Punjab

16 Jan

Senior AAP Functionary Among Key Leaders Who Cross Over to BJP in Punjab Ahead of 2027 Polls

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAAP, Akali Dal, BJP, Congress, Political Shift

Chandigarh: In a major political churn ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday strengthened its ranks with the induction of several prominent leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal, underlining the party’s renewed focus on expanding its base in the state. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini presided over the joining ceremony at the BJP’s Chandigarh office, where former Congress MP Jagmeet Brar formally entered the party. He was joined by Ankur Sidhu, former Officer on Special Duty to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and senior Akali leader…

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16 Jan

BJP Poised for Punjab Push as Five Senior Leaders Expected to Join Party

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingBJP, Punjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): In a development that could alter political alignments in Punjab, five seasoned politicians are expected to formally join the Bharatiya Janata Party later today, according to sources familiar with the plans. The group is said to include a former Member of Parliament, a former legislator and two individuals who earlier served as Officers on Special Duty to senior political figures in the state. Their induction is likely to take place in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, underscoring the significance the BJP is attaching to the move. Although the party has not yet disclosed…

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16 Jan

Punjab Assembly Speaker Flags Export Crisis, Urges Centre to Act on Stalled Basmati Shipments

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingKultar Singh Sandhwan

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): With geopolitical tensions involving Iran disrupting trade routes, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has approached the Prime Minister seeking immediate intervention to address mounting losses faced by the state’s Basmati rice sector. Sandhwan said consignments valued at more than ₹2,000 crore are currently held up due to the crisis, leaving exporters unable to receive payments and triggering a chain reaction across the agricultural economy. He noted that the uncertainty has already begun to reflect in domestic markets, where Basmati prices in mandis are witnessing a steady decline. Calling the situation alarming, the Speaker said farmers,…

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15 Jan

Bhagwant Mann Govt takes decisive step to introduce Digital Electronic Ticketing Machines to modernise Punjab’s bus services

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab

Punjab moves towards cashless, technology-enabled public transport with digital ticketing rollout CHANDIGARH, 15th January 2026: Continuing its decisive push towards modern, citizen-first governance, the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government has taken another major step to transform public transport by approving the procurement of Digital Electronic Ticketing Machines across state-run bus services. The initiative reflects the government’s clear focus on leveraging technology to make everyday public services more efficient, transparent and convenient for citizens. The introduction of Digital Electronic Ticketing Machines marks a significant upgrade in the way passengers access bus services in Punjab. With this reform, commuters will be able…

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15 Jan

Punjab Chief Minister Appears Before Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Reaffirms Faith in Supreme Sikh Authority

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabPunjab Chief Minister, religious accountability, Sikh authority, Sikh Rehat Maryada, Sri Akal Takht Sahib

Amritsar, January 15, 2026: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday appeared before Sri Akal Takht Sahib, bowing with humility and reaffirming his complete faith in the supreme temporal authority of the Sikhs. Walking barefoot while reciting prayers, the Chief Minister devoted the day to the Takht Sahib and presented his clarification before the Jathedar at the Akal Takht Secretariat. Interacting with the media after the appearance, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said he had come in compliance with the directions issued by the Jathedar Sahib and had placed his position as a humble Sikh. “Sri Akal Takht Sahib is…

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15 Jan

Akal Takht Orders Forensic Examination of Viral Video Linked to Punjab CM

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAkal Takht Sahib, forensic investigation, Punjab Chief Minister, viral video probe

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): The Acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib on Thursday announced that a forensic probe will be conducted into a controversial video circulating on social media in connection with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, even as the Chief Minister’s explanation on related concerns has been accepted. After holding a meeting with the Chief Minister, the Acting Jathedar told reporters that the video will be subjected to scientific examination at two recognised forensic laboratories, the names of which have been sought from the Chief Minister. He said the objective of the investigation is to establish facts with complete transparency…

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15 Jan

CM Bhagwant Mann Presents Clarification at Akal Takht Sahib, Reaffirms Respect for Supreme Sikh Institution

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Mann, CM Mann clarification, Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, Sikh Rehat Maryada, Sri Akal Takht Sahib

Amritsar, January 15, 2026: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday appeared before Sri Akal Takht Sahib and submitted his explanation in connection with the controversy surrounding alleged videos and issues related to golaks (donation boxes). The appearance lasted around 35 minutes and took place at the Akal Takht Secretariat in Amritsar. After the proceedings concluded, Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj announced that he would address the media later in the afternoon to share details of the meeting and the Chief Minister’s submissions. Speaking to reporters after his appearance, CM Mann stressed that he never questioned or challenged the authority…

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15 Jan

Major Drug Trafficking Racket Busted in Ferozepur, Two Arrested with Over 4 kg of Heroin

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabDGP Punjab Police, Ferozepur

National Times Bureau :- Ferozepur police have uncovered a major drug smuggling network and arrested two accused after recovering more than four kilograms of heroin during a targeted operation. The seizure is being described as a significant breakthrough in the fight against narcotics trafficking along the international border. According to official sources, the operation was carried out on the basis of specific intelligence inputs regarding the movement of a large consignment of heroin. Acting swiftly, police teams intercepted the suspects and recovered 4.013 kilograms of heroin from their possession. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the seized narcotics were smuggled into…

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15 Jan

Elderly Amritdhari Woman Killed in Early-Morning Robbery While Heading to Gurdwara in Tarn Taran

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabPunjab News

National Times Bureau :- Tarn Taran witnessed a shocking crime in the early hours of the morning when an elderly Amritdhari woman lost her life after being attacked by robbers while she was on her way to a gurdwara. The incident has once again raised serious concerns over the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the district. According to available information, the woman, a resident of a village in the Tarn Taran district, was heading to the local gurdwara as part of her daily routine when she was intercepted by three armed assailants. The attackers allegedly attempted to snatch the gold earrings…

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15 Jan

Punjab Chief Minister to Present Himself Before Akal Takht Amid Controversy

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingBhagwant Mann, Punjab

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is expected to appear before the Akal Takht secretariat at 11 am today following accusations that certain comments made by him hurt Sikh religious sentiments. Mann arrived in the holy city on Wednesday in anticipation of the summons issued by Sikh clergy. Sources within the Akal Takht secretariat said preparations were carried out under the guidance of officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj. An official noted that although the secretariat usually begins functioning at 9.30 am, additional arrangements were made in view of the Chief Minister’s visit, including the presence of designated…

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