Punjab

Punjab govt to move SC against CBI probe into Mann's OSD over graft claims

Punjab Intensifies Crackdown on Stubble Burning, 84 Cases Reported with Fines Imposed

Punjabs strict measures against stubble burning have led to 84 reported cases and fines totaling 1.40 lakh. Punjab Intensifies Crackdown on Stubble Burning, 84 Cases Reported with Fines Imposed

J&K Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar celebrates 59th Annual Day

Srinagar, Oct 5: The J&K Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar, in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL), organised a one-day Punjabi Seminar to commemorate the 59th Annual Day of the Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar at Tagore Hall, Srinagar. The programme brought together eminent Punjabi writers, poets, scholars, intellectuals and literary enthusiasts from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The event highlighted the importance of promoting Punjabi language and literature and showcased the literary and cultural activities undertaken by the Sabha and JKAACL. Harvinder Kour, Secretary, JKAACL; R.S. Rajan, President, Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar; Ajit Singh Mastana, renowned Punjabi poet and writer; and Popinder Singh Paras, Editor, Sheeraza Punjabi, JKAACL, along with other distinguished personalities, were present on the occasion. Secretary, JKAACL, appreciated the initiatives of the Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar for the promotion of Punjabi language and literature. She highlighted the various initiatives and support extended by the Academy for literary and cultural activities across Jammu and Kashmir and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts for enriching the regional literary tradition. The Chief Guest, S. Jaipal Singh, in his address, said that the Punjabi Sahit Sabha and the Cultural Academy are making significant efforts towards the promotion and development of Punjabi language and literature. He appreciated the initiative of organising such programmes and observed that literary and cultural activities provide the younger generation with meaningful opportunities to remain connected with their language, literature and cultural heritage. In his address, Additional Secretary, JKAACL, Lal Chand said that the Academy is committed to organising Punjabi literary-cum-cultural programmes at regular intervals, including in far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir, so that the rich Punjabi literary and cultural traditions reach wider sections of society. R.S. Rajan highlighted the activities and achievements of the Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar and presented an overview of its annual progress. He expressed gratitude to JKAACL for its support and cooperation in organising the annual event. Speaking on the occasion, Ajit Singh Mastana appreciated the efforts of the Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar and JKAACL in providing a common platform to writers, poets and cultural practitioners. He observed that literary gatherings serve not only as platforms for presenting poetry and ideas but also as important links between generations, helping preserve Punjabi language, literary traditions and cultural heritage. Popinder Singh Paras, appreciated the cooperation extended by the Academy in making the programme meaningful. He said that JKAACL remains committed to promoting literary and cultural activities and providing platforms to writers, poets, artists and young literary enthusiasts. He emphasised that such literary-cum-cultural programmes help encourage wider participation and strengthen the younger generation's connection with Punjabi language and culture. The second session featured a vibrant Punjabi Folk Culture Programme, in which folk artists from the Jammu Division presented traditional Punjabi folk music. Master Kuldeep Sharma and Party, enthralled the audience with their performances, adding a colourful cultural dimension to the celebrations. The cultural programme was followed by a Punjabi Mushaira, in which poets from the Kashmir Division presented their poetry. Dr. Baljit Singh Raina, noted Punjabi poet, writer and literary personality, also participated in the Mushaira. In his literary observations, Dr. Raina highlighted the richness, expressive strength and evolving dimensions of Punjabi poetry. He spoke about the relationship between language, literary creativity and the social and cultural experiences of the people, emphasising that poetry preserves the emotional and cultural memory of society while giving voice to contemporary realities. He also presented his poetry, which was warmly appreciated by the audience. The programme provided a vibrant blend of literary discourse, poetry and Punjabi folk culture, reflecting the diverse dimensions of Punjabi language and its rich cultural heritage in Jammu and Kashmir. The event concluded with appreciation from the literary fraternity for the joint efforts of the Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar and JKAACL in organising the 59th Annual Day celebrations and providing a meaningful platform for the promotion of Punjabi language, literature and folk culture.

Congress gears up for statewide Punjab campaign with Pargat Singhs appointment

Congress is preparing to begin its statewide campaign in Punjab, appointing Pargat Singh as the new president. Senior leader Sachin Pilot praised Singh's leadership and announced plans for campaign outreach. Pilot indicated that significant figures would visit Punjab soon to officially launch the initiative. He criticized the current government's handling of law and order in the state.

Punjabi Sahit Sabha marks 59th annual day in Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 5:The J&K Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar on Sunday marked its 59th annual day with a Punjabi seminar, folk music performances and a mushaira in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages at Tagore Hall here. The programme brought together Punjabi writers, poets, scholars, intellectuals and literary enthusiasts from across Jammu and Kashmir and focused on the promotion of Punjabi language, literature and cultural traditions. JKAACL Secretary Harvinder Kour, Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar President R.S. Rajan, renowned Punjabi poet and writer Ajit Singh Mastana, and Popinder Singh Paras, editor of Sheeraza Punjabi, were among those present. Kour appreciated the Sabha's efforts to promote Punjabi language and literature and highlighted the Academy's support for literary and cultural activities across Jammu and Kashmir. She stressed the need for collaborative efforts to strengthen the region's literary traditions. Chief Guest S. Jaipal Singh said the Punjabi Sahit Sabha and the Cultural Academy were making significant efforts to promote and develop Punjabi language and literature. He said such programmes give younger generations meaningful opportunities to remain connected with their language, literature and cultural heritage. Additional Secretary JKAACL Lal Chand said the Academy was committed to organising Punjabi literary and cultural programmes regularly, including in far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir, to take the region's Punjabi literary and cultural traditions to wider sections of society. Rajan presented an overview of the Sabha's activities and achievements during the year and thanked JKAACL for its support in organising the annual event. Mastana said literary gatherings provided a common platform for writers, poets and cultural practitioners while helping preserve Punjabi language, literary traditions and cultural heritage across generations. Paras also appreciated the Academy's cooperation, saying such programmes provide opportunities for writers, poets, artists and young literary enthusiasts and encourage wider participation in Punjabi cultural activities. The second session featured a Punjabi folk culture programme, with folk artists from the Jammu division presenting traditional Punjabi music. Master Kuldeep Sharma and his party performed before the audience. The cultural programme was followed by a Punjabi mushaira featuring poets from the Kashmir division. Noted Punjabi poet, writer and literary personality Dr. Baljit Singh Raina also participated. Raina spoke about the richness and evolving character of Punjabi poetry and its connection with the social and cultural experiences of people. He said poetry preserves the emotional and cultural memory of society while giving expression to contemporary realities. He also recited his poetry, which was warmly received by the audience. The programme concluded with appreciation from members of the literary fraternity for the joint efforts of the Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar and JKAACL in promoting Punjabi language, literature and cultural heritage in Jammu and Kashmir.

NC will push for inclusion of Punjabi, Gurmukhi in J&K: Sadhotra

Jammu, Oct 5: A delegation of prominent members of the Sikh community Monday called on National Conference Additional General Secretary and former Minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra at the party headquarters at Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, and presented a memorandum seeking inclusion of Punjabi language, in Gurmukhi script, among the officially recognised languages of Jammu and Kashmir. It was organised by Sardar Jatinder Singh Lucky. The delegation, as per a statement, apprised Sadhotra of the aspirations of the Sikh community regarding preservation and promotion of Punjabi and Gurmukhi, which, they said, formed an important part of the linguistic and cultural heritage of the region. They urged the National Conference leadership to take up the matter with the appropriate authorities and work towards fulfilment of the long-pending demand. Sadhotra said the National Conference had always remained committed to respecting the linguistic, cultural and social diversity of Jammu and Kashmir and ensuring that the aspirations of all sections of society were adequately represented. He said the partys commitment to Punjabi and Gurmukhi was clearly reflected in its election manifesto. Referring to the specific provisions concerning minorities and regional cultures, he said the National Conference had explicitly committed that it would advocate for the inclusion of Gurmukhi/Punjabi language to preserve and promote it. This is a clear and conscious commitment of the National Conference. We recognise the importance of Punjabi and Gurmukhi as an integral part of the cultural and linguistic heritage of Jammu and Kashmir. Every language carries the history, traditions, literature and collective memory of its people, and no language should be allowed to lose its rightful place, Sadhotra said.

Golden homecoming for Baljit Kaur after historic Asian triumph

Celebrations swept through Kakka Kandiala as hockey player Baljit Kaur returned to her native The post Golden homecoming for Baljit Kaur after historic Asian triumph appeared first on Khalsa Vox .

Beyond London: Why the India-UK Trade Deal Must Connect Regional Economies

The North of Englands upcoming trade mission to India offers an opportunity to redefine The post Beyond London: Why the India-UK Trade Deal Must Connect Regional Economies appeared first on Khalsa Vox .

