Punjab News

Chandigarh, July 22 Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday lauded the significant contributions of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in fostering the growth of Punjab's agrarian economy. Speaking at an event organised to celebrate NABARD's 44th Foundation Day, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema emphasised the institution's crucial role in empowering the state's farmers and strengthening its cooperative banking network. He specifically highlighted the low-interest-rate loans provided by NABARD to cooperative banks and societies. He said that these accessible financial resources enable these institutions to, in turn, offer affordable credit to farmers, a cornerstone of agricultural development in t...

Chandigarh, July 21: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday finalised the series of events to be organised by the state government for commemorating the 350th martyrdom day of ninth Sikh Master Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji across the state. Chairing a meeting to review the arrangements for the event, the Chief Minister said that on the historic occasion of the 350th Martyrdom Day of the ‘Hind Di Chadar’ (Protector of India), Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji, the Punjab Government will organize grand and historic events. He said that from November 19 to November 25, 2025, a series of events will be organized with deep reverence and respect across the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these historic events will primarily take place on the sacred land of Sri Anandpur Sahib under the...

CHANDIGARH/PHILLAUR, July 21:           Amidst the ongoing anti-drugs campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab’s ‘Safe Punjab’ WhatsApp Chatbot portal— 9779100200— has achieved an unprecedented 30 percent tip conversion rate, with the information received from the people has led to the registration of 3671 first information reports (FIRs) and 4872 arrests since March 1, 2025, informed Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday.           Notably, the ‘Safe Punjab’ anti-drug helpline 97791-00200 is a flagship initiative of the Punjab Government aimed at providing anonymous, accessible, and non-judgmental suppo...

Dhuri (Sangrur), July 20: Slamming the BJP leaders for creating unnecessary obstacles in developmental projects of state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on a Sunday warned these leaders to refrain from such cheap tactics to jeopardize development in the state. Addressing the gathering after distributing funds worth Rs 3.07 crore for development works in Dhuri assembly segment, the Chief Minister said that the Ministry of Railways had approved Railway Over Bridge for the city the payment for which is to be made by the state government. However, he said that a senior leader of BJP from the state, visited the city, and issued a statement to scuttle the project for his vested political interests. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that such type of theatricals will not be t...

Shehna (Barnala), July 19 : Slamming previous regimes in the state for sheltering those involved in heinous crimes of sacrilege, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday said that the newly introduced law will ensure exemplary punishment for such offenders. Addressing a gathering after virtually dedicating public libraries, the Chief Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to curbing sacrilege. He shared that on Monday, the government introduced the Punjab Prevention of Crime Against Religious Scriptures Bill, 2025, in the Vidhan Sabha. Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasized that this sensitive and critical issue affects all Punjabis and has far-reaching implications for both present and future generations. The Chief Minister asserted that stringent punishment is nece...

Chandigarh/Amritsar, July 18, 2025: The Punjab Horticulture Department organized a two-day State-Level Pear Show and Seminar at Maharaja Farm, District Amritsar. The event was formally inaugurated by Shri Mohinder Bhagat, Minister for Defence Services Welfare, Freedom Fighters, and Horticulture, Punjab, who attended as the Chief Guest. While addressing the gathering, Shri Mohinder Bhagat emphasized that the Punjab Government is making concrete and consistent efforts to develop the horticulture sector and enhance farmers’ income. He said that events like the pear competition are an important part of these initiatives. Such shows, exhibitions and seminars not only boost farmers’ knowledge but also help build market linkages that contribute directly to their economic upliftment. The ...

Chandigarh, July 18 The Patiala GST division has recorded an impressive 40 percent growth rate in GST collection during the first quarter of fiscal year 2025-26, outpacing all other divisions in Punjab. This was disclosed during the quarterly review meeting of the Excise and Taxation department, chaired by Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema. Following Patiala division in growth were Ropar division with 34.97 percent and Amritsar division with 30.26 percent. The department has also successfully met its excise revenue targets, bolstered by intensified enforcement efforts that have effectively curbed the illicit liquor trade. While Patiala division led in growth rate, Ludhiana division registered the highest gross GST collection across the state...

CHANDIGARH, July 17:           With the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state completed 138 days, Punjab Police on Thursday arrested 113 drug smugglers and recovered 1.5 kg heroin, 5 kg opium and 31,237 intoxicant pills from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 22,377 in just 138 days.           The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state.           Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has aske...

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, July 17:           Amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Counter Intelligence (CI) Amritsar has busted a cross-border illegal arms smuggling module with links to Pakistan and arrested one of its operative after recovering 10 .30 bore sophisticated pistols along with magazines from his possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Thursday.           The arrested person has been identified as Harjinder Singh, a resident of village Dall in Tarn Taran. The latter is a notorious narcotics smuggler with two cases pertaining to NDPS act has been registered against...