Gurpreet Singh, Author at National Times

02 May

Centre directs BBMB to release 4,500 cusecs of water to Haryana for 8 days

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsBusiness

Chandigarh, May 2, 2025 — In a significant development on the inter-state water-sharing issue, the Union Home Secretary has advised the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to ensure the release of 4,500 cusecs of water to Haryana for the next eight days.The decision was taken during a high-level meeting convened by the Union Home Ministry.The meeting was attended by senior officials from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and the BBMB. Both Haryana and Punjab presented their respective data and positions on water availability and requirements.Following deliberations, the Union Home Secretary directed that Haryana should receive 4,500 cusecs of water immediately.…

02 May

Water Dispute Escalates Between Punjab and Haryana, Centre Calls Emergency Meeting

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, PunjabHaryana, Punjab

Chandigarh (National Times): In response to mounting discord between Punjab and Haryana over the BBMB's directive to release 8,500 cusecs of additional water to Haryana, the Union Government has convened an emergency meeting of top officials from four northern states. The meeting is scheduled for May 2 in Delhi and will include Chief Secretaries from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan will head the high-level meeting. Since Punjab’s Chief Secretary is currently on leave, the state will be represented by Additional Chief Secretary Alok Shekhar and Krishan Kumar, Principal Secretary for Water Resources. The water-sharing…

01 May

Punjab Leaders Protest Centre’s Forced Water Allocation to Haryana

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Mann, Bhakra Dam, Haryana, Punjab, water dispute

Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, May 1:Today, senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party staged a strong protest at Phase 7 lights in Mohali against the Centre’s decision to release additional water from Bhakra Dam to Haryana by force.District Planning Committee Chairperson and AAP’s District President Prabhjot Kaur stated that the Centre is behaving unjustly with Punjab and that the Punjab government will not allow even a single drop of its water to go to waste. She made it clear that the Bhagwant Singh Mann government will not tolerate any plundering of Punjab’s water. She pointed out that although Haryana had…

01 May

Punjab Police Bust Major Heroin Racket; Key Smuggler Linked to Pakistan-Based Network Arrested

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAmritsar drug bust, Narcotics Operation, Punjab Police

Amritsar, May 1, 2025 – In a major crackdown on transnational drug trafficking, the Counter Intelligence Wing of Punjab Police has busted a sophisticated narcotics smuggling network linked to Pakistan-based handlers. The network was reportedly being operated by a foreign-based smuggler named Jassa, with significant support from his India-based associate.Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav revealed that Jodhbir Singh, alias Jodha, a resident of Amritsar Rural, played a crucial role in executing drug deliveries and laundering proceeds. Working under instructions from across the border, Jodha allegedly retrieved heroin consignments and facilitated their distribution across different states in India.Investigations…

01 May

Political Row Erupts After BBMB Okays More Water to Haryana, Punjab Protests

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsHaryana, PunjabBBMB, Haryana, Punjab

Chandigarh (National Times): In a decision that has sparked sharp backlash from Punjab, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has approved the immediate release of 8,500 cusecs of water from the Bhakra Dam to Haryana, citing humanitarian concerns amid the latter’s reported water shortage. The decision was taken during a lengthy technical committee meeting chaired by BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi. While Punjab opposed the move, stating that no surplus water was available, it found itself isolated as BJP-ruled Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi collectively pushed the demand through. Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh remained neutral. Haryana officials, led by Anurag Agarwal, Additional Chief…

28 Apr

Suspicious Death of Derabassi Girl in Canada; Family Alleges Murder

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsCanadaDerabassi girl Canada, Suspicious Death, Vanshika Death

Derabassi, April 28 – A 21-year-old girl from Derabassi, who had gone to Canada for higher studies, has died under suspicious circumstances. The deceased has been identified as Vanshika, daughter of Aam Aadmi Party leader Davinder Saini, a resident of Saini Mohalla and a close associate of local MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa.According to information gathered, Vanshika had moved to Ottawa, Canada, two and a half years ago after completing her 12th grade. She was enrolled in a two-year course and had appeared for her final exam on April 18. Recently, she had also started a job. On April 22, she…

28 Apr

Punjab to Introduce AI-Based HAMS Technology for Transparent and Efficient Driving Tests: Transport Minister Bhullar

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAI driving test Punjab, Laljit Singh Bhullar, Punjab HAMS technology

Rupnagar (Punjab), April 28, 2025 – Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar announced today that the state will soon implement HAMS (Harnessing Automobile for Safety) technology, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based automated driver license test system, to bring greater transparency and efficiency to driving test tracks across Punjab.During his visit to the RTO office in Ropar, Bhullar emphasized that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s government is committed to improving the transport system by adopting advanced technologies. He stated that the HAMS project will significantly enhance the performance of all driving test tracks once implemented as a pilot project before a statewide…

28 Apr

BSF Constable Still Held in Pakistan as Efforts for Release Continue

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia, PunjabBSF, Pakistan

Ferozepur (National Times): BSF constable Purnab Kumar Shaw remains in Pakistan's custody for the fifth straight day, with Islamabad yet to respond to India's multiple appeals for his return. Shaw had inadvertently crossed the international border near Ferozepur, Punjab, on April 23. A senior BSF official confirmed that since Wednesday afternoon, there has been no positive development from the Pakistan side despite repeated diplomatic and military efforts. Meanwhile, Shaw’s wife, Rajani, who is pregnant, announced on Sunday that she, along with her son and other relatives, will travel to Ferozepur to seek information directly from BSF officials. The family plans…

26 Apr

BSF did not ask for wheat harvesting in two days: Deputy Commissioner

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAmritsar, BSF, Clarification, Wheat Harvesting

Amritsar, April 26 – The Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar, Smt. Sakshi Sahni has clarified the ongoing discussion that the Border Security Force (BSF) had announced the harvesting of wheat across the border areas within two days. She confirmed that no such announcement had been made by the BSF in the border villages.Smt. Sahni stated that she had spoken with senior BSF officials who also denied such reports, describing them as baseless. She urged people to disregard such misleading information and recommended that if anyone comes across such news, they should verify it with the local Patwari, Tehsildar, or any district…

26 Apr

DIG Bhullar Visits Mohali Colleges, Assures Students of Safety and Warns Against Rumour-Mongering

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabDIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar, Mohali Colleges, Student Safety

SAS Nagar (National Times Bureau): Deputy Inspector General of Police, Rupnagar Range, S. Harcharan Singh Bhullar, today, visited the various educational institutions situated in the Rupnagar Range including Mohali to review the law and order situation and Inculcate sense of safety and security among the students of other states studying here. Interacting with the media after the visit, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr Bhullar said that there is no need of panic to other states' students on wake of the Pehalgam Terror Attack. He said that the Punjab Police is capable to respond the naferious designs of the…