Harpal Cheema Archives - National Times

24 Sep

Harpal Cheema Accuses ED of Political Intimidation Amid Punjab Raids

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingHarpal Cheema

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has criticised the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over its recent search operations in the state, alleging that the central agency is being used to exert political pressure. In a post on X, Cheema said repeated raids, questioning and searches at government-linked premises were creating an atmosphere of fear. He argued that allegations made during an investigation should not be treated as proof of wrongdoing unless they are established through evidence and due process. His remarks come amid ongoing ED operations at multiple locations in Punjab, including premises linked to the Greater Mohali…

15 Sep

AAP Accuses Congress of Exploiting Tragedies, Demands Accountability Over 1984 Riots and Past Governance

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab1984 Riots, AAP Punjab, Congress, Harpal Cheema, Raja Warring, Sachin Pilot

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab on Tuesday slammed the Congress for exploiting tragedies for political gains while refusing to answer questions about its own record. AAP said Punjab has not forgotten the 1984 Sikh massacre, the pain of which continues to be carried by families across generations, and questioned why Congress leaders still avoid accountability on the issue. The party also reminded Congress that Punjabis have not forgotten its record on drugs and gangsterism. The AAP said Gulzar Singh’s death was tragic and the matter should be investigated thoroughly, but Congress leaders should not turn the…

24 Aug

Harpal Cheema Defends Cultural Spending, Slams Congress Criticism Over Heritage Initiatives

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAAP, Congress, Cultural Initiatives, Dharamvir Gandhi, Harpal Cheema, Punjab government, Punjab heritage

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema strongly criticised Congress MP Dr Dharamvir Gandhi for questioning the Punjab Government’s expenditure on religious and cultural programmes, saying the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is making judicious use of public funds to preserve Punjab’s rich religious, cultural and spiritual heritage and connect the younger generation with the teachings of its Gurus and saints. In a video message, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “The Bhagwant Mann government is committed to using public funds meaningfully for initiatives that preserve the state’s heritage and strengthen the younger generation’s connection with its religious…

11 Aug

Harpal Singh Cheema Highlights Timeless Relevance of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj’s Message at Mohali Seminar

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAmity University Mohali, Bani Adhyayan Centre, Guru Ravidass Ji, Harpal Cheema, Social equality

SAS Nagar (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema today said that the sacred Bani of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj carries a timeless message of equality, human dignity, social justice and universal brotherhood, which remains profoundly relevant in contemporary society. Addressing a state-level seminar on ‘Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj Bani and Social Equality’ organised at Amity University, Mohali, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Guru Ji Maharaj's teachings transcended the barriers of caste, creed and social status and emphasised the inherent dignity and equality of every human being.” Speaking about Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj vision of society,…

04 Aug

Harpal Singh Cheema Criticizes Centre Over Mandatory E-20 Petrol, Cites Vehicle Damage and Groundwater Threat

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabE-20 Petrol, ethanol blending, Fuel policy, Groundwater Level, Harpal Cheema, Punjab Assembly

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Calling out the BJP led central government, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday strongly criticised the mandatory implementation of 20% ethanol blending (E-20 petrol) starting April 2026, which advanced the original target from 2030 while speaking in the House in favour of the resolution moved by him. Highlighting that the USA produces 60% of the world's ethanol while India produces only 5%, Cheema accused the BJP-led central government of surrendering to the United States and Donald Trump at the cost of Indian consumers and vehicle owners. Focusing on the massive scale of the issue in…

03 Aug

Punjab Assembly Unanimously Passes Resolution Condemning Centre Over National Paper Leaks

Balwinder Singh0 CommentsPunjabHarpal Cheema, NTA Restructuring, Paper leaks, Punjab Assembly, Student Rights, Vidhan Sabha

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday moved a landmark resolution in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly), urging the House to hold the Union Government accountable for repeated examination scandals, paper leaks and institutional failures that have severely impacted the future of millions of students and job aspirants across the country. The Punjab Assembly unanimously passed the resolution. Addressing the Vidhan Sabha, Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Under the arrogant rule of a dictatorial BJP-led Union Government, every vital sector in the country, especially the future of millions of hardworking youth, has been put…

19 Jun

Punjab Cracks Down on Tax Defaulters: Properties Auctioned as Government Moves to Recover Crores in Dues

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabGST defaults, Harpal Cheema, Property auction, Punjab revenue, Tax recovery

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Finance, Planning, and Excise & Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday announced that the State Government has significantly intensified its recovery drive against tax defaulters by officially commencing the public auction of properties belonging to chronic VAT and GST evaders. He said, "In a decisive move to reclaim long-pending state revenue, the Department of Excise and Taxation has successfully executed three major property auctions, recovering substantial sums from businesses and individuals who deliberately failed to discharge their tax liabilities despite being granted repeated opportunities and official legal notices." Elaborating on the initial successes of…

22 May

Centre Must Share Extraordinary RBI Dividend With States, Protect Freedom & Financial Strength of Central Bank, Says Harpal Singh Cheema

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingHarpal Cheema

CHANDIGARH (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday raised serious concerns over the Government of India taking an unprecedented dividend of nearly ₹2.87 lakh crore from the Reserve Bank of India, warning that excessive extraction of RBI reserves could weaken the country’s long-term economic resilience and undermine the strength of the central bank. Referring to reports that the RBI has transferred nearly ₹2.87 lakh crore to the Union Government out of the central bank’s total income of around ₹4 lakh crore, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated that this was among the highest dividend transfers ever made…

14 May

Harpal Singh Cheema Accuses BJP-Led Governments of Enabling Gangsterism and High Crime Rates

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBJP, Crime Statistics, Gangsterism, Harpal Cheema, Law, Punjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Launching a blistering attack on the BJP-led Central Government, senior AAP leader and Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that states ruled by the BJP for long periods have witnessed a dangerous rise in crime, gangsterism and breakdown of law and order. Citing National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, the minister emphasised that the figures expose the “true face” of BJP governance, where hatred, fear and violence are being used as political tools to capture and retain power. Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Delhi, where the BJP recently grabbed power through…

13 May

Punjab Minister Harpal Cheema Alleges BJP Hand Behind Firing at Diljit Dosanjh’s Manager’s Residence

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsEntertainment, Politics, Punjab, TrendingBJP, Diljit Dosanjh, Firing, Harpal Cheema, Punjab News

LGurpreet Singh :- Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema on Wednesday sparked a political storm by alleging that the BJP was behind the firing incident at the residence of Gurpartap Kang, manager of Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh, in Haryana’s Gondar village. Cheema claimed the attack was carried out through the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to intimidate the singer after he allegedly refused to join the BJP. Addressing the media, Cheema accused the BJP of using “questionable tactics” and alleged that gangsters were being used to threaten celebrities and influential personalities across the country. He further claimed that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was operating…