Punjab all set for mock drills in 20 towns as nation ramps up defence preparedness
CHANDIGARH: Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, civil defence mock drills will be held at 20 places in Punjab, besides several locations in Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh on Wednesday, as per instructions issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). In Punjab, the mock drills will be held in Amritsar, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Batala, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Adampur, Halwara, Patiala, Pathankot, Barnala, Mohali, Faridkot, Kotkapura, Rupnagar, Bhakra Nangal, Sangrur and Abohar. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, The civil defence teams and Punjab Police, along with the Home Ministry, will conduct mock drills tomorrow, adding that the state government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is closely monitoring the exercise to ensure the safety of citizens. Preparations are almost complete for conducting the mock drills. The objective of the drills is to create awareness among the public and take necessary precautions in the event of any attack, he added. Cheema said the directions of the Home Ministry will be followed during the mock drills. Sources said that public announcements will be made before the drills. As per the guidelines issued by MHA, the drills will include activation of air raid warning sirens, training of civilians, students and others in civil defence procedures to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack, implementation of crash blackout measures, early camouflaging of vital plants and installations, updating and rehearsing of evacuation plans. The ministry had asked several states to conduct mock drills on May 7 for effective civil defence. In the meeting today, the issue of sirens was raised as for many years these have not been tested thus many might be dysfunctional for that we need to first check the working of all the civil and defence siren systems and these will be tested. Thus people should not panic, said a senior functionary who took part in the meeting. MHA conducts key review meeting ahead of massive civil defence mock drill, identifies 19 'top priority' sites Meanwhile, Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma said as part of the mock drill preparations, six civil defence sirens will be sounded in the city and the Ferozepur Cantonment area from 7 to 7.15 pm on Tuesday. These sirens will be sounded for the preparation of the May 7 mock drill, she said, adding that there was no need to worry. A senior police official in Ferozepur said a blackout rehearsal will be carried out from 9 to 9.30 pm on Wednesday and police patrolling teams will be deployed. In Haryana too, mock drills will be conducted at many places, including Ambala, Faridabad, Gurugram, Hisar, Panchkula, Panipat and Rohtak. In a letter to the chief secretaries of all states and administrators of Union Territories, the MHA stated that the measures to be taken during the mock drills include the operationalisation of air-raid warning sirens, training civilians on civil-defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack and cleaning bunkers and trenches. The other measures are provisions for crash-blackout measures, early camouflaging of vital plants and installations and updating and rehearsing evacuation plans. The mock drills also include the operationalisation of hotline and radio-communication links with the Indian Air Force (IAF), testing the functionality of control rooms and shadow control rooms. It said the active participation of the district controllers, various district authorities, civil-defence wardens, volunteers, home guards (active and reservists volunteers), National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), college and school students is envisaged in the exercise. Civil defence volunteers rehearse emergency response in Lucknow ahead of nationwide mock drill
Women distribute sweets after Bathinda police demolish house of drug peddler
Bathinda police demolished properties of alleged drug peddlers, Ramesh Sahni and Kewal Singh, following numerous complaints from local women about rampant drug availability. SSP Amneet Kondal led the operation, razing Sahni's house in Beant Nagar and Singh's in Dhobiana Basti.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bathinda (AIIMS Bathinda) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 01 Junior Pharmacovigilance Associate posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the official AIIMS Bathinda website. The last date to submit the application form is 21-05-2025.
AIIMS Bathinda Group A Recruitment 2025 - Apply Offline for 18 Posts Before May 21
TheAll India Institute of Medical Sciences Bathinda (AIIMS Bathinda) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 18 Group A posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Offline through the official AIIMS Bathinda website. The last date to submit the application form is 21-05-2025.
Cobbler at Bathinda military stn investigated over suspicious WhatsApp chats
Bathinda school which triggered protests and arrests now handed over to govt board
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bathinda (AIIMS Bathinda) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 02 Senior Palliative Medicine Doctor, Palliative Care Nurse posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the official AIIMS Bathinda website. The last date to submit the application form is 02-05-2025.
Plot to attack Shah in pro-Amritpal WA group busted, 2 held
CHANDIGARH: After alleged screenshots of a WhatsApp group conversation in support of jailed pro-Khalistan leader and Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh was leaked on social media, the Punjab Police on Monday registered a case and arrested two persons in the matter. The group reportedly discussed plans to target Union home minister Amit Shah, Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia in retaliation to the one-year extension granted for Amritpals detention under the National Security Act (NSA). An FIR was registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Moga under various sections of the BNS, UAPA and the IT Act. The accused have been identified as Lakhdeep Singh Sardargarh from Bathinda, Balkar Singh from New Model Town in Khanna, and Pawandeep Singh from Khote, Moga. Among them, Balkar and Pawandeep have been arrested. DIG (Faridkot Range) Ashwani Kapoor said, A case has been registered by Moga police and two accused have been arrested while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other unidentified persons. The alleged screenshots and audio recordings related to the matter have already been shared with security agencies, police added. Police sources claimed the WhatsApp group, which has over 600 members, discussed plans of targeted strikes to avenge the extension of Amitpal Singhs detention. The group conversation allegedly included details on foreign funding, arms procurement, and circulation of inflammatory content online, they added. Sources claimed the leaked chats have revealed that certain members were willing to sacrifice their lives for the cause provided their families are assured protection. According to the sources, the pro-Khalistan group accused Union ministers Shah and Bittu, Akali dal elder Bikram Majithia, and Parminder Singh Talwara, an aide to the late Waris Punjab De founder Deep Sidhu, for their assumed role in keeping the Waris Punjab De chief in jail.
