Page 15 - Punjab Government

Pak top Court rejects election commission's decision delaying Punjab polls

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday termed as "unconstitutional" the election commission's decision to postpone polls in the Punjab province till October 8, in a blow to the federal government that has been trying to delay the provincial election citing security issues and the economic crisis. The apex court also fixed May 14 as the date for polls in the province.

Editors Guild concerned over social media suspension of Punjab journalists

The Editors Guild of India expressed its "deep concern" over the "arbitrary suspension" of social media accounts of several journalists and media organisations in Punjab

90% cattle vaccinated against lumpy skin disease in Punjab, says minister

Punjab's animal husbandry department is close to achieving 100 per cent vaccination of the 25 lakh cattle in the state against lumpy skin disease (LSD) and has inoculated more than 22 lakh of them. In an official statement issued on Saturday, Animal Husbandry Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar said the vaccination drive is nearing completion ahead of the April 30 deadline. "The vaccination drive for early protection of cattle from LSD was initiated on a war footing on February 15, 2023 with 773 dedicated veterinary teams of the animal husbandry department," he said. "We have completed 90 per cent vaccination till date, with more than 22,58,300 cattle already vaccinated," the minister said, adding the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led government has set a target of vaccinating all the 25 lakh cattle in the state under this mega campaign. Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Vikas Pratap said the department had set a daily target of administering 40,000 vaccine doses and has achieved it

Punjab exploring possibility of moving court against Centre over dues: CM

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said his government was exploring the possibility of moving court to seek the Rural Development Fund dues of Rs 3,000 crore from the Centre. He stated this after announcing the closure of a toll plaza on the Kiratpur Sahib-Nangal-Una road, according to an official release. Mann said the state government was exploring the possibility of moving court to seek the dues from the Centre. He alleged that the Union government was "unnecessarily harassing" the state by stalling the release of Rs 3,000 crore dues under the Rural Development Fund (RDF). Mann said the state government had completed all the formalities but the Centre was deliberately stalling the release of the amount. Last month, the chief minister had raised the issue of the release of RDF dues with Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.

Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu out from Patiala jail after 10 months

Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu walked free on Saturday after spending nearly 10 months in Patiala central jail in a 1988 road rage death case. He was wearing a sky blue jacket when he came out of jail. There were expectations that he would be released by afternoon but he came out of jail at 5:53 pm. The 59-year-old's supporters had assembled since morning outside the prison to accord him a grand welcome upon his release and they could be heard chanting 'Navjot Sidhu zindabad'. Several Congress leaders including Amritsar MP Gurjit Aujla, former Punjab Congress chiefs Shamsher Singh Dullo, Mohinder Singh Kaypee and Lal Singh, former MLA Navtej Singh Cheema, other leaders Ashwani Sekhri, Sukhwinder Singh Danny were also waiting for the return of Sidhu. The former state Congress chief was jailed on May 20 last year after being sentenced to one-year rigorous imprisonment by the Supreme Court over the death of the 65-year-old Gurnam Singh in a road rage case in 1988.

Punjab govt sets up panel for alternative crops to paddy to save water

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said he has formed a committee under the chief secretary to look at alternative crops that require less water compared to paddy. Mann said sowing of the paddy crop over the years has led to several problems including depletion of underground water table and issues related to stubble burning. He said he has formed a committee under the chief secretary which will meet farmers in different villages and see which crops consume less water and bring more income to farmers as a replacement of paddy. The committee will submit the report to him, he said in a video message. The CM said his government was taking steps to promote basmati, cotton, moong and pulses. He said his government wanted to increase the area under the cotton crop. The CM said from April 1, canal water will be made available for irrigating cotton crop up to tail ends. He said 33 per cent subsidy was being given on cotton seeds which are certified by the Punjab Agricultura

348 held during Amritpal crackdown freed, Punjab govt tells Akal Takht

The Punjab government has informed the Akal Takht that 348 of the 360 people taken into preventive custody during a police crackdown against radical preacher Amritpal Singh have now been freed. The Akal Takht Jathedar's personal secretary Jaspal Singh on Thursday said a message was received from the state government that the rest would also be released soon. Earlier this week, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh had given an ultimatum to the state government to release all Sikh youths held during the police crackdown against Amritpal Singh and his aides. The Jathedar had also condemned the state government for invoking the National Security Act against a few people during the police crackdown. A few days prior to the Jathedar's ultimatum, the Punjab Police had said that out of those detained, nearly 30 were hardcore criminals. The rest would be released after verification, a senior police official had said. Meanwhile, police have stepped up security in and around Amritsar and

