Harjot Bains Archives - National Times

06 Aug

Punjab Outperforms Kerala to Secure Top Rank in NITI Aayog School Education Index, Says Minister Harjot Bains

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabHarjot Bains, Mission Samarth, NEET qualifiers, NITI Aayog, Punjab education, Sikhya Kranti

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Claiming a historic turnaround, Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains on Thursday said the state has overtaken Kerala to rank No. 1 in the NITI Aayog School Education Quality Index 2026. While 8,000 schools had no boundary walls and 4 lakh children sat on the floor in 2022, today Punjab has 882 NEET qualifiers from government schools and has become the first state in the country to introduce Artificial Intelligence as a core subject from Classes I to XII. This is the revolution AAP led government promised. Participating in a discussion on an education-related resolution moved…

03 Aug

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Erupts Over Alleged Pharmacy Exam Paper Leak as Congress Stages Walkout; AAP Challenges For A Debate

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAAP government, Congress walkout, Harjot Bains, Paper Leak, Punjab Assembly, Vidhan Sabha

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The opening day of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha's Monsoon Session witnessed high political drama on Monday as the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and opposition Congress legislators clashed over an alleged pharmacy examination paper leak. The stormy confrontation triggered intense slogan-shouting inside the House, culminating in a protest walkout by opposition members. The controversy erupted during Question Hour when Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa raised the issue and demanded the immediate resignation of Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains. Drawing parallels to national controversies surrounding competitive entrance exams, Bajwa alleged that multiple examination paper leak…

27 Jul

Punjab Government Increases Monthly Pay of Contractual Sanitation Workers to ₹20,500

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabHarjot Bains, Punjab government, Sanitation Workers, wage hike

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Delivering on its commitment to restore dignity to frontline sanitation workers, the CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government on Monday approved a major hike in the monthly remuneration of contractual Safai Sewaks and Sewermen. The decision was announced after Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Local Government Minister Harjot Singh Bains held extensive deliberations throughout the day with Safai Sewak Union representatives led by Chandan Grewal, Chairman, Punjab Raj Safai Karamchari Commission, and Sh. Vijay Danav, Chairman, Punjab Dalit Vikas Board. Following the successful deliberations, the ongoing strike by sanitation staff across the state has been called…

10 May

Punjab outshines Kerala to claim top spot in national education rankings

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAcademic success, Harjot Bains, NITI Aayog, Punjab education, School reform

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Marking a historic turnaround for government schools in the state, Punjab has been recognised as one of India’s best-performing states in school education, with the NITI Aayog Education Quality Report 2026 placing it ahead of Kerala, long considered India’s gold standard in school education, on key foundational learning metrics. Hailing the achievement as the beginning of ‘Punjab’s Era’ driven by systemic reforms and grassroots dedication, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains stated, “This honour belongs to every parent, student and teacher who refused to give up on government schools. This is not a one day miracle. When…

05 Apr

Long-Stalled Bhakra Museum Project in Nangal Back on Track, Says Harjot Bains

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingHarjot Bains, Nangal

Ropar (Gurpreet Singh): After years of delays, the proposed Nangal–Bhakra Dam Museum project has finally picked up pace, with Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains confirming that work is now progressing swiftly. The project, which had remained on paper for nearly 20 years despite multiple announcements, is now being executed with renewed urgency. According to the minister, construction activity is underway round the clock to fast-track completion. The upcoming museum is expected to showcase the legacy and significance of the Bhakra Dam, while incorporating modern features to enhance visitor engagement. Bains highlighted that the initiative is part of a larger…

21 Feb

HARJOT BAINS TAKES LOOK AT AI BREAKTHROUGHS FOR PUNJAB SCHOOLS AT INDIA AI IMPACT EXPO 2026

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingHarjot Bains

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): In a significant move to future-proof the state's educational framework, the Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains today led a School Education Department’s high-powered delegation to the India AI Impact Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, where he engaged in a series of strategic discussions with global technology titans and central government institutions to explore scalable, AI-driven solutions for the state's vast school network and further improve the learning outcomes. During his extensive tour of the exhibition halls, accompanied by Secretary School Education Ms. Sonali Giri, Chairman PSEB Dr. Amarpal Singh, and DGSE Mr. Arvind,…

11 Aug

Punjab Moves Supreme Court to Safeguard Services of Over 1,100 College Faculty Members

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia, Punjab, TrendingHarjot Bains, Punjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Bains has confirmed that the state government has filed a petition before the Supreme Court, seeking to modify its order dated July 14, 2025. The plea requests that 1,158 Assistant Professors and Librarians working in government colleges be allowed to continue in their positions for the time being. Bains said the move was taken to prevent disruption to the academic calendar and ensure continuity in higher education. “Removing such a large number of teaching and library staff at once would create a severe shortage, directly affecting students’ learning and overall academic environment,” he…

06 Aug

Akal Takht Sahib Announces Religious Punishment For Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains Over Religious Sentiment Controversy

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingAkal Takht Sahib, Harjot Bains, Punjab

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains appeared before Sri Akal Takht Sahib on Tuesday to express regret over the recent controversy surrounding a government-organized event in Srinagar commemorating the martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The controversy stemmed from cultural performances, including Bhangra, that took place during the tribute event. The presence of folk music and dance in a program meant to honour the Sikh Guru drew widespread criticism from Sikh bodies and religious scholars for undermining the solemnity of the occasion. Minister Bains acknowledged his lapse in judgment and admitted that he was present when…

06 Aug

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains Appears Before Sri Akal Takht Sahib

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingHarjot Bains

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains arrived in Amritsar this morning and appeared before Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest temporal authority of the Sikhs. Before making his way to the Takht, the minister also visited Gurdwara Guru Ka Mahal and offered prayers. As per tradition, Minister Bains was seen walking barefoot along the historic Heritage Street toward Sri Darbar Sahib, reflecting a sense of humility and devotion. His appearance comes in response to a summons issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, following a recent controversy involving a religious event organized by the state’s Language Department. The…

26 Jul

Akal Takht Summons Punjab Minister Harjot Singh Over Controversial Srinagar Event, Edu Min Agrees to It

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingHarjot Bains, Punjab, Sri Akal Takht

Amritsar (National Times): In a significant development, the acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, has summoned Punjab Cabinet Minister S. Harjot Singh and the Director of the Language Department, S. Jaswant Singh, over a controversial cultural program organized in Srinagar. The event, held on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, has drawn criticism from the Sikh community for including elements deemed objectionable and disrespectful. The Jathedar took serious note of the complaints received from various quarters of the Sikh Sangat regarding the inclusion of dance, songs, and entertainment…