Punjabs Law and Order in Crisis, Says BJP Spokesperson RP Singh

BJPs RP Singh criticizes Punjabs deteriorating law and order, calling for urgent action from the state government. Punjabs Law and Order in Crisis, Says BJP Spokesperson RP Singh

Khasi film Ki Sngi Badum wins award at Abohar Int

SHILLONG, Oct 5: Khasi feature film Ki Sngi Badum (The Dark Days) has secured third place under the Honourable Mention Feature Film category at the 1st Abohar International Film Festival, held in Punjab in September. Directed by Moonstar Nongdhar and produced by Banabas L Nongbri, the film is based on real events from Nongbris life, []

Congress to launch Punjab poll campaign following Pargat Singh

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Delhi BJP chief slams AAP after Punjab HC orders CBI corruption probe

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Rajya Sabha polls: 8 fresh BJP faces for UP, Hardeep Puri among 2 ministers dropped

BJP has chosen not to renominate Union ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and B L Verma for Rajya Sabha. This decision raises speculation about a possible reshuffle of the council of ministers by PM Narendra Modi. Since several ministers have been given organization roles, it indicates their continuation in government may be unlikely. Puri's term ends in November, and he may be reassigned for the Punjab assembly polls.

Playing hide & seek: HC on DA payment order to Punjab govt

MP overtakes Punjab in stubble burning, 254 farm fires reported across 7 states

Sikh Community seeks restoration of Punjabi in J

Jammu Punjabi Morcha holds protest, urges inclusion of Punjabi in school curriculum Jammu Tawi, Oct 5: Members of the Sikh community held a peaceful protest rally here under the banner of the Jammu Punjabi Morcha, demanding the promotion and restoration of Punjabi as an official language in Jammu and Kashmir. The protesters urged the Lieutenant [] The post Sikh Community seeks restoration of Punjabi in J&K schools appeared first on Northlines .

Punjab Congress goes into poll mode under Pargat Singh, plans rally and statewide outreach

In an effort to consolidate its power, Congress is set to kick off its election campaign with a unity rally in Amritsar, showcasing leaders including Rahul Gandhi. With ongoing factional disputes in the Punjab Congress, this rally aims to promote collective leadership. The recent appointment of Pargat Singh as state president is integral to unifying the party after prior electoral defeats.

Mid-sized restaurants hungry for funds as investors stay away

Mid-sized organized restaurant chains such as Punjab Grill and Mad Over Donuts face financing challenges. Investors are being more cautious, focusing on sustainable profits and unit economics. As a result, several chains explore capital raises or stake sales. Recent investments favor businesses demonstrating strong financial performance and growth potential. Meanwhile, larger investments continue to thrive, creating a divide in the restaurant industry.

CPCB deploys flying squads in Punjab, Haryana to check stubble burning

BJP Targets AAP Over Punjab Killings, Graft

Cites 4 killings to target state government

Punjab Cabinet Approves Ranjitgarh Development Authority Bill

The Punjab Cabinet has approved the Ranjitgarh Development Authority Bill to promote sustainable tourism and development in the region. Punjab Cabinet Approves Ranjitgarh Development Authority Bill

Punjab to intensify Hepatitis C screening, strengthen transfusion safety

Punjab-origin Sikh lawyer at centre of Canada legal battle over loyalty oath

High Court order on CBI probe significant development in Punjab politics, says Akal Dal leader

Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 5 (IANS) Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia on Monday targeted the Bhagwant Mann government after the Punjab and Haryana High Court handed over to the CBI the investigation into alleged corruption involving Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman and other associates. Calling the High Court order a significant development in state politics, Majithia said the court had directed the CBI to register a criminal case, investigate the allegations and submit a status report within two months. He said the matter was no longer limited to political allegations and that the complete record would now come before the investigating agency. The questions we have been putting before the people of Punjab for a long time must now be answered through evidence during the investigation. The truth must come out, Majithia said. He said the most serious aspect was that the Enforcement Directorate had written three letters to the Punjab DGP seeking action and registration of an FIR over alleged corruption, but the matter did not move forward. This eventually led to the matter reaching the High Court through a public interest petition, following which the court handed the investigation to the CBI. Majithia alleged that certain police officers had attempted to prevent the matter from progressing and allegedly destroy evidence in order to protect people close to Chief Minister Mann, including his OSD Ghuman, Ghumans associate Nitin Gohal and others. He alleged that former DGP L.K. Yadav was also involved in this process. Majithia said the CBI should investigate what action the Punjab Police took on the letters sent by the ED, which officers took decisions on them and why there was a delay in registering an FIR. If there was any attempt at any level to tamper with evidence, influence the investigation or allegedly protect anyone, responsibility must also be fixed, and strict action should be taken against the officials found responsible, he said.

Sambit Patra targets Punjab govt over crime, cites HC-ordered CBI probe

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 5 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sambit Patra on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, alleging corruption and a deteriorating law-and-order situation following a Punjab and Haryana High Court direction for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into corruption allegations against the Chief Ministers OSD and others. Addressing a press conference at the BJPs central office in New Delhi, Patra alleged that law and order has collapsed, and corruption has reached its peak in Punjab. He referred to the High Courts direction for a CBI investigation into allegations of corruption against Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns OSD, Ranbir Singh Ghuman, and others. Patra claimed that allegations had been made that Ghuman and certain other officials facilitated the delivery of government benefits in exchange for bribes or commissions. He said the court had directed the CBI to carry the inquiry forward, complete the investigation within two months and submit its report. The BJP MP from Odishas Puri Lok Sabha constituency also referred to what he described as four murders and attacks on police personnel in Punjab in the past 48 hours and sought answers from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP regarding corruption and the law-and-order situation. Briefing the media, Patra cited an incident on Sunday evening in Amritsar in which social media influencer and makeup artist Mad Sandhu was murdered. He also referred to three murders in Ludhiana within a span of 48 hours, including that of a former sarpanch. According to Patra, Sarpanch Navtej Singh of Malewal village was murdered on Saturday evening, while 29-year-old Laddi Khan of Mullanpur Dakha village was shot dead. He further stated that another murder took place in Anant Vihar Colony, Sahnewal, Ludhiana, where 35-year-old Dinesh Kumar was allegedly stabbed to death. Accusing Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP of double standards, Patra claimed that if a similar situation had occurred in a BJP-ruled state, the party would have organised rallies, held press conferences and demanded dismissal of the government. He further alleged that even police personnel were not safe in Punjab. When police officers themselves are being killed, who will take responsibility for the safety of ordinary citizens? Patra asked. Patra cited several incidents involving attacks on police personnel. He said that on February 22 this year, ASI Gurnam Singh was shot dead at the Aandhiyan Police Post in Gurdaspur district and Home Guard Ashok Kumar was also killed on the same day. He further stated that on May 24, in Hamza village under Fatehgarh Churian on the Majitha Road in Amritsar district, ASI Joga Singh was allegedly killed while on duty by assailants on a scooter. Patra also claimed that ASI Harjit Singh was killed on September 18. He added that five days later, an attempt was made on the life of ASI Jaswant Singh, who narrowly escaped. According to Patra, ASI Sukhchain Singh also came under gunfire on Sunday but survived. We have highlighted the number of police personnel who have been killed, Patra said, while also referring to incidents of firing at police stations.

Pluralism in Geneva, containers in Islamabad: Pakistan's double-faced reality exposed once again