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Police on Monday registered a case and arrested two individuals in connection with a WhatsApp group chat that allegedly expressed support for jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh and detailed plans to target senior political leaders. Screenshots of the chat, which surfaced on social media, reportedly included discussions about attacking Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, in response to the one-year extension of Amritpals detention under the National Security Act (NSA). A First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Moga under Sections 61(2)(a), 113(3), 152, and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Information Technology Act. The accused have been identified as Lakhdeep Singh Sardargarh from Bathinda, Balkar Singh from New Model Town, Khanna, and Pawandeep Singh from Khote, Moga. Of the three, Balkar and Pawandeep have been arrested. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Faridkot Range) Ashwani Kapoor said, A case has been registered by Moga Police at the Cyber Station and two accused have been arrested. Other unidentified persons, once they are identified, will be arrested. Sources claimed that the WhatsApp group, which has more than 600 members, reportedly discussed plans to strike and take revenge against Shah, Bittu, Majithia, and Parminder Singh Talwara, an aide to the late Deep Sidhu, founder of Waris Punjab De . The group blamed them for playing a key role in keeping Amritpal in jail. Screenshots and audio recordings from the group chat have been shared with security agencies. The discussions on this group allegedly took place in the background of the extension of Amritpal's detention under the NSA. Police sources claim the group chat included discussions on foreign funding, arms procurement, and the circulation of inflammatory content online. They added that the leaked chats revealed some members of the group were willing to sacrifice their lives for the cause if their families were assured protection. Now security agencies are reportedly investigating these threats, as there are fears of potential violence in the state. These kinds of threats are taken seriously, whether they appear in the public sphere or otherwise, said a senior police officer on condition of anonymity. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu alleged that some pro-Khalistan elements linked to the 'Waris Punjab De' outfit - whose chief is radical preacher Amritpal Singh - were plotting to assassinate him and other political leaders in Punjab. The conspiracy has been exposed through leaked screenshots of a chat on social media platforms, he claimed. Warning that the activities of such groups were pushing the state towards instability reminiscent of its dark past, Bittu said the central government has also taken serious note of the plot hatched by the leaders of 'Waris Punjab De'. The Centre will not allow anti-national forces to destabilise Punjab. My grandfather (Beant Singh) laid down his life for peace in Punjab. I come from a family of martyrs and I am not intimidated by extremist threats. I will not allow Punjab to descend into darkness again. Those behind this conspiracy will face the consequences, he asserted. Bittu also criticised the AAP government for what he described as a lenient stance towards criminal elements masquerading as political activists. Meanwhile, senior SAD leader Majithia demanded the immediate arrest of all members of the WhatsApp group linked with the Akali Dal Waris Punjab De party and Amritpal who were planning the execution of high-profile politicians. He demanded a NIA probe into the matter. Majithia announced that he would forward all the evidence in his possession to the Centre, stating that the Punjab Police had become politicised and could not be trusted to investigate Amritpal and his associates. He also questioned why Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was silent on such a crucial matter. Are the Punjab Police, which have all the evidence in their possession, and the Chief Minister waiting for someone to die? he asked. Majithia also released details of the WhatsApp conversations on the Akali Dal Waris Punjab De Team Moga page, in which team members asserted that they were ready to become martyrs and asked if their families would be looked after in the event they carried out political assassinations of leaders including Ravneet Bittu, Bikram Singh Majithia, and Amit Shah. He also released an audio clip in which a woman is allegedly heard instigating members to become suicide bombers. The Punjab government has extended Amritpal's detention by one more year. He is currently lodged in Central Jail at Dibrugarh in Assam. He was detained under the NSA after his arrest on 23 April 2023. Amritpal's father, Tarsem Singh, on Sunday criticised the AAP government for extending his son's detention under the NSA. Amritpal, who styled himself after slain Khalistani militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, was arrested in Rode village in Moga district on 23 April 2023, following a more than month-long manhunt.
Punjab Food Supply Recruitment 2025 for 9000+ Vacancies under Ration Depot
Punjab Food Supply Recruitment 2025: District Controller, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Punjab is inviting applications for Depot Holder. More than 9000 vacancies are available across the state including Fatehgarh Sahib, Sangrur, Pathanko, Childrens, Bhagat Singh NagaR, Kapurthala, Painters Cotla, Tarn Taran, S.A.S.NagaR, Mansa, Amritsar, Fazilka, Faridkot, Gurdaspur, Firozpur, Rupnagar, Patiala, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Bathinda [] The post Punjab Food Supply Recruitment 2025 for 9000+ Vacancies under Ration Depot appeared first on Testbook Blog .
Perceived rise in hostility across north India alarms Catholics in Kerala
Theres a visible tendency among some self-proclaimed representatives of the majority religion to dominate minority communities, says Fr. Jose Vallikatt, a Catholic priest based in Bathinda
Sukhbir Badal re-elected as Shiromani Akali Dal president
CHANDIGARH: Sukhbir Badal was re-elected as president of Shiromani Akali Dal during the organisational election at Amritsar. The move comes months after him resigning from the post over a religious punishment. The 105-year-old Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is grappling to maintain its political relevance in Punjab today. Party sources said that Sukhbir was both the 'favourite' and 'the only candidate. The election follow the conclusion of a three-month-long membership drive. The session for electing SADs new president was held at the Teja Singh Samundari hall in Golden Temple complex at Amritsar. It is also the administrative hub of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The SAD had chosen a total of 567 delegates -- four each from 117 assembly constituencies across the State to cast their vote for the new party chief. Badals name was proposed by partys working president Balwinder Singh Bhundar and party leader Paramjit Singh Sarna seconded it. His supporters launched a 'massive' campaign on social media, branding him as a 'development' man (vikas purush). Also, a new slogan, Punjab di pukar, Sukhbir di sarkar, was introduced. While the SAD once held significant sway over Punjab politics and had currently just two MLAs in the state assembly, Ganieve Kau, wife of former minister Bikram Singh Majithia, who is brother-in-law of Badal seen as a loyalist of the Badal camp. The other is Manpreet Singh Ayali, who has been consistently calling for leadership change in the party. Several senior party leaders, including Badals wife and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, former ministers Bikram Singh Majithia, Daljit Singh Cheema, and senior leader Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, were present. The party will hold a political conference on April 13 at Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda, where Badal will deliver an address. With this election, he once again assumed leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal. On December 2 last year, the Akal Takht (highest temporal seat of the Sikhs) had imposed a religious punishment on Sukhbir and other senior party leaders, citing the alleged misrule of the SAD government from 2007 to 2017. The then jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Raghbir Singh had directed the partys working committee to accept Badals resignation in three days and form a new committee to initiate a membership drive. He had also directed to begin the process of electing new leadership. Earlier, Sukhbir resigned from his post as the SAD president on November 16, 2024, after being declared 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Akal Takht only to have the party working committee reject the same. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which is seen as controlled by the SAD, removed Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, Takht Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Sultan Singh and Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh from their respective positions -- doing away with all the jathedars involved in passing the decree to punish Badal. Despite not being a president, Badal remained at the helm of party affairs. He was the face of the SAD and key speaker at the Maghi Mela. On January 21, when the SAD held a membership drive as per the Akal Takhts directions, Badal was the first to join the party. Sukhbir Badal was first elected as the president of Akali Dal in December 2008, during his father Parkash Singh Badals tenure as Chief Minister. He was lauded as a leader of the future for introducing a corporate-like political culture within the party. However, dissent grew as the party faced consecutive electoral defeats, starting with the 2017 Assembly elections.
Punjab: Sukhbir Badal Elected SAD President Again
Amritsar, Apr 12: Sukhbir Singh Badal was elected president of the Shiromani Akali Dal again in the partys general delegate session that took place in Amritsar on Saturday. Badals name was proposed by partys working president Balwinder Singh Bhundar while party leader Paramjit Singh Sarna seconded it. The session for electing SADs new president was held at the Teja Singh Samundari hall in the Sri Darbar Sahib complex here. Several senior party leaders including Badals wife and Bathinda MP Harsimrat [] The post Punjab: Sukhbir Badal Elected SAD President Again appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Who Is Amandeep Kaur? Punjab Lady Cop Famous For Reels Arrested With Heroin
The 27-year-old cop, who was previously stationed in Mansa but was assigned to Bathinda Police Lines, gained attention not only for her professional role but also for her social media presence.
