes political showdown, the Gujarat by-elections delivered a split verdict with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) tightening its grip in Visavadar and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) consolidating its dominance in Kadi. The results, declared after intense multi-round counting, reflected voter sentiment across two politically charged constituencies and carried larger implications for both regional and national equations. In Visavadar, AAPs Gopal Italia scripted a decisive victory, defeating BJPs Kirit Patel by a margin of 17,554 votes. Italia garnered 75,942 votes, while Patel trailed with 58,388. Congress nominee Nitin Ranpariya managed a distant third with just 5,501 votes, and 1,716 votes went to NOTA. From the very first round of counting at 8 am on Monday, Italia held a steady lead, never relinquishing ground. His win signals AAPs firm hold over the Visavadar seat a constituency that has traditionally been a bastion of opposition politics. The bypoll was necessitated by the resignation of AAP MLA Bhupat Bhayani, who switched allegiance to the BJP. Ironically, the party he defected to failed to reclaim the seat. BJP, Congress and AAP lock horns in high-stakes bypolls in Gujarat Visavadars political story has been turbulent since 2012, when former CM Keshubhai Patel quit the BJP, floated the Gujarat Parivartan Party, and won from the seat. After his resignation in 2014, Congresss Harshad Ribadiya took over, holding the post until 2022. Bhayani, then with AAP, had snatched the seat a feat the party has now successfully repeated. Despite a modest 57.80% turnout, polling was largely peaceful, barring the need for re-polling in two villages Malida and Nava Vaghaniya on June 21. Final figures from the Election Commission revealed Italias tally swelling to nearly 76,000 votes after 18 rounds of counting. Reacting to the win, Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj said, Many wrote off AAP after Delhi. But weve won Ludhiana West, and now Gujarat too. This is a strong bounce-back. Those who thought Arvind Kejriwal would be sidelined this is their answer. Meanwhile, in Kadi, the BJP reasserted its dominance. Rajendra Chavda secured a resounding 99,709 votes, crushing Congress rival Ramesh Chavda, who managed 60,282 votes. AAPs Jagdish Chavda fared poorly with just 3,089 votes, while 1,701 opted for NOTA. Rajendra Chavda led from start to finish across 22 rounds, winning with a massive 39,427-vote margin. The bypoll was held following the death of BJP MLA Karsan Solanki. Voter turnout here was 56.89%, according to provisional data. This is the victory of the Organisation and the people of Kadi, Chavda said after the win. The voters have endorsed the governments way of working. While eight candidates contested the Kadi seat, the battle was squarely between the BJP and Congress, with AAP and smaller regional parties barely making a dent. Notably, despite being national allies, Congress and AAP fought these bypolls independently, signalling the complexities within the INDIA bloc. With this outcome, BJPs tally in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly now rises to 162, strengthening its overwhelming majority in the 182-member House. The by-elections may have been local in scale, but their political reverberations stretch far beyond Gujarats borders.

Assembly bypolls: AAP retains 2 seats in Punjab, Gujarat; Kejriwal takes fresh jibe at Congress, BJP

Arvind Kejriwal asserted that Gujarat is weary of the BJP, highlighting AAP's Visavadar win and BJP's Kadi victory in Gujarat bypolls. He also celebrated AAP's anticipated win in Punjab's Ludhiana West, noting increased support compared to 2022.

Not going to Rajya Sabha: Kejriwal after MP Sanjeev Arora wins Ludhiana West assembly bypoll

Arvind Kejriwal, the former Delhi chief minister, has stated that he will not be taking Sanjeev Arora's Rajya Sabha seat, which will become vacant after Arora's victory in the Ludhiana West bypolls. Kejriwal clarified that the party's political affairs committee will decide on the nomination for the Upper House. Opposition parties speculated that Kejriwal himself would fill the position.

