Punjab

16 schools in Punjab's Mohali recieve bomb threats, students evacuated

Several private schools in Punjab's Mohali received bomb threat emails on Wednesday, triggering evacuation. Police deployed anti-sabotage teams and checked the school buildings. School authorities sent messages to parents, declaring a holiday. Manav Mangal School and Shivalik Public School were two of the schools which received the emails. The latest scare comes close on the heels of similar incidents in Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Patiala, Haryana, where similar threats made to the schools turned out to be hoaxes.

Punjab needs a fiscal reset to avert debt spiral: Study to 16th FC

An ISB evaluation submitted to the 16th Finance Commission flags rising debt, subsidy pressures and weak revenues in Punjab, warning that the debt-to-GSDP ratio could cross 60 per cent by 2030-31

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

I have quit Congress: Navjot Kaur slams party's Punjab unit chief Warring

Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu on Saturday said she has quit the party, while hitting out at its Punjab unit chief, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, for allegedly "damaging" the organisation and calling him "the most horrific, incapable, corrupt president ever". Kaur was suspended by the Congress from its primary membership last month, after she sparked a political row with her "Rs 500 crore for the chief minister's chair" remark. Kaur is the wife of former Punjab Congress chief and former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu. The former MLA accused Warring of selling the party for petty gains through an understanding with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab. "RAJA WARRING, The most horrific, incapable, corrupt president ever. You saved yourself from jail by co partnering with CM to destroy Congress. You have sold the party for petty gains with a understanding with AAP. "You had a suspension letter ready for me but what about nearly 12 senior Congress leaders who were busy in workin

Bomb threats received in Dera Ballan, Jalandhar schools ahead of PM's visit

Bomb threats for the Dera Sachkhand Ballan and two schools in Jalandhar were received on Saturday, a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the headquarters of the sect. While the threatening emails were sent to the schools, the text of the message made a direct threat to the Dera Ballan. Police authorities have initiated security checks at the school premises and called in bomb squads. There were no students at the schools as it was a holiday. The prime minister is scheduled to visit the Dera Ballan on the occasion of Guru Ravidas Jayanti on Sunday. Police said they were verifying the threat emails and the matter was currently under investigation. This comes close on the heels of similar threats received by several schools on Wednesday in Chandigarh, where nothing suspicious was found. Such incidents had earlier been reported in Amritsar, Jalandhar and Patiala in Punjab and Ambala in Haryana, where some schools got similar threats which later turned out to be hoaxe

Punjab will go all out to get Chandigarh as its capital: CM Bhagwant Mann

Punjab has been "unjustly denied" its rightful capital, claimed Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday and said that any attempt to undermine his state's claim over Chandigarh, Panjab University and its water rights will not succeed. 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 stated that despite so many sacrifices, achievements and service to the nation, Punjab does not have its own capital. "Since Independence, Punjab has been unlawfully deprived of it. To worsen the situation, conspiracies are hatched daily to deprive the state of its capital, Panjab University, of its waters and other rights. This will never be allowed," he said. Chandigarh was, is and will always remain an integral part of Punjab, an

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

Blast hits Punjab freight corridor ahead of R-Day; loco pilot injured

In a suspected sabotage, a blast on a railway track in the dedicated freight corridor in Sirhind in Punjab's Fatehgarh Sahib district damaged the engine of a train and left a loco pilot injured, police said on Saturday. While Deputy Inspector General of Police (Ropar Range) Nanak Singh said it was too early to say if it was a terror incident, an unverified statement attributed to a banned terrorist outfit, Khalistan Zindabad Force, appeared on social media in which it purportedly claimed responsibility for the blast that occurred at around 9.50 pm on Friday, ahead of the Republic Day. "Last night, we received information that a minor blast took place here... The loco pilot sustained a minor cut on his cheek. He is out of danger," the DIG, who visited the site, said. According to the police, the injured was identified as Anil Sharma, who works with the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation. Fatehgarh Sahib's Senior Superintendent of Police Shubham Aggarwal said the affected train w

Punjab Police bust BKI terror module ahead of Republic Day, 4 arrested

The arrested accused have been identified as Diljot Singh Saini, Harman alias Harry, Ajay alias Mehra, and Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Kandola

North India freezes: IMD issues red alert as cold wave, dense fog tighten grip

A severe cold wave has tightened its grip over north India, with the India Meteorological Department issuing red warnings for Punjab and Haryana.