Swaraj Tractors, Mahindra Susten partner to develop Punjab s largest Solar captive project
MUMBAI, Apr 2: Swaraj Tractors, a division of the Mahindra Group has announced its collaboration with Mahindra Susten, the Groups clean-tech arm, to establish Punjabs largest solar group captive project-a 26 MW solar energy installation in Bathinda district. This ambitious venture is a significant step forward towards scaling up Swaraj Tractors renewable energy share to up to 50 per cent, the company said in a statement. The solar energy project developed by Mahindra Susten, will supply clean energy to four [] The post Swaraj Tractors, Mahindra Susten partner to develop Punjab s largest Solar captive project appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema today presented the Rs 2.36 lakh crore states budget for the financial year 2025-26 without imposing any new taxes. However, it is the fourth budget of the AAP government, where the pre-election promise of a scheme providing Rs 1000 per month for women was not implemented. The budget focused on tackling the drug problem with the first-ever drug census to be carried out across the state and recruiting 5000 home guards who will be deployed along the Border Security Force (BSF) to established a second line of defence at border, promoting sports, enhancing health infrastructure and improving public education. The total revenue receipts have been projected to be Rs 1,11,740 crore, of these the own tax revenue accounts for Rs 63,250 crore, and the share of central taxes has been pegged at Rs 25,703 crore and grant-in-aid from the Centre at Rs 10,576 crore. The goods and services tax (GST) target for the next financial year is Rs 27,650 crore. By the end of the next fiscal, the states outstanding debt will be Rs 3.96 lakh crore. The state will raise a loan of Rs 49,900 crore in 2025-26. The budget is being described a futuristic budget and setting a clear Badalda Punjab (Changing Punjab) Roadmap for 2025-26. Finance Minister Cheema also announced a 'Rangla Punjab Vikas Scheme' under which funds will be spent on the most important local everyday developmental needs of the people of a district. The fund will be administered by Deputy Commissioners and will be spent based on the recommendation of MLAs, community organisations, citizen groups and public-spirited people of that district, he said. While the effective revenue deficit and fiscal deficit are expected to be 2.51 per cent and 3.84 per cent, respectively. Finance Minister Cheema mentioned that these parameters were better than before, indicating that the state has taken steps toward fiscal consolidation. Talking about the anti-drug campaign `Yudh Nasheyan Virudh to check drug scourge, Cheema while giving his budget speech, said the state government has decided to carry out the first-ever drug census in Punjab next year and thus earmarked Rs 150 crore for this purpose. It will cover every household of the state and will collect data to understand the prevalence of drugs, usage of de-addiction centres and also collect data on the socio-economic conditions of affected families of the people. This data will be used to chalk out an effective and scientific strategy to eradicate the problem of drugs within the next one to two years, he said. He said that for the first time the state government will establish a second line of defence at the border by deploying 5,000 home guards alongside BSF. These home guards will be selected from the most determined youth of the state who will act as the eagle eyes protecting the future of Punjab. The government will also deploy the most advanced and effective anti-drone systems along the border in the coming year, and for that, Rs 110 crore has been allocated, he said. Cheema took a dig at rival parties who ruled Punjab in the past, and alleged they have destroyed and looted the state. The only legacy these parties left in Punjab was that of 'Udta Punjab'. An entire generation of youth is being eaten hollow from within due to drugs, he lamented, adding that the AAP government's resolve is to build a Rangla Punjab, a Punjab that is inclusive, progressive, and brimming with opportunity for all, said Cheema. Moreover, a budgetary allocation of Rs 5,598 crore has been provided for the health sector, an increase of ten per cent over the previous year. Cheema said, for the first time in the history of the state, the AAP government has decided to extend the state health insurance scheme in the coming fiscal year to make it universal and cover all the 65 lakh families in the state. There will be no bar or discrimination-- rural or urban, rich or poor --everyone can participate in this scheme, he said. At present, 45 lakh families are enrolled in government health insurance schemes, of which 16 lakh families are covered under the Centres Ayushman Bharat Yojana and the remaining 29 lakh families are covered under the state governments Mukh Mantri Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana. The insurance coverage for the entire family is only Rs 5 lakh per annum in these schemes. The government has decided to extend the insurance cover for all families across the state to Rs 10 lakh per annum, which will include those enrolled in the central government scheme, also as they will get an additional top-up cover of Rs 5 lakh from the state government. Meanwhile, all families who are covered under the Mukh Mantri Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana will get a Sehat Card next year through which they can avail cashless treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh in government and private hospitals across the state, he added. Cheema further said that to ensure that the state police is well-equipped to respond immediately, Rs 125 crore has been allocated to buy new vehicles for the fleet of emergency response vehicles (ERVs), which will thus be strengthened and will be able to respond to calls made on 112. Thus, the government has decided to procure 758 four-wheelers and 916 two-wheelers, which will be deployed as ERVs and will increase the fleet size by six times. Besides this will reduce the average response time to emergency calls to eight minutes, which will be the lowest in the country as at present the average response time to distress calls goes up to 30 minutes as there are only 258 dedicated vehicles in this fleet, he said. He also spoke about the Rs 53 crore allocation towards building the new Dial 112 headquarters. For the agriculture and allied sectors, Rs 14,524 crore has been allocated in the next financial year, which is 5 per cent higher than last year. While Rs 9,992 crore have been allocated as power subsidy for 14.5 lakh agriculture tubewells and Rs 500 crore earmarked to support farmers, cooperatives, and gram panchayats for crop-residue management, to check stubble burning, specifically during paddy harvest. To incentivise crop diversification, a new scheme covering Bathinda, Kapurthala and Gurdaspur is being introduced for kharif maize crop. Under the Krishonnati Yojana to support critical activities, including agriculture extension, enhancing food security, promoting horticulture, seed development, boosting edible oil production and digital agriculture, Rs 149 crore has been earmarked. The government has also decided to waive loans of Rs 4,650 crore of defaulters who had availed loans from the Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation (PSCFC). For the development of housing and urban local areas, an allocation of Rs 5,983 crore has been made and Rs 300 crore earmarked for the Punjab Municipal Services Improvement Project (PMSIP) to strengthen urban governance. Cheema announced the Mukh Mantri Street Light Yojana for the installation of 2.5 lakh street lights next year across the state. Cheema said the cost of availing doorstep delivery of government services is being reduced from Rs 120 to Rs 50. According to the Advance Estimates provided by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Punjab's economy is on a strong growth trajectory, registering an impressive 9 per cent growth in the current year, he said. He said as a result of this growth, Punjab's gross state domestic product (GSDP) at current prices has reached Rs 8,09,538 crore. Cheema added that this momentum of growth is likely to continue, with the GSDP at current prices being projected to expand by 10 per cent in FY 2025-26, reaching the mark of Rs 8,91,301 crore.
