Gurpreet Singh, Author at National Times

31 May

Major Rural Infrastructure Boost as Punjab Government Unveils Road Projects Worth Over ₹18.76 Crore in Lehragaga Region

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabHarpal Singh Cheema, Infrastructure, Lehragaga, Punjab, Road Development, Rural Connectivity

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday dedicated and laid foundation stones for a series of road infrastructure and development projects worth more than ₹18.76 crore in the Lehragaga region, giving a major boost to rural connectivity and strengthening the local economy. The projects are aimed at eliminating safety hazards, improving rural infrastructure and ensuring all-weather connectivity for thousands of villagers. Highlighting the vision of the CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the government is transforming rural Punjab by actively strengthening nearly 40,000 kilometres of roads across the state, thereby delivering…

31 May

New Road to Improve Access to Chandigarh Airport, Reduce Travel Distance by 8 km

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia

Gurpreet Singh :- Commuters travelling to Chandigarh International Airport will now have a faster and more direct route, with a new connecting road linking the airport corridor to the city network being formally opened on Sunday. The road, developed near the Bawa White House junction, is expected to significantly ease access to the airport while reducing congestion on existing routes. The new connectivity is set to benefit travellers from Punjab and Haryana, many of whom currently rely on the busy PR-7 corridor to reach the airport. Officials said the road would shorten the travel distance by nearly 8 km and…

31 May

Amritsar on High Alert Ahead of Operation Bluestar Anniversary; Additional Forces to Be Deployed

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabPunjab Police

Gurpreet Singh :- Security arrangements have been significantly intensified across Amritsar ahead of the June 6 anniversary of Operation Bluestar, with Punjab Police preparing a comprehensive security plan to maintain law and order in the city. A high-level review meeting chaired by Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav was held on Saturday to assess preparedness and coordinate security measures. Senior police officials, including Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar and DIG Sandeep Goel, attended the meeting and reviewed arrangements for the upcoming observance. Sources said the police have been directed to closely monitor individuals and groups that have previously…

30 May

Centre Waives Customs Duty on Cotton Imports to Boost Textile Sector

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaCotton import, Customs duty, Economy, Textile industry

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): In a major relief for India’s textile and apparel sector, the Central Government has announced a temporary exemption from all customs duties on cotton imports from June 1, 2026, to October 30, 2026. The move aims to improve cotton availability in the domestic market, reduce raw material costs, and support textile manufacturers currently navigating rising cotton and yarn prices. According to the official gazette notification, the government exercised its power under Section 25(1) of the Customs Act, 1962, and Section 124 of the Finance Act, 2021, to exempt cotton falling under Customs Tariff Heading 5201 from…

30 May

Vinesh Phogat’s Comeback Bid Ends in Semifinal Heartbreak Amid Selection Trials Drama

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaAsian Games trials, Vinesh Phogat, WFI, Women's wrestling

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Vinesh Phogat’s highly anticipated return to competitive wrestling ended in heartbreak on Saturday following a hard-fought 4-6 loss against Asian Championship silver medallist Meenakshi Goyat in the 53-kg semifinals of the Asian Games selection trials. The defeat leaves the seasoned wrestler just short of re-entering the national squad following the emotional trauma of her disqualification at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Stepping onto the competitive mat for the first time since Paris, Phogat's campaign was marked by high drama even before the bouts commenced. During the official morning weigh-in, sports officials initially informed her that she could…

30 May

Punjab Sets October Deadline for International Hockey Return with Asian Champions Trophy, CM Mann Sees Performance

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAsian Champions Trophy, Hockey, Punjab, Sports Infrastructure

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab is gearing up to host the prestigious Hockey Asian Champions Trophy later this year, with CM Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday reviewing preparations for the mega international event and directing officers to ensure flawless arrangements well ahead of schedule. Chairing a high-level meeting, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann instructed officials to complete all infrastructure and organisational works before September and emphasised that no effort should be spared in making the tournament a grand success. The Chief Minister directed that an organising committee comprising experts, players and other stakeholders be constituted to ensure the timely execution of all…

30 May

Punjab Launches Mega Menstrual Health Initiative Across 3,600 Government Schools

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Mann, education reform, Menstrual health, Punjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): In a landmark step towards strengthening girls’ education, adolescent health, and gender-sensitive schooling, the Punjab Government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has launched one of India’s largest school-based menstrual health education initiatives for adolescent girls studying in government schools across Punjab. On the occasion of Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, the Punjab Government announced the phased statewide expansion of “Menstrual Hygiene Curriculum” across government high and senior secondary schools in all 23 districts of Punjab. The first session of the curriculum is set to be conducted across these government schools tomorrow, i.e. 29.05.2026. This initiative…

30 May

Punjab Celebrates National Education Milestone with Mega Parent-Teacher Meetings

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabEducation, NITI Aayog, Punjab, Sikhya Kranti

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): In a magnificent celebration of its meteoric rise to the top of the national education rankings, Punjab Government led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann today held simultaneous Mega Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) across over 19,000 government schools, transforming the state into a vibrant arena of participatory learning. Divulging the details of ‘Sikhiya Da Maha Jashan’, Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains said that the grand event marks Punjab’s No. 1 ranking in the NITI Aayog’s School Education Quality Report 2026, where it surpassed Kerala, long considered India’s gold standard in school education, on key foundational…

30 May

Punjab Abolishes Contractual Employment System, Regularises 65,000 Workers

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Mann, Labour reform, Punjab, Regularisation

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday announced a historic decision to end the contractor system in Punjab Government departments, paving the way for more than 65,000 outsourced workers to come directly under the government and creating a clear pathway towards regular employment. The Chief Minister said the move would free thousands of workers from exploitation by private contractors, ensure direct government employment and provide long-awaited job security, dignity and benefits to employees who have devoted years of service to the state. Addressing a press conference, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab Government has approved the…

30 May

Three Minor Girls of Same Family Reported Missing in Ludhiana

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabPunjab News

Gurpreet Singh :- Three minor girls belonging to the same family have reportedly gone missing from the Jamalpur area of Ludhiana, prompting a police investigation and search operation across multiple locations. According to the complaint lodged by the mother of one of the girls, the three minors — identified as Mansi (16), Deepika (14) and Shalini (15) — left their homes on May 28 and could not be traced thereafter. Following the complaint, the Jamalpur police registered a case against a youth from Uttar Pradesh. The case took a significant turn when Mansi reportedly contacted her mother over the phone…