Gurpreet Singh, Author at National Times

08 Mar

EAM Jaishankar to Address Lok Sabha on West Asia Crisis as Parliament Resumes Stormy Session

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaIndia, Lok Sabha, Parliament, S. Jaishankar, West Asia

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh)— External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to deliver a high-stakes statement in the Lok Sabha on Monday, March 9, 2026, regarding the rapidly deteriorating security situation in West Asia. The announcement, included in a revised list of parliamentary business circulated on Sunday evening, comes as the second half of the Budget session begins under a cloud of geopolitical and domestic tension. While the opposition-backed resolution to remove Speaker Om Birla was initially the sole item on the agenda, the government has now prioritized this foreign policy update in response to intense pressure from opposition benches…

08 Mar

CM Bhagwant Mann Unveils “Saari Guarantiyan Puri” Budget; Monthly Aid for Women to Launch on Baisakhi

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Mann, Mukh Mantri Mawaan Dhian Satkar Yojna, Punjab Budget, Women Empowerment

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday announced that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has fulfilled its biggest electoral promise, unveiling the ‘Mukh Mantri Mawaan Dhian Satkar Yojna’ to provide monthly financial assistance to women across Punjab. Under the scheme, women will receive ₹1,000 per month, while women from Scheduled Caste communities will receive ₹1,500, with ₹9,300 crore earmarked in the state Budget for its implementation. Describing the move as a major step towards strengthening women’s financial independence, the CM said the AAP government’s “Saari Guarantiyan Puri” Budget reflects its commitment to delivering on poll…

08 Mar

Punjab Budget 2026–27: CM Bhagwant Mann Fulfils Major Poll Promise with ₹1,000 Monthly Cash Transfer for Women

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsBusiness

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday presented the fifth Budget of the Aam Aadmi Party-led (AAP) government in Punjab for 2026–27, proposing a total outlay of ₹2,60,437 crore and projecting the state’s GSDP at ₹9,80,635 crore with an estimated growth rate of 10 per cent. Tabled on International Women’s Day, the Budget unveiled the ‘Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satikar Yojna’—a universal cash transfer scheme under which women will receive ₹1,000 per month and Dalit women ₹1,500—while outlining major allocations across education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure and social welfare, which the government described as fulfilling the all…

08 Mar

AAP’s Mukh Mantri Mawan-Dhiyan Satikar Yojna Promises Rs 1,000-1,500 monthly aid to women

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingHarpal Singh Cheema

CHANDIGARH (Gurpreet Singh): After presenting a watershed budget on International Women’s Day, Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema today drew a sharp distinction between the governance models of AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Finance Minister Cheema said that while Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership is defined by the "sanctity of the guarantee"—proven by the concrete budgetary rollout of monthly income for Punjab’s women—PM Modi’s "guarantees", such as the Rs 2,500 monthly aid promised to Delhi’s women, remain unfulfilled even after the BJP’s rise to power in the national capital. Emphasising the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) unwavering…

08 Mar

Nishant Kumar Enters Politics, Becomes Member of JD(U) Amid Leadership Transition in Bihar

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia, Politics, TrendingNishant Kumar, Nitish Kumar

Patna (Gurpreet Singh): Marking a significant moment in Bihar’s political landscape, Nishant Kumar, the son of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, officially joined the Janata Dal (United) on Sunday, signalling the start of his public and political career. The 50-year-old, who has largely remained away from political activity despite being the Chief Minister’s only son, addressed party members after enrolling as a JD(U) worker. Nishant said he intends to contribute actively to the party’s growth and organisational strength. He added that he would work with dedication to uphold the faith placed in him by the party leadership and supporters. Speaking about…

08 Mar

Illegal Weapons Racket Foiled in Kapurthala; Two Detained as Police Recover Five Pistols

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingKapurthala

Kapurthala (Gurpreet Singh): In a significant move against illegal arms circulation, the Punjab Police has uncovered a weapons supply network in Kapurthala, leading to the arrest of two individuals, including a minor. During the operation, officers seized five country-made pistols of 7.65 mm calibre from the suspects. Officials revealed that the arrests were made during an intelligence-driven crackdown aimed at tracking illegal firearm movements in the region. The detained individuals are suspected of acting as intermediaries in a network that provided weapons to criminal groups. Initial investigation indicates that the accused were working under the guidance of handlers based overseas,…

08 Mar

Punjab Government Unveils Rs 2.6 Lakh Crore Budget with Focus on Social Welfare and Development

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingPunjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Punjab government on Sunday presented its Budget for the financial year 2026–27, outlining a series of welfare and development initiatives across key sectors. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema described the plan as a Budget aimed at delivering on commitments made by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party. The Budget, which has a total outlay of ₹2,60,437 crore, was tabled in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on International Women’s Day, making it the first time the state’s Budget has been presented on a Sunday. Emphasis on women’s welfare The state government dedicated a major portion of the Budget to…

08 Mar

Ahmedabad Pitch Expected to Favour Big Hitters in T20 World Cup Final

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia, Sports, TrendingAhmedabad

Ahmedabad (Gurpreet Singh): As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final approaches, attention has shifted to the pitch conditions at Narendra Modi Stadium, where hosts India national cricket team will face New Zealand national cricket team in the tournament’s title clash. Ground staff completed their final preparations by removing the covers, trimming the grass and rolling the surface, leaving behind what is widely expected to be a flat and batter-friendly track. Reports from the venue suggest that the strip could produce plenty of runs, similar to the high-scoring matches seen during the semi-finals. The conditions present an interesting challenge…

07 Mar

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Unveils ‘Industrial & Business Development Policy 2026’ to Make State Top Investment Hub

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsBusiness, PunjabBhagwant Mann, Industrial Policy 2026, investment, Ludhiana, Punjab, Udyog Kranti

Ludhiana (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday unveiled the landmark Industrial & Business Development Policy 2026 in Ludhiana, asserting that his government is determined to make Punjab the No. 1 investment destination in the country through bold reforms and a flexible incentive framework designed around the needs of industry. The Chief Minister asserted the Punjab Government has fundamentally restructured its industrial policy to accelerate industrial growth, attract large-scale investment and generate employment across Punjab. Highlighting that Punjab is already witnessing record investment, the Chief Minister said the new policy allows investors to choose up to…

07 Mar

Punjab Cabinet Approves ‘Sri Guru Teg Bahadur University’ and Major Industrial Reforms

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAnandpur Sahib University, Bhagwant Mann, government jobs, Punjab cabinet, Punjab Udyog Kranti

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): In a series of key policy decisions aimed at boosting higher education, industrial growth and governance reforms, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday approved the establishment of a world-class university in the name of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji at Sri Anandpur Sahib. The Punjab Cabinet also cleared the Industrial & Business Development Policy–2026 and approved recruitment of 1,158 Assistant Professors and Librarians in government colleges at a meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by the Chief Minister. Sharing details, the Chief Minister’s Office stated, “The CM Bhagwant Mann-led cabinet…