Page 27 - Punjab

Farmers' protest: Samyukta Kisan Morcha to hold meeting today in Chandigarh

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which spearheaded an agitation in 2020-21 against three farm laws that have since been repealed, will hold a meeting here on Thursday to discuss the situation at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana where thousands of farmers are camping as part of the "Delhi Chalo" call given by their organisations. Several SKM leaders from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and other states have assembled here for the meeting. Bharti Kisan Union (Lakhowal) general secretary Harinder Singh Lakhowal said the SKM will discuss what happened at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points on Wednesday. Besides, the farmers' body will also take a decision on how to support the ongoing agitation, Lakhowal added. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) are spearheading the "Delhi Chalo" march to press the BJP-led Centre to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MS

14,000 people, 1,200 tractors at Shambhu border, MHA tells Punjab govt

The Centre has estimated that nearly 14,000 people have gathered along the Punjab-Haryana border with 1,200 tractor-trolleys, 300 cars, 10 mini-buses as well as small vehicles and conveyed its strong objections to the Punjab government for it, sources said on Tuesday. In a communication to the Punjab government, the Union Home Ministry also said that the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state has been a matter of concern over the last few days and asked it to take stringent action against lawbreakers. The home ministry said many miscreants in the guise of farmers were indulging in stone-pelting, mobilising heavy machinery along the Shambhu on Punjab's border with Haryana. Protesting farmers have been staying put at Shambhu and Khanauri points on Punjab's border with Haryana after their 'Delhi Chalo' march to press the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops, was stopped by security forces which led to clashes last

Highlights of the day: Security up at Delhi borders ahead of farmers' march

Farmers' protest march updates: Catch all the latest updates on the farmers' protest here

Farmers rejected offer as they understood govt's mischief: Congress

The Congress on Tuesday claimed that protesting farmers have rejected another "false offer" as they have understood the government's "mischief" and asserted it is committed to providing legal guarantee of the MSP and take other necessary steps to provide justice to the tillers. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the legal guarantee for MSP will not make the Indian farmers a burden on the budget but ensure they become the drivers of GDP growth. He claimed that "lies" are being spread that the MSP guarantee is not feasible under the government's budget. In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi claimed that ever since the Congress resolved to provide legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP), "Modi's propaganda machinery and media friendly to him have spread a barrage of lies on MSP". "Lie -- It is not feasible to provide legal guarantee for MSP in the budget of the government of India. Fact -- According to CRISIL, giving MSP to farmers in 2022-23 would have resulted in an additional

Five crops at MSP for five years: Centre's offer to protesting farmers

The fourth round of talks between farmers and Union ministers concluded late Sunday night

Farmers' protest highlights: Farmers have rejected govt's proposal on MSP

Farmers' protest march updates: Catch all the latest updates on the farmers' protest here

Shubman Gill designated as 'state icon' for Lok Sabha polls: Punjab CEO

The Punjab Chief Electoral Officer's office has designated Indian cricketer Shubman Gill as a "state icon" for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. In a statement, Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C said on Monday that Gill will engage in various campaigns aimed at voter awareness to ensure a voting percentage of 70 per cent. The poll panel has set the target of "Is Vaar 70 Paar". Punjab had recorded a voter turnout of 65.96 in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls for the 13 seats. The CEO said Punjab-resident Gill, popular among sports enthusiasts, especially the youth, has been appointed as a "state icon" for the polls. Sibin C said that in a meeting with all deputy commissioners of Punjab on Friday, they were asked to identify such areas where the voting percentage was low during the last elections. He said that awareness campaigns and appeals made by Shubman Gill in such areas would motivate the voters and help increase the turnout. Earlier, popular Punjabi singer Tarsem Jassar had been selected a