Digital Desk | Islamabad, Oct 5 (IANS) Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly, stood before the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva on July 29, 2025 and warned his colleagues against populism, ultra-nationalism and arrow interpretations of nationalism, before closing with the line -- It is time to promote pluralism. It's time to accept diversity. Fourteen months later, on September 25, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took the podium at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and told the world that Pakistan had chosen dialogue over confrontation, that it would give Kashmiris full diplomatic, political, and moral support, and that the demolition of a mosque in Saharanpur was proof of Islamophobia in India. Both speeches were written for audiences outside Pakistan, and both said very little about the country they came from. However, the most revealing line in Sharif's address was one he probably did not mean as a confession, when he thanked Field Marshal Asim Munir for helping to create space for diplomacy. An elected Prime Minister crediting his Army Chief from the UN podium says more about where power sits in Pakistan than anything he said about Palestine or the Indus. Pakistans domestic challenges and its rhetoric in Geneva are very different. While similar diplomatic displays occur in our region, the extent to which they reflect reality is a matter for deeper introspection. This also highlights the need to consider the structure of the Pakistani state and the record of the past 18 months. The reality on the ground is different from the rhetoric and requires attention. Pakistan's own parliament has been told that of the 1,817 Hindu temples and Sikh gurdwaras in the country only 37 remain operational, a figure placed before its Minority Caucus in late 2025, with the Hindu legislator Ramesh Kumar Vankwani blaming the Evacuee Trust Property Board, the body meant to protect these sites and long accused of being more interested in the land they stand on. Decay by neglect is slower than demolition, but the map it leaves behind is much the same. For the Ahmadis, the state does not wait for neglect. The communitys own records indicate 21 mosques desecrated, 381 graves destroyed and 250 Ahmadis booked in religious cases in 2025 alone. These figures are broadly consistent with the US Commission on International Religious Freedoms documentation including the demolition of three Ahmadiyya mosques in Punjab within 10 days in February and the lynching of Laeeq Cheema by a mob of over 400 in Karachi in April. In January 2025, police and municipal staff razed a pre-Partition mosque in Daska, built under the direction of Pakistan's first Foreign Minister Sir Muhammad Zafarullah Khan, after months of pressure from the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, even though the community had complied with the official notice. In effect, the police are doing the work the mob demands. The smaller communities sit further down the same ladder. The Dawoodi Bohras of Karachi were bombed in 2012 and again in 2015, and while they do not face the legal exclusion the Ahmadis do, their experience shows that the hierarchy of belonging now runs inside Islam as well as outside it. Pakistan's roughly 14,500 Baha'is, named in the Constitutions definition of non-Muslims, face exclusion rather than mass violence. This is the reality for the Bah community in Pakistan. Pakistan still has civil society organisations, some of them among the bravest in South Asia, but it no longer has a civil society in any working sense, a space where citizens can organise and criticise without being treated as enemies of the state. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) recorded 273 new enforced disappearances in 2025, and at the launch of its report in May 2026 Hina Jilani said the state had surrendered to the security apparatus and Pakistan had become a security state. The tools are legal, which is what makes them durable. On January 2, 2026 an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad handed journalists including Moeed Pirzada, Shaheen Sehbai and Wajahat Saeed Khan two life sentences each, in absentia, for May 9 digital terrorism, and three weeks later the human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were sentenced to 17 years each under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act for their tweets, a sentence the Supreme Court suspended only in September. The clearest evidence, however, came from Pakistanis themselves. When the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party took to the streets of Delhi over the NEET paper leaks in July 2026 and the Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned, Pakistani content creators watched with something close to envy. Muhammad Waleed said Pakistan never had a democracy to begin with, Mahwash Ajaz pointed out that Indian protesters sing 'Vande Mataram' while Pakistani protesters are labelled separatists, and the former Dawn Editor Cyril Almeida called Jantar Mantar a warning to Pindi. The Indian state was hardly gentle with the protesters, but the creators were not praising Indian policing, they were noticing that protests in India could still produce a result, and that the same channel had been closed at home. The most striking contrast is in Kashmir. Sharif mentioned to the General Assembly that Kashmiris have been waiting for eight decades for a plebiscite, which is just two months after Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) held its own legislative election, all while being cut off from the internet. The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, a coalition of traders, transporters, lawyers and students that began in 2023 with protests over wheat and electricity prices, had moved on to demanding the abolition of the 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees living elsewhere in Pakistan, seats widely seen as the route through which Islamabad's parties manufacture majorities in Muzaffarabad. The local government banned the committee under anti-terrorism law on June 5, and by July 28 Amnesty International counted at least 40 dead, 34 of them protesters. In effect, a state that has not let the Kashmiris it already governs decide who sits in their own assembly is asking the world to hold a plebiscite for the Kashmiris it does not. At the same time, the capital was telling its own version of the story. In the weeks around the UNGA address, Islamabad was walled off with shipping containers, at least 2,000 of them according to BBC Urdu, stacked two storeys high with spikes welded on top, to stop the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf from marching for Imran Khan's release, and the city earned the name 'Containeristan'. The New York Times quoted an Islamabad urban economist who observed that containers, normally a symbol of trade, had become symbols of chaos and restriction, while truckers in Karachi refused to drive north for fear of having their vehicles seized. Talks between the government and the opposition broke down in the early hours of October 4 over whether PTI leaders could even meet Khan and his doctors, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Chief Minister Sohail Afridi set the march off from Lakki Marwat the same afternoon. India's right of reply, which called Sharif's administration a Form 47 government, and the side events at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, where the Kashmiri radio jockey Harleen Kour spoke of strikes and shutdowns giving way to entrepreneurship on the Indian side, were predictable and should be read as such. What is harder to dismiss is that the critique India voiced had already been made by the HRCP, by Pakistani lawyers and by Pakistani content creators in their own words. The contradiction persists because it is inherent in the structure. The Pakistani state derives its international standing through strategic usefulness as a frontline ally, a mediator between Washington and Tehran or a partner in the Mecca defence pact. The greater its reliance on these roles the less it requires to earn legitimacy from its citizens through transparent elections or open courts. However, as the role of the Army has shifted from being a tacit power broker or the kingmaker, if one has to use the major political lexicon in South Asia to an overt power-sharer demanding its rightful share in the making of the Pakistani story. But the Pakistan story is a troubled road where all of the Generals have seen their legitimacy eroded, Munir will be next in line. At the same Geneva conference where Sadiq spoke of pluralism, the Swedish Speaker described how democratic backsliding usually unfolds, with attacks on free expression and the media first, then manipulation of the electoral system, then attacks on civil society. Pakistan has gone through all three, and its leaders continue to speak abroad as though it has not. The march now moving towards Islamabad will show whether the system still has any room to absorb dissent, or whether the removal of its safety valves has left coercion as the only instrument it is willing to use. If the past is a prologue, then the report in the New York Times on how Islamabad is becoming Containeristan and how state authorities, at times take containers and use them to stop democratic marches from coming to the city, serve as a glimpse on what level the state moves when any democratic pressure applies.

High Court exposes govts claims of zero-tolerance for corruption, says Punjab BJP

Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 5 (IANS) Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon on Monday hailed the Punjab and Haryana High Courts decision to hand over to the CBI the investigation into allegations of corruption involving Punjab Chief Ministers OSD Rajvir Ghuman and the Chief Ministers Office (CMO). He said the courts decision has exposed the reality behind a government that claims to be a zero-tolerance government for corruption. Speaking to the media here, Dhillon said that following the exposure of this alleged corruption network, the Chief Minister should immediately resign, as the government has lost the moral right to remain in power. Dhillon said that in this matter, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had written to the Punjab DGP three times, but the Punjab Police did not register an FIR. When the matter reached the court through a public interest litigation, the High Court ordered a CBI probe into the case. The High Court has directed the CBI to register a case and submit a status report within two months. Expressing hope that the CBI will conduct a fair and transparent investigation, Dhillon said that allegations of corruption against the Chief Ministers Office have exposed the government that claims to be zero tolerance for corruption. He questioned whether the government considers itself truly honest, why it runs away from an investigation despite repeated letters from the ED, and why the Chief Minister is afraid of an investigation into his own office. Does this not mean that there is something fishy? he asked. Dhillon said people in Punjab are being misled by putting up boards proclaiming an honest Chief Minister across the state. He said several former ministers and legislators of the AAP government have already faced allegations or investigations related to corruption and money laundering, including former ministers Vijay Singla, Fauja Singh Sarari and Sanjeev Arora, and MLAs Amit Rattan Kotfatta and Jaswant Singh Gajjan Majra. He also alleged that former minister Laljit Singh Bhullar is currently in jail in connection with the suicide case involving a government official. Dhillon demanded that the government and Punjab Police immediately provide the CBI with all necessary records and full cooperation so that the investigation can proceed within the two-month deadline set by the court. The High Court has also directed the government and the police to extend full cooperation to the CBI. The state BJP chief also raised questions over the law and order situation in Punjab, saying not only ordinary citizens but even police personnel are not safe in the state. Referring to recent criminal incidents, including the killing of social media influencer Mad Sandhu in Amritsar, Dhillon said the government must take effective action on the ground instead of merely making statements.

Punjab Government Misleading Court on DA Issue, Claims Ashwini Sharma

Ashwini Sharma accuses Punjab government of misleading the court regarding the DA issue, impacting thousands of employees. Punjab Government Misleading Court on DA Issue, Claims Ashwini Sharma

Ashutosh Sharma Switches From Railways To Gujarat For 2026/27 Domestic Season

Gujarat Cricket Association: Ashutosh Sharma has switched allegiance from Railways to Gujarat for the 2026/27 domestic season, Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) Secretary Anil Patel told IANS on Monday. It is understood that Ashutosh has been training with the Gujarat team and even featured in some of their practice games. Known for his explosive power-hitting in the death overs in the shortest format, Ashutosh is among three guest players signed by the GCA alongside India leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who is currently in the squad for the T20I series against the West Indies, starting in Lucknow on Tuesday, and fast bowler Ashok Sharma, who moved on from Rajasthan but is currently undergoing rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Yes, Ashutosh Sharma will be playing domestic cricket for Gujarat from this year. Hes definitely a great addition to our batting order, especially in the white-ball formats. We are waiting for good results now. Theres a need for us to get a big title, as last to last year (2024/25 season), we missed out after coming into the Ranji Trophy semi-finals. With a new coach in Monty Desai, lets hope for the best, Patel told IANS on Monday. Ashutosh initially played domestic cricket for Madhya Pradesh before moving to Railways. His reputation as a high-impact finisher in the shortest format earned him Indian Premier League (IPL) stints with Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals. Earlier this year, Ashutosh had a stint with Hampshire in the One-Day Cup, where he picked 14 scalps in seven games, including a five-wicket haul, though he made only 56 runs with the bat. Gujarat will open their 2026/27 Ranji Trophy campaign against Odisha at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The first round of the Ranji Trophy will also see senior opener KL Rahul turn out for Karnataka against Andhra in Vijayawada, while left-arm spinner Manav Suthar will captain Rajasthan in their opening game against Tamil Nadu in Jaipur. Earlier this year, Ashutosh had a stint with Hampshire in the One-Day Cup, where he picked 14 scalps in seven games, including a five-wicket haul, though he made only 56 runs with the bat. Gujarat will open their 2026/27 Ranji Trophy campaign against Odisha at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Twin Western Disturbances Hit North India From October 6; Rains to Lash Delhi, UP & Punjab

Punjab Cabinet : PITS Non-Teaching Staff Regularised & Nursing Tutor Promotions Cleared

High Court Hands Punjab Transfer-Posting Case To Central Probe Agency

The court's order records that the Enforcement Directorate had cited 21 instances allegedly involving interference in the transfers and postings of government officers across various departments.

