Gurpreet Singh, Author at National Times

23 Feb

Ministry of Labour to Refund 6 Lakh Inoperative EPFO Accounts Automatically

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaAadhaar linked EPFO transfer, automatic PF refund, EPFO inoperative accounts refund, Ministry of Labour and Employment 2026

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): In a major pro-worker initiative, the Ministry of Labour and Employment announced on Monday that small balances in approximately 6 lakh "inoperative" accounts within the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will be refunded automatically. This move eliminates the need for formal claims or arduous paperwork, providing direct relief to hundreds of thousands of account holders. Currently, the EPFO manages roughly 31 lakh inoperative accounts—defined as those with no activity for three consecutive years. Of these, nearly 6 lakh accounts hold balances of ₹1,000 or less. For accounts already linked with Aadhaar, the ministry confirmed that transfers…

23 Feb

Meta and WhatsApp Commit to Data Privacy Compliance Before Supreme Court

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): In a significant concession regarding digital privacy in India, Meta Platforms Inc. and its subsidiary WhatsApp informed the Supreme Court on Monday that they will comply with the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal's (NCLAT) directions. This commitment ensures that the tech giants will adhere to privacy and consent guidelines issued by the Competition Commission of India (CCI), specifically concerning the sharing of user data for advertising purposes. The matter was heard by a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi. The court was deliberating on appeals…

23 Feb

Tata Steel to Launch ₹3,200 Crore Ludhiana Plant in March; 2,500 Jobs Expected

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Singh Mann industrial policy, Punjab steel industry 2026, Tata Steel Jamshedpur vs Ludhiana, Tata Steel Ludhiana plant

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday said that Punjab’s industrial resurgence has received a major fillip with the commencement of operations of Tata Steel’s mega manufacturing plant in Ludhiana from March, asserting that the project reflects the growing confidence of global industry in the state’s progressive policies and stable governance framework. Interacting with a senior delegation from Tata Steel, including Vice President Long Products Ashish Anupam and senior representatives from Corporate Affairs, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Tata Steel Group is among the world’s leading steel manufacturers, with an annual crude steel capacity of approximately…

23 Feb

Punjab Government Launches ‘Meri Rasoi Yojna’: Free Food Kits for 40 Lakh Families

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Singh Mann free ration, Markfed ration kits, Meri Rasoi Yojna Punjab, Punjab food security scheme 2026

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): In a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening food and nutrition security for the first time at this scale in Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday announced the launch of the ‘Meri Rasoi Yojna’, under which 40 lakh families will receive free quarterly food kits starting April, in addition to wheat provided under the National Food Security Act. Unveiling the scheme, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said his government “knows how to generate resources for people’s welfare schemes” and works with “honesty and vision,” emphasising that ensuring nutritious food for every child is a moral responsibility, not…

23 Feb

India Unveils ‘PRAHAAR’: A High-Tech, Private-Sector Push to Combat Evolving Terror Threats

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaanti-terrorism legal reforms, India national security 2026, PRAHAAR counter-terrorism policy, private sector security partnerships

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): In a significant recalibration of its national security strategy, India has introduced a comprehensive counter-terrorism framework titled PRAHAAR. Outlined on Monday, the policy signals a shift toward a "whole-of-society" approach, placing a heavy emphasis on advanced technology and strategic partnerships with private enterprises to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated global terror networks. At its core, PRAHAAR is designed to modernize India’s defensive and offensive capabilities. Unlike traditional frameworks that rely almost exclusively on government agencies, this new policy actively integrates private sector innovation to mitigate futuristic threats. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and private-market agility, the government…

23 Feb

Young Woman Stabbed to Death in Chandigarh Park; Questions Raised Over Emergency Response

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaChandigarh, Murder

Chandigarh,Gurpreet Singh :- A 23-year-old woman was fatally stabbed in a public park in Sector 36 of Chandigarh on Sunday evening, in an incident that has sparked concern over women’s safety and the timeliness of emergency response. The victim, identified as Suhani, was allegedly attacked around 8:30 p.m. by a युवक named Vinay, who is accused of slashing her throat before fleeing the scene. According to family members, Suhani managed to call her mother moments after the assault, saying in a trembling voice that she had been stabbed and urgently needed help. Her family rushed to the park immediately after…

23 Feb

Gurdaspur cops death: Punjab CM announces Rs 1 crore ex-gratia each, Pak-linked outfit claims role behind killing

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsEntertainment, Punjab, Trending

Gurpreet Singh :- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore each for both the police personnel found dead with bullet injuries at a checkpost in Gurdaspur district on Sunday. Meanwhile Pakistan-based outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan claimed responsibility for the killings of both the policemen. Senior police officials said the group had no known presence in Punjab or elsewhere in India. “It is too early to say anything,” an officer said, adding that such claims could be diversionary tactics. ASI Gurnam Singh and Home Guard Ashok Kumar, who were posted at Adhian, about 2 km from the…

23 Feb

Protests at JNU turns violent as student groups accuse each other of attacks

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia

National Times Bureau :- Tensions escalated on the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) after student groups accused each other of creating violence and unleashing attacks. According to the student groups, the incident unfolded at around 1.30 am on Monday, after arguments turned into altercation and subsequent stone pelting among students. According to the statement, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) had called for a "Samta Juloos" towards the East Gate, demanding the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the revocation of a rustication order. Protesters alleged the administration did not engage with the march and instead allowed…

23 Feb

Punjab launches ‘Meri Rasoi Scheme’, to distribute free ration kits to 40 lakh families starting April

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsEntertainment, Punjab, Trending

Gurpreet Singh :- As Punjab gears up for assembly polls, state government has announced 'Meri Rasoi Scheme' under which nearly 40 lakh families who are blue card holders, will get ration kits. Chief Minister Bhagwant Maan announced the scheme after a meeting of the Punjab Council of Ministers in Chandigarh on Monday. The scheme, ‘Meri Rasoi’, will ensure that all blue card holders receive a monthly ration kit comprising 2 kg of pulses, 2 kg of sugar, 1 kg of iodised salt, 200 grams of turmeric and 1 litre of mustard oil, in addition to the free wheat they already get.…

23 Feb

Tejas Fleet Temporarily Taken Off Flight Line After Western Sector Incident

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia, TrendingTejas

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Operations of the Tejas light combat aircraft have been paused across the board after a recent runway episode prompted the Indian Air Force to initiate a fleet-wide safety sweep. All 35 jets currently in service are undergoing detailed technical scrutiny as investigators work to determine what went wrong earlier this month. The move follows a February 7 incident at a forward base in the western sector, where a Tejas aircraft experienced difficulty during its take-off roll. As it gathered speed, the fighter reportedly drifted off course and overshot the runway, coming to a halt in soft…