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

Punjab urges Centre for special economic package and fiscal support

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Saturday urged the Centre to extend immediate fiscal assistance and announce a special economic package for Punjab, pointing out that the state endured a difficult 2025 marked by border tensions and the worst floods in decades. During a pre-Budget meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here, Cheema submitted a detailed memorandum laying out Punjab's key financial requirements and policy demands for the 2026-27 Union Budget. He said the state, being the country's first line of defence, suffered severe economic disruption due to prolonged security tensions along the international border, followed by a devastating monsoon disaster that was officially declared a calamity of severe nature by the home ministry. Explaining the scale of devastation, the Punjab finance minister said the floods impacted more than 2,300 villages and nearly 20,000 families across the state. Cheema informed Sitharaman that comprehensive ground-level

Akal Takht orders being followed in 328 sacred 'saroops' case: SGPC

The SGPC on Tuesday said it will neither cooperate with the police nor share any records in connection with the case of 328 sacred 'saroops' (scriptures) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in accordance with the directives of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) clarified its stand after a meeting of officials held here under the leadership of SGPC secretary Partap Singh. He said action against employees found guilty in the matter has already been taken as per the inquiry report of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, whose orders are final for the Sikh institution. Singh said three employees --? Kanwaljit Singh, Baj Singh and Dalbir Singh --? were allegedly found directly involved in misusing offerings related to the sacred 'saroops' for personal gain and tampering with records. Strict action was taken against them, while several senior officers also faced administrative action, he said. He said that as per the SGPC rules, when devotees or gurdwara committees seek ...

Teenager apprehended in Punjab for sharing info with Pakistani handlers

A 15-year-old boy has been apprehended in Punjab's Pathankot for allegedly sharing information about sensitive locations with Pakistani handlers, police said on Tuesday According to police, the boy was radicalised on a social media platform. Police had received information that the boy was in contact with and was providing information concerning the country's security to Pakistan military officers, ISI and frontal organisations running terror modules in that country, Pathankot Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Daljinder Singh Dhillon said. On the basis of this information, the boy was apprehended on Monday and questioned, the SSP told reporters in Pathankot. The SSP said the boy had lost his father, who resided in J-K, over an year back and suspected that he was murdered. Police investigations did not find that the boy's father was murdered but the boy suspected so and it affected his psyche, the SSP said. The boy visited many social media platforms and during this he fell in

Congress MP Selja asks Centre to start train on Sirsa-Delhi route

Congress MP from Sirsa Kumari Selja on Monday urged the Railway Ministry to immediately start an Intercity Express or Vande Bharat train on the Sirsa-?Delhi rail route. AICC general secretary Selja said the new rail section was formally inaugurated in 2013 during the Congress government, keeping in mind future regional needs, trade activities and passenger convenience. Now that the railway line has been fully constructed and is ready, passenger train services should be started without any delay, she added. She said traders, salaried employees and students from Sirsa, Hisar and nearby areas have long been demanding a train service that would allow them to travel to Delhi in the morning and return the same evening. The timings of the existing trains do not suit the daily needs of passengers, she said. Selja said that if a fast, modern and time-bound train like an Intercity Express or Vande Bharat is operated on this route, it would not only make travel easier but also strengthen ...

SGPC chief hits out at AAP govt over FIR in 328 missing 'saroops' case

SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami on Saturday lashed out at the AAP government over the registration of FIR in the case of 328 missing 'saroops' (sacred copies) of the Guru Granth Sahib, accusing it of interfering in the administrative rights of the apex gurdwara body with the sole purpose of gaining "political mileage" out of it. Criticising the Bhagwant Mann government for registering the case, Dhami asserted that being the president of the apex gurdwara body, he would not allow any kind of government interference in the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) jurisdiction. On the question of why the SGPC was not cooperating in the police investigation in the missing 'saroops' case, Dhami said the SGPC is an elected constitutional body under the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, asserting that the entire issue only concerns the jurisdiction of the SGPC. The Aam Aadmi Party leaders have been asking the SGPC to cooperate with the Punjab Police, which is probing the matter. The ..

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

Punjab govt extends tax dues settlement scheme deadline till March 31

The Punjab government has extended the deadline for the one-time settlement scheme for outstanding tax dues till March 31, providing relief to traders and industry, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said on Thursday. The scheme, launched on October 1, was earlier set to end on December 31. Cheema said the extension was approved after representations from various stakeholders, including the GST Practitioners Association of Punjab, citing heavy compliance pressure and practical difficulties faced by taxpayers. So far, 6,348 applications have been received under the one-time settlement (OTS) scheme, reflecting strong participation from the trading community, he said. The government noted that overlapping tax deadlines towards the end of 2025 and delays in service of VAT assessment orders made it difficult for many businesses to assess their exact liabilities within the original timeline. The OTS scheme aims to resolve pre-GST disputes under the laws for VAT and Central Sales Tax b

Punjab's AAP govt brings resolution in Assembly against VB-G RAM G Act

The AAP government on Tuesday brought a resolution against the VB-G RAM G Act in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and accused the BJP-led Centre of trying to finish the MGNREGA. Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond tabled the resolution in the House for discussion during the one-day session of the assembly. Sond said that the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G, Act will severely impact below-poverty-line families, Scheduled Caste communities, and rural labourers who depend on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for survival. Sond alleged that the Centre wanted to "finish" the MGNREGA, and demanded its restoration. According to the resolution, the state assembly deprecated the VB-G RAM G Act, which it said takes away the right to guaranteed wages/employment from poor labourers, women, and lakhs of job card-holding families of the state. It recommended that the state government take up the

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