Gurpreet Singh, Author at National Times

09 Jul

Kejriwal Demands Steep Reduction in Fuel Prices, Accuses Centre of Inflating Fuel Costs Despite Low Global Crude Rates

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabEconomy, Fuel, inflation, Kejriwal, Petrol

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal has sharply criticized the central government over fuel pricing, claiming citizens are being forced to pay inflated rates for petrol and diesel despite a substantial drop in international crude oil prices. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Kejriwal asseted that while global crude oil has fallen to 70 dollars per barrel, the government continues to retail E20-blended petrol at an unjustified 102 rupees per litre. According to his calculations, pure petrol should retail at 82 rupees per litre, while the E20-blended variant should be priced significantly lower…

09 Jul

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushes for Rail Network Expansion and New Vande Bharat Connectivity in Meeting with Railway Minister

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabConnectivity, Infrastructure, Railways, Uttarakhand

Shimla (Gurpreet Singh): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi to discuss strengthening the rail infrastructure, expanding connectivity, and accelerating key rail projects across the hill state. Highlighting the unique geographical terrain and the immense religious and tourism significance of Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister presented a comprehensive set of proposals aimed at accommodating the massive influx of tourists and devotees for the upcoming Maha Kumbh in 2027 and the annual Char Dham Yatra. Minister Vaishnaw assured the Chief Minister of prompt action and gave theoretical approvals to several immediate operational requests.…

09 Jul

Rain Forecast Continues Across Punjab; Heavy Showers Likely in Border and Foothill Districts, Himachal Warns of Flood Risks

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingPunjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted another spell of monsoon activity across Punjab, with several districts expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall over the next few days. Weather officials have advised residents to remain alert as localized heavy showers could lead to waterlogging in urban areas and rising water levels in seasonal streams. According to the latest forecast, districts adjoining the Shivalik foothills and the Jammu border—including Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar and Mohali—are more likely to witness intense rainfall. Most other districts are expected to receive scattered showers accompanied by thunderstorms. Cloudy weather to keep…

08 Jul

Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu Refutes Allegations Over Film ‘Satluj’ Removal From ZEE5

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaOTT Regulation, Political Controversy, Punjab history, Ravneet Singh Bittu, Satluj film, ZEE5

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh categorically refuted recent allegations by certain political leaders attempting to link the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or the Central Government to the removal of the film Satluj from the OTT platform ZEE5, labeling the claims as completely baseless, misleading, and devoid of facts. Addressing the media in Jalandhar, the Minister emphasized the importance of examining the issue within its proper context, noting that the events depicted in the film relate to a historical period when both the Government of Punjab and the Government of…

08 Jul

India Calls for De-Escalation and Restraint Amid Renewed Tensions in West Asia

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaEnergy Security, MEA statement, Shipping Lanes, US Iran, West Asia

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): India expressed deep concern over the sudden escalation of tensions in West Asia, urging all involved parties to exercise maximum restraint and immediately return to dialogue. The diplomatic intervention followed fresh military actions by the United States, which launched targeted strikes against Iran in retaliation for Tehran's recent attacks on commercial shipping vessels navigating the strategic Strait of Hormuz. In response, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, strongly condemned the American strikes, characterizing them as major violations of established bilateral understandings. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted that these rapidly unfolding developments…

08 Jul

EPFO to Credit ₹1.44 Lakh Crore in Interest to 34 Crore Accounts by July 15 Under New Centralised System

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabCITES Project, Digital Reform, EPFO Interest, Labour Ministry, Provident Fund

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is set to credit approximately ₹1.44 lakh crore as annual interest to nearly 34 crore member accounts by July 15. The interest for the financial year 2025-26 will be distributed at a rate of 8.25 per cent. According to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, this expedited timeline is a direct result of the successful implementation of the Centralised IT Enabled Services (CITES) project, which automates the interest calculation and allows field authorities to verify the data swiftly before final credit. This new mid-July deadline represents a massive operational shift…

08 Jul

Flood Threat Deepens in Pathankot as Eroding Canal Banks Put Villages on Edge; Residents Demand Immediate Action

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingPathankot

Pathankot (Gurpreet Singh): Fresh concerns have emerged in several villages of Pathankot after fast-flowing canal waters continued to erode embankments and road sections, raising fears of large-scale damage if urgent preventive measures are not taken. Residents of the affected areas say the situation has become increasingly dangerous, with overflowing water inching closer to homes, commercial establishments and a key road connecting dozens of villages. According to locals, the swelling canal has been eating away at the base of the road linking Sarna and Faridanagar, weakening the structure and increasing the possibility of a collapse. The route is considered a crucial…

08 Jul

‘Punjabi voices cannot be erased’: Neeru Bajwa questions removal of Satluj, extends solidarity to Diljit Dosanjh

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsEntertainment, TrendingDiljit Dosanjh, neeru bajwa, Satluj

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Actor Neeru Bajwa has joined the growing chorus of Punjabi artists expressing concern over the removal of Satluj from streaming in India. Without naming any authority responsible for the decision, the actress said she was saddened that the film was taken down before she even had the opportunity to watch it. Taking to Instagram Stories, Neeru described the move as unfair and said it had left her feeling disappointed as someone who takes pride in her Punjabi roots. She also stressed that films reflecting the community's history and identity deserve a platform rather than being restricted. In…

07 Jul

Akal Takht Jathedar Condemns Ban on Satluj, Calls It an Attack on Freedom of Expression

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAkal Takht, Diljit Dosanjh, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Jaswant Singh Khalra, Satluj

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Singh Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has strongly criticised the Union Government's decision to stop the screening of the film Satluj in India. The film, starring Diljit Dosanjh, is based on the life of human rights activist Shaheed Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra.Describing the move as an attack on freedom of expression, the Jathedar said suppressing the history of atrocities committed against minority Sikhs at a time when human rights are being discussed across the world is unconstitutional and reflects an authoritarian mindset.Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra played a crucial…

07 Jul

25 Kg Heroin Seized in Amritsar, Three Held as Punjab Police Bust Cross-Border Drug Network

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAmritsar, Counter Intelligence, Drug Smuggling, Gaurav Yadav, Heroin Seizure, Punjab Police

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Police's Counter Intelligence unit in Amritsar has busted a major narcotics smuggling network and arrested three alleged drug traffickers, recovering 25 kilograms of heroin from their possession.Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on Tuesday that the arrested accused have been identified as Bhupinder Singh, Ravi Kumar and Vishal Singh. Police also seized a Hyundai Verna car that was allegedly being used to transport the contraband.The operation was carried out as part of the Punjab Government's ongoing campaign to eliminate drug trafficking in the state under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.According to the…