Page 3 - Punjab Government

Centre defers May 4 meeting with farmers over participation of Punjab govt

The Centre on Thursday deferred the proposed May 4 meeting with farmer leaders here, urging them to allow Punjab government officials to participate. Union agriculture ministry's joint secretary Puran Chandra Kishan wrote to the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) in this regard. The communication came days after farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said that they would be forced to boycott the talks if Punjab government representatives were invited. He claimed the farming community harboured deep resentment against the Punjab government over the eviction of protesting farmers from Shambhu and Khanauri border points in March. The SKM (Non-Political) and KMM on April 27 wrote a letter to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, urging the Centre not to include representatives of the Punjab government in the proposed meeting. In Thursday's letter, joint secretary Kishan said, "As you know, state governments have an important role in the .

Mann slams BBMB's water release to Haryana, vows to protect Punjab's rights

The BBMB has decided to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana, a move which drew strong opposition from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann who said that they will not tolerate "robbery" of Punjab's rights. The decision to release water to Haryana was taken in a five-hour-long meeting of the technical committee of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) on Wednesday evening. The BBMB regulates water distribution from Bhakra, Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams. Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan are the partnering states that meet their requirement for different purposes, including irrigation, from Bhakra and Pong dams. During the BBMB meeting, the Punjab government officials strongly objected to the release of more water to Haryana, claiming that the neighbouring state has already utilized its share of water, said sources. The Punjab government officials had also argued that the water level in the Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams was less than that of last year. During the meeting, the officials of ...

Maharashtra leads in growth and governance; Gujarat and Karnataka follows

Gujarat topped the economic chart of the country, driven by strong performance in per capita Gross State Domestic Product, Foreign Direct Investment (% of GSDP) and Gross Fixed Capital Formation

Punjab targets to become drug-free by May 31; DGP asks officers to lead

Ending drugs trafficking by May 31: that's the ambitious target Punjab Police has set for itself with the force's chief directing all senior officers to firm up plans to cut narcotic supply lines effectively. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav took the carrot and stick approach to ensure the deadline is met. He announced that Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) would be rewarded for their "good work" and held accountable if their performance was not up to the mark. Addressing reporters here, Yadav said Punjab will be made a drug-free state in the sense that the availability of narcotics on the streets is fully culled. The DGP emphasised the decision was a well-considered one and arrived at after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reviewed the ongoing anti-drug drive "Yudh Nashyan Virudh". "We have asked all field police officers -- the SSPs and CPs -- to lead this campaign from the front so that Punjab can be made drugs-free in the

Amritpal's father slams Punjab govt for extending his son's NSA detention

Jailed radical preacher Amritpal Singh's father Tarsem Singh on Sunday slammed the AAP-led Punjab government for extending his son's detention under the National Security Act, alleging it wanted to keep the Khadoor Sahib MP behind bars as it considers him as a "threat" in the political space. Tarsem's reaction came after the Punjab government extended his detention under the NSA for another year. Amritpal (32) is lodged in Assam's Dibrugarh jail. He detained under the NSA following his arrested on April 23, 2023. Speaking to the media in Amritsar, Tarsem strongly condemned the extention of Amritpal's detention, alleging the state government has "thrown all rules to the wind". Detaining Amritpal under the NSA for the third time is a "blot on democracy", he alleged. He alleged that the state government was "hand-in glove" with the Centre in issuing the fresh order of Amritpal's detention under the NSA. Asked about the Punjab government's move of extending Amritpal's detention, Sing

Punjab govt to offer 33% subsidy on Bt cotton seeds to boost crop shift

The Punjab government on Saturday said it has decided to provide a 33 per cent subsidy on BT cotton hybrid seeds, as part of its move to promote crop diversification in the state. The subsidy will be given on seeds which are recommended by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian said a sum of Rs 20 crore has been allocated for the subsidy programme and this move would reduce financial burden on cotton growers, while simultaneously discouraging the cultivation of non-recommended hybrids to enable them to adopt high-yielding and pest-resistant BT cotton hybrid seeds. The department has fixed a target to increase the cotton crop area to at least 1.25 lakh hectares this year, he said. Cotton, a crucial kharif crop in the south-western districts of the state, presents a viable alternative to the water-guzzling paddy crop, contributing to both agricultural diversification and economic growth. Urging farmers to take advantage of this ..

