Gurpreet Singh, Author at National Times

04 Jun

Chandigarh Revises DC Rates, Grants Up to 10% Wage Hike for 20,000 Employees

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaChandigarh News

Gurpreet Singh :- The Chandigarh Administration has announced revised DC rates for 2026-27, increasing wage revisions from 6 per cent to 10 per cent for employees working under regular and outsourced arrangements. The move is expected to benefit nearly 20,000 workers engaged across various departments under the administration. The revised rates have been made effective from April 1, 2026, and will remain in force until March 31, 2027. Officials said monthly-rated employees will continue to receive full wages for government holidays, while workers who have completed five years of continuous service will be entitled to an additional 2 per cent…

04 Jun

Ravneet Bittu to Skip Personal Appearance Before National SC Commission Today

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabPunjab News, Ravneet Singh Bittu

Gurpreet Singh :- Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu will not appear in person before the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) on Thursday in connection with a case related to an alleged objectionable remark. Instead, his legal representatives will appear before the Commission and present his case. The Commission had earlier issued a notice summoning Bittu to appear before it over the controversial statement that drew objections and sparked public debate. The matter was taken up by the NCSC, which sought an explanation from the Union Minister. Sources said Bittu has opted to be represented through legal counsel…

04 Jun

Punjab Police’s Citizen-Centric Policing Wins Praise from Ludhiana Industry Leaders

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingPunjab Police

Chandigarh/Ludhiana (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Police is setting new benchmarks in modern-day policing by strengthening the bond between citizens and law enforcement while creating a safe and secure environment across the state. Ludhiana, Punjab’s industrial hub, is emerging as a prime example of this citizen-centric approach, with leading industrialists and residents acknowledging the visible improvements in policing, community engagement and crime prevention initiatives. Under the leadership of Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, Punjab Police has intensified efforts to ensure a crime-free atmosphere, earning appreciation from people across different sections of society. From swift action against criminal activities to…

04 Jun

Punjab to Get Grand Shambhu Gateway, Heritage Street at Anandpur Sahib Gets Green Signal

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingPunjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday reviewed two landmark projects aimed at strengthening Punjab’s cultural identity and showcasing its rich heritage to the world. Chairing a high-level meeting of the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann approved the construction of a grand Welcome Gate at the Shambhu border, designed to celebrate Punjab’s ‘Panj-ab’ identity and architectural legacy, while also clearing the revised Heritage Street project at Sri Anandpur Sahib. The Heritage Street will connect Quilla Sri Anandgarh Sahib, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and other historic Gurdwaras, creating a seamless spiritual and cultural…

04 Jun

Punjab Police Foils Suspected Terror Plot, Two Held with IED in Mohali

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsBusinessPunjab Police

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): In a significant counter-terrorism operation, Punjab Police has arrested two alleged associates of a foreign-based terror operative from Mohali and recovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), officials said on Thursday. The action was carried out by the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), SAS Nagar, following intelligence inputs regarding a suspected conspiracy targeting key public infrastructure in the region. According to police, the recovery of the explosive device helped thwart a planned attack that could have posed a serious threat to public safety. Officials described the operation as a major breakthrough in efforts to dismantle cross-border terror networks…

04 Jun

Rain and Gusty Winds to Keep Punjab Cool for Next Three Days; Orange Alert in Place

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingPunjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): A spell of unsettled weather is set to continue across Punjab and Chandigarh, offering much-needed relief from the intense summer heat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for thunderstorms, rain and strong winds from June 4 to June 6, warning residents of changing weather conditions across several districts. Meteorologists have predicted wind speeds of up to 60 kmph in some areas, accompanied by lightning and intermittent showers. While temperatures have risen slightly over the past 24 hours, they remain below the normal mark for this time of year, preventing the return of heatwave…

03 Jun

Punjab Launches Massive Pre-Monsoon Sewerage Cleaning Drive to Prevent Waterlogging

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabHarpal Singh Cheema, Punjab Cabinet Sub Committee, state employee grievances

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who also chairs the Cabinet Sub-Committee constituted to address the grievances of state employees, presided over a series of high-level meetings on Wednesday to expedite the resolution of legitimate demands raised by various employee unions. Reviewing the unique grievances raised by each delegation, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “The Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann remains firmly committed to the welfare of employees.” He issued on-the-spot directions to the administrative heads of the respective departments, instructing them to thoroughly examine the genuine demands of the employees and…

03 Jun

Punjab Expands Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana; Adds 17 Medical Procedures in Private Hospitals and Extends Cover to Single Residents

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Mann, Dr Balbir Singh, Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, private hospital procedures, Punjab healthcare expansion

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): In a move expected to ease pressure on government hospitals and bring healthcare closer to thousands of patients, the Bhagwant Mann Government has allowed 17 additional medical procedures to be carried out at empanelled private hospitals under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY). The decision, coupled with the inclusion of individuals living alone in the scheme, marks a significant expansion of the state's universal health insurance scheme. For countless families across Punjab, a hospital visit often means long queues, crowded wards and anxious waits for treatment. In an important step towards reducing that burden, the state government…

03 Jun

Retired IAS Officer Sanjay Gupta Takes Charge as Chairperson of Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabPunjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Sanjay Gupta, Tarunpreet Singh Sond

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Retired IAS officer Mr. Sanjay Gupta today assumed charge as Chairperson of the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC). Punjab Power Minister S. Tarunpreet Singh Sond administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Sanjay Gupta at Vikas Bhawan, Mohali. Mr. Gupta was a 1988 batch retired IAS officer who has also served as Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh and several other prominent positions. Congratulating Mr. Gupta on assuming the prestigious responsibility, Power Minister S. Sond expressed confidence that his vast administrative experience and deep understanding of governance would further strengthen the regulatory framework of the…

03 Jun

Punjab to Crack Down on Arbitrary Private School Fee Hikes with Toughest Law in Canada-like Regulation

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Mann, education regulation, Punjab, school fees

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): In a landmark move aimed at ending arbitrary fee hikes by private schools and providing long-awaited relief to lakhs of families across Punjab, the Bhagwant Mann Government has announced a sweeping regulatory framework that caps annual fee increases at 5%, mandates refunds of excess fees collected from parents wherever schools breached the annual limit during the last three years, and prescribes stringent penalties that can ultimately lead to cancellation of a school’s recognition. The proposed legislation, which CM Bhagwant Singh Mann declared as the country’s toughest law against arbitrary fee hikes by private schools, will be introduced…