Breaking News

Chandigarh, May 15: In a step further aimed at saving 15-20% precious groundwater of the state, the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday started the Direct Sowing of Rice (DSR) which will act as a catalyst for checking the further depletion of groundwater besides supplementing the income of farmers in a big way. In a statement issued here today, the Chief Minister said that after assuming the charge of his office his government has taken several path breaking initiatives to safeguard the interests of the farmers. He said that as a part of this endeavor only the state government has encouraged DSR technique of paddy cultivation as a part of which sowing under the scheme has been started from today (Thursday). Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his Governm...

Chandigarh, May 15, 2025:  Under the able guidance and visionary leadership of  Chief Minister of Punjab, S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) continues to make remarkable strides in strengthening and expanding the electricity infrastructure across the state. The North Zone has seen significant improvements in electricity supply, capacity enhancement, and infrastructure development during the year 2024–25. Giving this information here on Wednesday, Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO added that in the North Zone, electricity is being supplied to four districts Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Kapurthala, and Jalandhar. To serve these districts effectively, the zone is equipped with 2 Sub-stations of 400KV, 15 Sub-stations of 220KV and 19 Sub-stat...

Khijrabad (Banur)/Chandigarh, May 15:           Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats Minister, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, announced that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government has embarked on a transformative mission to enhance the aesthetics and vitality of the state’s villages. He emphasized that the Punjab government’s initiatives will leave a lasting impact on rural Punjab.           Highlighting key developments, Minister Sond stated that 15,000 village ponds are being cleaned and rejuvenated, and 13,000 rural sports grounds are being developed or upgraded as part of a comprehensive strategy to uplift rural life and promote youth engagement. He crit...

Chandigarh, May 14: Reiterating zero tolerance policy towards laxity in cleanliness, Punjab Local Government Minister Dr Ravjot Singh today averred that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government is committed to providing a people-friendly environment by addressing the fundamental concerns of residents living in municipal councils and corporations. During his early morning visit to Dera Bassi town, the Cabinet Minister inspected ongoing projects and directed officials to expedite efforts to resolve civic issues. Dr. Ravjot Singh commenced his visit at Barwala Road, where he reviewed the progress of the stormwater drain project and instructed officials to accelerate work to complete it before the monsoon season. Besides this, he ordered the immediate removal of garbage al...

Chandigarh, May 14: The Punjab Government has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking recall of the Court's May 6 order that directed release of additional water from Bhakra Nangal Dam to Haryana. The High Court bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel has sought responses from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), Haryana Government and the Union Government on Punjab's application on the next hearing on May 20. The official spokesperson of the state government informed that the state of Punjab has raised strong objections to the Centre's May 2 decision, arguing that the Union Home Secretary lacks jurisdiction to decide on water allocation under BBMB Rules. Senior Counsel Gurminder Singh appearing alongside Punjab Advocate General Manind...

Ludhiana, May 14: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday said that the verdict of Punjab and Haryana High Court on the ongoing issue of release of water by Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to Haryana is a moral victory for the state. Addressing the gathering here today, the Chief Minister said that the court has sought reply from all the stakeholders on May 20. He said that Haryana that has already exhausted its share of water for the current year will be eligible for its share of water by May 21. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is a huge win for the state as we have been able to defend our share of water despite all the might applied by centre, Haryana and BBMB. The Chief Minister categorically said that Punjab doesn’t have even a single drop of water to sha...

Chandigarh, May 13: Punjab Horticulture Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat today reviewed the ongoing projects and various schemes of the Horticulture Department during a review meeting held at Kheti Bhawan, Mohali. The Minister said that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is continuously working to strengthen the horticulture sector, ensuring better opportunities for farmers. He emphasized that promoting horticulture is a key step towards increasing farmers’ income and achieving agricultural diversification in the state. Mr. Bhagat stressed the need for transparent and timely disbursal of subsidies to farmers so that they can avail themselves of the maximum benefits of government schemes without delay. He also directed officials to ensure...

Chandigarh/Tepla (Shambhu, Rajpura, Patiala), May 13: In a significant breakthrough in Punjab’s ongoing war against spurious and illicit liquor, a joint team of Patiala District Police and the Excise Department today seized a large consignment of 600 litres of methanol, a chemical commonly used in the manufacture of illicit liquor. The seizure is suspected to have direct links to the recent Majitha spurious liquor tragedy in Amritsar. Addressing a press conference near the site of the seizure at Tepla police post on the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Shambhu-Banur road, SSP Patiala Varun Sharma stated that this action was carried out under the directions of DGP Gaurav Yadav, as part of the Punjab Government’s aggressive campaign against drugs and illegal liquor, being spearheaded by Chief ...

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, May 13:           Taking swift action after a tragic loss of lives due to spurious liquor in Majitha in Amritsar, Punjab Police has arrested 10 persons including the kingpin of the racket along with several local distributors in connection with the illicit liquor trade and main suppliers of Methanol— a fatal chemical used in industrial products, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Tuesday.           The arrested kingpin of the racket has been identified as Sahib Singh, while, main suppliers of methanol have been identified as Pankaj Kumar alias Sahil and Arvind Kumar, owners of Sahil Chemicals at Sukh Enclave in Ludhiana. Police have also arrest...

Chandigarh, May 12: Punjab Government has issued a show cause notice to the Amritsar Municipal Commissioner for dereliction of duty. Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh informed that persistent complaints about Amritsar city's sanitation had been received over the past few months. He said that the concerned official had demonstrated significant negligence in performing his duties, necessitating to proceed this action. The official has been instructed to submit a detailed response within 24 hours, he added. Dr. Ravjot Singh said, "We have received numerous complaints from citizens and media regarding sanitation in Amritsar, which cannot be overlooked." "Taking the matter seriously, a show cause notice has been issued to the Amritsar Municipal Corporation Commissioner, wit...