Gurpreet Singh, Author at National Times

19 Apr

Resilience and Relief: Punjab Family Overcomes Cancer Debt Through Government Health Scheme

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabCancer Treatment, cashless treatment, Health Insurance, Medical Debt, Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, Punjab Healthcare, Rajindra Hospital

Patiala (Gurpreet Singh): The road from Patiala to Sangrur is not very long on a map. But for one man, it stretched into something far heavier, measured not in kilometres, but in fear, silence, and the weight of a son watching his mother slip away. Each trip marked another hospital visit. Another set of test results. Another bill to be paid.For Gurpinder Jeet Singh, a driver in Patiala, recent months have meant repeated hospital visits, rising medical bills and uncertainty over his mother’s health. His 65-year-old mother, Baljit Kaur, was diagnosed with uterine cancer after initially experiencing weakness and loss…

19 Apr

Strict Anti-Beadbi Bill Becomes Law in Punjab to Ensure Life Imprisonment for Desecration

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAnti-Beadbi Law, Bhagwant Mann, Harpal Singh Cheema, Life imprisonment, Punjab government, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): The Bhagwant Mann Government has officially implemented the ‘Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Bill’, with the Governor of Punjab granting assent to the legislation mandating life imprisonment for those found guilty of desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan on Sunday, Cabinet Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema described the move as a decisive step to preserve communal harmony and uphold the sanctity of religious scriptures. “The history reflects a troubling pattern where incidents of beadbi occurred during the tenure of the Akali-BJP government, specifically citing the 1986 Nakodar…

19 Apr

Man Shot Dead After Being Lured Outside Home in Tarn Taran Village

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabMurder, Punjab News

Gurpreet Singh :- A man was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Gandiwind Dhattal village of Tarn Taran district in a targeted attack that has raised concerns in the area. According to initial information, the victim, identified as Atma Singh, was at his residence when two unknown individuals called him outside. As soon as he stepped out after opening the door, the assailants, who were already waiting, opened fire at him using a pistol. He sustained multiple gunshot injuries and died on the spot before any medical assistance could be provided. The attackers fled the scene immediately after carrying out…

19 Apr

Fire Destroys Wheat Crop of Two Brothers in Fazilka Village, Locals Extend Financial Aid

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsEntertainment, Punjab, TrendingFazilka, Punjab News

Gurpreet Singh :- A major fire triggered by an alleged short circuit reduced the standing wheat crop of two farmer brothers to ashes in Pakka Chishti, a border village in Fazilka district, causing significant financial distress to the family dependent on just four acres of land. According to information, the farmers had begun harvesting their fully matured crop near the Indo-Pak border fencing when sparks from overhead power lines reportedly ignited the fields. The flames spread rapidly, leaving no time to salvage the produce, and within a short span, the entire crop was destroyed. The situation turned so severe that…

19 Apr

Sikh Pilgrim Group Set to Re-enter India After Pakistan Visit for Baisakhi Observances

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingPakistan, Wagah

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): A contingent of Sikh devotees will arrive back in India on Sunday via the Attari-Wagah border crossing after completing their pilgrimage to Pakistan during the Baisakhi festival. The group, consisting of more than 2,200 members, had crossed over earlier this month to take part in religious ceremonies marking Khalsa Sajna Diwas. The visit was made possible through special arrangements, as the border had remained largely restricted in the aftermath of last year’s security incident in Jammu and Kashmir. A majority of the pilgrims were from Punjab and travelled under the coordination of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.…

18 Apr

Union Cabinet extends PMGSY-III timeline to March 2028 with Rs 83,977 crore outlay

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaMinistry of Rural Development, PMGSY-III extension, rural road connectivity, Union Cabinet decision 2026, Viksit Bharat 2047

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, April 18, 2026, approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY-III) until March 2028. This extension aims to consolidate through-routes and major rural links, specifically focusing on connecting habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools, and Hospitals. The Ministry of Rural Development confirmed a revised total outlay of ₹83,977 crore for the scheme, which includes an additional allocation of over ₹3,727 crore to address connectivity challenges in remote regions. The revised schedule provides a staggered timeline for various terrains: road…

18 Apr

Central Government approves 2 percent DA hike effective from Januar

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia7th Pay Commission, central government, DA hike 2026, Dearness Allowance, Dearness Relief, Narendra Modi

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, officially approved a 2 percent increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners on Saturday, April 18, 2026. This long-awaited decision, effective retrospectively from January 1, 2026, raises the allowance from the existing 58 percent to 60 percent of the basic pay or pension. The move is designed to provide a much-needed financial cushion against inflationary pressures and the rising cost of living, which have been significant concerns for the workforce in recent months. The revision is expected to benefit…

18 Apr

India summons Iranian Ambassador after tankers fired upon in Strait of Hormuz

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia, World NewsIndia-Iran relations, Jag Arnav, maritime security 2026, MEA summon, Sanmar Herald, Strait of Hormuz, Vikram Misri

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): India formally summoned Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Fathali on Saturday, April 18, 2026, to lodge a "strong protest" after two Indian-flagged tankers were fired upon by Iranian naval forces. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed deep concern over the safety of merchant shipping and seafarers following the unprovoked shooting incident in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the envoy in New Delhi, urging Tehran to immediately restore safe passage for India-bound vessels and to convey India’s serious objections to the highest levels of the Iranian government. The incident involved two…

18 Apr

PM Modi slams Opposition over defeat of Women’s Reservation Amendment

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia131st Amendment Bill, Lok Sabha defeat, Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Women's Reservation 2029

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, April 18, 2026, launched a blistering attack on the Congress and its allies following the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha. Addressing the nation, the Prime Minister accused the Opposition of "killing the government’s honest attempt to secure women’s political rights in the foetus." Despite the legislative setback, where the Bill failed to secure the mandatory two-thirds majority, the PM assured the women of India that the reservation agenda remains a priority and its implementation is now only "a matter of time." The Prime…

18 Apr

CM Bhagwant Mann embarks on Netherlands visit to attract global investments

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Mann, food processing, foreign direct investment, industrial growth, Netherlands visit 2026, Punjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday embarked on a visit to the Netherlands to strengthen bilateral partnerships and attract investments across key sectors including Food Processing, Logistics, Alloys and Steels, Pharmaceuticals and Information Technology, as part of the Punjab Government’s sustained push to accelerate industrial growth and economic development. On this, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “This vision is simple and clear to make Punjab a preferred destination for global industry by offering stability in policy, speed in decision-making, and a governance system that respects the time and trust of investors.” The visit assumes significance…