Notorious drug trafficker Jaggu Bhagwanpuria shifted to Central Jail in Assam
Jaggu Bhagwanpuria is believed to have continued to orchestrate criminal activities from within Bathinda Central Jail, reportedly using smuggled mobile phones and a loyal network of associates
Punjab gangster-cum-drug lord Jaggu Bhagwanpuria shifted to Silchar jail in Assam
CHANDIGARH: Gangster-cum-drug lord Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, an accused in Punjab singer Sidhu Moosewalas murder case has been shifted to Silchar jail in Assam from Central Jail at Bathinda. He has been detained by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB ) under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (PIT NDPS) Act. He is the first gangster from the State who has been detained under this act. Sources said that on March 22, a joint team of the NCB and Punjab police escorted Bhagwanpuria from Bathinda to Chandigarh under heavy security cover. He was flown to Assam via Delhi and Kolkata. He was lodged in the central jail on March 23 at Silchar. A four-member NCB team over saw the transfer of this gangster. This transfer of Singh took place following a directive dated March 21, from the Joint Secretary (PIT-NDPS). Thus, the NCB carried out his immediate transfer from high-security Bathinda to Central Jail at Silchar in Assam. As per his dossier, some 128 cases are against him, including 12 under the NDPS Act. Intelligence reports indicate his involvement with Pakistan-based suppliers and international networks in Canada and the US, underscoring the transnational nature of his activities. Sources said the PIT-NDPS case was registered in Bhagwanpuria after a detailed investigation in which it was established with evidence how he was allegedly running his operations and orchestrating drug trafficking, extortion besides violent activities from behind bars. He was also using smuggled mobiles as he was issuing instructions and talking via encrypted communication to coordinate supply chains through an extensive network of operatives. Statements from some of his co-accused have further corroborated the evidence. Singh who hails from Bhagwanpur village under the jurisdiction of Kot Surat police station in Gurdaspur district is a notorious gangster and smuggler involved in cross-border narcotics smuggling. As in many cases, he is also involved with illegal weapons (pistols and revolvers.) This is the fourth detention from Punjab under the stringent Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (PIT NDPS) Act which allows drug traffickers to be jailed for up to one year without bail. Last year in August, the NCB detained three other alleged drug lords from the state and shifted them to Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam. The three individuals detained are Jaspal Singh alias Goldy, Akshay Chhabra and Balwinder Singh alias Billa Havellian. Sources said that these drug smugglers are running drug syndicates from inside jails in Punjab. This move seeks to break his powerful grip on criminal networks flourishing in the state and nearby regions.
Farmers protest: Industrialists welcome highway reopening; unions to hold nationwide dharnas
CHANDIGARH: The arrest of farmer leaders and the eviction of protesting farmers from the Shambhu and Khanauri borders has sparked mixed reactions. While farmers staged statewide protests, traders, industrialists, and commuters largely welcomed the move, citing economic losses due to prolonged road blockades. Following the eviction, Haryana Police began dismantling cemented barricades at the Shambhu border on Thursday morning. These barriers had been erected last year to prevent farmers from Punjab from marching towards Delhi as part of the 'Delhi Chalo' protest. JCB machines were deployed to remove concrete blocks and clear the Shambhu-Ambala road, which had remained closed for over a year. Temporary structures and stages set up by the protesters were also dismantled as part of the clearance operation. Meanwhile, Haryana Police issued notices to farmer leaders Jasmeet Singh and Tejveer Singh, summoning them to appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Thursday. The SIT is investigating cases registered against them last year. The notice warned that failure to comply would result in legal action. BKU leader Rakesh Tikait has called on farmer unions across the country to unite, warning that governments will continue to suppress farmer protests while favouring corporate interests. Similarly, Satnam Singh Pannu, president of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, criticised the police action, stating that instead of bringing change (badlaav), Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann was engaging in politics of revenge (badle ki rajniti). Industrialists expressed relief, stating that reopening highways would revive the economy and boost tourism. They claimed that the year-long blockade had caused severe economic losses and disrupted daily life. Sources indicate that the crackdown followed pressure from Ludhiana traders, who warned AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal that continued protests could impact the partys prospects in the Ludhiana West Assembly by-election. Many farmers detained from Khanauri have been held at a location in Pattran, while those arrested from Mohali and the Shambhu border were shifted to Patiala Central Jail. In Gurdaspur, farmers protesting outside the Deputy Commissioners office for three days dispersed quietly on Thursday morning after police warned of mass arrests. Meanwhile, in Bathinda, police detained farmers near Jeeda toll plaza. Internet services in Sangrur and Patiala districts remained suspended. Intensifying their agitation, farmers in Punjab and Haryana have announced plans to stage protests outside Deputy Commissioner (DC) offices across both states, aimed at pressing for their pending demands, including a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP), farm loan waivers, and compensation for crop losses. Farmers' unions have announced a peaceful yet resolute demonstrations, stressing that their demands remain unfulfilled despite several rounds of talks with the government. Meanwhile, security has been tightened across various districts to prevent any untoward incidents. The protests are part of a larger agitation for long-term policy changes and financial support to secure farmers' livelihoods. Leaders have urged authorities to address their concerns promptly to avoid further escalation. The protesting farmers, led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, had been camping at the Shambhu (Shambhu-Ambala) and Khanauri (Sangrur-Jind) borders since 13 February last year, when their march to Delhi was halted by security forces.
Punjab Expressway to cut Bathinda-Chandigarh travel by 50 km, details inside
The expressway will link Chandigarh to Barnala, Malerkotla, Khanna Bypass, Sirhind, and Mohali, enhancing connectivity in the region
Six including two army men arrested with assault rifle in snatching case
Bathinda Police arrested six individuals, including two Indian Army personnel, following a brief encounter. They were involved in a gunpoint robbery using an AK-47 stolen from an army unit. The incident occurred at Green Hotel near Bathinda, where Rs 7000 was snatched from the owner. Police are verifying the claims of stolen weapon and contact with army authorities is ongoing.