Punjab Cabinet clears Ranjitgarh Development Authority Bill

Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 5 (IANS) The Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Monday approved the Ranjitgarh Development Authority (RDA) Bill, 2026. The Chief Ministers Office said the Ranjitgarh Development Authority Bill would provide for the establishment of the Ranjitgarh Development Authority for the planned, sustainable and eco-tourism-oriented development of the Ranjit Sagar Dam and Shahpur Kandi Dam areas. The authority will be constituted as a statutory body under the administrative control of the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. It will be vested with the requisite administrative, financial and regulatory powers for integrated development, land management, project implementation and destination governance. The authority will be chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, with the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs serving as Vice-Chairman. An Executive Committee headed by the Chief Secretary will oversee its day-to-day functioning and inter-departmental coordination. The Cabinet also approved the creation of new driver posts in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. These posts have been created by surrendering peon posts from among 19 permanent positions and one permanent post of Moharrir. The move is aimed at streamlining the functioning of the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. The Cabinet also approved an amendment to Appendix-B of the Punjab Nursing Education Service Rules (Group B), 2016, for filling the posts of tutor in Government College of Nursing, Patiala, and Government College of Nursing, Amritsar, under the Department of Medical Education and Research through promotion. The posts will be filled from among staff nurses and nursing sisters working regularly under the control of the Director, Research and Medical Education, Punjab, who have obtained an M.Sc. (Nursing) in the relevant speciality. Preference will be given to candidates having one year of teaching experience in nursing education. The Cabinet also gave concurrence for the regularisation of the services of non-teaching staff working on a contractual basis under the Punjab Information and Communication Technology Education Society (PICTES). The employees to be regularised will be extended the benefit of regularisation under PICTES in the prescribed pay scales.

CBI To Probe Punjab CM Office Graft Claims

Punjab and Haryana High Court orders a CBI probe into alleged corruption involving Punjab CM Bhagwant Manns office and seeks a status report within two months.

Punjab BJP chief backs HC order for CBI probe into CM

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Punjab Minister Alleges Corruption in Chief Ministers Office Amid ED Inquiry

Punjab Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa claims corruption in CMs office, calling for a CBI probe following EDs findings. Punjab Minister Alleges Corruption in Chief Ministers Office Amid ED Inquiry

Pakistan's territorial restructuring creates fresh avenues for patronage: Report

Digital Desk | Islamabad, Oct 5 (IANS) Sindh province has again become a point of contention as the debate over Pakistan's territorial restructuring reignites with renewed intensity. The costs of such restructuring are not trivial, as each new province requires a governor, cabinet, secretariat, police command, administrative machinery and resources that could otherwise be used for the development of schools, hospitals or infrastructure and creates fresh avenues for patronage, diverting limited resources into political bargaining instead of public service, a report has cautioned. Every few years, proposals emerge for dividing the provinces of Punjab or Sindh, portrayed as solutions to unwieldy governance. However, increasing the number of provinces will not automatically translate into proximity between residents and decision-makers. If Pakistan creates 10 or 12 new provinces, the likely result would be more secretariats, governors, assemblies, adding another layer of bureaucracy stamping files. The seat of power would shift geographically; however, the culture of centralised control will remain same in Pakistan, a report in Asian News Post mentioned. The costs of such restructuring are not trivial. Each new province demands a governor, cabinet, secretariat, police command, and administrative machinery, resources that could otherwise fund schools, hospitals, or infrastructure. Worse, it creates fresh avenues for patronage, diverting scarce resources into political bargaining rather than public service, the report stated. The electoral system compounds the dysfunction. Metropolitan economies require leadership accountable to entire cities, yet Pakistans patchwork of wards incentivizes representatives to maximize benefits for their own neighborhoods. The result is incoherence in transit planning, housing, and economic strategy, a fragmentation that mirrors the failures of provincial governance itself, it added. At its core, the debate about provinces is not only about governance but about resources, who controls them and who benefits. Since 2023, Pakistan has been involved in a gruelling economic stabilisation programme that has strangled growth and burdened people in the name of rebuilding fiscal and foreign exchange buffers. Those buffers remain depleted, and conducting restructuring of provinces against popular wishes risks increasing identity-driven politics across a multiethnic landscape. This would also cause discontent among youth in Pakistan who are already facing unemployment, poverty and systemic failure. According to the statistics, half of the population in Pakistan lives below the poverty line, 28 million children remain out of school, four in 10 experience stunted growth, three-fourths have contaminated water, and investors, domestic and foreign, are deterred by insecurity. Amid all these problems, creating new provinces in Pakistan seems misguided and dangerous, according to a report in Asian News Post. In July, Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that the country's current governance system has collapsed and was unable to resolve the issues faced by the country. In his address at the Pakistan Economic Summit, Naqvi called for talks among political parties to introduce reforms in the current governance system and proposed the creation of new provinces and bringing administrative reforms. The system we are living under has collapsed. Problems cannot be solved through it, leading Pakistani daily Dawn quoted Naqvi as saying. He said that Pakistan will continue to discuss the same issues even after 10 years if this system continues and stressed that a reset was important. Naqvi said that the failed system had continued in Pakistan for 70 years. He mentioned that Pakistan has been importing wheat despite being an agricultural nation, Dawn reported.

Kolkata Warriors Crowned Champions Of Deaf Indian Premier League 2026

KVS Sports Park Cricket Ground: Kolkata Warriors were crowned the champions of the Deaf Indian Premier League 2026 after beating Bangalore Badshahs in the final by 14 runs at the KVS Sports Park Cricket Ground here. Kolkata Warriors made 121/5 in their 15 overs with their batters putting up a good show. The bowlers backed them really well and kept the lid on the Badshahs, restricting them to 107/9 and winning by 14 runs in the end. The championship took place at the KVS Sports Park Cricket Ground in Tirupati from October 1 to 4, 2026. It gave the deaf cricketers from across the country a national platform to demonstrate their sporting ability. Sumit Jain, President, Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA), spoke at the conclusion of the tournament and appreciated the players, officials, partners and stakeholders for their contribution to the tournament. Several players were also honoured with awards for their performances in the tournament. Bangalore Badshahs' Aman Chouksey was named Player of the Series and also received the Best Bowler of the Series and Highest Wicket-Taker awards. Eight teams participated in the event: Deaf Hyderabad Eagles, Deaf Bangalore Badshahs, Deaf Lucknow Giants, Deaf Delhi Bulls, Deaf Mumbai Stars, Deaf Kolkata Warriors, Deaf Punjab Lions and Deaf Chennai Blasters, giving their all for the title. IDCA also acknowledged the support and cooperation of institutions and stakeholders associated with the development of deaf cricket, including the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Deaf International Cricket Council (DICC), Asian Deaf Cricket Association (ADCA), Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI), Andhra Cricket Association (ACA), Deaf Cricket Association of Andhra Pradesh (DCAAP) and Differently Abled Cricket Council of Andhra Pradesh (DACCAP). Here is the list of individual award winners from the tournament: Player of the Match Final: Jitan Nayak, Deaf Kolkata Warriors Best Batter of the Series: Krrish Manish Prajapati, Deaf Kolkata Warriors Best Bowler of the Series: Aman Chouksey, Deaf Bangalore Badshahs Player of the Series: Aman Chouksey, Deaf Bangalore Badshahs Super Sixes Award: Deepak Lamba, Deaf Mumbai Stars Best Wicketkeeper: Umar Ashraf, Deaf Kolkata Warriors Highest Wicket-Taker: Aman Chouksey, Deaf Bangalore Badshahs Best Fielder of the Series: Venu Siliveru, Deaf Bangalore Badshahs Highest Wicket-Taker: Aman Chouksey, Deaf Bangalore Badshahs Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Mandeep Returns To Tripura Squad For 2026/27 Ranji Trophy, Lahiri Named Head Coach

