Bhagwant Mann

Punjab RTI activist shot dead in Phagwara; Oppn targets Mann govt

Jalandhar-based RTI activist Simaranjit Singh was shot dead by unidentified armed individuals near the gate of Maheru village under the Satnampura police station area on Saturday, police said. Jalandhar Range DIG Naveen Singla said a 32 bore pistol was found near the body of Singh, while a 12 bore rifle was found in an SUV parked near the crime spot. He was shot from a close range in his head. "We are scanning CCTV footage and have formed multiple teams of police for tracing the assailants who will be arrested soon," the DIG said, adding that if needed, help will be sought from counter intelligence for solving the murder case. Singla, along with Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora, rushed to the spot after getting the information about the murder. Police also recovered two mobile phones belonging to the victim near his body. A case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been registered, the DIG added. Singh, an advocate by profession, was known for filing RTIs and pub

Stray dogs case: SC asks petitioner to move Punjab HC over Mann's remarks

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain the mentioning of a plea which alleged that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has said that the apex court has given a "free hand" to kill stray dogs. "Just because a chief minister makes a statement, does that mean we have to change our order?" a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta told the counsel, who mentioned the matter. The counsel said after the top court's May 19 order in the stray dogs case, the Punjab chief minister had allegedly tweeted that the Supreme Court "has given a free hand to kill stray dogs". "You go to the Punjab High Court," the bench observed, adding, "We are not entertaining your mentioning". The counsel claimed that stray dogs were being killed after the top court's order. In a significant verdict delivered on May 19, the top court allowed euthanasia of rabid, incurably ill, dangerous and aggressive dogs to curb threat to human lives, saying the right to live with dignity encompasses the right

Punjab begins drive to remove stray dogs from public spaces after SC order

The Punjab government on Friday launched a campaign to remove stray dogs from public spaces, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann asserting that the state will follow the Supreme Court order in letter and spirit. "The Punjab government will strictly follow, in letter and spirit, the Supreme Court order given on May 19, 2026. As per the SC orders, we will remove stray dogs from all high footfall public spaces so that children, senior citizens and families can move freely without fearing for their safety," Mann said in a post on X on Friday. "We will create and maintain an adequate number of dog shelters where they can be cared for properly," Mann wrote, promising legally-permissible measures including euthanasia in cases involving rabid, incurably ill or demonstrably dangerous and aggressive dogs, which may pose a threat to human life and safety, He said the measures will be taken strictly in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the ABC (Animal Birth Control) ...

ED raids Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora, linked persons again in PMLA case

The Enforcement Directorate on Saturday conducted fresh searches against Punjab industries minister Sanjeev Arora and some others allegedly linked to him as part of a money laundering investigation, officials said. Arora's official residence in Chandigarh and a real estate company in Gurugram (Haryana) were among the five premises that were raided, they said. The action was taken under the criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the officials said. In April, the ED had raided Arora and entities linked to him under the civil provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Arora had then said that he would fully cooperate with the probe agencies and that he was confident that the truth will prevail. The MLA from Ludhiana West was raided by the ED in 2024 too in a money laundering case linked to alleged misuse of industrial land for residential projects. Arora was then a Rajya Sabha MP.

Punjab CM heads to Delhi to meet President Murmu over AAP MPs' defection

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accompanied by party MLAs, departed for Delhi on Tuesday morning to meet President Droupadi Murmu regarding the recent defection of seven Rajya Sabha MPs to the BJP. On April 24, the Aam Aadmi Party suffered a jolt when seven of its 10 Rajya Sabha MPs -- Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Rajendra Gupta, Vikramjit Sahney and Swati Maliwal -- quit and merged with the BJP, alleging that the party had strayed from its principles, values and core morals. Six of the seven MPs who left AAP were from Punjab. Mann is scheduled to meet the President at 12 noon at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday. While departing for Delhi, Mann affirmed that all AAP MLAs stand united with the party. "Only I have been given time for the meeting," Mann said while speaking to reporters here. "The President is the guardian of the Constitution. She is the constitutional head of the country," he added. The MLAs and ministers gathered at the chief .

'They matter little alone': Mann mocks defected AAP MPs with spice analogy

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday attacked the seven Rajya Sabha members who quit the AAP through a culinary analogy to say that on their own, each defected leader amounts to little. In a sarcastic post on X, Mann wrote in Punjabi, "Ginger, garlic, cumin, fenugreek powder, red chilli, black pepper, and coriander - these seven things together make a dish taste great, but on their own, cannot become a dish." His comment came a day after he called the seven defectors traitors. In a surprise move on Friday, AAP Rajya Sabha members Raghav Chadha and Sandeep Pathak announced that they were quitting the party and joining the BJP along with five other MPs. Ashok Mittal, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Swati Maliwal, and Vikramjit Sahney were the other AAP MPs they named. Chadha alleged that the Arvind Kejriwal-led party had strayed from its principles, values and core morals, which is why he was joining the BJP. He said the seven had merged with the BJP as a faction. In th

Punjab Minister Laljit Bhullar resigns after manager's suicide in Amritsar

Punjab Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar tendered his resignation on Saturday, following directions from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, sources said. The MLA from Patti in Tarn Taran was asked to resign in connection with the alleged suicide of a Warehouse Corporation district manager in Amritsar. Mann has directed the chief secretary to conduct a probe into the matter. Negligence of any kind will not be tolerated, he said. Recently, a video surfaced on social media in which Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, the manager, was heard saying that he had consumed some poisonous substance and named Laljit Singh Bhullar, the transport minister. Earlier, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia alleged that Randhawa died by suicide after consuming Celphos. Majithia also alleged that Randhawa named Bhullar before his death.