People Rejected Both BJP And Congress In Bypolls: Kejriwal

New Delhi, Jun 23: AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said people are fed up with the BJP in Gujarat and stressed that people had rejected both Congress and BJP in the bypolls. AAP leader Gopal Italia won the Visavadar seat, while BJPs Rajendra Chavda bagged the Kadi seat on Monday, as counting for bypolls to the two constituencies in Gujarat concluded, officials said. AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora appears to be heading for a victory from the Ludhiana West [] The post People Rejected Both BJP And Congress In Bypolls: Kejriwal appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Bypoll results: UDF wins in Kerala, TMC ahead in Bengal, AAP and BJP secure one seat each in Gujarat

By-elections to assembly seats in Gujarat, Punjab, West Bengal, and Kerala on Monday delivered mixed results, with AAP gaining ground, TMC set to retain its seat in Bengal, and the Congress-led UDF scoring a key victory in Kerala. Kerala: UDF snatches Nilambur seat In a severe blow to the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government in Kerala, the opposition UDF on Monday surged ahead in the Nilambur Assembly by-election and was on the verge of victory as counting neared completion. UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath, son of Congress veteran Aryadan Muhammed, secured a lead of 11,077 votes over CPI(M)s M Swaraj. The bypoll was widely seen as a mid-term referendum on the LDF government. Independent candidate P V Anvar, the former legislator whose resignation triggered the bypoll, surprised many with his strong performance, securing over 18,000 votes. The BJP candidate, Mohan George, lagged far behind. Celebrations erupted in Nilambur and across the UDF camp, with Congress leaders hailing the result as a sign of growing public support ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath wins Nilambur bypoll by a margin of over 11000 votes West Bengal: TMC comfortably ahead in Kaliganj In West Bengals Kaliganj assembly seat, TMC candidate Alifa Ahamed, daughter of the late MLA Nasiruddin Ahamed, was leading by over 29,749 votes after 13 rounds of counting. TMC candidate Alifa Ahamed secured 59,329 votes, while her nearest rival, BJP nominee Ashis Ghosh 29,580. Congress candidate Kabil Uddin Shaikh, backed by the CPI(M), slipped to the third position with 19,516 votes, election officials said. The bypoll was held following the death of Nasiruddin Ahamed in February. Voting saw a turnout of 69.85 per cent and remained largely peaceful. Voting for the by-election was held on Thursday, with a voter turnout of 69.85 per cent recorded till 5 pm. Barring a few isolated incidents, voting remained largely peaceful. Punjab: AAP edges ahead in Ludhiana West In Punjabs Ludhiana West, AAPs Sanjeev Arora was leading by 2,286 votes over Congress Bharat Bhushan Ashu after six of the 14 counting rounds. The BJPs Jiwan Gupta was in the third position, followed by Shiromani Akali Dals Parupkar Singh Ghuman. The by-election was necessitated by the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi earlier this year. Voter turnout for the seat stood at 51.33 per cent, a significant drop from the 64 per cent registered in the 2022 assembly elections. Gujarat: AAP wins Visavadar seat, BJP holds Kadi AAP leader Gopal Italia won the Visavadar seat, while BJP's Rajendra Chavda bagged Kadi seat on Monday, as counting for bypolls to the two constituencies in Gujarat concluded, officials said. Italia, the former Gujarat president of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), defeated his nearest rival, BJP candidate Kirit Patel, in Visavadar seat of Junagadh district by a margin of 17,554 votes. While Italia received 75,942 votes, Patel got 58,388 votes after the end of total 21 rounds of counting, as per the data shared by the Election Commission. BJP leaders earlier said they were hoping to break the 18-year jinx in Visavadar, where the party last tasted victory in 2007. Meanwhile, in the SC-reserved Kadi seat, BJP candidate Rajendra Chavda was leading by over 35,000 votes against Congress' Ramesh Chavda after 16 rounds of counting. The seat fell vacant following the death of BJP MLA Karsan Solanki in February. In Kadi seat of Mehsana district, reserved for the Scheduled Caste candidates, BJP's Rajendra Chavda emerged victorious by a margin of 39,452 votes over Congress' Ramesh Chavda after the end of all 22 rounds of counting. While Rajendra Chavda received 99,742 votes, former Congress MLA Ramesh Chavda managed to secure 60,290 votes. (With inputs from PTI)

