Punjab News

Chandigarh, May 6: In a significant push to boost cotton cultivation in the state, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian ordered the Chief Agriculture Officers (CAOs) of eight districts of Malwa region to train and guide farmers on modern cotton farming techniques, besides ensuring strict compliance on pest control measures and enhance monitoring. S. khudian, along with Dr. Basant Garg,  Administrative Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, reviewed the block-wise progress of cotton crop cultivation across eight districts of the Malwa region including Fazilka, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda, Mansa, Barnala, Sangrur, Moga and Faridkot. The state has set an ambitious target of bringing 1.25 lakh hectares under cotton cultivation this seaso...

Chandigarh, May 6:           The Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday announced that the groundbreaking new mining policy of the Punjab Government fundamentally shifts the control of sand and gravel resources directly into the hands of the people, effectively curbing corruption and significantly increasing state revenue. The Finance Minister announced this as he along with Mining & Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal unveiled standardized online application forms for Landowner Mining Sites (LMS) and Crusher Mining Sites (CRMS) on the official Punjab Mining Portal.           Addressing the media on this occasion, the Finance Minister said that the key highlight of the ne...

Chandigarh, May 5:           Speaking on the government resolution regarding Punjab’s rights over river waters in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha today, Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond made it clear that Punjab does not have a single drop of surplus water to spare. He asserted that the state is suffering today due to the flawed policies of previous Congress governments.           He emphasized that Punjab is already grappling with a severe water crisis, with many blocks in the state classified as ‘dark zones’ due to depleting groundwater levels. Highlighting historical references and data, the Minister outlined how Punjab’s water resources have been systematically looted. He noted that during the...

Chandigarh, May 5: Appreciating the historic step taken by the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said during a special session convened over the issue of additional water release by BBMB that this is not just an administrative decision but a historic move for Punjab’s water rights and for safeguarding the interests of its farmers. Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that ever since India’s independence, Punjab has faced injustice in water distribution. The state’s rights were exploited through unfair agreements and legislations. She pointed out that it wasn’t just the role of the central government but also the involvement of previous state governments of that time. Citing the example of Malout constituency,...

Chandigarh/ Nangal, May 04: Standing at the forefront to safeguard Punjab’s interests, Punjab Education and Information & Public Relations Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains today made visit to Bhakhra Dam at Nangal consecutively for fourth day to ensure no excess water release to Haryana. After assessing the situation, S Harjot Singh Bains emphasised that water is crucial for Punjab's economy, which heavily relies on agriculture. He reaffirmed that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government is standing firm on the decision taken regarding water. "We're closely monitoring the situation. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has already visited Nangal Dam, and also called a special Punjab Vidhan Sabha session tomorrow (May 5) to address the issue. The Punjab gover...

Chandigarh/Batala, May 4: In a continued crackdown against drug smugglers under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nashiyan Virudh’, Batala Police on Sunday demolished the illegally constructed house of notorious drug smuggler identified as Navsharan Das alias Kaka in Qadian village. The demolition was carried out using a JCB machine amid heavy rainfall, under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Batala Suhail Qasim Mir.  SSP Suhail Qasim Mir informed reporters that the drug smuggler, Navsharan Das, has six criminal cases registered against him in various police stations, including four under the NDPS Act. The cases have been registered at Police Stations including three at Qadian, while one each at Kahnuwan, Dinanagar, and SAS Naga...

Chandigarh/Fazilka, May 4: Punjab Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today asserted that Punjab's agricultural fields cannot be allowed to dry up merely to divert water to other states. Speaking to reporters here, the Cabinet Minister affirmed that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government will take all necessary measures to safeguard the state's water resources. He said that Punjab will, under no circumstances, permit the exploitation or unfair diversion of its water. Sh. Goyal said that Punjab's position on the water issue is unequivocal that the state will not relinquish its rightful share. He noted that Haryana is already drawing water exceeding its allocated quota, adding that Punjab will not yield to pressure from the Central government or Harya...

Chandigarh, May 4: In a major initiative, the Election Commission of India is developing a new user-friendly digital interface for the electors and its other stakeholders such as the election officials, political parties and the civil society. The new one-stop platform, ECINET, will integrate and reorient over 40 of ECI's existing mobile and web applications. Punjab Chief Electoral Officer, Sibin C said that ECINET will have an aesthetic User Interface (UI) and a simplified User Experience (UX) by providing a singular platform for all electoral-related activities. This move is also designed to alleviate the burden of the users for downloading and navigating multiple Apps and remembering different logins. The platform was envisaged by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India ...

Chandigarh, May 3: Punjab Water Resources and Soil and Water Conservation Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today said that the Punjab Government will boycott the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) meeting scheduled for May 5. Terming the meeting completely unconstitutional and illegal, Sh. Goyal said that proper protocols had been violated in the scheduling of the 255th Special Meeting. "Under Regulation-3 of the 1976 Regulations, a seven-day notice is mandatory before scheduling a BBMB meeting," said the Cabinet Minister, adding that "We will not participate in the meeting until BBMB follows proper procedures." In a strongly worded letter to the BBMB Chairman, the Punjab Government communicated its position to the BBMB prior to the meeting. The state government conveyed that th...

Chandigarh/Sri Muktsar Sahib, May 3: Punjab Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today lambasted that Haryana is spreading misconceptions of the water sharing issue. While addressing the media persons on the sideline of the function, Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal disclosed all facts related to this matter, asserting that Punjab has not withheld anyone's rightful share and will neither surrender its own rights nor bow to pressure from the Center or Haryana. He clarified that Punjab's interests come first for the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government and only Punjab has rights over its waters. Elaborating on this issue with detailed facts, the Cabinet Minister informed that the water distribution from dams has been occurring according to stored volume for arou...