100% smells of revenge: Warring questions Punjab govt's FIR against Bajwa

Punjab LoP Partap Singh Bajwa under fire for claiming 50 bombs have reached the state, with 18 already exploded and 32 yet to go off

Punjab LoP Partap Bajwa booked over claim of '50 bombs reaching' state

Hours after being quizzed over his "50 bombs have reached Punjab" claims, the Punjab Police on Sunday booked Leader of Opposition in state assembly Partap Singh Bajwa on various charges including misleading information that endangers country's sovereignty and unity. The case has been registered at Cyber Crime police station in Mohali, sources said. The FIR was filed against Bajwa under Sections 197(1)(d) (false and misleading information that endangers country's sovereignty and unity) and 353(2) (false statements intend to create enmity and hatred or ill will) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, they sources. Earlier in the day, a two-member team of Punjab Police reached the residence of Bajwa and questioned him over his claims even as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann asked the Congress leader to reveal the source of his information, questioning if he "had direct links with Pakistan". Bajwa said he cooperated with the police team which visited his residence here but refused to divulge his

Dallewal continues indefinite fast despite drinking water, says farm leader

Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has not ended his indefinite fast even though he drank a glass of water after farmers detained last week by the state police were released from different jails, farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar said on Saturday. The Punjab government on Friday told the Supreme Court that Dallewal accepted water and broke his fast. Countering the Punjab government's claims, Kohar said on Saturday Dallewal had made it clear he would take water only after all the farmers are released. "And Dallewal drank a glass of water after farmer leaders were released," said Kohar, a close aide of Dallewal. "We want to make it clear that a false impression was being given that Dallewal has ended his indefinite fast. His hunger strike continues." Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh told the apex court on Friday they dispersed on March 19 the farmers protesting at Khanauri and Shambhu border points with Haryana, and opened the roads and highways that were blocked due to th

Farmer leader Dallewal ends fast, accepts water: Punjab govt tells SC

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who was on an indefinite hunger strike in support of various demands, accepted water and broke his fast on Friday morning, the Punjab government told the Supreme Court. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh was told by advocate general Gurminder Singh for Punjab that they have dispersed the protesting farmers at Khanauri and Shambhu borders, and opened all blocked roads and highways. The bench lauded the efforts of Dallewal, and said he is a genuine farmer leader without any political agenda. "We know some people did not want settlement of grievances of farmers. We are not sitting in an ivory tower. We know everything," the bench said as it asked the Punjab and Haryana government to file a status report about the prevailing situation on the ground. The top court also asked the high powered committee headed by former high court judge to look into the grievances of farmers, to also file a supplementary status report. It also dropped

Punjab govt unveils ₹2.36 trn Budget, announces first-ever 'drug census'

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday presented a Rs 2.36 lakh crore FY26 Budget for the state, focussing on tackling drug menace, and the health sector. During his budget speech, Cheema talked about AAP-led Punjab government's anti-drug campaign to check drug scourge. Cheema said the Punjab government is going to carry out the first-ever "drug census" in Punjab to understand the prevalence of drugs, usage of de-addiction centres etc. He said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's visionary leadership has been the driving force behind Punjab's remarkable progress over the past three years. Cheema proposed total budget expenditure of Rs 2,36,080 crore for FY 2025-26. He said the state government will establish a second line of defence at border by deploying 5,000 home guards alongside BSF. Cheema said, for the first time in Punjab's history, the Bhagwant Mann government has decided to extend the state health insurance scheme in the coming fiscal year to make it universal

'People coming together to make Badalta Punjab,' says Arvind Kejriwal

As part of the ongoing war against drugs 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign was launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Director General of Police

Army colonel assault: HC orders Punjab govt to submit reply by March 28

Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday directed the Punjab government to file a detailed reply by March 28, asking it to explain the delay in the registration of an FIR in the army colonel assault case. The high court asked the government to name the officer who was informed by the petitioner about the incident and the reasons for the officer's refusal to take action and register an FIR. "An explanation for the delay in registering the FIR, despite the availability of medico-legal reports on record, along with detailed statement of the petitioner dated March 14, 2025, as well as comprehensive text message to Nanak Singh, senior superintendent of police, Patiala...," a bench of Justice Sandeep Moudgil said and directed the Punjab government to file a detailed reply by Friday, the next date of hearing. Colonel Bath, who has accused 12 Punjab Police personnel of assaulting him and his son over a parking dispute, on Monday filed a plea in the high court, seeking transfer of the probe

