Gurpreet Singh, Author at National Times

11 Jul

Harpal Cheema Slams Pratap Bajwa in Punjab Assembly Amid FIR Row, Session Extended

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingHarpal Cheema, Partap Bajwa

Chandigarh (National Times): High drama unfolded in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Friday as Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema launched a fierce verbal attack on Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa during the announcement of the Assembly session's extension till July 15. As Bajwa and other Congress MLAs staged a protest in the House, Cheema didn’t hold back, accusing the senior Congress leader of having deep-rooted connections with gangsters and the BJP. "Who brought Ansari into Punjab? Who fed the gangsters in Punjab? You were the one. Punjab knows it all," Cheema thundered. “You gave birth to gangsterhood in the…

11 Jul

Doctored Video Row: FIR Filed Against Punjab Ministers Harpal Cheema, Aman Arora on Bajwa’s Complaint

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingAman Arora, Harpal Cheema

Chandigarh (National Times): Political tensions in Punjab escalated sharply after an FIR was registered against state ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Aman Arora under BNS sections 336(4), 356, and 61(2). The complaint, filed by Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, accuses the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of circulating a doctored video that misrepresented his statements in the Punjab Assembly. According to Bajwa, the edited video twisted his remarks — which were a criticism of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau’s handling of a case involving a female Congress MLA — to make it appear as if he was defending Shiromani Akali Dal…

11 Jul

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Special Session Extended Till July 15 Amid Political Ruckus

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabPunjab Vidhan Sabha

Chandigarh (National Times): The ongoing two-day special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, which commenced on July 10, has now been officially extended till July 15, 2025. The extension comes amid significant opposition and criticism over the purpose and planning of the session, with questions raised about its urgency and utility. Originally slated for just two days, the special session drew flak from opposition leaders who alleged that the government was misusing legislative time and resources, especially when one of the two days, July 10, was solely dedicated to obituary references. Critics called it a “mere formality” and “an eyewash”…

11 Jul

Punjab, Gujarat, and Chandigarh Lead India in Sending Students Abroad

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsCanada, India, World NewsDelhi, Haryana, Punjab

New Delhi (National Times): According to a recent report, based on passport issuance data between 2016 and 2021, Punjab, Gujarat, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh have emerged as the top regions in India sending the highest number of students abroad per lakh population. A lot of people from India look forward to moving to other countries, seeking a bright future. In the meantime, let's have a look at what the numbers say. Key Highlights: Punjab tops the chart with 869 students per lakh population going abroad for studies. Gujarat follows closely with 278 students per lakh, while Chandigarh recorded…

10 Jul

MEA Slams Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s Remarks on PM Modi’s Foreign Visits as “Irresponsible and Regrettable”

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsBusinessBhagwant Mann, India diplomacy, MEA statement, PM Modi foreign visits

New Delhi, July 10 : The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday condemned comments made by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann that appeared to mock Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent overseas engagements, calling the remarks “irresponsible and regrettable.”Without directly naming Mann, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have seen some comments made by a high state authority about India’s relations with friendly countries from the Global South. These remarks are irresponsible and regrettable and do not behove the state authority. Government of India disassociates itself from such unwarranted comments that undermine India’s ties with friendly countries.”The sharp statement came…

10 Jul

Punjab Police Arrest 129 Drug Smugglers in One Day, Crosses 21,000 Arrests in 131-Day Anti-Drug Operation

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabheroin seizure Punjab, Punjab drug arrests, Punjab Police crackdown, Yudh Nashian Virudh

Chandigarh, July 10, 2025: As Punjab’s intensive crackdown on drugs entered its 131st day, the state police arrested 129 drug smugglers in a single day under the ongoing campaign “Yudh Nashian Virudh,” launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.The operation, aimed at rooting out the drug menace from Punjab, was conducted simultaneously across all 28 police districts. Law enforcement officials recovered 4.2 kilograms of heroin, 509 grams of opium, and ₹23,370 in drug money. With these latest arrests, the total number of drug smugglers apprehended has reached 21,356 since the campaign began.The statewide crackdown was carried out…

10 Jul

From Punjab health insurance to major policy reforms, CM Bhagwant Mann tells about decisions taken during Cabinet meeting

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsBusiness, Punjab, TrendingBhagwant Mann, Punjab

Chandigarh (National Times): After chairing an important Cabinet meeting, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed the media and announced several landmark decisions taken by the state government, including a revolutionary health initiative, reforms in industrial land charges, and updates on a new sacrilege law. Free Health Treatment up to Rs 10 Lakh for Punjab Residents In a major relief for the people of Punjab, CM Bhagwant Mann unveiled a health card scheme offering cashless treatment up to Rs 10 lakh per person. Unlike other schemes, no forms or applications are required to avail this benefit. “Only Punjab residents will be…

10 Jul

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Special Session Begins with Obituary References, Adjourned Till Friday

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingPunjab, Punjab Vidhan Sabha

Chandigarh (National Times): The two-day special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha began on a solemn note Thursday, with the House paying rich tributes to several prominent personalities and martyrs who passed away recently. Following the obituary references, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan adjourned the House till 10 AM on Friday. Tributes to Eminent Personalities and Martyrs The House observed a moment of silence and passed condolence resolutions in memory of several distinguished figures: Dr. Kashmir Singh Sohal, former MLA from Tarn Taran, was remembered for his decades-long contribution to public health and medical administration. He served as a medical officer…

10 Jul

Two-Day Special Session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Begins: Law & Order, Land Pooling, and Sacrilege Bill on Agenda

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingPunjab, Punjab Vidhan Sabha

Chandigarh (National Times): The Punjab Vidhan Sabha is set to witness high political drama as a two-day special session kicks off today. With both the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the opposition Congress bracing for heated debates, the session is expected to be charged with confrontation over critical state issues. Congress Gears Up to Corner Govt on Law & Order, Land Pooling Led by Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, the Congress party has conducted a legislative party meeting ahead of the session, devising a strong strategy to take on the Bhagwant Mann-led government. The opposition has raised serious…

09 Jul

Talks on Sutlej-Yamuna Link Gain Momentum as Punjab and Haryana CMs Discuss Solutions

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsHaryana, PunjabCM Bhagwant Mann, CM Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana, Punjab, SYL

National Times Bureau, July 9, 2025 — Hopes have revived for a possible resolution of the decades-old Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal dispute after an important meeting held in Delhi today between Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil.Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini said, “We had a proper discussion with all the members, and this issue should be resolved. The same was said by Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, and good results will come out of it.”Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann described the discussion as…