Page 21 - Punjab

Amritpal Singh to be taken to New Delhi for oath-taking as MP today

An eight-member team of the Punjab Police would escort jailed 'Waris Punjab De' activist Amritpal Singh to New Delhi for his swearing-in as an MP, an official said. Singh, who has won the Lok Sabha polls from the Khadoor Sahib constituency in Punjab, has been granted four-day parole for the swearing-in. The police team, led by a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)-rank official, arrived here on Thursday afternoon and is scheduled to escort Singh, lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail, to New Delhi in a special flight amid tight security for the swearing-in on Friday. Singh's lawyer Rajdev Singh Khalsa said he would be taken to Delhi aboard a "military aircraft" for the swearing-in. Singh's parole orders are stringent, prohibiting him or his relatives from making any public statements during his visit to New Delhi. Moreover, any form of media coverage, including videography or circulation of statements, is strictly prohibited. In addition, Singh has been instructed not to engage in a

SBI announces 11 new initiatives to mitigate risks in agri loan portfolio

The country's largest lender SBI on Thursday announced 11 new initiatives -- including enhancement of its digital banking features and opening of 35 new Agricultural Centralised Processing Cells -- to mitigate risks in its agricultural loan portfolio. On the occasion of the 69th Foundation Day, State Bank of India announced these initiatives to widen the bank's accessibility to address the banking needs of its potential customers, the lender said in a statement. SBI has enhanced its digital payment experience, with the introduction of two exciting features like tap-and-pay on the BHIM SBI PAY app and end-to-end digital loans against mutual funds on the YONO app, it added. The bank has also announced an initiative, which is a fully digital end-to-end journey for SBI Surya Ghar Loan, it said, adding that the users can opt for credit to install solar rooftops under the central government's PM Surya Ghar Scheme, offering loans for up to 10 KW capacity. The entire process will be manage

Another batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims departs from Srinagar base camp

The annual yatra, which lasts for 45 days, is a major concern for the government amid the recent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir

Jailed radical preacher Amritpal likely to take oath as LS member on Jul 5

Jailed radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh, who recently won the Khadoor Sahib parliamentary seat in Punjab, is likely to take oath as Lok Sabha member on Friday. The chief of the 'Waris Punjab De' outfit, who is currently lodged in Assam's Dibrugarh jail along with nine associates under the National Security Act, has been granted a four-day parole to enable him to take oath, officials in Amritsar said. Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, an Independent MP from Faridkot, said Amritpal Singh is likely to take oath as MP on July 5. "I went to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at his residence in Delhi on Wednesday. He said the oath will be administered on July 5," Khalsa told PTI over phone. He also said that clearances and permissions from various quarters to enable Amritpal Singh to take oath have come. "I understand that he will be flown in from the prison for taking oath, which will be in the private chamber of the Speaker," he said. Khalsa said the sole purpose of his meeting the Speaker o

Long-duration paddy use prevalent in Punjab despite concerns: Report

Farmers in Punjab's districts with the highest stubble-burning incidents continue to cultivate the long-duration and water-intensive paddy variety Pusa 44, according to a new survey released on Tuesday. The survey, conducted by researchers from the Delhi-based independent think tank Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), also found that nearly half of Punjab farmers using in-situ crop residue management (CRM) machines still burn some loose paddy straw to ensure the machines' efficient operation and for pest control. The CEEW report highlighted that 36 per cent of the 1,478 farmers surveyed in 11 districts of Punjab grew Pusa 44 in Kharif 2022 due to its high yield. The selected districts -- Amritsar, Bathinda, Fatehgarh Sahib, Fazilka, Firozpur, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur, and SBS Nagar -- accounted for about 58 per cent of the Kharif fires reported in Punjab in 2022. High-and medium-burn districts, such as Sangrur and Ludhiana, have the highest ...

Punjab limits retailers to 1,000 cases of IMFL monthly, manufacturers panic

Punjab's Indian Made Foreign Liquor market typically moves around one million cases, retailers can now only purchase 1,000 cases per month

ACs, coolers shoot up India's power usage by 9% to 152.38 bn units in Jun

India's power consumption rose by nearly 9 per cent to 152.38 billion units (BU) in June compared to the year-ago period mainly due to scorching heat which forced excessive use of cooling appliances like air conditioners and desert coolers. In June 2023, the power consumption stood at 140.27 BU, according to official data. The highest supply in a day (peak power demand met) also rose to 245.41 GW in June 2024 against 223.29 GW in the year-ago month. The peak power demand was recorded at 224.10 GW in June 2023. The peak power demand touched an all-time high of 250.20GW in May this year. The previous all-time high peak power demand of 243.27 GW was recorded in September 2023. Earlier this year, the power ministry projected a peak power demand of 235 GW during daytime and 225 GW during evening hours for May and 240 GW during daytime and 235 GW during evening hours for June 2024. The ministry also estimated that peak power demand may hit 260 GW this summer. Experts said the scorching

