Gurpreet Singh, Author at National Times

17 Jun

Punjab’s Doorstep Governance Revolution: 3.10 Lakh Services Delivered, Pendency Drops to Just 0.33%

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Under the “Bhagwant Mann Sarkar, Tuhade Dwaar” initiative, Punjab’s 1076 helpline and doorstep delivery are reshaping the way citizens access government services, reducing delays, limiting dependence on middlemen and making governance more transparent and citizen-centric. The technology-enabled system has delivered over 3.10 lakh services to citizens. Pendency across departments has fallen to 0.33 per cent. Citizens can now access 437 government services through the integrated platform by simply calling the 1076 helpline or booking appointments through WhatsApp, the online portal or Sewa Kendras. Once an appointment is booked, trained doorstep delivery operators visit citizens at their homes,…

17 Jun

Punjab Government Offers Free Coaching for Bank PO and LIC/GIC Exams; Applications Open Till June 30

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBank PO Exam 2026, Dr Baljit Kaur, Free Coaching Programme, LIC GIC AAO Exam, Punjab government

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): With the objective of expanding career opportunities for youth belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Minority Communities, the Punjab Government has announced free coaching for the Probationary Officer (Bank) and Assistant Administrative Officer (LIC/GIC) Examinations-2026. This initiative will enable eligible candidates to prepare for these prestigious competitive examinations without the burden of expensive coaching fees. Sharing this information, Punjab's Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur, said that the initiative aims to provide deserving youth with quality coaching, expert guidance and equal opportunities to help them build successful careers in…

17 Jun

WHO Says 15 Crore Indians Need Mental Health Support; Punjab Expands Cashless Treatment Under MMSY

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabDepression Treatment, Dr Balbir Singh, Mental Healthcare, Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, Punjab Mental Health

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): More people in Punjab are now able to access treatment for mental health conditions through cashless healthcare coverage under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY), which aims to reduce financial barriers and encourage timely care, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said on Wednesday. The Health Minister said the scheme includes coverage for a wide range of mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, stress-related conditions and substance-use disorders. "Advanced treatment options such as Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), along with diagnostic investigations, are also part of the approved package…

17 Jun

Traditional Political Parties Are Misusing Religion To Defame Me, Says CM Bhagwant Singh Mann

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingBhagwant Singh Mann

CHABBEWAL (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday tore into the traditional political parties for misusing religion and running a sustained propaganda campaign to defame him because they could not digest either the enactment of the historic Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act-2026 or the fact that a son of a common man was governing Punjab effectively. During a packed Lok Milni gathering at village Bihala in the Chabbewal Assembly segment, the Chief Minister expressed gratitude for the overwhelming love, affection and blessings showered by people, stating that the massive public response reflected their…

17 Jun

Western Disturbance Set to Bring Rainy Spell Across Punjab, Weather Department Issues Advisory

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingPunjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): A fresh round of unstable weather is expected to affect large parts of Punjab over the coming days, with meteorologists forecasting thunderstorms, scattered rainfall and strong winds across several districts. The change is being linked to an approaching Western Disturbance that is likely to become active from June 18 onward. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed 16 districts under a yellow alert, cautioning residents about possible lightning strikes and gusty winds that may reach speeds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour. Weather officials say conditions will remain favourable for intermittent rainfall until at least June…

17 Jun

Early Morning Highway Collision in Vadodara Leaves Six Dead, Around 20 Injured

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingVadodara

Vadodara (Rajeev Sharma): At least six people lost their lives and nearly 20 others sustained injuries after a private passenger bus crashed into a truck parked along the Vadodara-Halol highway in Gujarat during the early hours of Wednesday, officials said. The accident occurred near Kotambi village at approximately 4 am when the bus, carrying passengers from Rajasthan to Surat, struck the rear of the stationary truck with considerable force. Police said the truck had been pulled over on the roadside while its driver was checking the vehicle's tyres. Initial findings indicate that the bus failed to avoid the parked vehicle…

17 Jun

Caught Off Guard: Tornado Strikes Alberta Village Without Warning, Leaving Trail of Destruction

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Girouxville, Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): Residents of the small northwestern Alberta village of Girouxville are counting their blessings after a powerful tornado tore through the community Monday evening, ripping roofs from homes, uprooting trees and knocking out power all without any prior tornado watch or warning being issued. The tornado touched down at approximately 8 p.m., leaving extensive property damage in the village of about 300 residents, located roughly 55 kilometres south of Peace River. Witnesses described terrifying moments as fierce winds swept through the community, sending debris flying and forcing families to seek shelter. Homes sustained significant damage, with roofs…

17 Jun

Calgary Police Seize $150,000 in Stolen lululemon Merchandise, Meth and Cash

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingCalgary

Calgary ( Rajeev Sharma) : A routine curfew compliance check in northeast Calgary led to the discovery of what police allege was a significant cache of stolen merchandise, illicit drugs and other contraband, resulting in multiple charges against a Calgary woman. According to the Calgary Police Service, officers attended a residence in the 300 block of Herron Mews N.E. on the morning of May 20, 2026, to ensure compliance with court-ordered release conditions. When the resident failed to answer the door, investigators determined she had breached the terms of her release. Officers returned the following day to execute an arrest…

16 Jun

FIR Filed Against Comedian Pranit More, Audience Member Over Viral Gurugram Stand-Up Show Video

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaGurugram Police, Gurugram Viral Video, Himanshu Jangra, Pranit More, Stand-Up Comedy Controversy

Gurugram (Gurpreet Singh): A viral video from a stand-up comedy show in Gurugram's Cyber City has landed comedian Pranit More and an audience member in legal trouble, with Gurugram Police registering an FIR against More, web developer Himanshu Jangra and the owner of the comedy venue where the incident took place. The FIR was registered at DLF Phase-2 Police Station following a complaint from the National Commission for Women (NCW) and a suo motu action by the police. The controversy erupted after a clip from More's crowd-work comedy segment went viral on social media. In the video, Himanshu Jangra, a…

16 Jun

PM Modi, US President Trump Share Brief Interaction at G7 Summit in France

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia, World NewsDonald Trump, G7 Summit 2026, G7 Summit France, Narendra Modi, PM Modi France visit

Evian (Gurpreet Singh): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump shared a brief interaction on Tuesday during the 52nd G7 Summit in Evian, France, marking their first face-to-face meeting since the Prime Minister's visit to Washington in February last year. The interaction took place shortly after the traditional family photograph on the second day of the summit, ahead of the G7 outreach session involving member nations and invited partner countries. Visuals from the summit showed Prime Minister Modi and President Trump exchanging a handshake, with the US President also patting the Prime Minister on the arm as leaders…