Punjab Archives - Page 279 of 314

21 May

Centre Slashes Punjab’s Borrowing Limit by ₹16,676 Crore, Citing Unpaid Power Subsidies

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjabcentral government, power subsidies, Punjab borrowing limit

Chandigarh, May 21, 2025: The Central Government has dealt a serious financial blow to Punjab by slashing its borrowing limit for the fiscal year 2025–26 by ₹16,676 crore. Against a requested borrowing of ₹47,076.40 crore, the Centre has approved only ₹30,400.40 crore.For the April–December period alone, Punjab had sought ₹35,307 crore but was allotted only ₹21,905 crore. The total proposed borrowing ceiling for the full year was ₹51,117 crore.The Centre cited Punjab’s non-payment of power subsidies ₹5,444 crore already overdue and ₹4,107 crore still pending as the key reason for the cut. Additionally, the state’s recent loans worth ₹4,151.07 crore…

21 May

Pakistani National Apprehended by BSF Near Amritsar Border

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAmritsar border, BSF, Pakistani intruder

Amritsar, May 21, 2025 — The Border Security Force (BSF) arrested a Pakistani intruder who illegally crossed the International Border near Karimpura village in Amritsar district on the evening of May 20.The individual identified himself as Pakistani and was found carrying ₹330 in Pakistani currency during his capture. The BSF carried out an initial interrogation to understand the reasons behind his unauthorized crossing.After the preliminary questioning, the Pakistani national was handed over to local police for further investigation and legal proceedings.The BSF continues to keep strict watch along the border to prevent such incidents and maintain regional security.

21 May

Baba Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale’s Apology Accepted at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Preaching Ban Lifted

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab

Amritsar (National Times): In a major religious development, Sikh preacher Baba Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale appeared before the Panj Singh Sahibs at Sri Akal Takht Sahib and offered a heartfelt apology for his past controversial remarks. Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj officially accepted his apology, and the preaching ban previously imposed on him has been lifted. During the meeting at the highest temporal seat of Sikhism, Baba Dhadrianwale humbly acknowledged his mistakes and sought forgiveness from the Sikh community and religious leadership. Recognizing his expression of remorse, the Akal Takht Jathedar permitted him to resume Gurbani preaching, while also reminding him to…

20 May

Chandigarh Schools to Close for Summer Vacation from May 23 Amid Heatwave

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabChandigarh

Chandigarh (National Times): With temperatures soaring across the region, the Chandigarh Education Department has officially announced summer vacations for all government schools, starting May 23, 2025. The break will last 39 days, with schools scheduled to reopen on July 1, 2025, according to an official notification issued Monday. Heatwave Triggers Early Holidays The move comes amid intensifying heatwave conditions that have raised serious concerns about student health and safety. On Saturday, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 40.8°C, nearly 2°C above the seasonal average, the Meteorological Department reported. Weather experts have warned of further increases in the coming days.…

20 May

Indian Army’s Statement Of Deploying Air Defence Guns at Sri Harmandar Sahib is Shockingly Untrue: Head Granthi

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAmritsar, Punjab

Responding to the recent claim made by Indian Army Lieutenant General Sumer Ivan D’Cunha during an interview with a channel—where he stated that air defence guns were deployed at Sri Harmandar Sahib amid the recent India-Pakistan tensions—Giani Amarjeet Singh, Additional Head Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, has called the statement shockingly untrue and outrightly rejected it. He clarified that the management of Sri Harmandar Sahib had cooperated with the district administration’s guidelines regarding the city-wide blackout by switching off exterior and upper lights of the complex within the specified time frame. However, lights at locations where religious code of…

19 May

Punjab Hikes Pay, Extends Retirement Age for 804 Rural Dispensary Employees After Nearly 20 Years

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabPunjab government, Retirement Age Extension, Rural Dispensaries, Salary Hike

Chandigarh, May 19, 2025: In a long-awaited relief, the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has increased salaries and extended the retirement age for 804 employees serving in rural dispensaries under Zila Parishads. The decision, affecting 441 Pharmacy Officers/Paramedical Staff and 363 Attendant-cum-Class IV employees, comes nearly two decades after their appointment on contract in 2006.As per the new policy, effective April 1, 2025, these employees will now serve until the age of 58. Pharmacy Officers’ monthly pay will increase from Rs. 11,000 to Rs. 20,000, with 5% annual increments until Rs. 30,000, followed by 3% thereafter.…

19 May

Dhruv Rathee Deletes Controversial Video on Sikh Gurus After Backlash

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjabAI controversy, Banda Singh Bahadur, Dhruv Rathee, SGPC, Sikh Gurus

Chandigarh, May 19: Popular YouTuber and influencer Dhruv Rathee has taken down his controversial video on Sikh Gurus and historical events following widespread outrage from the Sikh community. The video, which used AI-generated visuals to depict revered figures like Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Banda Singh Bahadur, had sparked backlash from both religious bodies and individuals for allegedly distorting history and hurting religious sentiments.The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), along with the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), had earlier issued strong objections to the video's content. They accused Rathee of trivializing Sikh history, presenting inaccuracies, and showing a lack…

19 May

Punjab Bus Staff Announce 2-Hour Strike Over Pending Salaries; Full Protest Threat Looms If Dues Remain Unpaid

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabPUNBUS protest, Punjab Roadways strike

Chandigarh (National Times): An important update for bus commuters in Punjab—employees of Punjab Roadways and PUNBUS have announced a two-hour strike and protest on May 20, from 10 AM to 12 noon. The strike is being held in protest against the non-payment of pending salaries of workshop staff.On May 15, 2025, a meeting was held between union representatives and top officials including Punjab’s Transport Minister, the State Transport Secretary, the State Transport Director, and the Managing Director of PRTC. During the meeting, all demands were discussed in detail. Officials assured the union that a policy to address the demands had…

19 May

BJP Demands CBI Probe Into Amritsar Hooch Tragedy, Alleges AAP’s Nexus with Liquor Mafia

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAAP, Amritsar Hooch Tragedy, Bhagwant Mann, BJP, Liquor Mafia, Sunil Jakhar

National Times Bureau, May 19, 2025: In a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has submitted a formal memorandum to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria demanding a time-bound probe into the recent hooch tragedy in Majitha, Amritsar district. The tragedy has claimed 27 lives, with BJP alleging it to be the result of AAP’s complicity with the liquor mafia.BJP Punjab State President Sunil Jakhar, in a detailed letter dated May 19, 2025, held Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s administration responsible for the avoidable loss of lives. The victims, mostly daily wage earners,…

19 May

Punjab BJP Leaders Meet Governor Kataria, Demand Probe into Majitha Liquor Tragedy

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabGovernor Kataria, Majitha liquor tragedy, Punjab BJP, Sunil Jakhar

Chandigarh, May 19, 2025: A delegation from the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by state president Sunil Jakhar, met Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Monday to express serious concerns over the Majitha spurious liquor tragedy.During the meeting, the BJP leaders submitted a memorandum, urging the Governor to intervene and seek accountability from the state government. The party alleged deep-rooted irregularities and corruption in the liquor trade and blamed the government for failing to act decisively in the wake of the tragedy.The BJP delegation also demanded a high-level investigation to uncover the full extent of the…