Gurpreet Singh, Author at National Times

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…

09 Jul

Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra Declines to Contest Elections, Reaffirms Commitment to Justice Mission

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingBibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra

Tarn Taran (National Times): In a significant announcement, the Khalra Mission Organisation declared that Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra, wife of legendary human rights activist Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra, will not contest any elections in the future, including from the Tarn Taran assembly seat. In a statement issued after a key internal meeting, the organization emphasized that Bibi Khalra’s earlier decision to contest from Khadoor Sahib was never rooted in political ambition but was a symbolic stand against injustice, made during extraordinary circumstances. “It was an act of conscience, not a profession,” the statement underlined. Speaking on the decision, Bibi Paramjit…

09 Jul

AGTF Punjab Foils Major Terror Plot Linked to Pakistan-Based BKI Operative Harwinder Rinda

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingAGTF, Harwinder Rinda, Punjab Police

Gurdaspur (National Times): In a major breakthrough, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab has successfully thwarted a major terror plot allegedly masterminded by Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, a top Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative currently based in Pakistan and believed to be acting with the support of Pakistan’s ISI. Acting on specific human intelligence, AGTF teams conducted a swift and targeted operation in a forested region of Gurdaspur, where they recovered a significant consignment of terrorist weaponry before it could be delivered to Rinda’s local operatives. Weapons Cache Recovered The operation led to the seizure of: 2 AK-47 rifles 16…

08 Jul

Harjot Bains Demands Rollback of PU’s ‘Dictatorial’ Admission Affidavit, Citing Threat to Campus Democracy

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabfreedom of speech, Harjot Singh Bains, Panjab University, student affidavit

Chandigarh, July 8, 2025 — Punjab Higher Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has lashed out at Panjab University’s new requirement for fresh students to submit an affidavit as part of the 2025–26 admissions process, condemning the move as “dictatorial and arbitrary.”In a strongly worded letter to Panjab University Vice Chancellor, Bains demanded an immediate review of the policy, questioning its legality, procedural correctness, and implications for democratic life on campus.Bains, who serves as an ex-officio member of the university’s Senate, expressed doubts over whether the controversial affidavit was drafted and implemented through proper channels like the Senate or Syndicate. “This…

08 Jul

New Ludhiana Passport Seva Kendra Launched with Enhanced Facilities

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsBusiness, Punjab, TrendingLudhiana

Ludhiana (National Times): The operational launch of the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) at Ludhiana, Punjab was successfully conducted on July 7, 2025, by Dr. K.J. Srinivasa, Joint Secretary (PSP) & Chief Passport Officer. This marks the formal relocation of the existing PSK in Ludhiana from Akash deep Complex, Gyan Singh Rarewalla Market, Ludhiana to the new location at Global Business Park, G.T. Road, Near Jalandhar Bye Pass, Village Bhora, Ludhiana, with a significant upgrade in infrastructure and service delivery. The newly inaugurated PSK Ludhiana is equipped with enhanced facilities designed to handle a higher volume of passport applications efficiently. Key…

08 Jul

Punjab Becomes First State to Offer Rs 10 Lakh Cashless Health Insurance to 65 Lakh Families

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsHealth, Punjab, TrendingBhagwant Mann, Punjab

Chandigarh (National Times): In a landmark announcement, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal unveiled a revolutionary health insurance scheme in Chandigarh today. Under this scheme, 65 lakh families in Punjab will receive annual cashless health insurance coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh, making Punjab the first state in India to implement such an initiative. Free Treatment in Government and Private Hospitals The scheme ensures that every family in Punjab will have access to free treatment for all ailments at both government and private hospitals. Each individual will be issued a 'Chief Minister…