Man armed with iron rod attacks devotees at Golden Temple in Amritsar; five injured
CHANDIGARH: An unidentified man armed with a rod attacked devotees at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, injuring five people. Sources said that the attack took place inside the oldest Guru Ram Dass inn in the golden temple complex near the community kitchen (langar) hall. The state police have arrested the alleged accused and his aide, who had accompanied him to the golden temple. The identity of the attacker has not been officially disclosed. The police are investigating the motive behind the assault. Among the injured, a Sikh youth from Bathinda is in serious condition and is receiving treatment at the emergency wing of Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research at Amritsar. Meanwhile, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has strongly condemned the shocking attack on devotees and sewadars (attendants) at Sri Guru Ramdas Niwas of Golden Temple. SGPC has urged the police administration to take immediate and stringent action against the culprits and to disclose their identities to the public. SGPC Secretary Partap Singh described the incident as potentially part of a larger conspiracy and called for a thorough police investigation to uncover the truth. Providing details of the attack, he stated that while Sikh devotees from around the world had gathered to pay obeisance at golden temple on the occasion of the new Nanakshahi year, an attacker entered Sri Guru Ramdas Niwas around 12 noon and suddenly launched an assault on devotees and sewadars using an iron rod. Three devotees from Mohali, Bathinda and Patiala along with two sewadars, were injured, he said. Singh said, Alarmingly, one sewadar and a devotee from Bathinda have suffered severe head injuries and remain in critical condition. The injured individuals were immediately admitted to Sri Guru Ramdas Hospital at Vallah managed by the SGPC, where all necessary medical arrangements are being provided by the organization. He said that due to swift response and surveillance footage from the CCTV cameras installed within the Golden Temple complex, the attacker and one of his accomplice was apprehended and handed over to the police. Now, the police administration must conduct a rigorous investigation to expose the culprits and the forces behind this brutal act, he added. Singh lamented that such incidents appear to be part of a deliberate conspiracy aimed at disturbing the peace at Golden Temple, a sacred site revered for its universal message of humanity. He further warned that attempts are being made to instill fear among global Sikh devotees regarding the sanctity and safety of this holy site.
Being A Good Person More Important Than Being A Successful Person: President Murmu
Bathinda, Mar 11: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday asserted that morality is the foundation of a meaningful life, saying being a good person is more important than being a successful person. The president was addressing the convocation ceremony of the Central University of Punjab here. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and state Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian were also present on the occasion. She told the students that whatever opportunities they choose in their personal lives or work should not [] The post Being A Good Person More Important Than Being A Successful Person: President Murmu appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Punjab Police arrest six for pro-Khalistan slogans, flag hoisting in CM Manns village
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Police have arrested six youths, alleged Khalistan sympathisers, for hoisting a Khalistani flag and writing pro-Khalistan slogans on the boundary wall of a government school in Satoj village, Sangrur districtthe native village of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Superintendent of Police (Investigation), Sangrur, Palwinder Singh Cheema, shared details of the case, stating, On February 12, a video went viral on social media. It was released by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who runs the US-based pro-Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), which has been banned by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. As Khalistani slogans were written and a flag hoisted in Satoj village, Sangrur district, the police immediately registered a First Information Report (FIR) at Dharamgarh Police Station under Sections 192, 61(2) BNS, 10, and 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Cheema further explained, During the investigation, it came to light that three accusedJugraj Singh alias Soni, Amritpal Singh, and Baljeet Singhhad been together in Bathinda Central Jail, as multiple cases were already registered against them. Jugraj, a resident of Biroke Kalan in Mansa district, was convicted in a case. When he was released on parole, Baljinder Singh, brother of Amritpal Singh, and Atarveer Singh, brother of Baljeet Singh, contacted him. They trained him and facilitated his direct contact with Gurpatwant Singh Pannun by making him download certain apps, he said. He added, On the intervening night of February 11 and 12, Jugraj went to Satoj village, wrote slogans, hoisted the flag, made videos, and sent them to Pannun from his phone. The police first arrested Gurmeet Singh alias Gitti, who was Jugrajs accomplice. Jugraj was then arrested, which led us to uncover the entire conspiracy. While in Bathinda Central Jail, they plotted the incident. When Jugraj was released, Baljinder Singh guided him in downloading the app, and Atarveer Singh transferred Rs 3,500 to him, Cheema said. He continued, The case was properly traced. The vehicle used, spray cans, and the flag from the incident were recovered. Additionally, five mobile phones have been seized and sent for forensic examination. Further investigation will follow after the reports come in. In this case, there are a total of seven accusedsix have been arrested, while the seventh, Pannun, remains abroad and is yet to be arrested, he added. According to police records, five FIRs were already registered against Jugraj, while three were filed against Amritpal Singh. Baljeet Singh had a prior murder case registered against him before this case. For the other three accused, this is their first offence. When asked why Satoj village was targeted, Cheema said, This was done to gain more publicity. He further revealed that Pannun has been luring innocent youth from Punjab into such illegal activities with financial temptations. His primary objective is to create unrest and fear in India, he stated.
Punjab Minister held defunct department for 21 months, opposition criticises AAP government
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Government's Department of Administrative Reforms, which existed only on paper without any officers or staff, was being headed by Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal for the past 21 months. Opposition parties have criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government, questioning its commitment to governance. Dhaliwal, who now retains only the NRI Affairs portfolio, responded to the controversy, saying, The Chief Minister can answer that better. I am a soldier of the party and have carried out every duty assigned to me. A gazette notification dated February 21, issued by the Cabinet Affairs Branch of the Punjab Government, stated: In partial modification of Punjab Government notification dated September 23, 2024, regarding allocation of portfolios amongst the ministers, the Department of Administrative Reforms earlier allotted to Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Cabinet Minister, is not in existence as on date. Therefore, on the advice of the Chief Minister of Punjab, the Governor of Punjab is pleased to make the following amendment: With effect from February 7, 2025, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal will hold the charge of NRI Affairs Minister. Previously, Dhaliwal was in charge of the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare portfolio, but he was relieved of this responsibility during a cabinet reshuffle in May 2023. He then retained the NRI Affairs Department and was also assigned the Administrative Reforms Department. In another reshuffle in September 2024, he continued to hold both portfolios, but it has now emerged that the Administrative Reforms Department did not exist. Sources within the government revealed that no staff was ever allocated to the minister for this department, no meetings were held, and no secretary was appointed. The department had been established years ago but had become defunct over time, though it remained on paper. One official noted, There have been no meetings or any programmes related to the Administrative Reforms Department. Further sources disclosed that Dhaliwal had raised concerns about the lack of clarity regarding the departments existence after he was assigned the portfolio. He reportedly asked the government about the absence of a secretary but continued to hold the department nonetheless. Dhaliwal, the fifth senior-most minister in the Punjab Cabinet after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, New and Renewable Energy Minister Aman Arora, and Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Baljit Kaur, was recently in the news for handling US deportees landing in Amritsar as the Minister for NRI Affairs. An official stated, There is a Department of Good Governance and Information Technology that is working to improve efficiency by introducing IT tools for internal governance. Opposition parties took a dig at the AAP government over the issue. Punjab Congress chief and Ludhiana MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring wrote in a post: What a Badlaav! SAD leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal also criticised the government, saying, Governance @AAPPunjab style. Allocate non-existent departments to ministers who themselves are ignorant of the portfolios they hold. All this is happening because ministers have no role in governance as the government is being run with remote control from Delhi. Punjab BJP General Secretary Subhash Sharma remarked, It shows the government's mental bankruptcy that a department, which is not in existence, has been allocated. Neither those who allotted it, nor those who had been allotted the department, were aware that it did not exist.