Punjab govt announces ₹1,000 monthly aid for women, ₹1,500 for SC women

The AAP government in Punjab announced a new scheme on Sunday under which Rs 1,000 per month will be given to all women except Scheduled Caste women, who will be getting Rs 1,500 monthly. Providing monthly assistance of Rs 1,000 per woman was a key poll promise of the ruling party before the 2022 Punjab assembly polls. Presenting the state budget for 2026-27 in the Assembly here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced the implementation of 'Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satikar Yojna' under which government will transfer the money directly to the accounts of women. The Bhagwant Mann government launched the new scheme nearly four years after the Aam Aadmi Party came to power in Punjab. For women belonging to the SC community, the government will transfer Rs 1,500 per month directly to their accounts, Cheema said. The announcement coincided with International Women's Day. It is the first time that the state budget was presented on a Sunday. Cheema said this new scheme for women w

Shah flags rising religious conversions in Punjab, urges Mann govt to act

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said religious conversions are happening in Punjab and appealed to the Bhagwant Mann government and common people to stop this practice driven by "greed". Shah invoked the sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur while addressing the 'Hind-Di-Chadar' commemoration event to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. "Today, it has been said here that religious conversion is taking place in Punjab. Guru Tegh Bahadur sacrificed himself to save others' religions. They faced atrocities, but we today prefer to convert because of some greed, then we cannot be called followers of our great leaders. The Punjab government and Punjab society should stop religious conversions," Shah said. The Punjab government, society and people of all faiths must stop religious conversions going on there, he added. Shah said that had Guru Tegh Bahadur not sacrificed himself to save the Hindu religion, "there would not have been a single .

AAP leader shot dead in Jalandhar; Oppn slams Mann govt over law and order

Punjab Aam Aadmi Party leader Lucky Oberoi was shot dead on Friday outside a gurdwara in Jalandhar's Model Town by unidentified assailants, police said. The incident took place in the morning, a senior police official from Jalandhar said over the phone, adding that he was rushed to a hospital in an unconscious state and succumbed to the bullet injuries. Oberoi, 38, a Jalandhar-based AAP leader, had arrived at the gurdwara in his car. He was preparing to leave in his Mahindra Thar Roxx after paying obeisance. The assailants, who were on a two-wheeler, opened 8-10 shots at him, police said. He was rushed to a hospital in Jalandhar, but succumbed to injuries, ACP Jalandhar, Parminder Singh said. Police said the attackers fired several bullets at the vehicle and fled. After the incident, a police force reached the spot. The assailants may have carried out a recce of Oberoi's movements, police sources said. In the firing incident, the window panes of Oberoi's Thar vehicle and of anot

Punjab CM vows to fight for state's rights, slams Centre over pending funds

Punjab has to fight even today to get its own rights, said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday as he slammed the Centre over the issue of MGNREGA and pending rural development funds. Mann said that his government will make all-out efforts to get Chandigarh as Punjab's own capital. At present, Union Territory Chandigarh is the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. Addressing a gathering here after hoisting the national tricolour during a function on the occasion of Republic Day, the Punjab chief minister also gave a warning to those who are trying to disturb peace in the state with their nefarious designs. He said that his government is committed to maintaining amity and mutual brotherhood at any cost. Mann also listed several initiatives, including free electricity and government jobs for youths and campaigns against drugs and gangsters, carried out by his government. He said Punjab is known as the food bowl and the sword arm of the nation. "For the country's progress, we (Punj

Punjab CM aims to turn 2nd phase of anti-drug drive into mass movement

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday urged AAP leaders, workers and cadres to intensify efforts to turn the second phase of the anti-drug campaign, 'Yudh Nashean Virudh', into a mass movement. He said Punjab is leading the nation's decisive fight against drugs with people's support. Addressing a Lok Milni in Bathinda, Mann said the state government has launched the second phase of the campaign to completely eradicate drugs from Punjab. He said 28,000 drug peddlers have been booked over the past year, with a conviction rate of 88 per cent, which has boosted public confidence in the drive. The enthusiasm of the people shows we are close to winning this fight. Only a mass movement, not just police action, can ensure success, he said. The chief minister said the campaign aims to protect future generations and will continue until Punjab is completely drug-free. Highlighting government initiatives, Mann said canal water has reached remote villages, farmers now receive

Residents with Aadhaar, voter ID to get ₹10 lakh health insurance: Punjab

Any person, who is a resident of Punjab having an Aadhaar card and voter card, will be eligible to avail the benefits of this scheme

