Page 8 - Punjab

As Punjab and Haryana fret over water, two new orders are causing heartburn

Unchecked paddy cultivation over the years has pushed groundwater levels to unsustainable levels, but a recent decision to stagger sowing might meet with limited success

9 held in illicit liquor case, DSP, SHO Majitha suspended: Punjab DGP

At least 14 people have died in five villages in Punjab's Amritsar after allegedly consuming spurious liquor, leading to the arrest of five accused, officials said on Tuesday. Police said six people have been hospitalised with complications caused by hooch. The deaths have occurred in five villages -- Bhangali, Patalpuri, Marari Kalan, Therewal and Talwandi Ghuman. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney confirmed the death of 14 people and informed reporters that Senior Superintendent of Police Maninder Singh reached the spot to take stock of the situation. Police said they have made five arrests in the incident. Those arrested have been identified as Prabhjit Singh, the main accused, Kulbir Singh, Sahib Singh, Gurjant Singh and Ninder Kaur, they said. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Excise Act, said the officials.

Schools shut in Punjab's Amritsar, Pathankot as a precautionary measure

Colleges and universities in Pathankot and Amritsar were shut on Tuesday; however, the Amritsar authorities said that the universities and colleges can conduct online classes

Punjab seeks HC review of order allowing extra water release to Haryana

The Punjab government on Monday moved an application in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking a review or modification of its May 6 order pertaining to Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan's May 2 decision to release 4,500 cusecs of extra water to Haryana. The high court had on May 6 directed Punjab to abide by the decision of the meeting held on May 2 under the chairmanship of the Union home secretary. Mohan had on May 2 chaired a high-level meeting, which advised to carry out the Bhakra Beas Management Board's decision to release 4,500 cusecs of extra water from Bhakra dam to Haryana for the next eight days to meet the state's urgent water requirements. In its petition, Punjab objected that the Union home secretary was not the appropriate authority to take a call on releasing water. "Further the State of Haryana had stated during the proceedings before this court that the meeting dated 2.05.2025 was called by the Union Home Secretary as it pertained to the law and order situatio

India Inc on high alert despite tensions with Pakistan under control

Companies unlikely to roll back employee safeguard measures in a hurry

Punjab: Schools in five border districts, Sangrur to remain shut on May 12

Schools in five Punjab districts bordering Pakistan, as well as in Sangrur, will remain closed on Monday, officials said. However, academic institutions in the rest of the state will reopen, they said. The authorities in Pathankot, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran districts that lie on the border with Pakistan have ordered schools to remain shut. Punjab shares a 553-kilometre border with Pakistan, spanning these five districts as well Fazilka. Education Minister Harjot Bains said if any university already revised its examination schedule, those exams would follow the revised schedule. Deputy commissioners of border districts have also been authorised to take a call on opening or closing schools, based on local circumstances. Bains also directed the academic institutions to strictly adhere to the government's safety protocols and guidelines. Meanwhile, the authorities in Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Moga issued advisories, urging people to voluntarily switch o

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann calls Centre for special financial package

Asserting that Punjab is the sword arm of nation, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said the Centre should give special package to the border state. Mann put forth his views during an all-party meeting convened by Punjab Governor and UT Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria. Interacting with reporters later along with Governor Kataria, the chief minister said whether it is war or any other exigency Punjab and Punjabis are always on the forefront. Punjab always faces the first brunt during every war and escalations, said Mann, adding the state needs special treatment for its enormous contribution. He said that Punjab besides being the food bowl of the country has always been its sword arm but its contribution has been hitherto ignored. Mann said that special package should be given to Punjab on lines of one given to Jammu and Kashmir and some hill states. The state government will also raise the demand of border area allowance for doctors, teachers, Anganwadi and oth

More than 3,000 youth in Punjab sign up as civil defence volunteers

More than 3,000 young people stepped forward with an unwavering resolve to serve as civil defence volunteers at an event here on Saturday that was held hours before the directors general of military operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan agreed on a ceasefire. The event was held amid a military conflict between India and Pakistan. However, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri subsequently announced that the DGMOs of the two countries have agreed to stop all firings and military action on land, air and sea with effect from 5 pm on Saturday. Earlier in the day, civil defence enrolment and training camps were held at the Tagore Theatre in Sector 18 and Tiranga Urban Park in Sector 17. The camps witnessed an overwhelming response. Punjab Governor and the Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh Gulab Chand Kataria's words on the occasion struck a deep chord with every listener, especially youngsters, who stood silently yet solemnly as he addressed them not as mere citizens, but a

'Baseless': India rejects Pak's claim of destroying S-400 defence system

India denies Pakistan's claim of destroying the S-400 air defence system, calls it false and baseless. Time-stamped images, PIB Fact Check refute attack on Sirsa, Suratgarh bases

India foiled Pakistan's 'cowardly act' of targeting civilian infra: MEA

India says Pakistan deliberately attacked schools and medical centres near airbases in a cowardly act, with over 26 sites hit; Indian forces responded with precision strikes

India-Pakistan tensions escalate: What's closed, who's on leave? Details

India intensifies military and civilian readiness as cross-border tensions with Pakistan escalate, prompting widespread closures, red alerts, and travel disruptions

Shadows of war: How blackouts are impacting life in India's border towns

India-Pakistan tensions: Indian border towns plunge into darkness as blackouts are enforced amid escalating hostilities along the Line of Control

Air warning in Chandigarh over possible drone attack, sirens sounded

The Mohali district administration has also advised people residing in the neighbouring areas of Chandigarh to stay indoors, news agency PTI reported

Schools, colleges shut in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, J-K amid Pak tensions

Educational institutes in border states shut amid escalating Indo-Pak tensions, following Islamabad's attempted drone and missile strikes on key Indian sites

Court proceedings cannot be recorded without nod, warns Punjab & Haryana HC

The Punjab and Haryana High Court bans unauthorised recording in all courts; warns of contempt proceedings and seizure of devices used for filming without prior permission

Why did Cartier refuse Diljit Dosanjh the Patiala necklace for Met Gala?

Diljit Dosanjh dazzles at Met Gala 2025 in a sherwani inspired by Punjab's heritage, but Cartier denying the Patiala Necklace fuels cultural appropriation debate

Tension soars after strikes: Border states shut schools, cancel leaves

Tensions have escalated following India's strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, prompting Rajasthan and Punjab to shut schools, cancel leaves

Punjab Police cancels leave of all personnel amid heightened security alert

In a major administrative reshuffle, the Punjab government issued transfer and posting orders for one Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and 55 Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officers

HC tells Punjab govt to release water, not obstruct Bhakra dam operations

The court expressed serious concern over the alleged conduct of the Punjab administration, comparing the situation to actions taken against hostile countries

Punjab & Haryana HC bars Punjab from 'interfering' in Bhakra Dam operations

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has restrained Punjab and its departments including police personnel from "interfering" in the day-to-day functioning, operation and regulation of the Bhakra-Nangal Dam and Lohand control room water regulation offices managed by Bhakra Beas Management Board. On May 6, a bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Summet Goel said Punjab, however, was free to extend security to the Bhakra Nangal Dam and the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) personnel. "State of Punjab and any of its functionaries including police personnel are restrained from interfering in the day-to-day functioning, operation and regulation of the Bhakra-Nangal Dam and Lohand control Room water Regulation offices managed by BBMB," the court ordered. The bench further directed Punjab to abide by the decision of a meeting held on May 2 under the chairmanship of the Union home secretary. Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan chaired a high-level meeting which advised executing BBMB'