Politics Archives - National Times

29 Mar

Punjab flags urgent fuel demand as 140 LMT wheat harvest approaches, seeks Centre’s immediate action: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingBhagwant Singh Mann

CHANDIGARH (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday called upon the Government of India to urgently ensure enhanced and uninterrupted supply of petrol, diesel and DAP fertiliser as Punjab gears up for a 140 Lakh Metric Ton (LMT) wheat harvest, warning that any disruption in fuel availability could directly impact national food security. While reiterating that there is no shortage and no cause for panic, the Chief Minister underscored that timely action by the Centre is essential to keep harvesting operations and grain movement running smoothly, even as Punjab stands ready with 181 LMT wheat and 139…

29 Mar

‘Sehat Kranti’ in Punjab: Arvind Kejriwal and CM Bhagwant Singh Mann dedicate 109 Aam Aadmi Clinics to people

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingBhagwant Mann, Punjab

FATEHGARH SAHIB (Gurpreet Singh): With a major push on its flagship healthcare model in Punjab, the CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s Punjab Government on Saturday dedicated 109 new Aam Aadmi Clinics to the people, taking the total number of such clinics in the state to 990 within four years, with 400 more set to be opened in the coming days. Positioning it as a large-scale expansion of free public healthcare, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal shared that the clinics are providing 107 medicines and 47 diagnostic tests free of cost, adding that the network has already recorded…

25 Mar

Raja Warring Acting as AAP’s Proxy, Betrayed Punjab : Ravneet Bittu

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, PunjabPunjab politics

Gurpreet Singh :- Punjab’s political landscape witnessed fresh turbulence after Member of Parliament Ravneet Singh Bittu launched a sharp attack on Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, accusing him of siding with rival leadership and compromising the state’s interests. Bittu alleged that Warring has effectively become a “proxy” for AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, a stance he claimed has adversely impacted Punjab’s future, particularly its youth. Elaborating on the issue, Bittu pointed out that a majority of Punjab MPs had collectively written to the Union Home Minister seeking a CBI probe into the Gagandeep…

25 Mar

Absconding Punjab MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra Held in Patiala After Six-Month Manhunt

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingHarmeet Singh Pathanmajra, Patiala

Patiala (Gurpreet Singh): In a significant breakthrough, Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra has been arrested by the Punjab Police after remaining on the run for several months in connection with a rape case. The arrest was carried out in Patiala, where police teams tracked down the accused following a prolonged search operation. Pathanmajra had been declared a proclaimed offender by the court after repeatedly evading arrest since September last year. Officials said multiple charges, including rape, cheating and criminal intimidation, have been levelled against the legislator. A lookout circular had also been issued earlier to aid in locating him. Sources indicate that…

22 Mar

Businesspersons’ trusting Bhagwant Mann Govt as Rs 111.16 crore recovered under OTS scheme from key districts

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingBhagwant Mann

CHANDIGARH, 22nd March 2026: Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday said the One-Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for VAT arrears has witnessed an overwhelming response, with 7,845 applications covering dues of around ₹298.39 crore and ₹111.16 crore already recovered. Positioning it as a decisive push to clean up legacy tax burdens while boosting revenue, he warned that the relief window closes on March 31, after which the government will shift to strict recovery mode, with nearly 8,000 properties already identified for action. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “The scheme has already resulted in a total realisation of…

22 Mar

Punjab to amend anti-sacrilege law with strictest punishments in special Vidhan Sabha session on April 13

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingPunjab

AMRITSAR (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday announced that the Punjab government will convene a special session of the Vidhan Sabha on April 13 to amend the Jagt Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008 and bring in a stricter law against ‘beadbi’ (sacrilege). The proposed legislation will include stringent punishment, heavy fines, property confiscation and cover offences committed through digital content, with the draft being prepared in consultation with the Sant Samaj and legal experts. Asserting a zero-tolerance stance, the government said no one guilty of ‘beadbi’ will be spared. During a meeting with…

22 Mar

Suicide of PWC Officer Sparks FIR Against Former Minister, Deepens Punjab Political Row

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingLaljit Singh Bhullar, Punjab

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): The alleged suicide of a senior Punjab Warehousing Corporation official has taken a dramatic turn, with police initiating criminal proceedings against former Punjab minister Laljit Singh Bhullar and two others. The case has rapidly escalated into a high-profile political issue, triggering outrage and calls for accountability. The deceased officer, Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, was posted as a district manager and reportedly died after consuming a toxic substance at his Amritsar residence. Acting on a formal complaint submitted by his wife, authorities have named Bhullar, his father Sukhdev Singh Bhullar, and his aide Dilbagh Singh in the FIR. Police…

21 Mar

‘Punjab fed nation but paid with its soil & water, time to protect farmers’ future’

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingPunjab

Ludhiana (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday positioned Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the next big turning point for Punjab’s agriculture, arguing that traditional farming has hit its limits and can no longer sustain farmers’ incomes. Making a strong case for technological intervention, he said the move is aimed at reversing declining profitability, reducing pressure on natural resources, and securing the future of farmers. At the same time, he sharpened his political attack on the opposition, calling them out for pushing Punjab into crisis through years of neglect, and asserted that his government is now rebuilding the…

21 Mar

Laljit Singh Bhullar Quits Punjab Cabinet as Government Orders Inquiry into Amritsar Death Case

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingLaljit Singh Bhullar

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): In a significant political development, Laljit Singh Bhullar stepped down from his ministerial post on Saturday after directions from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, following the reported suicide of a senior official in Amritsar. Bhullar, an MLA from the Patti constituency, submitted his resignation amid rising scrutiny over the circumstances linked to the death of a district manager associated with the state’s Warehouse Corporation. The incident has triggered concerns within administrative and political circles. Acting promptly, the Chief Minister ordered a formal investigation into the matter and asked the Chief Secretary to conduct a comprehensive probe. The government…

19 Mar

Former Senior Bureaucrat K.G.S. Cheema Joins Shiromani Akali Dal, Sparks Political Buzz in Punjab

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, PunjabPunjab News, Shromni akali dal

Gurpreet Singh :- Punjab’s political landscape witnessed a significant development as former senior bureaucrat K.G.S. Cheema formally joined the Shiromani Akali Dal, triggering fresh discussions across political circles. Known for his long administrative career, Cheema has held key positions at both state and national levels, earning a reputation as an experienced and upright officer. Cheema, who hails from the Lehra constituency, had a close association with former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, serving in an important advisory capacity for several years. His administrative journey also includes working at the national level, adding to his wide-ranging governance experience. Welcoming him into…