Punjab

Punjab Assembly Passes Resolution Against BBMB Over Water Release to Haryana

Punjab Assembly Passes Resolution Against BBMB Over Water Release to Haryana

Chandigarh (National Times): Amid escalating concerns over depleting water resources, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Friday unanimously passed a resolution opposing the Bhakra Beas Management Board’s (BBMB) directive to release an additional 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana. Introduced by Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal, the resolution highlighted that Punjab is battling a severe water crisis, with 115 out of 153 blocks facing groundwater depletion, and is in no position to provide further water to neighboring states. Minister Goyal pointed out that Haryana has already exhausted its annual water quota, and an earlier release of 4,000 cusecs had already…
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Punjab Assembly Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack, Pays Tribute to Departed Leaders

Punjab Assembly Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack, Pays Tribute to Departed Leaders

Chandigarh (National Times): The Punjab Vidhan Sabha, during a special session held on Monday, paid heartfelt tributes to several notable personalities who recently passed away and strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 people. The House observed a solemn two-minute silence to honour the memory of former MP Master Bhagat Ram Ji, ex-minister Randhir Singh Cheema, and other prominent figures from different walks of life. The MLAs also remembered the civilians who lost their lives in the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan expressed the collective grief of the…
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Punjab Likely to Boycott BBMB Meeting Amid SYL Canal Row

Punjab Likely to Boycott BBMB Meeting Amid SYL Canal Row

Chandigarh, May 3, 2025 — The Punjab government is reportedly preparing to boycott the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) meeting scheduled for 5 PM today, intensifying the ongoing dispute over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal and water-sharing issues.The decision, yet to be officially confirmed, follows an all-party meeting in Haryana earlier today where leaders unanimously demanded the implementation of the BBMB’s April 23 decision to release Haryana’s share of river water. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini accused Punjab of acting “unconstitutionally” by allegedly holding back the agreed water quota.Sources suggest that Punjab’s absence from the key BBMB meeting could…
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Water Dispute Escalates Between Punjab and Haryana, Centre Calls Emergency Meeting

Water Dispute Escalates Between Punjab and Haryana, Centre Calls Emergency Meeting

Chandigarh (National Times): In response to mounting discord between Punjab and Haryana over the BBMB's directive to release 8,500 cusecs of additional water to Haryana, the Union Government has convened an emergency meeting of top officials from four northern states. The meeting is scheduled for May 2 in Delhi and will include Chief Secretaries from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan will head the high-level meeting. Since Punjab’s Chief Secretary is currently on leave, the state will be represented by Additional Chief Secretary Alok Shekhar and Krishan Kumar, Principal Secretary for Water Resources. The water-sharing…
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Punjab Leaders Protest Centre’s Forced Water Allocation to Haryana

Punjab Leaders Protest Centre’s Forced Water Allocation to Haryana

Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, May 1:Today, senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party staged a strong protest at Phase 7 lights in Mohali against the Centre’s decision to release additional water from Bhakra Dam to Haryana by force.District Planning Committee Chairperson and AAP’s District President Prabhjot Kaur stated that the Centre is behaving unjustly with Punjab and that the Punjab government will not allow even a single drop of its water to go to waste. She made it clear that the Bhagwant Singh Mann government will not tolerate any plundering of Punjab’s water. She pointed out that although Haryana had…
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Haryana Officer Replaces Punjab’s Akashdeep at BBMB Nangal Amidst Growing Water Tensions

Haryana Officer Replaces Punjab’s Akashdeep at BBMB Nangal Amidst Growing Water Tensions

Chandigarh (National Times): A key reshuffle at the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has raised eyebrows in Punjab amid an intensifying water-sharing conflict with neighboring Haryana. Punjab cadre Superintendent Engineer Akashdeep, who held the dual responsibilities of Director NHP at BBMB Chandigarh and Director Water Regulation at BBMB Nangal, has been abruptly transferred. He will now serve as Director Dam Safety at BBMB Nangal. Taking his place is Sanjeev Kumar, a Haryana cadre officer, who will now oversee water regulation duties at Nangal Dam in addition to his role as Director NHP. The timing of the transfer has sparked outrage…
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Political Row Erupts After BBMB Okays More Water to Haryana, Punjab Protests

Political Row Erupts After BBMB Okays More Water to Haryana, Punjab Protests

Chandigarh (National Times): In a decision that has sparked sharp backlash from Punjab, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has approved the immediate release of 8,500 cusecs of water from the Bhakra Dam to Haryana, citing humanitarian concerns amid the latter’s reported water shortage. The decision was taken during a lengthy technical committee meeting chaired by BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi. While Punjab opposed the move, stating that no surplus water was available, it found itself isolated as BJP-ruled Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi collectively pushed the demand through. Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh remained neutral. Haryana officials, led by Anurag Agarwal, Additional Chief…
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Terror Plot Foiled: RDX, Arms, and Explosives Found Near India-Pak Border in Punjab

Terror Plot Foiled: RDX, Arms, and Explosives Found Near India-Pak Border in Punjab

Chandigarh (National Times): In what is being called a major security success, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police have recovered a massive cache of ammunition and explosives from Sahowal village, situated perilously close to the India-Pakistan border. The shocking find included 4.5 kg of RDX, 5 hand grenades, 5 pistols, 8 loaded magazines, 220 rounds of live bullets, two batteries, and a remote control device—tools typically associated with planned terror activities. The cache was stumbled upon during routine crop harvesting, when locals discovered a suspiciously large packet buried in the fields. Officials believe this is yet another sinister…
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Family of Detained BSF Jawan Hopes for His Safe Return Amid Ongoing Talks

Family of Detained BSF Jawan Hopes for His Safe Return Amid Ongoing Talks

Kolkata (National Times): The family of BSF jawan P.K. Sahu is clinging to hope and prayer as they await his safe return after he was reportedly detained by Pakistan Rangers for inadvertently crossing the international border in Punjab. Speaking from their home, his father, Bholanath Sahu, expressed both anxiety and confidence in the ongoing diplomatic efforts. “We are extremely worried but hopeful,” he said. “My son has dedicated his life to serving the nation, and we trust that every possible step is being taken to bring him back.” Bholanath shared that he received a phone call from his son's commanding…
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‘Talking About 50 Bombs, Pratap Bajwa Is Only Concerned About His Politics Not Punjab’s Peace’

‘Talking About 50 Bombs, Pratap Bajwa Is Only Concerned About His Politics Not Punjab’s Peace’

Chandigarh (National Times): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders in Punjab have sharply reacted to the claim made by Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition, Pratap Singh Bajwa, regarding the entry of 50 grenades from across the border into Punjab. AAP leaders have accused Bajwa of having connections with Pakistan. AAP Punjab senior leader and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated that Pratap Bajwa occupies a significant constitutional position, and he should refrain from making false statements. Cheema said, “If Bajwa has such information, he should immediately provide full details to the police. If he fails to do so,…
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