Punjab govt has given 27,042 govt jobs to youth, says Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday said 27,042 government jobs have been given to the youth during past one year. "Idle hands (mind) are devil's workshop. So we are trying our best to ensure that maximum youth get jobs so that they do not fall prey to the social menaces," said the chief minister as he handed over job letters here during a function here. A state government statement said Mann handed over job letters to 219 clerks and 26 youngsters on compassionate grounds. The chief minister said unemployment is the root cause of several social problems due to which the state government is focussing on eradicating this malady. He said so far 27,042 government jobs have been given to the youth within one year of his party coming to power. Mann said the state government is laying major thrust on providing jobs to the youth. He said the newly recruited youth should ensure maximum welfare of the public so that every section of society is benefited from it. The chief min

Unseasonal rains: Punjab, Madhya Pradesh offer succor to affected farmers

FCI stops wheat sale through open market operations as procurement draws near

Nine states may surpass national nominal GDP growth of 10.5%: Report

According to data available with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Uttar Pradesh, under the leadership of CM Yogi Adityanath, expects to be the top performer

BJP accuses AAP govt of misleading people with cheap publicity in Punjab

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary Tarun Chugh on Wednesday hit out at the AAP-led Punjab government accusing it of indulging in cheap publicity by misleading the people

Punjab Congress chief comes down heavily on AAP govt over Amritpal issue

Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Wednesday slammed the AAP government for alleged botched up police operation to nab radical preacher Amritpal Singh. In a statement, he said people's trust and confidence in the state government was at its lowest ebb ever in history. "It won't be any exaggeration that Bhagwant Mann is spearheading the most inept state government in the country which hurtles towards a new embarrassment every new day," Warring said, adding that the absence of governance in Punjab is a matter of concern for every Punjabi. He said there are tell tale signs that the state government's intelligence failed miserably in catching the Khalistan sympathiser even after such 'meticulous' planning as is being claimed by the state government. Notably, the Punjab Police on Wednesday reiterated that they are making all-out efforts to trace Amritpal against whom a lookout circular and a non-bailable warrant had been issued. "Our efforts are on to arrest him," he

NSA invoked against Amritpal Singh, HC calls out govt intelligence failure

The stringent National Security Act has been invoked against Amritpal Singh, the Punjab government on Tuesday told the high court which rapped it over the intelligence failure that led to pro-Khalistan preacher giving police the slip. The Punjab and Haryana High Court was hearing the habeas corpus petition filed by advocate Imaan Singh Khara, seeking the release of Amritpal Singh from alleged police custody. Justice N S Shekhawat asked Punjab Advocate General Vinod Ghai how Amritpal Singh gave police the slip when the whole operation was meticulously planned, and called it an intelligence failure, a lawyer said. Police on Saturday had launched a major crackdown against Amritpal Singh and members of his outfit 'Waris Punjab De.' The elusive preacher himself, however, gave the police a slip and escaped their dragnet when his cavalcade was intercepted in Jalandhar district. In his petition, Khara sought the production of Amritpal Singh from alleged police custody. Khara is the legal .

Punj police arrests 4 for aiding Amritpal escape, releases fugitive's pics

Punjab Police arrested four people on Tuesday for allegedly helping radical preacher Amritpal Singh escape their net and released seven photographs of the Khalistan sympathiser, including some in which he is not wearing a turban, to seek public help to nab the fugitive. The self-styled Sikh preacher managed to give police a slip after changing his vehicle on Saturday when police had launched a crackdown against him and his outfit 'Waris Punjab De'. He was initially in his Mercedes vehicle but later switched to Brezza sports utility vehicle during police action against him on Saturday. In a new photo that appeared on social media, Amritpal Singh could be seen riding pillion on a bike wearing a pink turban and black goggles, suggesting that he tried to change his appearance to get away from the eyes of police. In a CCTV footage, he could be seen sitting on the bike. In another CCTV footage of the Jalandhar toll plaza, which appeared on social media on Tuesday, showed Amritpal Singh ..