Women should join politics for change, says CM Mann at college convocation

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday exhorted young women to join politics and be a part of the decision-making process of the country to bring about much-needed change. Addressing the annual convocation of the Government College for Girls, Ludhiana, the chief minister said women have outnumbered men in every other field but politics is still an exception. While politics has been traditionally dominated by men, Mann said, now the time has come for women to excel in it too. Women's participation is imperative to creating an egalitarian society and cementing democracy at the grassroots, he said. Mann said women must exercise their franchise carefully so that their vote makes a difference by sending the right type of leaders to the state assembly and Parliament. This will help in making Punjab a progressive and prosperous state in the country, he said. The state government has made concerted efforts to empower women in the state, the chief minister said. He said that his

Punjab govt mulls resuming traditional bullock cart races in Kila Raipur

Formulations of the 'Punjab Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Rules, 2024' is under consideration to resume the traditional annual bullock cart races at the Kila Raipur sports event in Ludhiana, the state assembly was informed on Tuesday. Replying to a question of AAP MLA Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra in the ongoing budget session in the assembly here, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Act, 2019 has been notified by the government of Punjab for bullock cart races at Kila Raipur village of Punjab in the event of Kila Raipur Rural Sports. "Now to restart bullock cart races in this event, formulation of 'The Punjab Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Conduct of Kila Raipur Rural Sports Event and Fair) Rules, 2024' is under consideration," the minister said. Khudian further said that his department has issued extensive guidelines to all the deputy commissioners for dog races keeping in view the legal position and the ...

'State of Punjab means absent': SC raps govt over non-appearance of counsel

The Supreme Court on Monday censured the Punjab government over the absenteeism of its advocates in cases and asked the state's advocate general to ensure their attendance. A bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and Aravind Kumar made the observation while hearing the plea filed by the state government's plea against the Punjab and Haryana High Court order of bail to former minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on August 10, 2022. "Mr Advocate General of Punjab, we have already called you in one case. In your state, even after service of notice, your panel advocates in the Supreme Court are not appearing. We have already referred in two orders. This is everyday drama. State of Punjab means absent. It is happening not only in criminal cases but civil cases also. Nobody is appearing," the bench said. The top court adjourned by two weeks the plea filed by the Punjab government after it sought time. During the hearing, Punjab advocate general Gurminder Singh .

Mann will complete 5 years as Punjab CM, says AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal

AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday asserted that Bhagwant Mann would complete his five-year term as the chief minister of Punjab, trashing opposition parties' claims that he would be removed from the post. However, Kejriwal also said drugs and corruption were the biggest problems in Punjab where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) under Mann has been in power for the last three years. Kejriwal and Mann offered prayers at the Golden Temple on the completion of three years of the party's government in the state on Sunday. Kejriwal, the former Delhi chief minister, arrived in Amritsar on Saturday after completing a 10-day Vipassana meditation session in Punjab's Hoshiarpur. During the Golden Temple visit, Kejriwal was accompanied by his wife Sunita Kejriwal, and AAP leaders, including minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) formed the government in Punjab in 2022 after winning 92 of the total 117 assembly seats. Speaking to reporters in Amritsar, Kejriwal said, "On March

'Many attempts to disturb peace in state': Punjab CM after Amritsar blast

A blast occurred at Thakurdwara Temple in Khandwala, Amritsar, late last night after two bike-borne men lobbed an object, suspected to be an explosive, at the temple

Punjab police foils target killing plot, arrests 3 linked to Babbar Khalsa

The terror module was being handled by US-based gangster Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi Nawashehria, who is a close aide of Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda

'Shameless': Supreme Court tears into Punjab govt in pension scheme case

Supreme Court slams Punjab govt as 'shameless' for disowning counsel's statements and issues contempt notices to Chief Secretary and another official over the pension case