SGPC puts its president Dhamis resignation on hold, appeals to him to reconsider decision
CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Friday decided to put the resignation of its president Harjinder Singh Dhami on hold and said that a five-member panel would meet him and urge him to reconsider his decision. On February 17, Dhami had resigned amid a row over the SGPC's decision to sack Giani Harpreet Singh as the Jathedar of the Takht Damdama Sahib near Bathinda -- one of the five seats of temporal authority of Sikhism like the Akal Takht in Amritsar. The sacking was condemned by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh. Dhami then submitted his resignation citing 'moral grounds'. The executive committee of the SGPC appealed to Dhami to reconsider stepping down amidst the ongoing controversy over the sacking. Senior Vice-President of SGPC Ragujit Singh Virk said that Dhami's resignation was not final and emphasized the governing body's control over such appointments. A five-member delegation of executive members would approach Dhami shortly to urge him to withdraw his resignation and return to his duties, he said. Virk also cited the SGPC executive's autonomy in personnel affairs. SGPC President Dhami resigns; seeks his name be removed from 7-member panel formed by Akal Takht SGPC chief secretary Kulwant Singh Manan said Dhami is a good administrator with a clean image. His contribution to the Sikh organization could not be ignored. So, a resolution was passed in today's meeting urging Dhami to review his decision, he added. He further said that a meeting would be called soon to make stopgap arrangements for taking administrative decisions in Dhami's absence. Dhami had also announced his resignation from the seven-member committee appointed by the Akal Takht Jathedar to oversee the membership drive of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Giani Harpreet Singh was dismissed by the SGPC's executive body on February 10 after a three-member inquiry panel indicted him for moral misconduct in its report. Citing the Sikh Gurdwaras Act 1925, Virk, who was one of the panel members, said that the SGPC has the authority and prerogative to appoint or remove the Takht Jathedars. We are also going to ask Giani Raghbir Singh to submit a clarification on sacking Giani Harpreet Singh as it pertains to an administrative issue for which the SGPC has reserved all rights to take a decision, he said. There were serious allegations against him. After a thorough inquiry, we gathered ample evidence that held him guilty. On the basis of the report, the majority of the SGPC executive members decided to remove him as Takht Jathedar, Virk claimed.
Chandigarh Diary | Sukhbir Badals daughter gets married
Former Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badals eldest daughter, Harkirat Kaur, got married to Abu Dhabi-based businessman Tejveer Singh Toor on February 12 in the national capital. The wedding festivities began on February 10 with sangeet ceremony at The Trident, Gurugram, where Bollywood singer Mika Singh performed. Several politicians attended the events, including Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, LoP in the Punjab assembly Partap Singh Bajwa, J&K CM Omar Abdullah, his father Farooq Abdullah, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Punjab police reshuffle on the horizon Following a meeting between Punjab AAP MLAs and party chief Arvind Kejriwal last week, and in light of the AAP governments defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections, a significant reshuffle within the Punjab police is anticipated. Amid the alleged power struggle within party leadership, control over the state police is often viewed as a crucial indicator of who holds power. During a meeting with police officials CM Bhagwant Mann cautioned SSPsand Police Commissioners to improve their performance or face consequences, emphasizing concerns over false FIRs being filed in certain districts. I take I-T raids in my stride, says Cong MLA Congress MLA from Kapurthala, Rana Gurjit Singh, who is also a prominent industrialist, stated that he has taken the recent Income Tax (IT) raids conducted at 35 of his premisesincluding his homes and officesin stride. A flamboyant Rana remarked that such actions are common for individuals with businesses exceeding Rs 5,000 crore. The raids are a sign that the business is doing well. My business significantly expanded following IT raids in 2017. It is commonly believed that the house subjected to raids is bound to prosper, he said, while praising the IT officials for being thoroughly professionals. Harpreet Bajwa Our correspondent in Chandigarh hsbajwa73@gmail.com
Punjab police arrest two involved in grenade attack, recover special weapons
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Polices state special operating cell (SSOC) Amritsar arrested two members of a Pak-ISI-backed narco terror module for allegedly throwing a hand-grenade on Gumtala Police Post in Amritsar. Director General of Police, Punjab, Gaurav Yadav said on Tuesday that those arrested have been identified as Bagga Singh of Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar in Haryana's Sirsa and Puskaran Singh alias Sagar of Amarkot in Amritsar. Police teams have also recovered one hand grenade and two sophisticated pistols along with ammunition from their possession. As per official information, unidentified persons hurled a hand grenade at Gumtala Police Post in Amritsar Commissionerate on January 9 this year. Following the incident, terrorist organisation Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) claimed responsibility for this terror act on social media. The narcotics module is operated by USA-based smugglers Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passian and Sarwan Bhola. DGP Yadav said investigations revealed that arrested accused Bagga Singh is a relative of Sarwan Bhola. Bhola is the brother of notorious smuggler Ranjit Singh alias 'Cheeta', currently lodged in Bathinda jail for in a 532 kg heroin recovery case. Sarwan is also wanted in the 532 kg heroin recovery case and carries a Rs 2 lakh reward announced by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The DGP added that the accused Sarwan Bhola, who has been operating drug smuggling network from USA, has handed over his relative Bagga Singh and his associate Pushkaran to Happy Passian and Harvinder Rinda to carry out terror activities in Punjab. Yadav said that investigations are in progress in scientific manner to establish forward and backward linkages in this case and unveil the entire terror module. Sharing operation details, AIG SSOC Amritsar Sukhminder Singh Mann said following the attack at Gumtala Police Post, police teams have launched an intelligence operation and arrested the two accused. Further efforts are being made to discover the previous crimes committed by the accused persons and arrest remaining members of this module, he added.
Cold weather prevails in Punjab, Haryana; Ferozepur coldest at 2.8 deg C
Cold weather conditions dominated parts of Punjab and Haryana on Saturday. Ferozepur reported the lowest temperature at 2.8C. Faridkot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, and Bathinda also experienced severe cold. In Haryana, Narnaul and Bhiwani registered significant lows. Chandigarh, the shared capital, saw a minimum of 8.6C, with maximum temperatures across both states ranging between 21-23C.