Action taken against elements disturbing peace: CM Mann on Amritpal Singh

Days after crackdown against radical preacher Amritpal Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said action was taken against those who at the instance of foreign forces were speaking about disturbing the state's peace and giving hate speeches. Mann said Punjab's peace, harmony, and the country's progress were his top priorities and asserted that nobody will be allowed to disturb the harmonious environment of the state. Police on Saturday launched a major crackdown against Singh and members of his outfit 'Waris Punjab De'. The preacher, however, gave the police a slip when his cavalcade was intercepted in Jalandhar district. Apparently referring to Amritpal Singh and members of his outfit, 'Waris Punjab De', Mann said, in the last few days, some elements at the instance of foreign forces were talking about disturbing the peace in Punjab. "(They) were giving hate speeches and speaking against the law. Action has been taken against them and they have been arrested. They

NSA invoked against Amritpal Singh, Punjab govt tells high court: Lawyer

Punjab government on Tuesday informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the stringent National Security Act has been invoked against radical preacher Amritpal Singh, claimed a lawyer. During a hearing on the habeas corpus petition seeking the preacher's production in court, Justice N S Shekhawat also pulled up the state government over Amritpal Singh giving police the slip on Saturday and called it an intelligence failure. The petition was filed by advocate Iman Singh Khara, seeking the release of Amritpal Singh from alleged police custody. Khara is the legal advisor of Amritpal Singh and his outfit 'Waris Punjab De.' The Punjab Police say the Khalistan sympathiser is still on the run after escaping their dragnet. During Tuesday's proceedings in the high court, Amritpal Singh's father Tarsem Singh was also present. Khara claimed that Amritpal Singh was illegally and forcibly detained by police from the Shahkot area of Jalandhar. Speaking to reporters after the court hearing,

Amid Amritpal's arrest, Punjab govt suspends internet services till Tues

The Punjab government extended the suspension of mobile internet and SMS services till Tuesday noon even as the hunt for the Khalistan sympathizer Amritpal Singh continued for the third day. The state authorities had on Saturday suspended the internet and SMS services in the state till Sunday noon. Later, the curbs were extended till Monday noon. According to the latest order of the Home Affairs department and Justice on Monday, .it is directed that all mobile internet services (2G/3G/45/5G/CDMA/GPRS), all SMS services (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except the voice calls, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab shall be further suspended from March 20 (12.00 hours) to March 21 (12.00 hours) in the interest of public safety, to prevent any incitement to violence and to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order. The broadband services are not being suspended so that banking facilities, hospital services and othe

Sidhu Moosewala's father says crackdown on Amritpal wilfully timed

Slain singer Sidhu Moosewala's parents on Sunday launched an attack on the Punjab government, alleging that the crackdown on radical preacher Amritpal Singh was deliberately timed to coincide with the observance of death anniversary of their son. "I want to ask the government why did they not find any other day to catch Amritpal? Why they chose today? Why internet has been suspended today...," said Balkaur Singh, the father of Moosewala who was shot dead in May last year. Singh alleged that it was deliberately done as people were to raise their voice seeking justice for Moosewala at his "barsi" (death anniversary) event, and asserted that their fight will continue till they get justice. "Can they suppress our voice seeking justice in this manner...," Singh said addressing the gathering in their native village Mansa. Senior state Congress leaders, including Partap Singh Bajwa and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, attended the event. A hunt for radical preacher Amritpal Singh continued fo

Crackdown on Amritpal: SMS, internet suspension extended till March 20

The Punjab government has extended the suspension of mobile internet and SMS services till Monday noon, even as the hunt for radical Sikh preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh continued. The state authorities had on Saturday suspended the internet and SMS services till Sunday noon. The police earlier said they will soon arrest the fugitive preacher. In exercise of power conferred on me under the India Telegraph Act, 1885, it is directed that all mobile internet services (2G/3G/45/5G/CDMA/GPRS), all SMS services (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except voice calls, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab shall be further suspended from March 19 (12.00 hours) to March 20 (12.00 hours) to prevent any incitement to violence and any disturbance of peace and public order," an official order issued on Sunday said. The broadband services are not being suspended so that banking facilities, hospital services and other .

Amritpal Singh maintaining close links with ISI, terror groups: Sources

Radical preacher Amritpal Singh, who is on the run following a police crackdown, has been maintaining close links with Pakistani intelligence agency ISI and some terrorist groups based abroad, official sources said on Saturday. Amritpal Singh, who had even issued a veiled threat to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has been trying to destabilise the situation in Punjab by indoctrinating and attracting the Sikh youth into the fold of his outfit "Waris Punjab De". The radical preacher is believed to be a close associate of UK-based Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda. Khanda is believed to behind Amritpal Singh's meteoric rise, sources said. Khanda is a trusted lieutenant of leader of the banned Babbar Khalsa International Paramjit Singh Pamma, who often holds theoretical training classes for the Sikh youth to radicalise them. The trio have been aiming to destabilise Punjab by ideological indoctrination of the Sikh youth with extremist views, they said. Khanda gives online ...