Chandigarh allows shops to operate round-the-clock on all 365 days

The Chandigarh administration has allowed shops and commercial establishments registered with the labour department to now open round-the-clock, a move aimed to promote ease of doing business. "The female employees will not be allowed to work after 8 pm, but in case they are (willing) then their written consent in this regard shall be taken and adequate safety and security arrangements of such employees shall be made during working hours," according to a recent order issued by the administration here. According to the order dated June 25, all the shops and commercial establishments which are registered under Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishment Act, 1958 (as applicable to the Union Territory of Chandigarh), in Chandigarh are permitted to keep open on all 365 days and operate 24 hours. According to an official statement, the move is to promote ease of doing business. It is also to simplify labour laws and regulations regarding opening and closing timings and operations on all da

Canadian MP slams parliament's tribute to Nijjar amid extremism concerns

Chandra Arya, MP for Nepean, voiced discontent with his own government's stance. He referenced a Globe and Mail investigation revealing Canadian authorities' concerns about Nijjar's ties to extremism

PSPCL meets record power demand of 16,078 MW, says Punjab Power Minister

The Punjab Power Minister, who was addressing a meeting said that there are 13,340 11 kV feeders across the state out of which 6,954 feeders provide Agricultural supply

Entrepreneurship a viable path to economic rejuvenation: TAC Security head

Entrepreneurship presents a viable path to economic rejuvenation and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem can drive sustainable growth, leading cybersecurity major TAC Security founder Trishneet Arora has said. Arora believes that fostering a culture of entrepreneurship can be the key to revitalizing Punjab's economy and addressing its financial woes and the path to Punjab's prosperity lies in collaboration between entrepreneurs and the government. He envisions a synergistic relationship where the government provides the necessary infrastructure and policy support, while entrepreneurs drive innovation and growth. This partnership can create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive, ultimately benefiting the state's economy, he said. "Technology and AI have the potential to revolutionize farming in Punjab by enhancing productivity, reducing costs, and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices," Arora said. TAC Security is listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and ha

DC, SSP to be held responsible for any corrupt, illegal activity: Punjab CM

In a strict instruction to senior officers, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday said if any official is found to be involved in corrupt or illegal activity then the deputy commissioner and the senior superintendent of police of that district will be held responsible. Mann also announced to open a 'mukh mantri sahayta kendra' (chief minister help centre) in each district to facilitate people in getting their works done in a time-bound manner. The chief minister on Monday held a meeting with all deputy commissioners of the state here. Addressing the media after the meeting, Mann said the development works got affected because of the Model Code of Conduct. He said the Model Code of Conduct remained in force for more than two months due to the Lok Sabha polls. Mann said that he gave instructions in the meeting to the deputy commissioners to ensure completion of the pending works. He also gave strict instructions to the deputy commissioners to ensure that no one should face

Heatwave persists in Punjab, Haryana; Bathinda hits 46.9 degrees Celsius

There was no let up in the ongoing heat wave conditions sweeping Punjab and Haryana for the last several days, with Bathinda reeling at 46.9 degrees Celsius on Monday. While blistering heat swept Bathinda in Punjab, Pindara in Haryana's Jind also recorded a maximum temperature of 46.9 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest place in the state. Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, also sweltered and recorded a maximum temperature of 44.5 degrees Celsius, according to the MeT Department. Faridkot in Punjab was also under the grip of severe heat at 46 degrees Celsius while Pathankot recorded a high of 45.8 degrees Celsius. Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Gurdaspur and Ferozepur also sweltered under severe heat recording respective maximum temperature of 45.8 degrees Celsius, 44.6 degrees Celsius, 45.4 degrees Celsius, 45 degrees Celsius and 44.3 degrees Celsius, respectively. Meanwhile, in Haryana, intense heat conditions prevailed in Faridabad and Sirsa, which recorded ...