CBI busts Rs 350 crore crypto ponzi scam; conducts raids across 10 locations in seven states
NEW DELHI: In a major crackdown against the crypto ponzi scheme scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday conducted raids at 10 locations across seven states and UTs leading to the recovery of cash worth Rs 34 lakh and digital assets of US$ 38,414 approximately in the cryptocurrency wallets, officials said. Before launching the raids the agency registered an FIR against seven accused in the case involving a scam worth Rs 350 crore, they said. A senior CBI official said, The accused persons were allegedly running seven separate modules based in the cities of Delhi, Hazaribag (Jharkhand), Bathinda (Punjab), Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh), Valsad (Gujarat), Pudukkottai (Tamil Nadu) and Chittorgarh (Rajasthan), taking money from gullible investors promising investments in cryptocurrencies. He said, These ponzi schemes were being promoted through multiple social media groups. An analysis of bank account transactions and cryptocurrency wallets has revealed that the illegal proceeds from these schemes were being converted into cryptocurrencies to make their origin obscure. In the FIR the CBI has alleged that the accused had conducted transactions of over Rs 350 crore in these schemes, the officials said, adding that agency sleuths in different teams swooped down at locations in Delhi, Jharkhand, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. During the searches, the officials said, the raiding teams seized digital virtual assets totalling US$ 38,414 (approximately) in the cryptocurrency wallets of the accused persons, which had been digitally secured for investigation. The searches resulted in the recovery of cash amounting to Rs 34.2 lakh (approx), along with significant digital evidence, including seven mobile phones, one laptop, one tablet, three hard disks, 10 pen drives, memory cards, SIM cards, ATM/debit cards, email accounts, and several incriminating documents, the official said. The CBI in its probe has also uncovered multiple bank accounts and Virtual Digital Asset (VDA) wallets with cryptocurrency exchanges, including CoinDCX, WazirX, Zebpay, and BitBns, held by the accused members. According to the FIR, the case has been registered under Indian Penal Code section 120-B (criminal conspiracy), read with Section 420 (cheating) and Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000, because it was part of an ongoing investigation that predated the introduction of three new criminal laws last year, the officials said. In the FIR the CBI said, It was alleged that accused persons, acting in criminal conspiracy, have been actively floating various ponzi and fraudulent schemes, promising high returns based on cryptocurrency investments. They are also accused of promoting, promising, and disseminating false and deceptive information to entice investors into these unregulated deposit schemes, which operate without requisite approvals from regulatory authorities such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Screening of Kangana Ranaut's 'Emergency' cancelled in theatres across Punjab following protests
CHANDIGARH: The cinemas and multiplexes across Punjab on Friday were forced to cancel the screening of Kangana Ranaut-starrer Emergency following protests by various Sikh organization and farmers' bodies. Kangana plays the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the film. The films release was earlier delayed after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) sought several cuts in the movie after Sikh groups raised concerns over the portrayal of the community. On Thursday, SGPC had demanded that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann ban its screening in Punjab. In a letter to Mann, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami said the movie was a calculated attempt to distort history and harm Sikh sentiments and warned that releasing it could provoke outrage within the Sikh community. The protesters claimed that the movie hurt the sentiments of the Sikhs and provoked outrage in the community. The members of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) protested against the movie outside the cinemas in Amritsar. Also, there were protests outside cinemas in Bathinda, Patiala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur. The members of one of the factions of farmer union BKU gathered outside Dhillon Plaza and Cosmo Plaza in Zirakpur in SAS Nagar district near Chandigarh and protested alleging that Kangana Ranaut used vulgar language against them during the ongoing farmers' protest and in the movie, facts have been twisted to defame the Sikh community. A member of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) said that the history of the Sikh religion and the incidents of 1984 were depicted in the movie in a distorted manner. He demanded the movie to be banned. Meanwhile, Kangana reacted to the protests saying it as a complete harassment of art and the artist. She also slammed the propaganda to tarnish her image. In a message posted on platform X, Kangana Ranaut wrote, This is complete harassment of art and the artist, from Punjab many cities are reporting that these people are not allowing Emergency to be screened. I have utmost respect for all religions and after studying and growing up in Chandigarh I have closely observed and followed sikh religion. This is complete lie and propaganda to tarnish my image and harm my film. Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said that governments and censor boards must keep an eye on films like Emergency as such films show scripted stories, which are not true and the facts are twisted otherwise, they would not be successful if there was no masala. However, theaters in the Union Territory of Chandigarh screened the movie.
Complete harassment of art and the artist: Kangana after SGPC calls for ban on Emergency
New Delhi, Jan 17: Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut on Friday said the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committees (SGPC) demand for a ban on Emergency and the films restricted screenings in parts of Punjab is a complete harassment of art and the artist. On Thursday, SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami wrote to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann demanding a ban on the movie, which released across the country on Friday. Many cinemas in Ludhiana, Amritsar, Patiala and Bathinda did not screen Emergency [] The post Complete harassment of art and the artist: Kangana after SGPC calls for ban on Emergency appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Why this Punjab panchayat offers cash for weddings
A panchayat in Punjab's Bathinda district has announced an incentive of Rs 21,000 to families who won't serve liquor or play DJ music at wedding ceremonies. The decision was taken to encourage villagers not to indulge in wasteful expenditure on marriage functions and curb liquor abuse.
Punjab village bans liquor, DJs at weddings; offers Rs 21000 incentive for simple celebrations
CHANDIGARH: To encourage villagers not to indulge in wasteful expenditure and curb liquor use in marriage functions, the Balo village panchayat in Punjab's Bathinda district has announced to give a cash incentive of Rs 21,000, as a token of blessing, to families who would follow the conditions. The sale of energy drinks has also been banned in the village. Ballo village sarpanch Amarjit Kaur said it is generally seen that there were frequent fights at functions where alcohol is served and they are often accompanied by loud music played by disc jockeys (DJs). It causes disturbance to the villagers, especially the students. Thus this decision was taken to encourage villagers not to indulge in wasteful expenditure on marriage functions. The panchayat has passed a resolution under which if a family does not serve liquor and play DJ music at wedding functions, it will be given Rs 21,000, the village sarpanch said. She said the initiative would encourage the villagers to embrace sober and meaningful celebrations, aligned with Punjabi culture. We want to set an example for other villages by promoting discipline and responsibility during family events as weddings should symbolise joy and harmony, not chaos or overindulgence, said Kaur. A villager said that the extravagant weddings put unnecessary pressure on families. But a a few other villagers expressed scepticism and questioned whether the incentive would be enough to bring a change. Kaur said the panchayat had sought the government to set up a stadium in the village so the youth could be encouraged to take part in sports activities. The panchayat has also proposed to set up a biogas plant in the village and free seeds would be given to farmers under the Guru Nanak Bagichi Scheme who opted for organic farming. Other resolutions passed by the panchayat include free coaching for the youths preparing for the civil services exam. The panchayat would honour a man and a woman for doing community service with Rs 11,000 on martyrdom day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.
This Punjab Village To Give Rs 21,000 Reward For No Alcohol, DJ At Weddings
A gram panchayat in Punjab's Bathinda district has announced to give a cash incentive of Rs 21,000 to families who would not serve liquor and play DJ music at wedding ceremonies.
