Punjab

Shift in Weather Pattern Likely Across Punjab; Fog and Light Rain Warning Issued

Shift in Weather Pattern Likely Across Punjab; Fog and Light Rain Warning Issued

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab is set to experience a noticeable change in weather conditions starting today, with the Meteorological Department forecasting rainfall activity across the state over the next two days. The change is being attributed to an active Western Disturbance over the Himalayan region, which is now extending its influence into the northern plains. In response to the developing conditions, authorities have issued a yellow alert for dense fog and light showers, advising residents to remain cautious through the next 48 hours. Rainfall is expected to continue intermittently until January 1, potentially bringing a brief spell of winter precipitation…
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India’s Rice Crown Comes With a Cost as Northern Farmers Struggle With Vanishing Water

India’s Rice Crown Comes With a Cost as Northern Farmers Struggle With Vanishing Water

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh/Rajeev Sharma): India’s rise to the top of global rice production has been hailed as a major agricultural achievement, reinforcing the country’s status as a food powerhouse and the world’s biggest rice exporter. Exports have climbed steadily over the past decade, crossing 20 million tonnes in the last financial year and supplying markets across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Yet in the fields of Punjab and Haryana—states that form the backbone of this success—the mood is far from triumphant. Many farmers say the very policies that helped India dominate rice production are now pushing them into financial…
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Youth Found Dead in Raikot Hotel Room Days Before Wedding, Police Suspect Suicide

Youth Found Dead in Raikot Hotel Room Days Before Wedding, Police Suspect Suicide

National Times Bureau :- A tragic incident was reported from Raikot in Ludhiana district, where a young man was found dead in a hotel room after allegedly shooting himself with his licensed pistol, just days before his scheduled wedding on January 16. According to preliminary investigations, the deceased, identified as Kamal, a resident of Jalal Diwal village, had been staying at a hotel near Barnala Chowk in Raikot. On Sunday night, he reportedly hosted a liquor party with his friends. After dropping them back home, he returned alone to the hotel. Early Monday morning, Kamal allegedly fired a shot at…
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Mann government has made 2025 the year of prosperity for farmers: Punjab government’s historic initiative is bringing significant changes to Punjab’s farms

Mann government has made 2025 the year of prosperity for farmers: Punjab government’s historic initiative is bringing significant changes to Punjab’s farms

Chandigarh, 28 December 2025: As the year of 2025 concludes, Punjab's agricultural landscape stands transformed, driven by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led the state government's bold initiatives. The year has been marked by record farmer remuneration, significant strides in crop diversification and a steadfast commitment to sustainable practices, setting a new benchmark for farm prosperity in the state.   Punjab’s Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, highlighted the year’s landmark achievements, stating that the government’s resolve to empower farmers is matched by its commitment to ecological sustainability. "Our schemes have driven transformative change, and the…
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Progressive Punjab Investor Summit-2026: ₹1.50 lakh crore investment in Punjab since 2022, 5 lakh jobs created

Progressive Punjab Investor Summit-2026: ₹1.50 lakh crore investment in Punjab since 2022, 5 lakh jobs created

Chandigarh, 28 December, 2025: Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora today said that Punjab has attracted ₹1.50 lakh crore (approximately USD 19 billion) in investments since the formation of the AAP Government, resulting in the generation of more than five lakh employment opportunities across the State. He said this reflects the Government’s firm commitment to making Punjab a preferred destination for investors and a leading industrial hub. Major Investments announce for Punjab in last 5 months areHPCL Mittal Energy Limited (HMEL) – ₹2,600 Crores, Vardhman Steels- ₹3,000 Crores, Trident Group – ₹2,000 Crores, IOL Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Limited – ₹1,400 Crores, Happy…
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SHO of Sangat Police Station Suspended for Negligence in Drug-Related Cases

SHO of Sangat Police Station Suspended for Negligence in Drug-Related Cases

National Times Bureau :- In a strict move against negligence in handling drug-related cases, the SHO of Sangat Police Station, Daljit Singh, has been suspended. The action comes following allegations that Singh failed to take appropriate measures against drug trafficking in his jurisdiction, which lies along the Punjab-Haryana border—a known route for narcotics entering Punjab from neighboring states. Based on a report submitted by the DSP of Bathinda Rural, SSP Amneet Kaur ordered the suspension and directed a departmental inquiry into Singh’s conduct. Police officials have confirmed that the investigation is underway, highlighting the administration’s zero-tolerance approach toward lapses in…
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Punjab Through 2025: A Year of Upheaval, Uncertainty and Unanswered Questions

Punjab Through 2025: A Year of Upheaval, Uncertainty and Unanswered Questions

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): For Punjab, 2025 unfolded as a year laden with crises that cut across nature, politics, security and society. What began with hope soon turned into a succession of challenges, leaving deep emotional, economic and political scars across the state. One of the most devastating blows came from nature itself. Unprecedented rainfall in late summer led to severe flooding in multiple districts, claiming over 50 lives and wiping out standing crops across vast agricultural belts. Thousands of families were displaced as homes, roads and public infrastructure crumbled under the force of swollen rivers. The financial impact ran into…
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Dense fog grips Punjab and Chandigarh; conditions likely to persist till January 1

Dense fog grips Punjab and Chandigarh; conditions likely to persist till January 1

National Times Bureau :- Dense fog enveloped several districts of Punjab and Chandigarh on Saturday, severely reducing visibility in many areas. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the foggy conditions are expected to persist till January 1, though no rainfall is likely during this period. Despite the fog, Punjab witnessed a rise of around 2°C in minimum temperatures over the past 24 hours, with temperatures remaining 3°C above the seasonal average. Gurdaspur emerged as the coldest place in the state, recording a minimum temperature of 6°C, while Patiala reported the lowest maximum temperature in the plains at 14.6°C. Visibility…
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CM Mann’s Ambitious Sports Push: 3,100 Stadiums Across Punjab by June 2026

CM Mann’s Ambitious Sports Push: 3,100 Stadiums Across Punjab by June 2026

Chandigarh, 26 December 2025: At a high level review of the Sports and Youth Services Department held on Wednesday, Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann issued clear, time bound directions to overhaul Punjab’s sports infrastructure, asking officers to complete 3,100 stadiums across the state by June 2026 at a cost of ₹1,350 crore. The Chief Minister also rolled out a sweeping package that includes ultra modern gyms at nearly 3,000 locations, distribution of 17,000 sports kits worth ₹50 crore, launch of a comprehensive sports portal, and construction of a new Yuva Bhawan at a cost of ₹43 crore, stressing that…
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Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Pays Homage at Fatehgarh Sahib Along with Family

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Pays Homage at Fatehgarh Sahib Along with Family

National Times Bureau :- Fatehgarh Sahib witnessed a solemn and reverent moment on the second day of the Shaheedi Jor Mela as Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, accompanied by his family, paid obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib. The annual religious congregation is being held in memory of the unparalleled martyrdom of the younger Sahibzadas of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji—Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh—and Mata Gujri Ji. The Chief Minister bowed before the sacred shrine and remembered the supreme sacrifices made by the Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri Ji, describing Fatehgarh Sahib as a land of eternal…
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