Farmers' protest: Internet ban extended in parts of Punjab till Feb 24

The suspension of internet services has been extended in certain areas of some Punjab districts, including Patiala, Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib, till February 24 on the orders of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Earlier, the internet services were suspended from February 12 till 16 in view of the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march. According to the ministry's February 16 order, internet services will remain suspended in areas falling under Shambhu, Julkan, Passian, Patran, Shatrana, Samana, Ghanaur, Devigarh and Balbhera police stations in Patiala; Lalru police station in Mohali; Sangat police station in Bathinda; Killianwali police station in Muktsar; Sardulgarh and Boha police stations in Mansa; and Khanauri, Moonak, Lehra, Sunam and Chajli police stations in Sangrur; and areas under Fatehgarh Sahib police station. The Centre used its special powers under the Telegraph Act of 1885 to suspend internet services in these areas of Punjab. "In exercise of the power conferred by section 7

'Pak Army gave 2 options to Sharif, premiership or CM slot for daughter'

Nawaz Sharif sacrificed his ambition to become Pakistan's prime minister for a record fourth term and nominated his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif for the plum post as the powerful Army gave him two options either to choose the premiership or leave it to allow his daughter to become the chief minister of Punjab, according to party insiders. The nomination of Shehbaz Sharif for the slot of prime minister by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supremo Nawaz Sharif has stirred quite a debate among the PML-N ranks who are questioning why the 74-year-old three-time premier was "sidelined" despite the earlier announcement on the premiership. Sources in the PML-N told the Press Trust of India here that Nawaz Sharif decided to withdraw himself from the race for the prime minister's office for his daughter and political heir, Maryam Nawaz, 50. "Nawaz Sharif could have become the prime minister to lead the coalition government for the fourth time but then his daughter would have no chance to ...

SKM bandh: Commuters left stranded as many buses stay off roads in Punjab

Commuters in Punjab faced inconvenience on Friday as many buses stayed off the roads in response to the Samyukta Kisan Morcha's call for a 'Bharat Bandh' to press the government to accept farmers' demands including a legal guarantee of MSP. Punjab Roadways, Punbus and PRTC Contract Workers' Union are supporting the Samyukta Kisan Morcha's (SKM) bandh call. During the day, farmers will also hold demonstrations at many places in Punjab under the banner of the SKM. Many farmer bodies including Bharti Kisan Union (Rajewal), Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakunda), Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal), Bharatiya Kisan Union (Qadian) and Kirti Kisan Union are taking part in the bandh. Passengers were seen waiting for buses at many bus stands to reach their respective destinations. Mainly students and office-goers faced inconvenience because of the non-availability of buses. At the Patiala bus stand, a college student said he could not find any bus to go to Landran road. A government employee said

Farmers' march: HC sends notices to Haryana, Punjab, Centre on 2 petitions

The petitions came up for hearing before a bench of Acting Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji

APEDA facilitates Punjab farmer to export millets to Australia, says govt

The commerce ministry's arm APEDA has facilitated a farmer in Punjab to export 14.3 tonnes of millets and its products worth USD 45,803 to Australia, an official statement said on Tuesday. The shipment includes ready-to-cook millets derived from Kodo millet, Foxtail millet, Little millet, Browntop millet, and Barnyard millet, the commerce ministry said. "A farmer from Sangrur, Mr Dilpreet Singh, has transformed into an exporter, marking his first export consignment of 14.3 metric tonnes of millets, and its products valued at USD 45,803," it said. It also said that India's millet exports have touched USD 45.46 million during April-November this fiscal against USD 75.45 million in 2022-23. "Millets are gaining popularity in the global market. There is a significant increase in the export of cereal preparation, including value-added millet products. APEDA has facilitated around 500 startups in marketing, and exporting millet-based value-added products," it said.

Don't divide Punjab and India, says Mann; criticises Haryana's barriers

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday accused the Haryana government of creating a border "between Punjab and India", referring to the concrete blocks, nails and barbed wire placed on some roads to scuttle the farmers' proposed 'Delhi Chalo' march. He said the Manohar Khattar-led Haryana government has placed as much barbed wire at the state's borders with Punjab as there is at the country's border with Pakistan. Khattar, however, justified the steps taken by his government to seal the state's borders and stop Punjab farmers from marching towards the national capital, saying the arrangements are aimed at maintaining law and order. Haryana authorities have sealed the state's border with Punjab at Shambhu near Ambala district, placing concrete blocks, sandbags, barbed wire and anti-riot vehicles on the roads going towards Delhi. Elaborate arrangements have been made at the state's borders with Punjab in Jind and Fatehabad districts as well. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha ...