Punjab plans to launch drug policy focusing on de-addiction alongside centralised patient registry
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Government is planning to launch a drug control policy focusing on prevention, enforcement, de-addiction and rehabilitation. The state is also planning to launch a centralised platform to manage and monitor patient registration across various Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) and private centres to prevent the misuse of detoxification medicine Buprenorphine and improve patient care. Sources said that the policy will focus on strategies to wean away youth from drug consumption. The community policing wing of Punjab Police will be mandated to nudge youth away from drugs. Schools and higher education departments are contemplating the revision of school and college curriculum, and add chapters on drug abuse awareness. Educational institutions will also hire faculty to educate students about the ill-effects of drug usage. The government is seeking to replicate the Manipur State Policy on Substance Use in the state. The focus of the policy is on community-based detoxification and home detoxification of drug addicts and the measures include ready availability of medicines that can prevent drug overdose deaths, if given on time besides understands gender-specific problems in treatment and rehabilitation, said an officer, adding that the policy will be rolled out within two months. The government is also planning to start at least two more de-addiction and rehabilitation clinics for women, as only one centre at Kapurthala is currently operational. There are 303 drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres across the state, including private centres, besides 590 outpatient opioid assisted treatment (OOAT) clinics and mobile OOATs. A significant number of patients seek treatment in Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran and Bathinda districts. The centres will now focus on de-addiction from pharma opioids, although opioid substitution therapy will continue to be used to wean addicts off other narcotic substances, said sources. Notably, many addicts are in the age group of 18 to 25 years. The state health department has developed a drug de-addiction registry portal that leverages Aadhaar-based biometric authentication to provide a unique identification for each patient. This will ensure secure and accurate record-keeping while protecting patient privacy through the use of a secure data vault for Aadhaar-related information. This helps the government to monitor the dispensing of medicines to patients at treatment centres and ensure accountability. At present, there are about 10 lakh substance abuse patients undergoing treatment in the state of these seven lakh are in private facilities as around 180 private centers. A State Steering Committee headed by Chief Secretary KAP Sinha with Principal Secretary Rahul Tiwari as its nodal officer has already been formed to monitor and coordinate the de-addiction and rehabilitation programme. A few days back Punjab Vigilance Bureau had arrested Amit Bansal for committing illegal activities at the 22 de-addiction centres being by run him in different parts of the state where some tablets are used for the treatment of addict patients. During interrogations it has came to fore that these tablets were misused in the drug de-addiction centers run and owned by the accused Dr Amit Bansal and were sold in the market to other persons (addicts) which were not on the rolls of these rehabilitation centers, said an officer. Punjab Police bust cross-border drug cartel; arrest 12 including five from J&K
Clamour grows to confer Bharat Ratna, Panth Rattan titles on Former PM Manmohan Singh
CHANDIGARH: Leader of Opposition in Punjab legislative assembly and Senior Congress leader Partpal Singh Bajwa has suggested for a joint assembly resolution to seek Bharat Ratna for former PM Dr Manmohan Singh. He expressed it in a letter to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and assembly speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan. Bajwa also wrote to other prominent leaders, including Manpreet Singh Ayali of SAD, Ashwani Sharma of BJP and Nachhatar Pal of BSP that a joint resolution in the assembly would recognize Manmohan Singhs unparalleled contributions to the nation and his deep-rooted connection to Punjab. Bajwas letter highlighted former PMs transformative role as the architect of Indias economic liberalization in 1991. The move not only revived the Indian economy but also positioned the country as a global economic powerhouse. He consistently prioritised inclusive growth, economic stability, and social justice impacting millions across India. Manmohan Singh is a proud son of Punjab and his journey is an inspiration to all, Bajwa stated. Born in Punjab, his life exemplifies resilience, humility, and selfless service. He has not only brought pride to our state but also addressed critical issues in agriculture, rural development, and education, leaving a lasting impact on Punjab and the nation as a whole, he also stated. Bajwa has also proposed the formation of an all-party delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and advocate for the recognition. He remarked that Singhs calm demeanour, intellectual acumen, and bipartisan approach made him a unifying force in Indian politics. Honouring him with the Bharat Ratna would inspire future generations and acknowledge his exceptional contributions to Indias growth and global stature, he said. Punjab Congress President and Member of Parliament Amarinder Singh Raja Warring appealed to Akal Takht (Highest Temporal Seat of Sikhs) Jathedar (High priest) Giani Raghbir Singh to confer the prestigious Panth Rattan title to former PM in recognition of his contributions to the nation and the Sikh community. Confer Bharat Ratna on Singh: Telangana to Centre Warring wrote a letter to Raghbir Singh which read, Manmohan Singh not only made exceptional contributions to the economic growth of India but also upheld the values of simplicity and righteousness, embodying the true spirit of Sikhism. During his tenure as the prime minister, Singh implemented a landmark agricultural loan waiver of Rs 60,000 crore. The waiver provided essential relief to farmers in Punjab. The agricultural community which holds a central place in Sikh heritage, greatly benefited from it. Warring also underscored Singhs significant role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots aftermath. He pointed out that the ex-PM had publicly apologised in the Parliament for the tragic events and added that Singhs commitment to the development of Punjab, especially the rural areas. Manmohan Singh government allocated substantial funds for improving rural infrastructure and living conditions across the state, he said. Former chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities, Tarlochan Singh wrote a letter to Gursharan Kaur, wife of late PM Manmohan Singh. In the letter, Singh suggested setting up a school of economics or school of administration in Delhi in honour of Manmohan Singh. A permanent exhibition on the life and works of Dr Sahib can be part of it too, he wrote to Kaur. Tarlochan Singh emphasised that traditionally, Sikhs do not build memorials or samadhis (mausoleums) for individuals regardless of their stature or contributions. There is great confusion about the use of the word 'memorial' which I think is improper. In the entire Rajghat area, there are only one-foot high platforms for each of the President and Prime Ministers who were cremated there. No structure of any kind has been put up. You are aware that in Sikh religion even samadhi is not allowed. The Sikh religious leaders have not accepted even the one of Giani Zail Singh, the letter added. Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) will hold an Akhand Path and Ardas at the Golden Temple in Amritsar in memory of Manmohan Singh. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal shared the announcement on social media, stating that the ceremony will pray for peace to the departed soul. SAD acknowledges values and respects the extraordinary services which the late prime minister rendered to the nation and the pride he has brought to the Sikh quom (community) all over the world, wrote Sukhbir on X. Dr Sahib (Manmohan Singh) and my late father Parkash Singh Badal shared a special emotional bond and a vision for peace, communal harmony and development, he added. SAD also plans to request the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to install Singhs portrait in the Sikh Museum at the Golden Temple complex. Dr Manmohan Singhs father went to jail during the Morcha for the establishment of SGPC. He himself was a member of the All India Sikh Students Federation, Badal said. Recalling the late Singhs commitment to Sikh institutions, Badal said Singh had even opposed the Congress-led attempt to form a separate gurdwara committee in Haryana. When the Congress sought to split SGPC, I accompanied Badal (My Father) to request Dr Sahib to intervene. His response was unforgettable: I understand the importance of SGPC as my father had gone to jail for its formation, he also recalled. On Friday, Badals wife and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Friday personally conveyed the partys humble wish and decision in this regard to Gursharan Kaur. Memorial for Manmohan Singh is a requiem for a lost dream