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Seasoned batter Mandeep Singh has made a return to Tripura for the 2026/27 Ranji Trophy, after being named in the state's squad for their opening three games against Hyderabad, Assam & Karnataka, to be played in Secunderabad, Guwahati and Mysuru respectively. Mandeep, who has played three T20Is for India, had previously captained Tripura during the 2024/25 season after ending his 15-year association with Punjab, which he led to a historic Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title. After missing the entire 2025/26 domestic calendar, the right-handed Mandeep has rejoined the north-eastern side. In his previous stint with Tripura, Mandeep made significant contributions across all formats -- playing six Ranji Trophy games, six Vijay Hazare Trophy matches, and seven Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 games. He notched an unbeaten 124 alongside five fifties in red-ball cricket, three half-centuries in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, including a top score of 94 against Bengal, and two fifties in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Mandeep features alongside high-profile outstation recruits Hanuma Vihari and Swapnil Singh in the 18-member squad announced by the Tripura Cricket Association (TCA). Experienced seam-bowling all-rounder Mani Sankar Mura Singh will lead the team, with pacer Abhijit Sarkar, who was in the East Zone team that won this years Duleep Trophy, serving as the vice-captain. Tripura have also overhauled their support staff and have appointed former domestic batter and umpire Satrajit Lahiri as head coach. Lahiri, a Deodhar Trophy winner with East Zone in 1996/97, holds Level C coaching certification from the BCCI and Level 3 credentials from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Lahiri is supported by batting coach Aniruddha Saha, bowling coach Rajib Saha, physio Deepti Ranjan Parida, strength and conditioning coach Yuvraj Salvi, throwdown specialist Jayanta Debnath, masseur Niloyjyoti Saha, and video analyst Partha Banik. Tripura have also overhauled their support staff and have appointed former domestic batter and umpire Satrajit Lahiri as head coach. Lahiri, a Deodhar Trophy winner with East Zone in 1996/97, holds Level C coaching certification from the BCCI and Level 3 credentials from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

BJP Critiques Punjab Government Following High Courts CBI Directive on Corruption Allegations

BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu criticizes Punjabs AAP government after High Court orders CBI probe into corruption allegations against officials. BJP Critiques Punjab Government Following High Courts CBI Directive on Corruption Allegations

BJP Criticizes Punjab Government Amid Corruption Allegations

BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu questions the integrity of Punjabs AAP government following a High Court order on corruption investigations. BJP Criticizes Punjab Government Amid Corruption Allegations

PNB launches special festival campaign, announces offers for retail loans

Punjab National Bank has launched its 2026 festive retail loan campaign, offering concessions across home, car and other retail loans. Under the scheme, home loan borrowers will get a full waiver of upfront and processing fees along with a 5-basis-point rate concession, while car loans will also carry a full fee waiver.

Punjab Police investigates firing on ASI Sukhchain Singh near Amritsar

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'Dishonest Mann': BJP after HC hands Punjab govt corruption case to CBI

Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 5 (IANS) BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government in the state after the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed that the investigation into letters sent by the ED, containing allegations of corruption against Chief Minister's Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Rajbir Singh Ghuman and others, be handed over to the CBI. Targeting Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Bittu alleged that the developments had raised serious questions about the functioning and accountability of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), particularly in view of the AAP government's repeated claims of providing a corruption-free administration. It's not Bhagwant Mann, it's dishonest Mann. The man who came to power with the promise of making Punjab corruption-free must now answer serious questions about his own office. AAP's lofty claims of 'radical honesty' are being truly tested today, Bittu said. The BJP leader said the High Court's intervention had raised serious concerns about accountability at the highest levels of the state government. He described the allegations concerning the Chief Minister's Office as extremely worrying and said the people of Punjab deserved clear and transparent answers rather than political slogans, explanations or excuses. Bittu also referred to recent controversies and allegations surrounding ministers' residences in Chandigarh, saying that such developments had further contributed to questions being raised by the public about those holding positions of power in the state. He said the continuing questions surrounding people in positions of authority required an impartial, detailed and credible investigation so that the facts could be established through due legal process. Bittu particularly praised advocate Nikhil Saraf, who pursued the matter before the High Court despite alleged pressure and threats. According to Bittu, the advocate had filed a petition running into more than 200 pages, in which serious allegations were raised regarding the functioning of the CMO. The allegations mentioned in the petition include claims that illegal payments were allegedly being demanded in connection with the appointments and transfers of government officials, major development projects undertaken by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) and Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA), arms licences, land-related matters and mining activities. The Chief Minister has full authority to transfer officials and make administrative decisions in the interest of the state. But this authority should not be used as a means of alleged corruption or undue influence. If the allegations against the Chief Minister's Office are proven true, it would be a serious betrayal of public trust, Bittu said. He also questioned the response of the Punjab government to the ED letters, claiming that the state government had been allowed by the High Court to present its position in the matter. Bittu said that, according to those familiar with the proceedings, four letters had been sent to the Punjab Director General of Police seeking a response, but no response was received. Welcoming the High Court's decision to hand over the investigation to the CBI, Bittu said the probe should be carried out independently and without fear or favour. He demanded that anyone found to have been involved in wrongdoing should be held accountable, irrespective of their official position, political standing or influence. The people of Punjab were promised 'radical honesty,' but today the credibility of that slogan is facing the ultimate test. The public wants to know the true nature of the claims of a corruption-free government and its actual functioning. The truth must be revealed through a CBI investigation, and anyone found guilty must face strict legal action, he added. AAP came to power claiming it would rid the system of corruption. But today, questions are being raised about the very office from which the government is run. Slogans and self-proclaimed honesty cannot evade accountability. Punjab needs answers from Bhagwant Mann, not excuses! Bittu said.

Punjab Remote Sensing Centre Recruitment 2026 - Apply Offline for Clerk, Lab Attendant

The Punjab Remote Sensing Centre Recruitment 2026 for posts of 06 Clerk, Lab Attendant & More Posts. Candidates with Any Graduate, BCA, B.Sc, Diploma, 10TH Can Apply Offline. The Offline application opens on 31-08-2026, and closes on 27-10-2026 (extended). The candidate shall apply Offline through Punjab Remote Sensing Centre website, prsc.punjab.gov.in.

Political Storm In Punjab Over Law And Order, Corruption Allegations

Punjab is facing a political storm as the BJP criticizes the Aam Aadmi Party government over deteriorating law and order, highlighted by four recent murders. Concurrently, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a CBI probe into corruption allegations against individuals linked to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, further intensifying political pressure on the AAP ahead of state elections.

CBI Probe Into Punjab Corruption Allegations Sparks Political Storm

The controversy stems from an ED investigation into alleged irregularities in land-use permissions and government dealings.

'I had only one goal that is to win trophies, says Abhishek on his impact-first approach

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 5 (IANS) Abhishek Sharma has credited the freedom provided by his teammates and coaches for allowing him to embrace an aggressive, impact-driven approach, saying his ambition has never been centred on personal milestones but on helping India and his teams win trophies. The 26-year-old, who was part of Indias ICC Mens T20 World Cup-winning side, discussed his playing philosophy ahead of the new home season against the West Indies. Abhishek traced the development of his mindset to his domestic cricket days, when he began placing greater emphasis on influencing matches rather than chasing individual numbers. When I started, I thought that I have to play in a way that I can play impactful innings for my team. That started from my Punjab team in domestic cricket and we won the domestic T20 competition in 2024. From there, I feel, a mindset developed that I dont have to chase milestones, because thats not in your hands. Whats in your hands is how much impact you can make. That is how I want to play, no matter what opposition we are playing. As an individual, I never had this urge that I should achieve this, achieve that. I had only one goal that I have to win trophies. I feel that you need a lot of support from the team, the management, the coaches, the captain, because they know how you play. I feel they have helped me quite a lot, the entire team, not just the support staff, even the players as well, senior players. So now, like it has happened for me when I was new, the new players should also get that freedom, they should feel that they belong here. So, I really enjoy that when I talk with Vaibhav or with other young players, Abhishek told JioStar. That backing, according to Abhishek, has been crucial in allowing him to play without being constrained by the pressure of reaching specific statistical targets.

Experience The New Punjabi Music Video 'Sirfiray' by Siippyy Gill

Get ready to be swept away by the latest punjabi track 'Sirfiray' beautifully sung by Siippyy Gill. This captivating track feature mesmerizing music given by Deep Jandu and beautiful lyrics are penned by Siippyy Gill. Don't miss the chance to witness Siippyy Gill's performance in the captivating punjabi video track 'Sirfiray'. Dive into a world of musical excellence by exploring more punjabi tracks in the music videos section of punjabi ETimes. Discover the incredible vocal talents of Siippyy Gill. Indulge in the latest punjabi video tracks of 2026, groove to the soulful compositions by Deep Jandu, immerse in the punjabi music video tracks.

Experience The New Punjabi Music Video 'Must' by Khushi Pandher ft. Gurlej Akhtar

Get ready to be swept away by the latest punjabi track 'Must' beautifully sung by Khushi Pandher ft. Gurlej Akhtar. This captivating track feature mesmerizing music given by Black Virus and beautiful lyrics are penned by Khushi Pandher. Don't miss the chance to witness Khushi Pandher ft. Gurlej Akhtar's performance in the captivating punjabi video track 'Must'. Dive into a world of musical excellence by exploring more punjabi tracks in the music videos section of punjabi ETimes. Discover the incredible vocal talents of Khushi Pandher ft. Gurlej Akhtar. Indulge in the latest punjabi video tracks of 2026, groove to the soulful compositions by Black Virus, immerse in the punjabi music video tracks.