Delhi Chalo march: Punjab-Haryana border sealed at Shambhu in Ambala

Ahead of the farmers' proposed 'Delhi Chalo' march on February 13, Haryana authorities have sealed the border with Punjab at Shambhu near Ambala. Elaborate arrangements are in place at the borders in Jind and Fatehabad districts to stop the march. Apprehending the disturbance of peace, the Haryana government has also suspended mobile internet services and bulk SMS in seven districts -- Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa -- from February 11 to 13. Amid measures by the Haryana authorities to prevent the farmers from heading towards the national capital, the Centre has invited them to hold another meeting to discuss their demands on February 12. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha had announced the 'Delhi Chalo' march by more than 200 farmers' unions on February 13 to press the Centre into accepting several demands, including the enactment of a law to guarantee a minimum support price (MSP) for crops. The road on the Ghagg

We are firmly with 'INDIA': AAP on decision to contest all Punjab seats

Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday emphasised that it was firmly with the INDIA bloc and asked the Congress for a quick decision on seat-sharing, even as it defended the move to go it alone in Punjab saying local units of both parties wanted to fight the Lok Sabha elections separately. AAP convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, while addressing a programme in Punjab earlier in the day, announced that his party will declare its candidates for all 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state and the lone Chandigarh parliamentary seat in the next 10-15 days. The local units of both Congress and AAP in Punjab favoured fighting election separately, the Aam Aadmi Party, which had earlier called for an alliance with the Congress in Delhi, Gujarat, Goa and Haryana, said in a statement. "So we have decided to honour that. Regarding other states, talks are ongoing," the statement said. "We are firmly with the alliance. Our shared goal is to defeat the BJP. Time is thus of paramount importance if the

Will announce candidates for 13 Punjab LS seats within fortnight: Kejriwal

AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal Saturday said his party will announce candidates for 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab and one Chandigarh parliamentary seat as he sought peoples' blessing for the victory of his candidates. Kejriwal made the announcement addressing a gathering organised for the "doorstep delivery" of ration under the National Food Security Act of the Punjab government. "Two years back, you gave your blessings. Out of 117 seats, you gave us 92 seats. You created history in Punjab. "Today I again seek your blessing with folded hands. There will be Lok Sabha elections after two months. In Punjab there are 13 (Lok Sabha) seats, one is Chandigarh and there will be 14 seats. "In the coming 10-15 days, the AAP will announce its candidates on all these 14 seats. I request you the way you blessed us two years back, get the party to win all these 14 seats," said Kejriwal. The Delhi chief minister praised also the Bhagwant Mann government, saying it did a "lot of work" in th

Chinks in INDIA bloc as TMC, AAP rule out seat sharing in Bengal and Punjab

The constituents of the INDIA bloc were expected to contest against each other in Kerala, but two more states, Bengal and Punjab, have now been added to the list

Lok Sabha polls: After Cong-TMC fallout, AAP hints at lone battle in Punjab

The developments followed after the Congress-TMC had a fallout over seat sharing proposal in West Bengal as Banerjee announced her party's decision to fight the polls alone

AAP brought Punjab to brink, 85% fall in investment is alarming: BJP

"Reports appearing in the media suggested that there was more than an 85 percent decline in the investments coming to the state, which was a cause for alarm for Punjab, "Chugh told ANI

In meeting at Kejriwal's residence, AAP discusses LS candidates for Punjab

A meeting of AAP leaders to discuss its Lok Sabha poll candidates for Punjab was held at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence here on Saturday. Apart from party national convener Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak, MP Raghav Chadha and other leaders were present at the meeting, party leaders said. "The leaders discussed candidates from Punjab for the Lok Sabha polls. Various other issues like seat-sharing possibility was also deliberated upon but the discussions remained inconclusive. Further meetings will be held in coming days," said a source. The AAP and the Congress, both partners of the opposition INDIA bloc, have been holding seat-sharing talks for states, including Delhi and Punjab. However, sources in both parties have claimed that their state units were not in favour of an alliance between them for the elections. "A possibility of sharing six seats each in Punjab was being discussed but the Congress h