Gurpreet Singh, Author at National Times

04 Apr

Punjab CM orders world-class upgrade for BFUHS Advanced Cancer Institute

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAdvanced Cancer Institute Bathinda, Bhagwant Mann BFUHS visit, Punjab cancer care 2026, robotic surgery Punjab

Bathinda (Gurpreet Singh): In a decisive push to upgrade cancer care in Punjab, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann conducted a surprise inspection of the Advanced Cancer Institute at Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) on Saturday, ordering a comprehensive overhaul of infrastructure, technology, and manpower while asserting that there will be no compromise in treatment standards. Setting a clear direction for transformation, the Chief Minister announced that the institute will be developed into a world-class healthcare centre, with the introduction of advanced facilities including robotic surgery and immediate steps to strengthen staffing, aimed at significantly enhancing patient care across the…

04 Apr

AAP leaders escalate attack on Raghav Chadha; accuse him of “betraying” Punjab’s financial interests

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabflood relief Punjab 2026, Harpal Singh Cheema, Punjab RDF dues, Raghav Chadha AAP rift

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) including Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, AAP Punjab President Aman Arora, and AAP Punjab Chief Spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha over the failure to raise Punjab’s key issues in Parliament. They highlighted that critical matters, including ₹8,500 crore RDF dues, ₹60,000 crore GST losses, and ₹1,600 crore flood relief, were not taken up, despite repeated communication. Calling the silence a betrayal of Punjab’s people and mandate, the leaders said the failure to raise farmers’ concerns and flood…

04 Apr

PRTC and transport workers integrated into Punjab’s healthcare safety net

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Mann health reforms, Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna 2026, PRTC Sehat Card, Punjab transport healthcare

Patiala (Gurpreet Singh): A two-day Sehat Camp organised at the PRTC Head Office in Patiala on April 1 and 2 brought Punjab’s transport workforce directly under the ambit of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna (MMSY), with the Bhagwant Mann Government stepping in to bridge a long-standing gap in healthcare access for one of the state’s most mobile and underserved working communities. Bus drivers, autorickshaw operators, taxi workers and their families were enrolled on the spot, ensuring that those who keep Punjab moving are no longer left behind in accessing timely and affordable healthcare. Over the two days, several individuals were…

04 Apr

AAP’s Baltej Pannu slams Sunil Jakhar over “Outsider” remarks; defends Delhi leadership

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAmit Shah Moga Rally, Baltej Pannu AAP, Punjab outsider controversy, Sunil Jakhar BJP

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): In Amritsar, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab State Media In-Charge Baltej Pannu responded strongly to remarks made by Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar, questioning the intent and political consistency behind such statements while defending Punjab’s self-respect and democratic mandate. AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said, “Sunil Jakhar has stated that Punjabis should show the ‘outsiders’ the way out. I want to ask him whether the leaders of his own party, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who recently came to Moga for a rally, are from Kotkapura. Those who themselves are running Punjab’s politics at the…

04 Apr

Punjab Govt Plans to Replace Striking Commission Agents with Cooperative Societies to Ensure Smooth Wheat Procurement

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabCm Bhagwant Maan Singh, Punjab News

Gurpreet Singh :- Amid the ongoing strike by commission agents in Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has initiated a significant policy shift by directing the inclusion of rural cooperative societies in the commission agent (arhtiya) business. The move is being viewed as a potential alternative arrangement to ensure smooth procurement operations during the crisis. According to reliable sources, the Chief Minister, who also holds the Cooperation portfolio, has instructed the department to prepare a list of financially viable rural cooperative societies that can be entrusted with arhtiya responsibilities. The objective is not only to maintain procurement efficiency but also to…

04 Apr

Punjab Excise Auction Sees Lukewarm Response; 10 Liquor Groups Still Unallotted

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia, PunjabAuction, Excise, Liqour, Punjab

Gurpreet Singh :- The excise auction process in Punjab has received a tepid response, with around 10 liquor vends still remaining unallotted despite multiple rounds of bidding. Industry players attribute the lack of interest to high licence fees and shrinking profit margins, which have discouraged contractors from investing in these groups. In an effort to revive participation, the Excise Department has announced a reduction of up to 15 per cent in licence fees for the pending groups. Officials believe that the relief may help attract bidders and expedite the allocation process. The department has also set April 4, 4 pm…

03 Apr

Punjab Cabinet Minister flags off special ‘Damri Yatra’ train to Haridwar

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabDamri Yatra 2026, Guru Ravidas teachings, Jalandhar special train, Mohinder Bhagat, Punjab cultural affairs

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Horticulture, Freedom Fighters and Defence Services Welfare Minister Mohinder Bhagat and Advisor to the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department Deepak Bali today flagged off the Damri Yatra for Haridwar by a special train from the local City Railway Station under the guidance of Sant Nirmal Dass Ji Jode Wale, Sant Pragat Nath and other saints and spiritual leaders. On this occasion, Chabbewal MLA Dr. Ishank Kumar and Chairman District Planning Committee Amritpal Singh were also present. Addressing the gathering, the Cabinet Minister called upon people to adopt the teachings of Shri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji in…

03 Apr

AAP intensifies attack on Raghav Chadha; cites “Politics of Fear” and violation of party whip

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAAP internal rift, Atishi, Bhagwant Mann, Raghav Chadha removal

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has declared the removal of Punjab Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha from the post of deputy leader as a routine disciplinary action, while firmly pushing back against his claims. The party has directly questioned why he has consistently avoided speaking out against the BJP and the Modi Government on issues concerning the country and the party, raising serious concerns over his prolonged silence. It asserted that Raghav Chadha had repeatedly acted against the party line, citing instances such as refusing to sign the impeachment motion against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)…

03 Apr

Strong 5.9-magnitude earthquake jolts Delhi-NCR and North India; tremors felt in Pakistan

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaAfghanistan 5.9 magnitude quake, Delhi NCR earthquake, Hindu Kush seismic activity, North India tremors today

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): A powerful 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border region on Friday evening, April 3, 2026, sending strong tremors across Delhi-NCR and several parts of North India. The seismic activity, recorded at approximately 9:50 PM IST, triggered widespread panic as residents in high-rise buildings across Noida, Gurgaon, and Delhi rushed to open spaces. Tremors were also felt in major cities across Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir, including Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Srinagar, and Udhampur. According to data from the National Center for Seismology and the USGS, the epicentre was located near Jurm in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region, at…

03 Apr

India raises airline liability limits for death, injury, and baggage loss

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaAirline liability rules India, baggage loss claim India, Carriage by Air Act 1972, flight delay compensation 2026

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Government of India has significantly enhanced the compensation limits for air passengers in cases of death, bodily injury, flight delays, and baggage loss. Notified by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on April 1, 2026, the new rules update the liability limits under the Third Schedule of the Carriage by Air Act, 1972. These changes have been made effective retrospectively from December 28, 2024, ensuring that any passenger who suffered a loss on or after that date is eligible for the higher claims. The revised limits are denominated in Special Drawing Rights (SDR), an international reserve…