We welcome this decision: Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira after Court directs CBI probe into CM Bhagwant Mann's OSD

Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Monday welcomed the Punjab and Haryana High Court's directive to hand over the case involving Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Rajbir Singh Ghumman, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Speaking to ANI, he said that the High Court has ordered a comprehensive report from the CBI within two months The Congress party welcomes the Punjab High Court's order passed today that an FIR should first be registered against the Chief Minister's OSD, Rajveer Ghuman, and that they have immediately transferred his case to the CBI, asking the CBI to submit its report to us within two months. So, those who claimed to be staunchly loyal to Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, the High Court delivered its verdict on their Chief Minister's office today, he said. In a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Khaira alleged that Punjab has effectively turned into a police state where state machinery is weaponised against critics. Pun...

Punjab HC orders CBI probe into CM Bhagwant Mann

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Q2 business update impact: PNB, Bank of Baroda, AU Small Finance Bank shares jump up to 4%. What lies ahead?

Shares of Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda and AU Small Finance Bank rose up to 4% after strong Q2 business updates. Deposits and advances recorded robust year-on-year growth across the lenders, boosting investor sentiment. Analysts expect loan growth momentum to continue, though near-term margins could remain under pressure amid surplus liquidity.

Blaze at Sundaragada PNB Triggers Alarm, Short Circuit Suspected

An early morning fire broke out at a Punjab National Bank (PNB) branch in Sundaragada town, triggering panic among local residents and business owners in the bustling commercial district. The incident occurred around 8:00 AM at the PNB branch situated directly opposite the Sundaragada Head Post Office. Thick plumes of smoke and visible flames were [] The post Blaze at Sundaragada PNB Triggers Alarm, Short Circuit Suspected appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .

Punjab High Court Orders CBI Investigation into Corruption Allegations Linked to Chief Ministers Office

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the CBI to investigate corruption allegations involving officials linked to the Chief Ministers office. Punjab High Court Orders CBI Investigation into Corruption Allegations Linked to Chief Ministers Office

Rabbi Shergill: Art has disappeared a little

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 5 (IANS) Known for belting out hits such as Bulla Ki Jaana, Tere Bin, Challa and Heer, singer-songwriter Rabbi Shergill, who a decade ago had said that art was slowly losing space to entertainment, feels little has changed as she said that there is a little less space for art. Talking to IANS about how the landscape of art and entertainment has evolved over the past decade, Shergill reflected on his earlier observation that art is slowly dying and entertainment is taking its place, and shared whether he still feels the same way today or believes there has been a change. I think this has become a little subjective. My opinion is that, by and large, there is a little less space for art, said Rabbi, who has been called Punjabi music's true urban balladeer He added: And I feel that, you can imagine, have you heard any political song in the last 10 years? Have you seen any political film in the last 10 years? So these are some of the questions I think the viewers, the beginners, can answer themselves. Sheirgill, whose music has been described variously as rock, Punjabi, with a bani style melody, and sufiana, and semi-Sufi semi-folksy kind of music with a lot of Western arrangements, concluded: I feel that art has disappeared a little. His chartbuster hit Bullah Ki Jaana was based on the Kafi poem written by the Punjabi Sufi saint Bulleh Shah. He lent his voice to Yash Chopra's 2012 romantic film Jab Tak Hai Jaan starring Shah Rukh Khan as she crooned the leading number Challa composed by A. R. Rahman and the lyrics penned by Gulzar. Talking about Jab Tak Hai Jaan, the romantic drama film stars SRK as Samar Anand, a bomb disposal expert for the Indian Army, formerly as a struggling immigrant in London and whirlwind romance with Meera Thappar, based on a diary falls into the hands of Akira Rai, a Discovery Channel documentary filmmaker.

Punjab govt corruption case: Pratap Bajwa welcomes HC order on CBI probe

Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 5 (IANS) Leader of Opposition in Punjab Legislative Assembly, Pratap Singh Bajwa, on Monday welcomed the Punjab and Haryana High Court's decision to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case of the letter written by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to the DGP of Punjab. He said that those who looted the state must be punished, irrespective of their standing. This came as the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday ordered that the case of the letter written by the ED to Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav be handed over to the CBI. Taking to X, Bajwa said, I welcome the Hon'ble High Court's decision and hope the CBI conducts a fair, impartial and time-bound investigation. Those who looted Punjab's exchequer must be booked and punished, irrespective of how powerful they are. The CBI has also been ordered to submit its report within two months. The ED had written three letters to Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav in which it was said that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman and his associates Nitin Gohal and Bir Devinder were involved in corruption and an FIR should be registered against them. The agency has alleged that they were interfering in administrative transfers and postings as well as government tenders. When the Punjab Police did not register a case in this matter, a PIL was filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in which a demand was made to hand over the case to the CBI. The PIL was filed by Advocate Nikhil Saraf. In the petition, Saraf had said the Enforcement Directorate's letter levels several serious allegations against the officials linked to the Punjab Chief Minister's Office. Saraf argued that the cases should be handed over to the CBI for a fair and independent investigation, which is free from the influence of the Punjab Police and Punjab Vigilance. The petitioner also sought a detailed investigation into the money trail and strict action against those found guilty.

ED letters to Punjab DGP: HC orders CBI probe; demands report in two months

Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 5 (IANS) The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday ordered that the case of the letters written by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to the DGP of Punjab be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CBI has also been ordered to submit its report within two months. The ED had written three letters to Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, in which it was said that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman and his associates Nitin Gohal and Bir Devinder were involved in corruption, and an FIR should be registered against them. The agency has alleged that they were interfering in administrative transfers and postings, as well as government tenders. When the Punjab Police did not register a case in this matter, a PIL was filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court in which a demand was made to hand over the case to the CBI. The PIL was filed by Advocate Nikhil Saraf. In the petition, Saraf had said the Enforcement Directorate's letter levels several serious allegations against the officials linked to the Punjab Chief Minister's Office. Saraf argued that the cases should be handed over to the CBI for a fair and independent investigation, which is free from the influence of the Punjab Police and Punjab Vigilance. The petitioner also sought a detailed investigation into the money trail and strict action against those found guilty. Last month, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) urged Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to recommend a time-bound, court-monitored CBI probe into the organised corruption racket being operated from the Chief Minister's office. Asserting that when the CMO, the CM's OSD and the Chief Minister's wife were the subject of allegations and the state investigation agencies were proving ineffective, SAD urged the Governor to exercise his powers under Article 167 to call for a report from the Chief Secretary and the DGP as to why no FIR had been registered on the ED's reference. The representation also urged the Governor to intervene with the state government, and urged the Union government to conduct a court-monitored, time-bound CBI probe into all corruption cases disclosed in the EDs reference, including the role of every public servant, intermediary, developer and beneficiary and the money trail. The BJP had also questioned the police's inaction on the matter. We therefore demand an independent Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the entire matter, former Union Minister Vijay Sampla had told the media. Sampla said the ED reference, based on material gathered during its investigation in a case, contained serious allegations relating to criminal conspiracy, corruption, unauthorised leakage of confidential government information, interference in transfers and postings, manipulation of government policies and tenders, illegal gratification and other cognisable offences. Sampla demanded registration of a first information report (FIR) sought by the ED, preservation of all digital, documentary, and financial evidence, and a time-bound CBI investigation into the entire matter, including the roles of Gohal, Ghuman, and all other persons named in the ED material.

Singh vs Kaur 2 | Song - Duniya

Watch the song 'Duniya' from Punjabi movie 'Singh vs Kaur 2' starring Gippy Grewal, Shehnaaz Gill, Prince Kanwaljit Singh and Raghveer Boli. 'Duniya' is sung by Gippy Grewal and music of the song is given by Kulshan Sandhu. Lyrics of 'Singh vs Kaur 2' song 'Duniya' are written by Fateh Shergill. 'Singh vs Kaur 2' is directed by Navaniat Singh and produced by Gippy Grewal, Ravneet Kaur Grewal, Shrikant Mohta and Mahendra Soni. 'Singh vs Kaur 2' also stars Honey Mattu, Gulzar Chahal, Rupinder Rupi and Gurpreet Bhangu in pivotal roles. To know more about 'Duniya' song from Gippy Grewal and Shehnaaz Gill starrer 'Singh vs Kaur 2' watch the video.

