Punjab Archives - Page 211 of 231

28 Mar

Punjab Government Reduces Power Bills, Simplifies Tariff Structure

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Mann government, power bill reduction, Punjab electricity tariffs

Chandigarh, March 28, 2025: The Punjab government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has reaffirmed its commitment to affordable electricity, ensuring that power tariffs do not burden consumers. Power Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO announced that the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) has maintained fixed charges while restructuring tariffs to simplify billing and lower electricity costs.Tariff Reductions for Domestic and Business ConsumersThe PSERC has reduced the number of billing slabs for Domestic Supply (DS) and Non-Residential Supply (NRS) consumers from three to two, making bills easier to understand.Under the new structure:Domestic consumers using over 300 units will see monthly…

28 Mar

Mohali Court Convicts Pastor Bajinder Singh in 2018 Sexual Harassment Case, Sentencing on April 1

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabMohali court verdict, Pastor Bajinder Singh

Mohali (Punjab), March 28, 2025: A Mohali court on Friday found Pastor Bajinder Singh guilty in a 2018 sexual harassment case, bringing a seven-year legal battle to a decisive verdict. The court will announce the sentence on April 1.Following the verdict, the victim expressed relief but also concern for safety. "He (Bajinder) is a psycho and will commit the same offense again after coming out of jail. I want him to remain in prison. Today, many victims have won. I urge the DGP to ensure our security as we fear possible attacks," she said.Victim’s Husband Welcomes Verdict After Years of…

27 Mar

FCI Official Arrested for Accepting ₹50,000 Bribe in Patiala

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabFCI bribery case, Punjab Vigilance Bureau

Chandigarh, March 27, 2025: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested Vikas Kumar, a Quality Control Manager at the Food Storage Depot, Food Corporation of India (FCI), Patiala, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹50,000.An official spokesperson of the VB revealed that the arrest followed a complaint by a rice mill owner from Bhunarheri, Patiala district. The complainant alleged that the FCI official had demanded ₹1 lakh to facilitate the storage of rice shelled from paddy purchased by Markfed.Following a preliminary investigation, the VB laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed while accepting ₹50,000 from the complainant…

27 Mar

Punjab Bets Big on Sports: International Events and Player Support Announced

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Mann, Four Nation Hockey League, Punjab sports events

Chandigarh, March 27, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced that the state is set to host several national and international sporting events, including the Four Nation Hockey League, as part of efforts to promote a strong sports culture.Speaking at a function to felicitate the 1975 World Cup-winning Indian Hockey team and award cash prizes to winners of National Games, Khedan Watan Punjab Dian, and Para Khedan Watan Punjab Dian, Mann highlighted that these efforts are already yielding results.Boosting Sports Infrastructure and Youth EngagementMann emphasized that sports can help steer Punjab’s youth away from drugs and into productive avenues.…

27 Mar

Chandigarh Property Prices Set to Rise with Collector Rate Hike from April 1

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabChandigarh Property Prices, Collector Rate Hike

Chandigarh, March 27, 2025 – Buying property in Chandigarh is about to become significantly more expensive as the UT administration has approved a steep hike in collector rates, effective April 1. This marks the first revision in four years, with sharp increases across residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Major Hikes Across SectorsThe collector rate—the minimum property value for registration—has seen a fourfold increase (316%) for residential areas in villages, a 128% hike in Sectors 1-12, a 98% rise in Sectors 14-37, and an 82% increase in Sector 38 and beyond.For industrial areas, Phases 1 and 2 will see a 32%…

26 Mar

BJP’s Tarun Chugh Slams Punjab Budget, Calls It ‘Regressive’ and ‘Deceptive’

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, PunjabAAP government, Bhagwant Mann, BJP, Punjab budget criticism, Punjab economy, Tarun Chugh

Chandigarh, March 26, 2025 – BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh launched a scathing attack on the Punjab AAP government's budget, calling it a “bundle of regressive vision” that lacks a clear roadmap for development. He accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s administration of failing to introduce new initiatives for farmers and industrialists, leaving key economic sectors neglected.Chugh compared the Punjab budget to the Delhi liquor scam, alleging that Manish Sisodia’s influence could lead to a drug scam in Punjab. He claimed that the state government’s drug awareness campaign was merely a cover-up to divert public funds into publicity efforts.Criticism Over…

26 Mar

Punjab CM Urges Centre to Expedite Grain Movement and Resolve Procurement Issues

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Mann, Prahlad Joshi, Punjab grain procurement

New Delhi, March 26, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has sought the intervention of Union Minister Prahlad Joshi to expedite wheat and rice transportation from Punjab, ensuring smooth procurement and storage ahead of the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2025-26.Punjab expects to procure 124 LMT of wheat, but with 5 LMT from the previous season still stored, the total storage requirement has risen to 129 LMT. The lack of storage space, as covered warehouses remain occupied with rice stocks, is a major challenge. Mann requested the movement of at least 25 LMT of wheat via special trains and urged…

26 Mar

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

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabEducation Sector Allocation, Higher Education Funding, Punjab Budget 2025-26, School Education

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…

26 Mar

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

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabPunjab Athletes, Punjab Budget 2025-26, Sports Funding, Sports Infrastructure

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…

26 Mar

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

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAgriculture, Crop Diversification, Power Subsidy, Punjab Budget 2025-26

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…