Gurpreet Singh, Author at National Times

29 Apr

Punjab Government Launches Massive Canal Water Initiative to Recharge Groundwater

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday announced a major relief for farmers ahead of the paddy season, declaring that canal water for irrigation will be made available from May 1 itself, with 21,000 cusecs of water to be released across the state, marking a decisive shift away from Punjab’s heavy reliance on groundwater. Backed by a ₹6,700 crore investment in irrigation infrastructure, a 14,000 km pipeline network, and the activation of 7,000 newly constructed watercourses and channels, the Bhagwant Mann Government has paired this масштаб push with an 8-hour power supply schedule across four zones…

29 Apr

Renowned Wrestler Pritpal Phagwara Joins Aam Aadmi Party

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsBusiness

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Aam Aadmi Party’s organizational presence in Punjab received a significant boost on Wednesday as celebrated wrestler Pritpal Singh Phagwara officially joined the party ranks. The induction took place in Chandigarh in the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, marking a high-profile transition for the athlete into active politics. Known for holding prestigious traditional titles such as Rustum-e-Hind and Hind Kesari, Phagwara is a prominent figure in the Indian wrestling circuit, and his entry is expected to strengthen the party’s influence, particularly within the sports community and the Doaba region. During the induction ceremony, Chief Minister Mann…

29 Apr

Punjab Government Implements Four-Zone Paddy Sowing Plan to Save Groundwater

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Mann, Groundwater Conservation, Paddy Sowing, Punjab Agriculture

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann officially announced a staggered paddy sowing schedule for the 2026 season on Wednesday, aimed at curbing the state’s rapidly depleting groundwater levels and optimizing the power grid. Under this strategic initiative, the state has been partitioned into four distinct zones to ensure that transplantation does not occur simultaneously across all districts. This phased approach is designed to prevent a massive, localized surge in electricity demand while also addressing the perennial issue of agricultural labour shortages by extending the overall transplantation window. According to the government mandate, the Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR)…

29 Apr

Punjab Hikes Milk Procurement Price by ₹20/kg Fat to Boost Dairy Farmers

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsEntertainment, Punjab, TrendingMilkfed, Punjab News

Gurpreet Singh :- In a significant move aimed at strengthening the rural economy, the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has announced an increase in the milk procurement price for farmers associated with Milkfed Punjab (Verka brand), effective from May 1, 2026. The decision entails a hike of ₹20 per kilogram of fat, a step expected to enhance the income of dairy farmers and reinforce the cooperative dairy framework in the state. According to official sources, the initiative has been undertaken to safeguard the interests of nearly 2.5 lakh dairy farmers linked with Milkfed, who…

29 Apr

SGPC Announces Key Administrative Appointments at Golden Temple

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabSGPC

Gurpreet Singh :- The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Wednesday carried out significant administrative reshuffle, appointing Major Singh as the new General Manager of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib. The position is considered crucial as it oversees the day-to-day management and operations of the shrine. In another key decision, Balwinder Singh Kahlwan has been assigned charge of the important Section-85 of the SGPC, where he will supervise administrative functioning. Meanwhile, Gurinder Singh Mathrewal has been appointed as the new secretary of the Dharam Prachar Committee and will be responsible for handling religious outreach and related activities. The SGPC stated that…

29 Apr

Major Fire Breaks Out at Warehouse on Banur-Tepla Road

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia, Punjab

Gurpreet Singh :- A major fire broke out at a private company’s warehouse on the Banur-Tepla road, triggering panic in the area. Two fire brigade tenders rushed to the spot and efforts were underway to bring the blaze under control. According to initial information, the warehouse stored a large quantity of incense sticks, which caused the fire to spread rapidly. Thick smoke was seen billowing from the site as flames engulfed the premises. The affected warehouse is located within a boundary that also houses two other godowns containing detergent, liquid products and grocery items. These facilities are reportedly linked to…

29 Apr

BJP Punjab Unveils Extensive In-Charge Appointments for Upcoming Municipal Polls

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBJP, Punjab News

Gurpreet Singh :- Stepping up preparations for the upcoming urban local body elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Punjab on Wednesday announced a comprehensive list of in-charges and co-in-charges for nine municipal corporations, along with appointments for 105 municipal councils and नगर पंचायतों across the state. According to the list released by state general secretary Anil Sareen, senior leaders have been assigned key responsibilities in major नगर निगम areas. Vijay Sampla has been named in-charge for Barnala, with Darshan Singh Nainewal as co-in-charge. In Bathinda, Jeevan Gupta will serve as in-charge and Mona Jaiswal as co-in-charge, while Manjit Singh Rai…

28 Apr

Meghalaya Court Grants Bail to Sonam Raghuvanshi in Honeymoon Murder Case

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaMeghalaya honeymoon murder case, Raja Raghuvanshi murder, Sonam Raghuvanshi bail

Shillong (Gurpreet Singh): A court in Meghalaya on Tuesday granted bail to Sonam Raghuvanshi, the Indore woman accused of conspiring in the murder of her husband during their honeymoon in the northeastern state last year.Sonam had been arrested in connection with the killing of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, whose disappearance and death had triggered nationwide attention.The couple had gone missing during their honeymoon in Meghalaya on May 23, 2025. Days later, on June 2, Raja’s mutilated body was recovered near a waterfall in Sohra in East Khasi Hills district, leading to a murder investigation.Police had subsequently arrested Sonam along with…

28 Apr

Odisha Man Carries Sister’s Skeleton to Bank Over Withdrawal Row, Sparks Outrage

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaJeetu Munda, Keonjhar tribal man, Odisha bank controversy, Odisha Grameen Bank, rural banking crisis

Bhubaneswar (Gurpreet Singh): A day after a tribal man in Odisha’s Keonjhar district carried his deceased sister’s exhumed skeleton to a rural bank as proof of death to access her savings, the shocking episode triggered widespread outrage, with authorities promising action and the bank issuing a clarification.The incident, captured in a viral video, unfolded at the Maliposi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank when Jeetu Munda allegedly brought his sister’s remains after repeated attempts to withdraw money from her account failed.According to Jeetu Munda, he had visited the bank several times seeking access to Rs 19,300 deposited in his late sister…

28 Apr

Indian Air Force Seeks Three Ultra Heavy-Lift Helicopters on Lease for High-Altitude Operations

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaDefence Ministry, High Altitude Operations, Indian Air Force, Mi-26, Ultra Heavy Lift Helicopters

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Ministry of Defence has initiated the process to lease three specialised ultra heavy-lift helicopters for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to strengthen operational capabilities in high-altitude regions, particularly along the Himalayas.A Request for Information (RFI), marking the first stage of the procurement process, has been issued to invite responses from potential vendors.According to the requirements outlined, the IAF is looking for helicopters capable of lifting up to 20 tonnes and operating effectively in mountainous terrain at extreme altitudes. Defence sources indicate this narrows the options significantly, with Russia’s Mi-26 currently among the few platforms globally…