Over 85,000 drug smugglers arrested in 3.5 years in Punjab: CM Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said more than 85,000 drug smugglers were arrested in the state in the last three and a half years. Since the government assumed office in 2022, the highest priority has been given to its fight against the drug menace and registered about 63,000 cases against the contraband smugglers, Mann said. Reviewing the performance of the police department, the chief minister noted that sustained enforcement, tighter investigations and zero political interference are translating into outcomes on the ground. In 2025, since the 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' (war against drugs) was launched, police registered 30,144 FIRs and arrested 40,302 smugglers, Mann said in an official statement here. Mann claimed the drive, launched on March 1 this year, has been successful to a considerable extent. The AAP leader said a multi-pronged strategy based on three principles of enforcement, de-addiction and prevention was formulated to combat the drug menace. "Likewise

Suspended Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu seeks security from Punjab CM

Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who has been suspended from the Congress following her "Rs 500 crore for chief minister's chair" remark that sparked a political row, has sought security cover from Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. She also questioned the chief minister's "silence" over the issues she raised with Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, and accused him of "facilitating liquor and mining mafia". Navjot Kaur is the wife of former Punjab Congress president and ex-India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu. Following the "Rs 500 crore for chief minister's chair" remark, the Punjab Congress suspended her from its primary membership. In a post on X on Friday night, she said, "CM Bhagwant Mann ji, I think I need some security now, or else you will be responsible. And kindly answer why there is no response from your side on my issues raised before the Honourable Governor of Punjab? Why are you facilitating the liquor and mining mafia?" Along with it, she also posted a copy of the memorandum ...

Japanese firm Toppan Speciality Films to invest Rs 400 cr in Punjab

Japanese company Toppan Speciality Films on Wednesday signed an agreement with the Punjab government to invest Rs 400 crore in the state as part of its expansion plan, according to an official statement. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who is on a 10-day visit to Japan and South Korea, said Toppan Speciality Films Private Limited (TSF) and Invest Punjab have also agreed to support and collaborate to launch a skilling excellence centre in Punjab. This will be pivotal for strengthening industry-relevant skills and enhancing employability opportunities in Punjab, the statement quoted Mann as saying. The chief minister said it will give a thrust to imparting training aligned with current and emerging industry needs. Likewise, he said, it will also focus on high-end and technical skills not widely available and impart training certifications to meet industry and global standards. TSF will also provide financial assistance, technical inputs, training support, and curriculum design based o

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann announces ₹16,209 cr road projects across state

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said the Punjab government will construct 44,920 km of road stretches in the state with an outlay of Rs 16,209 crore. Addressing mediapersons here, Mann claimed this would be the biggest ever road project undertaken by the state, adding that tenders will be issued in this regard. The project includes construction of 2,829-km Public Works Department (PWD) roads and 18,545 km of rural link roads, at a total cost of Rs 7,727 crore. Additionally, 22,291-km road stretches under the Punjab Mandi Board, and 1,255 km of urban roads under various civic bodies will be constructed at a cost of Rs 7,697 crore and Rs 785 crore, respectively, he said. A total sum of Rs 16,209 crore will be spent on constructing quality roads across the state, Mann said, adding that he has directed contractors not to compromise on the quality of materials and work. He further said villages will pass resolutions stating they are satisfied with the materials used for the ro

Centre's bid to name an independent Chandigarh administrator irks Punjab

The Centre has proposed to include the Union territory of Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution, which empowers the president to make regulations for the UT and legislate directly. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2025 will be introduced in the upcoming Winter session of Parliament, beginning December 1, 2025, as per a bulletin of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The Bill seeks to include the Union territory of Chandigarh in Article 240, in alignment with other UTs without legislatures such as Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, and Puducherry (when its Legislative Assembly is dissolved or suspended). This opens the door to an independent administrator in the UT of Chandigarh, like when it had an independent chief secretary in the past. The move to bring this Bill has evoked sharp reactions from Congress, Akali Dal and the AAP. According to the bulletin, the government has also proposed a provisional ...

CM Mann claims Congress, SAD 'looted'; says AAP working to restore dignity

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday launched a scathing attack on opposition parties Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Congress, accusing them of "looting" the state for decades. He claimed that while these parties mismanaged Punjab's resources, the AAP is working "tirelessly" to restore the state's dignity and prosperity. Mann was canvassing for AAP candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu in Panjwad, Thathi Sohal, and Jhabal Kalan ahead of the November 11 bypoll in the Tarn Taran assembly seat, which was vacated following the death of AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal in June. Targeting both Congress and the Akali Dal, Mann said, "They sold Punjab's assets, but we are reclaiming its pride." He further criticised SAD leaders Sukhbir Badal and Bikram Majithia, as well as Congress leaders Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and Partap Singh Bajwa, saying they had no moral authority to speak about Punjab's welfare. Highlighting his government's achievements, Mann emphasised that AAP has provided .

Pak's ISI-backed drones sent for smuggling sense jamming, scoot back

A Punjab police officer said that after sensing a disruption in the signal between the drone and its base station, the drones are programmed to return to the point where they took off