Punjab

Punjab CM Accuses Centre of Axing Over 8 Lakh Ration Cards, Seeks Time for Verification

Punjab CM Accuses Centre of Axing Over 8 Lakh Ration Cards, Seeks Time for Verification

National Times Bureau :- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has levelled serious allegations against the central government, claiming it is planning to cancel 8,02,493 ration cards across the state, potentially depriving around 32 lakh residents of essential food supplies. Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Mann stated that Punjab has a total of 1.53 crore ration card holders, out of which 1.29 crore beneficiaries have already been verified. He urged the Centre to grant the state six more months to complete the verification process before taking any action. “Punjab feeds the nation by contributing the bulk of its wheat…
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18-Year-Old Migrant Girl Found Dead Under Suspicious Circumstances in Amritsar

18-Year-Old Migrant Girl Found Dead Under Suspicious Circumstances in Amritsar

National Times Bureau :- A shocking incident has emerged from Amritsar, where an 18-year-old migrant girl, identified as Geeta, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a private residence where she had been working for the past two years. The incident has sparked outrage among her family members, who suspect foul play. According to the family, they received information about the tragic incident and rushed to the spot immediately. They alleged that the girl’s hands and feet bore burn marks, leading them to suspect that she might have been electrocuted before being hanged. Following the incident, the victim’s family staged…
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Punjab Mourns: Jaswinder Bhalla Cremated With State Honours in Mohali

Punjab Mourns: Jaswinder Bhalla Cremated With State Honours in Mohali

Mohali (Gurpreet Singh): Famed Punjabi comedian and actor Jaswinder Bhalla was laid to rest today in Mohali, a day after his sudden demise left the state in shock. The funeral was held with full honours, attended by family, colleagues from the Punjabi film industry, and hundreds of admirers. Bhalla, who passed away at the age of 63, suffered a fatal brain stroke in the early hours of August 22. He was admitted to Fortis Hospital, where doctors declared him dead around 4 a.m. His mortal remains were later brought to his residence for people to pay their last respects before…
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CM Bhagwant Mann Accuses Centre of “Snatching Punjab’s Ration”

CM Bhagwant Mann Accuses Centre of “Snatching Punjab’s Ration”

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has raised strong objections to the Union government’s reported move to cancel over 8.02 lakh ration cards in the state, warning that such a step would leave lakhs of families without food security. Mann said that if each ration card covers a family of four, the decision could impact several million people. “The government in Delhi, which claims to care for the poor, is in reality trying to take away their ration. Punjab feeds the nation, yet our own people are being denied food,” he remarked. “Ration Chor” Jibe at BJP The Chief Minister…
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CM Bhagwant Mann Condoles Hoshiarpur Tragedy, Announces Aid for Victims

CM Bhagwant Mann Condoles Hoshiarpur Tragedy, Announces Aid for Victims

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the devastating LPG tanker explosion in Hoshiarpur’s Mandialan village. The blast claimed several lives and left others injured, sparking shock and grief across the region. In his message, the Chief Minister said the state government shares the pain of the bereaved families. “This unfortunate incident has caused an irreparable loss. I pray for strength to the families of the deceased and a quick recovery for the injured,” Mann stated. Financial Assistance and Medical Care To provide immediate relief, the Punjab government has sanctioned Rs 2…
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Final Goodbye to Punjab’s Comedy Icon Jaswinder Bhalla

Final Goodbye to Punjab’s Comedy Icon Jaswinder Bhalla

Mohali (National Times): The Punjabi entertainment world bid a tearful farewell to legendary comedian Jaswinder Bhalla today as his mortal remains were brought to his Mohali residence from Fortis Hospital. He breathed his last on Friday at the age of 65 after suffering a brain stroke. The late actor’s body was placed at his home for public viewing, allowing family, friends, and fans to pay their last respects. Emotional scenes unfolded as hundreds gathered outside, many recalling the laughter Bhalla had gifted them through his long and celebrated career. Prominent names from the Punjabi film industry and politics also arrived…
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Villagers Block Highway After Deadly LPG Tanker Blast in Punjab

Villagers Block Highway After Deadly LPG Tanker Blast in Punjab

Hoshiarpur (Gurpreet Singh): Tension gripped Mandiala village in Hoshiarpur district after an LPG tanker explosion late Friday night claimed two lives and left over 30 people injured, many with critical burn wounds. The incident also gutted 15 shops and four houses, causing heavy losses to residents. The blast, which occurred around 10:30 pm on the Hoshiarpur–Jalandhar highway, followed a collision between the tanker and a mini truck. The tanker overturned, releasing gas that ignited and set the surrounding area ablaze. Emergency services, including multiple fire tenders and SDRF personnel, rushed to the site and battled the flames for hours. Anger…
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Cloudburst in Chamoli’s Tharali: Homes Destroyed, Girl Missing

Cloudburst in Chamoli’s Tharali: Homes Destroyed, Girl Missing

Chamoli, Uttarakhand (Rajeev Sharma): A cloudburst struck Tharali tehsil in Chamoli district late Friday night, causing large-scale destruction and leaving at least one person missing, officials said on Saturday. According to District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari, the downpour sent massive debris rushing through the area, flattening several houses and severely damaging the official residence of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). Confirming the situation, Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman stated, “Heavy debris entered houses, markets and even the SDM’s residence. Relief teams along with the district administration have reached the affected site. One girl has gone missing, and search operations are ongoing.”…
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Mann Unveils Landmark Policy to Fast-Track Industrial Approvals in Punjab

Mann Unveils Landmark Policy to Fast-Track Industrial Approvals in Punjab

Chandigarh, August 22, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday launched the Policy for Empanelment of Certified Professionals, describing it as a transformative step toward making Punjab a leading industrial hub in the country.Speaking at the launch, the Chief Minister said the policy would accelerate industrial growth, create new employment opportunities for the state’s youth, and strengthen Punjab’s image as a preferred investment destination. He called the move a landmark initiative aimed at streamlining regulatory approvals while ensuring strict environmental safeguards.Mann highlighted Punjab’s growing industrial base in food processing, textiles, auto components, hand tools, bicycles, IT, and tourism,…
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Akali Dal President Giani Harpreet Singh Apologizes for Controversial Remark

Akali Dal President Giani Harpreet Singh Apologizes for Controversial Remark

National Times Bureau :- Newly appointed Akali Dal president and former Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh has issued an apology for a recent comment in which he used the example of a tailor, leading to discontent among members of the All India Kshatriya Tank Association. Speaking on social media, Singh said that representatives including Niranjan Singh Rakhra from Sri Muktsar Sahib, Hardeep Singh from Bathinda, and regional president Jagdeep Singh had met him to express their displeasure over his statement made in Amritsar Sahib. He stated, “If any words spoken by me have hurt anyone’s sentiments, I deeply regret it. I…
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