Two Punjabi Women Stranded in Oman Return Safely After Sant Seechewal

Families Allege Job Fraud, Passport Seizure and Extortion; Around 130 More Women Reportedly Stranded in Muscat Ashok Kaura Phagwara , October 3: Two Punjabi women from Jalandhar and Kapurthala districts, who were allegedly stranded and subjected to exploitation in Oman after being promised jobs, have returned safely to India following intervention by Rajya Sabha MP []

Punjab Is Fighting Final

ASHOK KAURA Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday announced 10,000 new recruitments in the Punjab Police to root out drugs, as he declared that the state is fighting the final and decisive Yudh Nashean Virudh. During a first-of-its-kind SHO Milni and honouring police officers for outstanding work during the campaign, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann []

Mohun Bagan edge past Punjab FC 4-3 on penalties to win IFA Shield

Punjab FC went down narrowly 3-4 on penalties to defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant to end their campaign at IFA Shield here on Sunday. The Shers stayed competitive throughout 120 minutes and came close to finding the breakthrough on several occasions before Mohun Bagan prevailed in the shootout. The defending champions will face the winner of the second semifinal between East Bengal FC and NorthEast United FC in the final. Punjab FC were tested by an intense Mohun Bagan press in the opening stages but remained compact and organised. The first chance came in the third minute when Lallianzuala Chhangte's effort took a slight deflection, but Arshdeep Singh kept his composure to collect. Mohun Bagan threatened again five minutes later when Asish Rai reached an aerial through ball and set up Lee Erwin with a first-time pass after Arshdeep rushed off his line. The Punjab FC defence recovered quickly to block Erwin's effort and clear the danger. Erwin then tested Arshdeep from a

Amritsar: Punjab Police ASI injured in firing by motorcycle-borne assailants

On Sunday evening, Sukhchain Singh, an ASI with Punjab Police, was shot at while returning home. The assailants fired from a motorcycle and fled the scene immediately after the attack. Singh sustained a bullet injury to his arm and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Police officials have initiated an investigation into the shooting incident, which raises concerns over law enforcement safety.

Punjab former sarpanch shot '10-odd rounds' on dashcam; land dispute?

Delhi AQI remains moderate, several areas record poor air quality

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 5 (IANS) Delhis air quality remained in the moderate category on Monday, although several parts of the national capital recorded pollution levels in the poor category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). As per CPCB data, overall air quality in Delhi remained moderate, with several monitoring stations reporting elevated pollution levels. Mandir Marg recorded an AQI of 146, Aya Nagar 140, Punjabi Bagh 212, CRRI Mathura Road 225, Shadipur 175, IGI Airport (T3) 187, Alipur 238, JNU 135, R.K. Puram 193, Mundka 257, Wazirpur 221, Vivek Vihar 230, Okhla Phase-2 203, Cantonment Area 87, Nehru Nagar 144 and Anand Vihar 179. The deterioration in air quality comes as Delhi enters the period when pollution levels typically begin to rise sharply. The national capital had witnessed its most polluted start to October in recent years, with the situation worsening over the past few days. On Sunday, Delhi recorded its worst air quality of the season, with the citys average AQI reaching 187, placing it at the higher end of the moderate category. The rise in pollution follows a brief period of relatively cleaner air, when rainfall and strong winds helped disperse pollutants. However, declining wind speeds, the absence of rain and localised emissions have contributed to the renewed deterioration in air quality. PM10, consisting largely of coarse and inhalable particles originating from sources such as road dust, construction activity and biomass burning, has been among the major pollutants during the recent deterioration. Of the 43 operational air quality monitoring stations in Delhi, 14 recorded AQI levels in the poor category in the average 4 p.m. bulletin. Mundka reported the highest AQI at 273, followed by 257 at both CRRI Mathura Road and Narela, while Jahangirpuri recorded an AQI of 237. The Delhi Cantonment area recorded the lowest AQI at 97, falling in the satisfactory category. Under CPCBs classification, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor and 401-500 severe. CPCB data also indicated that Delhi has witnessed one of its most polluted starts to October in the last six years. The average AQI during the first four days of October was 174.5 in 2026, compared with 119.75 in 2025, 167.25 in 2024, 155 in 2023, 161.25 in 2022, 107.25 in 2021 and 176.25 in 2020. Air quality in Delhi-NCR generally begins deteriorating from mid-September. Stubble burning, followed by emissions from vehicles, industries, power plants and biomass burning, contributes significantly to winter pollution. Firecrackers during the festive season, particularly around Diwali, can further aggravate the situation despite restrictions. The Commission for Air Quality Managements expert assessment has identified PM2.5 as a key pollutant affecting Delhis air quality, with secondary particulates formed from various combustion-related emissions contributing significantly during winter.

GRP Personnel Shot at by Three Assailants in Punjabs Ajnala

Recounting the attack, the injured GRP personnel said the assailants ambushed him and sped away immediately after firing

GRP personnel shot at by three unidentified men in Amritsar; BJP condemns attack, questions Mann govt

GRP personnel shot at by three unidentified men in Amritsar; BJP condemns attack, questions Mann govt New Delhi: An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of the Punjab Police, who is currently posted with the Government Railway Police (GRP), was shot at by three unidentified motorcycle-borne men while he was returning home from duty in Amritsar, with the [] The post GRP personnel shot at by three unidentified men in Amritsar; BJP condemns attack, questions Mann govt appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Heroin Seizures Along Punjab Border More Than Double as Smugglers Shift Tactics

The scale of cross-border narcotics trafficking along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab has emerged The post Heroin Seizures Along Punjab Border More Than Double as Smugglers Shift Tactics appeared first on Khalsa Vox .

Mad Sandhu killing: vanishing social media posts and Punjabs queer history

The killing of Mad Sandhu has left police chasing unverified online claims while queer voices in Punjab draw attention to a history of gender and sexual expression that predates todays anxieties over visibility

Retail store fined Rs 10k for selling expired Rs 75 mosquito repellant

To save water, agri varsity seeks ground for groundnut in Punjab

Hardware price surge drives student demand for refurbished laptops

Jammu and Kashmir: Pakistani prisoner dies by suicide in jail

Shahid Imran, a 36-year-old Pakistani undertrial prisoner, was found unconscious in his jail cell early Sunday. He was a resident of Sargooda district in Punjab, Pakistan. Authorities rushed him to GMCH where doctors declared him brought dead. The incident occurred at the high-security central jail in Jammu. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death is likely to follow.

10-year jail for peddler caught with 100g narcotics in 2019

Congress Criticizes Punjab Government Over Sikhya Kranti Claims

Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa targets Punjabs AAP government over education system failures, highlighting discrepancies in Sikhya Kranti claims. Congress Criticizes Punjab Government Over Sikhya Kranti Claims

Cross-Border Arms Network Busted In Punjab, AK-47, Grenades Seized

The accused, identified as Navjot Singh, a resident of Tarn Taran district, was intercepted while riding a motorcycle.

Reward announced for absconding caretaker in retired IAS officers murder in Bhopal

Digital Desk | Bhopal, Oct 4 (IANS) Police have announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for information leading to the arrest of Varun Kumar, the absconding caretaker accused in the murder of retired IAS officer Rakesh Agarwal at his residence in Bhopal. The accused has been on the run since the incident, and a dozen police teams are currently searching for him across five states. According to police sources, a reward of Rs 50000 has been announced on him, as the search for Varun Kumar is underway in Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Teams are conducting raids at his possible hideouts and locations linked to his relatives. Family members in Patiala and other places have already been questioned. Technical teams are actively analysing the accuseds mobile and digital footprints to track his movements. Police have also examined CCTV footage of the routes he took after the crime. Investigation so far indicates that after the incident, Varun reached Bhopal railway station and boarded a train heading towards Delhi. Preliminary police investigations have revealed that the accused, Varun, is originally from Gwalior. He obtained the documents using his elder sister's address, who lives in Patiala, Punjab. Police are now coordinating with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh Police to intensify efforts to arrest the accused. With the help of the cyber cell, the accused's mobile phone's IMEI number and tower location are being analysed to trace his movements. Separate teams have been deployed to gather information about his possible contacts and potential hideouts. Retired IAS officer Rakesh Agarwal was murdered on Wednesday morning at his residence in Surajnagar, Bhopal. His body was found lying on the floor of a room, with sharp-weapon injuries visible on the neck. Locks of the almirahs in the house were found broken. In the kitchen, the pipe of an LPG cylinder had been disconnected, filling the entire house with gas, suggesting an attempt to set the house on fire after the murder. Police said the investigation is progressing on multiple fronts, with teams continuing to comb through digital evidence and physical locations linked to the absconding caretaker. Further details are expected as the multi-state search intensifies, and technical analysis yields more leads.

Analysis: Drugs To Corruption To Education, AAP In Punjab Faces Heat On Many Fronts

The latest flashpoint is education, after AAP's Maur MLA Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana publicly raised questions over teacher shortages in government schools and was subsequently suspended by the party for alleged indiscipline and anti-party activities.

No Pass, No Goal: Bhagwant Mann's Hockey Jab At Punjab Congress. New Chief Pargat Singh

I hope his team members also pass him the ball, because without a pass, no goal can be scored, Bhagant Mann said.

