Page 7 - Punjab

Punjab registers record 44% growth in net GST collections in June

Punjab registered a record 44.44 per cent growth in net goods and services tax collections at Rs 2,379.90 crore in June 2025, said Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday. Addressing the media here, Cheema said Punjab outpaced the national average in GST collection growth, firmly positioning itself among the top-performing states in tax mobilization despite facing national and geopolitical challenges, including border-related tensions. The net GST collection last month stood at Rs 2,379.90 crore, reflecting a revenue growth of Rs 732.21 crore over the Rs 1,647.69 crore collected in June 2024. This follows the monthly net growth trends of 15.35 per cent in April and 24.59 per cent in May. The net GST collection during the first quarter of 2025-26 reached Rs 6,830.40 crore, even amidst the military conflict between India and Pakistan in May, compared to Rs 5,377.75 crore in the first quarter of 2024-25. This represents a growth rate more than four times the 6.41 per cent gro

Oswal Group, Marriott to develop ₹260 crore Westin Hotel in Ludhiana

Marriott to operate a 200-key Westin Hotel in Ludhiana under partnership with Oswal Group's realty arm, part of a seven-acre mixed-use commercial project

Elderly Ludhiana couple dies by suicide after alleged harassment over EMIs

Despite repaying over 55 loan EMIs, the Ludhiana couple consumed poison after alleged threats and humiliation by bank staff; suicide video and note name officials, FIR registered under BNS

Terror group Babbar Khalsa International's 3 operatives arrested in Mohali

SSOC arrested three associates from the module, which is being operated by Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Rinda, according to a statement by the Punjab DGP

Bypoll wins were semifinals for 2027 polls in Punjab, Gujarat: Kejriwal

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday termed the Aam Aadmi Party's victories in the Punjab and Gujarat bypolls as a "semifinal" for the 2027 assembly elections, asserting that the party is on track to form the next governments in both states. Kejriwal was speaking at an event to celebrate the party's twin victories in assembly bypolls held in Visavadar in Gujarat and Ludhiana West in Punjab. "The bypolls in Gujarat and Punjab were a semifinal and in 2027 assembly polls, we will cross 100 seats in Punjab and form the government," he said. Kejriwal congratulated Gopal Italia, who won in Gujarat and Sanjeev Arora who emerged victorious from Ludhiana West, and thanked the people for ensuring party's win. "We have been in power in Punjab for the last three years. Leave anti-incumbency, there is pro-incumbency there. We had won 92 seats in 2022 assembly polls and it looks like we will cross 100 seats in 2027," he added. The AAP chief said the Congress top leadership i

ED raids in Delhi-NCR, Punjab in ₹988 crore bank loan 'fraud' case

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches at multiple premises in Delhi-NCR and Punjab as part of a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged Rs 988 crore bank loan fraud case, official sources said. The action is being undertaken against the promoters of a company, Shilpi Cables Technologies Ltd (SCTL), and some linked entities. Nine premises in Delhi-NCR and one in Jalandhar were part of the searches being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said. The money laundering case stems from a CBI FIR alleging cheating a consortium of banks led by the IDBI Bank to the tune of Rs 988 crore by the promoters of SCTL and their associates, they said. The ED suspects that a large portion of the money (loan) availed from the banks using LsC (Letters of Credit) were transferred abroad through "fake" transactions. The role of the company managing director (MD) Manish Goel is under the scanner of the agency, as per the sources.

Storm over Sardaar Ji 3: Diljit likely to face ban for casting Hania Aamir

Diljit shared the Sardaar Ji 3 trailer on Instagram along with the film's release date. The movie is not going to be released in India. Here's all you need to know

Khalistani terror network probe: NIA raids 15 sites in Punjab, Haryana

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday searched multiple locations linked with the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror organisation in Punjab and Haryana. A total of 15 locations were searched in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Pathankot, Kapurthala, Rupnagar districts of Punjab and Sirsa in Haryana in connection with the January 2025 grenade attack at a police post in Amritsar district of Punjab, the NIA said in a statement. A host of incriminating materials, including mobiles/digital devices and documents, were seized during the searches, and are being examined for further clues to the terror syndicate of BKI, it said. "BKI has been engaged in a criminal conspiracy to recruit and train India-based associates, and to provide funds, weapons and explosives to the field operatives of the terror outfit through their associates and acquaintances based abroad, including in Pakistan. The conspiracy is aimed at carrying out large-scale terror acts on Indian soil," the ..