Atishi, Raghav meet Kejriwal in Tihar; asked to curb water, power crises

Amidst the persisting water and power crises in Delhi, state minister Atishi and AAP MP Raghav Chadha said on Thursday that they met Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal lodged in the Tihar jail and were directed to take measures to curb the problems as soon as possible. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener is lodged in Tihar jail's number 2 in the excise policy-linked money laundering case. "Today I met Kejriwal ji, who is lodged in Tihar jail in a fake case by the central government. But, he still worries about the people of Delhi, more than himself. "He inquired about the issues related to the power and water and he told me that he watched the water crisis in Delhi on television in Tihar," Atishi told media outside the Tihar jail. She said Kejriwal has directed them to take all necessary steps and arrangements that could be made to overcome the water crisis as soon as possible. "He has directed all the AAP legislators to go on the ground and take all possible steps to provide water to

China-made drone recovered in border area of Punjab's Tarn Taran: BSF

Notably, this is the third Chinese drone that the security forces have recovered in the district since last week

'Punjab aims 1 mn hectares under basmati crop in paddy sowing season'

Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian on Wednesday said the state government aims to bring 10 lakh hectares under the basmati crop in the paddy sowing season. Khuddian, who was chairing a review meeting with the department officials here at his office, said around ten lakh hectares of area will be brought under the aromatic crop in 2024-25 against 5.96 lakh hectares last year. Taking cognizance of the favourable results of the direct seeding of rice (DSR) technique, Khudian also directed the department officials to pull up their socks to bring more area under the DSR. "To encourage maximum farmers to adopt the DSR technique, the Punjab government is providing Rs 1,500 per acre as financial aid to them," he said. He further informed that the department has planned to bring two lakh hectares of paddy (non-basmati) under this technique during the ongoing sowing season, which was 1.70 lakh hectares last year. The agriculture minister also reviewed the progress of ...

Made me minister as Punjab's progress is NDA govt's priority: Ravneet Bittu

BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu on Sunday said Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi has picked him to induct him into his council of ministers despite his defeat from Ludhiana in the Lok Sabha polls as Punjab's progress is the priority of the BJP-led NDA government. Bittu, a three-term former Congress MP from Punjab, had joined the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. He contested on the BJP ticket seeking his re-election from the Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat but lost to Congress' Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. Speaking to PTI, the BJP leader said that he had quit the Congress because he wanted Punjab to get representation in the Union government. I didn't want to sit in the opposition benches for the fourth time, Bittu said. The BJP fulfilled my dream and said Punjab is on the priority whether we win (in election) or not, and gave me a ministerial berth even though I was not elected. Its because Punjab is on the NDA government's priority, he told PTI. Bittu said the BJP wants to see Punja

NIA searches multiple sites in Punjab linked to aides of Goldy Brar

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted searches at various locations linked to the associates of Canada-based terrorist Goldy Brar in Punjab as part of its probe in an "extortion and firing case". The anti-terror agency also sought people's help for information about Satinderjit Singh alias Goldy Brar and his gang, according to an official statement. A total of nine locations associated with Brar and his aides were searched by the NIA teams in connection with an extortion and firing case registered in Chandigarh, it said. The searches come a day after the NIA filed a charge sheet against Brar and 11 others for their alleged involvement in the killing of Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi last year in Jaipur. The NIA has also released telephone numbers, where people can share information about the terrorist and his associates or details of any threat calls they might have received from the gang. The information can be shared on landline number 0172-26829

LS elections: AAP bags three seats in Punjab, improves on 2019 performance

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab could manage to victory in just three Lok Sabha seats in Punjab, falling way short of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's stated target of winning all 13 parliamentary constituencies of the state. On the other hand, the Congress has bagged six seats and is leading on one while the Shiromani Akali Dal won just one seat. The Arvind Kejriwal-led party had no truck with its INDIA bloc ally the Congress for the high-stakes poll battle in the state. They fought the electoral battle separately, giving enough fodder to the rival parties to target them for "doing a drama" by contesting on their own. However, the AAP could manage victory in Sangrur, Anandpur Sahib and Hoshiarpur parliamentary constituencies while in six seats its candidates remained at the second spot. It has, however, improved on its 2019 poll performance in the state when it could manage to bag just one seat. The AAP's Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer won from Sangrur, Malwinder Singh Kang from ...

Lok Sabha polls 2024: Congress leads in 7 seats in Punjab, AAP in 3

The Congress was leading in six Lok Sabha seats, while the AAP in four constituencies in Punjab, according to initial trends. The Congress was leading from Amritsar, Jalandhar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur and Patiala seats and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was leading from Hoshiarpur, Anandpur Sahib, Sangrur and Bathinda seats, the trends showed. Radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh, who was contesting as an independent, was leading from Khadoor Sahib seat, while Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, the son of one of the two assassins of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was leading from Faridkot seat. Shiromani Akali Dal candidate Harsimrat Kaur Badal was trailing from the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat against her nearest rival and AAP nominee Gurmeet Singh Khuddian in initial trends, according to the Election Commission. A three-time MP, Harsimrat was trailing by 490 votes, the EC website showed. Counting of votes for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab and the lone Chandigarh seat began at 8