Haryana Congress Leader Backs 'No Chief Minister Face' Policy, Cites Punjab

In a letter to the Congress leadership, Kuldeep Sharma backed Punjab in-charge Sachin Pilot's reported formulation that the party should contest elections under collective leadership.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann thanks citizens for support, highlights welfare scheme aiding 68.5 lakh women

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Every Mother

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday declared every mother and sister of Punjab as the brand ambassador of the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, calling the initiative a first-of-its-kind social revolution that is strengthening women's dignity, self-respect and financial autonomy.

Pakistan's information watchdogs left without a public voice for years: Report

Digital Desk | Islamabad, Oct 4 (IANS) Pakistan's right to information commissions have been running without their civil society members for years, leaving the public with no seat on the bodies meant to enforce its constitutional right to know, a report said. Each commission has a retired bureaucrat and a senior jurist, filling two of the three slots, barring Balochistan, which has four seats. However, the civil-society seats in the Federal Commission and Sindh have remained vacant since January 2024, in Punjab since March 2025, and in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) since April 2026, Pakistani daily Dawn reported. The commissions were set up to enforce Article 19-A of the Constitution independently of the government, with the civil society member meant to bring the public's view. Zahid Abdullah, a former Federal Information Commissioner, said the vacancy has real consequences. When this (civil society Commissioner) position remains vacant, an important balance built into the composition of the commission is lost, Abdullah said. Where two serving members disagree, there is no third commissioner to establish a majority and resolve the matter, he said, as per the report. The Punjab commission has also proposed 14 amendments to the province's 2013 transparency law in its 2024-25 annual report. The report said these raise questions about whether the commission is making access to information easier or adding obstacles. The proposals include exemptions for records relating to pending matters and internal correspondence; rejection of requests deemed 'vexatious', 'malafide' or 'vague'; personal attendance requirements for citizens submitting requests electronically; and extending the period for deciding complaints from 60 to 90 days, it said. The problems are not limited to Punjab. Karachi-based activist Naeem Sadiq says he gets information in only about half of his roughly 200 cases, and rates Punjab the worst performer, followed by Sindh and the federal system. In Balochistan, Information Commissioner Abdul Shakoor cites a lack of staff and office space, and delays in releasing the commission's budget. Pakistan may have the relevant legislation, but citizens continue to encounter delays, bureaucratic resistance and institutional barriers when attempting to exercise that right, the report said. The World Justice Project's 2025 index ranks Pakistan 130th of 143 countries on rule of law. Its open government score is 0.39, against a global average of 0.52. Civil society groups, including the Free and Fair Election Network, have called for more transparency in how information commissioners are appointed. These proposals point towards a common principle: transparency cannot be effectively enforced by institutions that are themselves opaque, inaccessible or insufficiently accountable. Otherwise, the institutions created to open the doors of government may themselves become another bureaucratic door that citizens struggle to get through, the report said.

Punjab police bust Pakistan-linked terror module, arrest 28-year-old with AK-47, grenades

Amritsar Rural Police conducted an operation that resulted in the arrest of a suspect linked to terrorism. The accused, Navjot Singh, was found with an AK-47 rifle and hand grenades. Police stated that the weapons were allegedly smuggled into India via drones from Pakistan. Investigations revealed connections to handlers in both Pakistan and the Middle East.

Punjab FC's IFA Shield run ends in penalty shootout

Punjab FC's IFA Shield campaign concluded after a narrow 3-4 defeat on penalties to defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the semi-final. The match remained goalless after 120 minutes of competitive play, with both teams creating chances before the shootout decided the winner.

BJPs Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra reaches 3,000 drug-affected families, claims party

Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 4 (IANS) Behind Punjabs growing concern over drug abuse are thousands of families struggling to save their loved ones from addiction. Bringing their stories and concerns into the spotlight, the BJPs nearly two-week-long Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra reached out to 3,000 families affected by drugs while traversing all 117 Assembly constituencies in the state, the party said on Sunday. Describing the campaign as a peoples movement rather than a political exercise, the BJP said the yatra sought to give a voice to families battling the consequences of drug abuse and mobilise public support for a drug-free Punjab. According to a report compiled by the party, the campaign travelled nearly 4,000 km and organised 474 programmes, including public rallies, roadshows, reception events and street-corner meetings. The yatra, it claimed, directly reached 49.5 lakh people, while its social media content garnered 6.5 crore views. The campaign was conducted in four parts, with senior state leaders accompanying all four yatras. It culminated in Jalandhar on September 30 with an address by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Launched on September 18 from Madhopur in Pathankot in the presence of BJP president Nitin Nabin and state chief Kewal Singh Dhillon, the first leg covered 35 Assembly constituencies and 10 organisational districts. Travelling around 1,250 km, it directly connected with over 4.3 lakh people, while its overall outreach exceeded 15.5 lakh. The second leg began from Fatehgarh Sahib on September 19, with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta participating as the chief guest. Covering 26 Assembly constituencies and nine organisational districts over approximately 920 km, it directly reached 3.5 lakh people, with total outreach crossing 13 lakh. The third yatra was launched from Fazilka on September 20 by Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. It covered 25 constituencies and eight organisational districts, travelling around 910 km and directly reaching nearly three lakh people. Its overall outreach was estimated at 12 lakh. The fourth leg started on September 21 from Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo, with Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan participating. It covered 27 constituencies and nine organisational districts over approximately 850 km, directly reaching four lakh people and recording a total outreach of around nine lakh. Taking the anti-drug message beyond political platforms, the BJP also sought to connect the campaign with Punjabs religious and cultural traditions. During the yatra, party leaders visited seven temples, 23 gurdwaras and 10 deras. Street plays and Dhadi performances formed an important part of the awareness campaign, with 226 street plays and 225 Dhadi music programmes organised to communicate the dangers of drug abuse through local art and storytelling. State BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon said the response from people across Punjab reflected the campaigns success. He maintained that the yatra was not a political exercise but a mass movement against drugs. Citing the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to make Punjab drug-free by December 31, 2029, Dhillon said the BJP would work towards fulfilling the promise under all circumstances. While the party highlighted the campaigns extensive public outreach, its stated engagement with 3,000 drug-affected families brought the focus back to the human cost of addiction and the challenge of turning public awareness into lasting rehabilitation and a drug-free future for Punjab.

Illegal arms & explosives network busted in Punjab, AK-47 assault rifle seized

Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 4 (IANS) In a major breakthrough, Amritsar Rural Police has dismantled an illegal arms and explosives supply network with the arrest of an individual and recovered one AK-47 assault rifle along with a magazine and nine cartridges, and two hand grenades from his possession, Punjab's Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on Sunday. The arrested accused has been identified as Navjot Singh, 28, a truck driver by profession and a resident of Cheema in Tarn Taran. Apart from recovering arms and explosives, police teams have also impounded his motorcycle, which was used for transporting the consignment. DGP Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused was allegedly linked to foreign-based smugglers and is involved in procuring illegal weapons. Further investigation is underway to uncover the complete network, he said. Sharing operational details, Inspector General of Police, Border Range, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that acting on precise intelligence inputs, special teams of Amritsar Rural Police launched a targeted operation and intercepted the accused when he was riding a motorcycle. During the search, police teams recovered an AK-47 assault rifle along with a magazine and cartridges and two live hand grenades, he said. Senior Superintendent of Police, Amritsar Rural, Kanwalpreet Singh Chahal said that the operation was executed under the close supervision of Superintendent of Police, Investigation, Ramandeep Singh, and Deputy Superintendents of Police Gurinderpal Singh Nagra and Yadwinder Singh. A first information report under section 25 (8) of the Arms Act and Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act has been registered at the police station in Gharinda in Amritsar Rural on September 30 . Last week, Amritsar Rural Police dismantled an illegal arms and narcotics supply network with the arrest of three persons, comprising a woman, her husband, and her brother. The police had recovered 10.030 kg heroin, two sophisticated assault rifles, including an AK-47 and an AK-56, along with three magazines and 10 cartridges from their possession.

Mayawati holds review meeting with Uttarakhand BSP leaders, discusses SIR

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) National President and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Sunday held a meeting with senior officials of BSP Uttarakhand State, in which the party said that she conducted an in-depth review of the latest status of the voter list following the Election Commission's SIR revision, along with the progress in selecting strong and effective party candidates for the upcoming Assembly General Elections in UP and Punjab, as well as other election preparations. According to a release from the party shared by Mayawati, in this meeting held at the BSP Central Camp Office, a review was conducted on the status of reorganising committees up to the polling booth level following the SIR of the voter list, to be completed at a war footing, and instructions were given to address the shortcomings in a time-bound manner. In the release, following the SIR, the names of approximately 9 lakh voters have been allegedly removed from the voter list, but efforts must certain...

Punjab Court Clerk Recruitment 2026: 1,270 Vacancies Announced, Apply From October 7

Punjab Court Clerk Recruitment 2026 notification has been released for 1,270 posts. Check eligibility, important dates, selection process and application details.

Hope their players will support them: Punjab CM Mann on Pargat Singh's appointment as PCC Chief

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday congratulated former Indian hockey captain Pargat Singh on his appointment as the new Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president, saying he hoped the PCC chief would receive support from his party colleagues and players. Speaking to reporters on Pargat Singh's appointment, CM Mann said,