Punjab

New Ludhiana Passport Seva Kendra Launched with Enhanced Facilities

New Ludhiana Passport Seva Kendra Launched with Enhanced Facilities

Ludhiana (National Times): The operational launch of the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) at Ludhiana, Punjab was successfully conducted on July 7, 2025, by Dr. K.J. Srinivasa, Joint Secretary (PSP) & Chief Passport Officer. This marks the formal relocation of the existing PSK in Ludhiana from Akash deep Complex, Gyan Singh Rarewalla Market, Ludhiana to the new location at Global Business Park, G.T. Road, Near Jalandhar Bye Pass, Village Bhora, Ludhiana, with a significant upgrade in infrastructure and service delivery. The newly inaugurated PSK Ludhiana is equipped with enhanced facilities designed to handle a higher volume of passport applications efficiently. Key…
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Punjab Becomes First State to Offer Rs 10 Lakh Cashless Health Insurance to 65 Lakh Families

Punjab Becomes First State to Offer Rs 10 Lakh Cashless Health Insurance to 65 Lakh Families

Chandigarh (National Times): In a landmark announcement, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal unveiled a revolutionary health insurance scheme in Chandigarh today. Under this scheme, 65 lakh families in Punjab will receive annual cashless health insurance coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh, making Punjab the first state in India to implement such an initiative. Free Treatment in Government and Private Hospitals The scheme ensures that every family in Punjab will have access to free treatment for all ailments at both government and private hospitals. Each individual will be issued a 'Chief Minister…
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Kabaddi Player Found Dead in Jalandhar Police Station Room, Body Lay Undiscovered for 3 Days

Kabaddi Player Found Dead in Jalandhar Police Station Room, Body Lay Undiscovered for 3 Days

Jalandhar (National Times): A chilling discovery at Shahkot police station in Punjab’s Jalandhar district has shocked the region after the decomposed body of 26-year-old kabaddi player Gurbhej Singh, popularly known as Bheja, was found in an upstairs room of the station. The body, believed to be nearly three days old, was discovered after a foul odour spread across the premises late Sunday night. Gurbhej, a resident of Bajwa Kalan village, was known both as a promising kabaddi player and a local bodybuilder. In recent months, he had been assisting at the police station, serving tea and performing other small duties.…
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Global Sikh Council Slams Patna Sahib Granthis for Declaring Sukhbir Badal “Tankhaiya”, Warns of Threat to Sikh Unity

Global Sikh Council Slams Patna Sahib Granthis for Declaring Sukhbir Badal “Tankhaiya”, Warns of Threat to Sikh Unity

Chandigarh, July 7, 2025: The Global Sikh Council (GSC), an apex body representing Sikh institutions worldwide, has come out strongly against the recent unilateral move by five Granthis of Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib, Patna Sahib, who declared Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal a “Tankhaiya,” or one guilty of religious misconduct.Terming the declaration a grave violation of Sikh Maryada and Panthic protocol, GSC President Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur issued a statement condemning the action as an attempt to undermine the supreme authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism.“Only Sri Akal Takht Sahib has the…
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Chandigarh State Cooperative Bank Announces 85% Job Quota for Chandigarh Residents

Chandigarh State Cooperative Bank Announces 85% Job Quota for Chandigarh Residents

Chandigarh (National Times): The Chandigarh State Cooperative Bank Limited has taken a significant decision to benefit the youth of Chandigarh. A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Sh. Satinderpal Singh Sidhu, Chairman, Chandigarh State Cooperative Bank. Present during the meeting were Smt. Anuradha Chagti, Managing Director of The Chandigarh State Cooperative Bank Limited, Chandigarh; Sh. Naveen Rattu, SDM Central; and other senior officials. During the meeting it was decided that the Board of Directors resolved to reserve 85% of jobs in the bank for Chandigarh residents.Out of this 85% quota, 15% of posts will be specifically earmarked for the…
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Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Hails Ludhiana West Victory, Credits People’s Support and AAP’s Vision

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Hails Ludhiana West Victory, Credits People’s Support and AAP’s Vision

Ludhiana (National Times): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed a vibrant gathering in Ludhiana West on Sunday, expressing profound gratitude to the residents for their unwavering support in the recent by-elections, which propelled the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to a decisive victory. The event underscored AAP’s growing influence in Punjab and its ambitious national aspirations under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal. In an emotionally charged speech, Mann said, “People have been showering so much love on us that even the words ‘Thank You’ cannot do justice to it.” He emphasized the public’s satisfaction with the AAP government, noting, “People are…
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Education Revolution Propels Punjab to NAS Top Spot, Mann Sets Bigger Goals

Education Revolution Propels Punjab to NAS Top Spot, Mann Sets Bigger Goals

Sangrur (Punjab), July 6: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday pledged to propel Punjab to the top in every field, hailing the state’s dramatic rise to the number one position in the National Achievement Survey (NAS) as evidence of his government’s “education revolution.”Speaking at a function in Sangrur to celebrate Punjab’s NAS success, Mann said, “Punjab was at the 17th rank in 2017, and today it is number one. Teachers are the nation-builders who have made this possible.”Mann stressed that his government’s focus on education, health, and power had shifted political discourse in Punjab. “Earlier, no political party…
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Bikram Singh Majithia Sent to Nabha Jail in Disproportionate Assets Case, Judicial Custody Till July 19

Bikram Singh Majithia Sent to Nabha Jail in Disproportionate Assets Case, Judicial Custody Till July 19

Mohali (National Times): In a high-profile development, senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Punjab cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia was sent to judicial custody and lodged at Nabha Jail on Saturday in connection with a disproportionate assets case being probed by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau. Majithia was produced before the duty magistrate in Mohali after the completion of his extended four-day vigilance remand. The court ordered that he be placed in judicial custody till the next hearing on July 19. Vigilance Bureau Alleges Drug Money, Benami Assets According to officials, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau is investigating serious allegations…
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Akal Takht Sahib Annuls Patna Sahib Decision Declaring Sukhbir Badal ‘Tankhahia’; Calls It Unconstitutional

Akal Takht Sahib Annuls Patna Sahib Decision Declaring Sukhbir Badal ‘Tankhahia’; Calls It Unconstitutional

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): A significant gathering of the five Singh Sahibans was held today at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, where they unanimously annulled the decision by the Panj Pyaras (Five Beloved Ones) of Takht Sri Patna Sahib, who had declared Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal as “Tankhahia” (guilty of religious misconduct).Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargarj condemned the decision, terming it “beyond jurisdiction” and stating that it went against Sikh traditions and challenged the supreme authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Jathedar Gargarj made it clear that the decision taken by the Panj Pyaras of Takht Sri Patna Sahib violated…
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Sukhbir Singh Badal Declared ‘Tankhaiya’ by Takht Sri Patna Sahib for Defying Religious Summons

Sukhbir Singh Badal Declared ‘Tankhaiya’ by Takht Sri Patna Sahib for Defying Religious Summons

Patna (National Times): In a significant development within the Sikh religious sphere, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has been officially declared a Tankhaiya by the Panj Pyare of Takht Sri Patna Sahib, one of Sikhism’s five sacred thrones. The decision comes after Badal failed to appear before the Takht despite receiving two formal summons. The move follows an earlier controversy involving two high-ranking religious leaders, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, executive head of Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib Gurudwara, and Jathedar Tek Singh of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, who were declared Tankhaiya in May for disobeying a Hukamnama (edict).…
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