Indo-Pak conflict: FMCG sales soar, auto sector hit in border areas in May

Border tensions in May triggered panic FMCG buying and a dip in vehicle, fuel and cinema sales in Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat and J&K, with uneven recovery across sectors

AAP govt in Punjab built on foundation of lies, alleges Haryana CM Saini

Speaking to reporters in Sangrur, Punjab, CM Nayab Singh Saini alleged that the Punjab government has completely failed to fulfill the promises it made during the elections

Punjab man held for sharing sensitive info with Pakistan during Op Sindoor

A man hailing from Punjab's Tarn Taran district was arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive information related to the army's movements during Operation Sindoor with Pakistani intelligence operatives, a top police officer said on Tuesday. Police also recovered a mobile phone containing information, which he shared with the Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). The accused was allegedly in contact with Pakistan's intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and also received money for passing on sensitive information, the police sad. Director General of Police Gauarv Yadav said the accused has been identified as Gagandeep Singh alias Gagan, a resident of Mohalla Rodupur, Gali Nazar Singh Wali, in TarnTaran. He was arrested in a joint operation of the Tarn Taran police and the Counter Intelligence wing of police. "Arrested accused had been in contact with the #Pakistan #ISI and (Pakistan based Khalistani supporter) Gopal Singh Chawla, sharing sensitive information ...

IRS officer's premises raided: ₹1 cr cash, 3.5 kg gold, 2 kg silver seized

CBI seizes ₹1 crore cash, 3.5 kg gold, and 2 kg silver in raids on IRS officer Amit Kumar Singal's properties across Delhi, Mumbai & Punjab in a ₹25 lakh bribery case linked to a pizza chain

Punjab BJP deletes tribute post for those killed during Operation Bluestar

The Punjab BJP has deleted a social media post in which it paid tributes to "martyrs" of Operation Blue Star, the Army operation which was carried out in June 1984 to flush out armed militants from the Golden Temple. The post on X was shared on Sunday but it was taken down later without assigning any reason for the same. In the post, the Punjab BJP had condemned the then Congress government for "attacking the Golden Temple" and expressed solidarity with the families of those who lost their lives. The post, which has now been deleted, read, "June 1, 1984'?' 'Saka Neela Tara'. A humble tribute to all the martyrs of the day one of the attack on the Darbar Sahib by the Congress government." The BJP had also shared pictures of the damage suffered by the Akal Takht, which is the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, and an armoured vehicle with deflated tyres. The post, which was shared on Facebook as well, was deleted a few hours later. Meanwhile, officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani K

Admissions begin for PSEB open school board exams for Class 10, 12

The open school system helps students who failed in Class 10 and 12 exams. This system allows them to retake the board exam the same year

PSEB Class 5 result 2025 to be out soon: Simple steps to download

The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) is expected to release the Class 5 results for 2025 on its official website, pseb.ac.in, after the exam was held from March 7 to March 13 in a single shift

5 killed in firecracker factory blast in Punjab's Sri Muktsar Sahib

Five migrant labourers were killed and several were injured in a blast in a firecracker manufacturing and packaging unit near a village in Punjab's Sri Muktsar Sahib district on Friday, police said. The incident occurred in the two-storey factory unit located on Singhawali-Kotli road in Sri Muktsar Sahib, Lambi's Deputy Superintendent of Police, Jaspal Singh, said over the phone. The cause behind the blast is under investigation, the DSP said.

Limca becomes Rs 2,800-crore brand in 2024, says Coca-Cola India

Limca, a lime and lemon-flavoured drink, has crossed the Rs 2,800-crore revenue mark in 2024, helped by its expansion in rural and urban areas. The five-decades-old brand is witnessing strong double-digit growth in key states such as Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, gaining share across both traditional trade and emerging retail formats, according to a statement released by Coca-Cola India. Since its inception in 1971, Limca has been a driving force in strengthening the company's sparkling portfolio, with demand soaring across both urban and rural markets, it added. Currently, Coca-Cola has three billion-dollar brands -- Thums Up, Sprite and Maaza in its India portfolio. Thums Up is now very close to becoming a USD 2 billion brand. Maaza, Thums Up and Limca were acquired by The Coca-Cola Company in 1993, when the Atlanta-headquartered company had re-entered the Indian market, from Ramesh Chauhan of Parle Bisleri. Coca-Cola had then bought the entire portfolio of aerated drinks from the

Man suspected of being linked to terror outfit dies in blast in Amritsar

A man suspected to belong to a terrorist outfit died in an explosion that took place near Majitha Road in Amritsar on Tuesday, police said. Amritsar Rural Senior Superintendent of Police Maninder Singh said the man was retrieving some explosive material when the blast happened, possibly due to mishandling. The SSP said the man might be linked to some terror organisation. "The foot soldier came here to retrieve the explosive material," he said. A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory was at the spot to collect samples of the explosive, police said. Locals reported hearing a loud blast followed by a panic in the area, which has since been cordoned off by police.

Punjab trade hubs severely bear the brunt of India-Pakistan conflict

Industries reel, migrants depart, and political voices demand relief. A ground report from Attari, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar by Sarthak Choudhury

ECI releases schedule for bye-polls in Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab, West Bengal

ECI announces bypoll schedule in Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab, and West Bengal; mobile deposit rules and 100-meter canvassing restrictions to ensure smooth polling