Gurpreet Singh, Author at National Times

29 Jul

Supreme Court Quashes 2021 Office Memorandum Granting Retrospective Environmental Clearances

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaChief Justice Surya Kant, Environment Protection Act, environmental clearance, Supreme Court

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Supreme Court quashed the Union Government’s 2021 Office Memorandum (OM), which established a continuous administrative route for granting retrospective environmental clearances (ECs) to projects that began operations without prior regulatory approval. Declaring the executive order impermissible under law, a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant ruled that the directive failed the tests of proportionality and reasonableness, while infringing upon fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. The court emphasized that mandatory prior environmental clearances remain the foundation of India's environmental regulatory framework and that project proponents cannot illegally…

29 Jul

International Tiger Day 2026 Celebrated with Public Awareness Programs at Chhatbir Zoo

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaChhatbir Zoo, International Tiger Day, Punjab News, tiger protection, wildlife conservation

Chhatbir (Gurpreet Singh): M. C. Zoological Park in Chhatbir commemorated International Tiger Day 2026 on Wednesday with a series of educational programs, awareness sessions, and contests aimed at promoting the conservation of wild tigers. Organized around the global imperative to safeguard tiger habitats, the initiatives sought to inform visitors and students about the severe ecological challenges facing the species. A key feature of the celebration was an awareness session titled "Their Roar Keeps the Forest Alive," which brought together zoo visitors, school and college students, and prominent conservation advocates. During the event, Punjab State Information Commissioner Harpreet Sandhu released an…

29 Jul

Punjab’s Meri Rasoi Scheme Crosses 3.3 Million Beneficiaries as State Accelerates Nutritional Drive

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Mann, food security, Meri Rasoi, nutrition support, Punjab government, ration scheme

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Punjab Government has intensified its ongoing flagship ration kit distribution drive namely MERI RASOI to ensure nutritional security for vulnerable households, with nearly 33.86 lakh families already benefiting under the initiative. The drive aims to cover a total of 40.48 lakh eligible families across Punjab after every quarter i.e. 3 Months. Guided by the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, the distribution under the flagship initiative is being carried out on mission mode. Notably, each family would receive one ration kit which has been…

29 Jul

Sangrur MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer Slams Centre’s Exam Bill in Lok Sabha

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAam Aadmi Party, Lok Sabha, Meet Hayer, Public Examinations Bill, Sangrur MP

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP from Sangrur Mr. Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, while speaking in the Lok Sabha on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, saluted the struggle of the country’s youth and said that the youth power has held up a mirror to the government that has been indulging in politics of division on the basis of religion and caste for the last 12 years. He said that instead of propaganda, real issues like education and unemployment have now come to the mainstream. He further said that the Prime Minister’s selfie video…

29 Jul

Lok Sabha Passes Anti-Paper Leak Bill Following Extended Parliamentary Debate

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaAnti Cheating Bill, Exam Reform, Jitendra Singh, Lok Sabha, Paper Leak, Parliament session, Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Lok Sabha has passed the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, following a lengthy legislative debate that extended over two days. The bill, aimed at strengthening the legal framework against test leaks and cheating in competitive examinations, was approved following a concluding address by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who addressed both the statutory changes and political objections raised by the opposition. Under the amended legislation, penal measures for individuals engaging in illicit examination practices have been heightened, with minimum prison sentences set at five years and maximum terms extending to ten years,…

29 Jul

Contraband Recovered During Surprise Check at Ludhiana Central Jail; Two Inmates Booked

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingLudhiana

Ludhiana (Gurpreet Singh): A surprise inspection at Ludhiana Central Jail resulted in the seizure of multiple prohibited items, including mobile phones, SIM cards and batteries, leading to the registration of a case against two inmates and an unidentified individual. The recovery was made during a routine anti-contraband search conducted by jail authorities on July 27. Officials said the operation was aimed at curbing the use of unauthorized items inside the prison. During the search, prison staff allegedly recovered a SNEXIAN keypad mobile phone, along with a battery and SIM card, from inmate Gurpreet Singh. Another inmate, Rohit Kumar, was also…

29 Jul

Monsoon Stays Active Over Punjab, Chandigarh; Heavy Rain Warning Continues, Temperatures Fall

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingChandigarh, Punjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): A fresh spell of monsoon showers has brought down temperatures across Punjab and Chandigarh, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) maintaining heavy rainfall warnings for Tuesday. Orange and Yellow Alerts have been issued for several districts as thunderstorms and lightning are expected to accompany the rain. According to the weather department, widespread rainfall is likely to persist over the next few days. While intense showers are forecast for Tuesday, light to moderate rain is expected to continue across much of Punjab and Chandigarh between July 30 and August 3, with isolated pockets likely to receive heavy precipitation.…

29 Jul

Traffic Curbs in Chandigarh Today as Waris Punjab De Rally Set to Pass Through City

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingChandigarh, Punjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh/Naval Kishore): Commuters in Chandigarh and Mohali are likely to face traffic disruptions on Wednesday as the Waris Punjab De rally is scheduled to move from Gurdwara Amb Sahib to the Punjab Governor's House. In view of the procession, the Chandigarh Traffic Police has announced a special traffic management plan and appealed to the public to avoid affected routes during peak hours. The advisory states that traffic regulations will come into effect from 9:30 a.m., with diversions and restrictions imposed along several major roads to facilitate the movement of the rally and maintain law and order. Among the…

28 Jul

Lok Sabha Begins Debate on Public Examinations Amendment Bill Amid Opposition Criticism

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Following a week-long parliamentary impasse, the Lok Sabha commenced a key debate on Tuesday regarding the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh opened the discussion, describing the proposed legislation as a continuation of the 2024 Act and a landmark step toward safeguarding the future of Indian students. Highlighting the history of examination irregularities, Minister Singh noted that paper leaks have historically affected various states across party lines, citing past incidents including the 2009 Railway Recruitment Board and 2011 AIIMS entrance tests to underscore the necessity of…

28 Jul

AAP Highlights Four Years of Governance, Claims Opposition Lacks Credible Issues

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAAP Punjab, Baltej Pannu, Bhagwant Mann, Employment, free electricity, Punjab government

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media Incharge Baltej Pannu on Tuesday said the opposition has failed to find a single genuine issue against the Bhagwant Mann Government despite making repeated attempts to target it through misinformation, rumours and personal attacks. He said the government’s performance over the last four-and-a-half years has exposed the opposition’s inability to counter its work, citing achievements including free electricity for nearly 90% of households, expansion of canal irrigation to over 80% of the state, transparent recruitment of 68,228 government employees, financial assistance to lakhs of women, improved healthcare facilities and continuous engagement…