Bypoll results: UDF scores big in Kerala, TMC ahead in Bengal, AAP leads in Gujarat and Punjab

By-elections to assembly seats in Gujarat, Punjab, West Bengal, and Kerala on Monday delivered mixed results, with AAP gaining ground, TMC set to retain its seat in Bengal, and the Congress-led UDF scoring a key victory in Kerala. UDF snatches Nilambur seat In a severe blow to the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government in Kerala, the opposition UDF on Monday surged ahead in the Nilambur Assembly by-election and was on the verge of victory as counting neared completion. UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath, son of Congress veteran Aryadan Muhammed, secured a lead of 11,077 votes over CPI(M)s M Swaraj. The bypoll was widely seen as a mid-term referendum on the LDF government. Independent candidate P V Anvar, the former legislator whose resignation triggered the bypoll, surprised many with his strong performance, securing over 18,000 votes. The BJP candidate, Mohan George, lagged far behind. Celebrations erupted in Nilambur and across the UDF camp, with Congress leaders hailing the result as a sign of growing public support ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. TMC comfortably ahead in Kaliganj In West Bengals Kaliganj assembly seat, TMC candidate Alifa Ahamed, daughter of the late MLA Nasiruddin Ahamed, was leading by over 19,000 votes after seven rounds of counting. She had secured 32,308 votes against Congress candidate Kabil Uddin Shaikh, who had the backing of the CPI(M) and polled 13,144 votes. BJPs Ashis Ghosh was in third place with 11,987 votes. The bypoll was held following the death of Nasiruddin Ahamed in February. Voting saw a turnout of 69.85 per cent and remained largely peaceful. AAP edges ahead in Ludhiana West In Punjabs Ludhiana West, AAPs Sanjeev Arora was leading by 2,286 votes over Congress Bharat Bhushan Ashu after six of the 14 counting rounds. The BJPs Jiwan Gupta was in the third position, followed by Shiromani Akali Dals Parupkar Singh Ghuman. The by-election was necessitated by the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi earlier this year. Voter turnout for the seat stood at 51.33 per cent, a significant drop from the 64 per cent registered in the 2022 assembly elections. AAP widens lead in Visavadar, BJP holds Kadi AAP's Gopal Italia, the party's former state president, was leading by a substantial margin in the Visavadar assembly seat as counting neared completion. After 18 of the 21 counting rounds, Italia had secured 65,295 votes, ahead of BJP's Kirit Patel, who polled 51,222 votes. Congress' Nitin Ranpariya was trailing in the contest. The Visavadar seat, vacated in December 2023 after AAP legislator Bhupendra Bhayani joined the BJP, has been out of the BJPs grasp since 2007. The party was hoping to break its 18-year losing streak. Meanwhile, in the SC-reserved Kadi seat, BJP candidate Rajendra Chavda was leading by over 35,000 votes against Congress' Ramesh Chavda after 16 rounds of counting. The seat fell vacant following the death of BJP MLA Karsan Solanki in February. (With inputs from PTI)

Ludhiana Election Result: AAP's Sanjeev Arora vs Congress' Bharat Bhushan Ashu. Who is winning

Ludhiana Election Result: Aam Aadmi Party's Sanjeev Arora is leading in the Ludhiana West by-election, surpassing Congress rival Bharat Bhushan Ashu by 2,286 votes after six rounds. The by-poll, triggered by the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, is a crucial test of voter sentiment midway through AAP's term in Punjab. The results will indicate whether anti-incumbency is surfacing in the state.

Counting Underway for Bypolls in Gujarat, Punjab, Kerala, and Bengal

Five Assembly seats up for grabs across four states; key contests in Visavadar, Kaliganj, Nilambur, and Ludhiana West