Punjab

Education Gets 12% of Punjab’s Budget: Major Boost for Schools & Colleges

Education Gets 12% of Punjab’s Budget: Major Boost for Schools & Colleges

Chandigarh, March 26, 2025: In a landmark move, the Punjab government has earmarked ₹17,975 crore for the education sector in its 2025-26 budget, representing 12% of the total expenditure.  This substantial allocation underscores the state's commitment to enhancing educational infrastructure and quality across all levels.Key Allocations:School Education: ₹1,240 crore has been designated for the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, aiming to improve school effectiveness measured in terms of equal opportunities for schooling and equitable learning outcomes.  Additionally, ₹466 crore is set aside for the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Yojana, focusing on providing nutritious meals to students. Higher Education: Universities and constituent colleges are…
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Punjab Budget 2025-26: Record ₹979 Crore Allocation to Boost Sports Culture

Punjab Budget 2025-26: Record ₹979 Crore Allocation to Boost Sports Culture

Chandigarh, March 26, 2025: In a historic move, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema has announced a record ₹979 crore allocation for the sports sector in the 2025-26 budget. This is the highest-ever budgetary support for sports in the state, signaling the government's intent to revitalize Punjab’s sporting culture and infrastructure.The substantial funding is expected to enhance training facilities, upgrade stadiums, and support young athletes. With Punjab known for producing top-tier talent in hockey, wrestling, and athletics, this investment could provide much-needed resources to elevate sports at both grassroots and professional levels.Experts believe that this move could also help tackle Punjab’s…
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Punjab Budget 2025-26: A Big Push for Agriculture, But Will It Be Enough?

Punjab Budget 2025-26: A Big Push for Agriculture, But Will It Be Enough?

Chandigarh, March 26, 2025: The Punjab government’s 2025-26 budget has earmarked ₹14,524 crore for agriculture and allied sectors, aiming to boost crop diversification, provide power subsidies, and introduce new initiatives for farmers. However, the big question remains—will these measures be enough to address Punjab’s long-standing agricultural challenges?One of the key highlights is the ₹500 crore allocation for crop residue management, a step towards controlling stubble burning, which has been a major environmental concern. The government is also focusing on crop diversification with a new scheme in Bathinda, Kapurthala, and Gurdaspur to encourage maize cultivation in the Kharif season. Farmers switching…
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MP Sanjeev Arora Reviews Ludhiana’s Civic Projects, Orders Dengue Prevention Measures

MP Sanjeev Arora Reviews Ludhiana’s Civic Projects, Orders Dengue Prevention Measures

Ludhiana, March 25, 2025: Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora chaired a review meeting with municipal corporation officials on Tuesday at Circuit House, assessing the progress of ongoing city development projects.Arora expressed satisfaction with the pace of work but stressed complete preparedness for the upcoming dengue season. He directed officials to launch large-scale cleanliness drives to prevent mosquito breeding. In case of shortages in suction machines or manpower, he urged immediate procurement of necessary resources from within or outside Punjab.He identified cow dung accumulation in Wards 62, 63, and 64—home to numerous dairies—as a key factor in mosquito proliferation. He ordered…
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Punjab Vigilance Bureau Arrests ASI for Accepting ₹8,000 Bribe

Punjab Vigilance Bureau Arrests ASI for Accepting ₹8,000 Bribe

Chandigarh, March 25, 2025: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) arrested Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Sanjay Kumar from Police Station City Kharar, SAS Nagar, for demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹8,000.An official spokesperson stated that the arrest followed a complaint by a resident of Kharar village. The complainant alleged that ASI Sanjay Kumar, the investigating officer (IO) in his case, demanded ₹10,000 to issue notices to the opposing party after an FIR was registered on his complaint.After verifying the claim, the VB team set a trap and caught the officer red-handed while accepting ₹8,000 in the presence of two official witnesses.…
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Local Government Minister Urges Residents to Actively Participate in Swachhta Survekshan-2025

Local Government Minister Urges Residents to Actively Participate in Swachhta Survekshan-2025

Chandigarh, March 24, 2025: Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh has called on residents across all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the state to actively take part in Swachhta Survekshan-2025. He emphasized that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, efforts are being made to transform cities into clean and green hubs, essential for realizing the dream of a vibrant Punjab. He urged ULBs to make this cleanliness survey a people's movement.Dr. Ravjot Singh stressed that citizen feedback plays a crucial role in shaping cleaner cities. By participating, residents help improve their city's ranking in the survey while…
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District Election Officer Holds Meeting with Recognized Political Parties on Polling Station Appointments

District Election Officer Holds Meeting with Recognized Political Parties on Polling Station Appointments

SAS Nagar, March 18, 2025: Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Komal Mittal held a meeting with all recognized political parties in the district today. She informed them about the Election Commission of India's guidelines, which mandate the appointment of Booth Level Agents (BLAs) at every polling station.She directed the parties to submit the BLA-1 and BLA-2 forms by March 25, 2025. The BLA-1 form must be filled out by the party president or secretary, authorizing a representative at the district or constituency level to appoint BLAs. The appointed representative will then complete the BLA-2 form to assign BLAs at the booth…
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Teen’s Suicide Sparks Controversy Over Alleged Police Harassment in Chandigarh

Teen’s Suicide Sparks Controversy Over Alleged Police Harassment in Chandigarh

Zirakpur, March 24 – Moulik Verma (16), a Class 11 student at Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 21, Chandigarh, died by suicide on March 22 at his Shantikunj Society residence in Zirakpur. His family refused to cremate his body today, demanding the registration of an FIR against those responsible. The protest escalated, prompting SP (Rural) Manpreet Singh to intervene, but the family remained firm and took the body back home. The cremation is now expected on Tuesday as senior officials deliberate over the FIR. Allegations Against Cyber Cell and School Authorities Moulik’s mother, Ritu Verma, a single parent, has blamed…
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Punjab Govt’s Achievements Outshine Congress, Akali-BJP Failures: FM Cheema

Punjab Govt’s Achievements Outshine Congress, Akali-BJP Failures: FM Cheema

Chandigarh, March 24, 2025 – Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema praised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's achievements while slamming previous Congress and Akali-BJP administrations for mismanagement and failures. Speaking in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, he thanked Governor Gulab Chand Kataria for his speech and outlined the Mann government’s successes.Cheema highlighted that AAP fulfilled its 2022 election promise of free electricity within three months, benefiting 90% of domestic consumers. He also touted the Goindwal Sahib thermal plant acquisition as a historic move, securing a ₹6,000 crore asset for just ₹1,080 crore.Taking a swipe at Congress, Cheema accused the party…
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Pastor Bajinder Singh Appears in Mohali Court After Non-Bailable Warrants Issued in Sexual Harassment Case

Pastor Bajinder Singh Appears in Mohali Court After Non-Bailable Warrants Issued in Sexual Harassment Case

Chandigarh, March 24, 2025: Bajinder Singh, a self-styled pastor from Punjab, appeared in the Mohali District Court last week after non-bailable warrants (NBWs) were issued against him on March 3, 2025. Singh has been facing serious charges related to sexual harassment and rape, dating back to a 2018 accusation by a woman from Zirakpur.Singh, who was arrested at the Delhi airport in 2018 and later released on bail, was summoned to court following his failure to comply with legal requirements. The case has gained widespread attention due to its disturbing nature and the involvement of religious figures in alleged criminal…
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