Punjab

Veteran Punjabi Composer Charanjit Ahuja Dies at 74, Industry Mourns the Loss

Veteran Punjabi Composer Charanjit Ahuja Dies at 74, Industry Mourns the Loss

Mohali (Gurpreet Singh): The Punjabi music world has lost one of its towering figures with the passing of Charanjit Ahuja, the legendary composer who shaped the soundscape of Punjabi melodies for over four decades. Ahuja, aged 74, succumbed to throat cancer on Sunday evening at his residence in Mohali after a prolonged battle with the illness. He had been receiving treatment at PGI Chandigarh. News of his demise has cast a shadow over the cultural fraternity, as Ahuja was regarded as a mentor and inspiration for generations of singers. His work, celebrated for its depth and timelessness, defined the golden…
Read More
Punjab Taps Market for Rs 1,000 Crore Loan Amid Ongoing Borrowing Trend

Punjab Taps Market for Rs 1,000 Crore Loan Amid Ongoing Borrowing Trend

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Punjab government has raised eyebrows yet again by borrowing Rs 1,000 crore through the issuance of State Development Loans (SDLs), despite consistent public assurances that the state's treasury remains in stable condition. The loan was raised on September 18 at an interest rate of 6.98%, according to official data. This marks the sixth straight month the state has sought funds from the open market, further intensifying concerns about its long-term fiscal roadmap. Repayment Due by 2033 As per the official notification, the borrowed amount will be paid back over a period of eight years, with the…
Read More
BREAKING: CM Bhagwant Mann Suspends Three Senior Officers Over Punjab Flood Mishandling

BREAKING: CM Bhagwant Mann Suspends Three Senior Officers Over Punjab Flood Mishandling

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): In a major development, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has taken decisive action against senior officials in connection with the recent flood crisis in the state. Three senior officers have been suspended for alleged negligence and failure to respond effectively during the emergency situation. This came after the gates of Madhopur headworks were left broken during the floods. It is being reported that the suspension orders were issued following an internal review of the administrative lapses that worsened the impact of flooding in multiple districts earlier this monsoon season. Without naming the officers immediately, official sources confirmed…
Read More
Cross-Border Drug Smuggling Operation Busted in Amritsar; One Arrested with Heroin and Cash

Cross-Border Drug Smuggling Operation Busted in Amritsar; One Arrested with Heroin and Cash

Amritsar: In a swift and targeted operation, the Amritsar Rural Police have unearthed a cross-border drug trafficking network, leading to the arrest of a key suspect and the seizure of narcotics and illegal cash. The accused, identified as Shankar Singh, a resident of Guru Ki Wadali in Amritsar, was apprehended during the intelligence-led operation. Authorities recovered 6.286 kilograms of heroin, along with ₹4 lakh in suspected drug proceeds. According to police sources, Singh is believed to have maintained direct contact with international drug suppliers, indicating strong overseas links behind the smuggling racket. The consignment, likely smuggled in from across the…
Read More
Punjab Marks End of Monsoon Season with Light Rainfall and Rising Water Levels

Punjab Marks End of Monsoon Season with Light Rainfall and Rising Water Levels

Ludhiana (Gurpreet Singh): The southwest monsoon draws to a close in Punjab today, bringing an end to a season marked by intermittent showers and high humidity. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted light rainfall in several districts as the monsoon system gradually exits the region. As the season wraps up, temperatures across the state are expected to dip slightly, offering relief after weeks of muggy weather. According to officials, Bathinda recorded Friday’s peak temperature at 36.9°C, while the lowest daytime high was observed in Pathankot at 30°C. Mild rain and occasional thunder are likely to continue in isolated pockets…
Read More
Punjab CM Announces Major Price Cut on Verka Dairy Products from September 22

Punjab CM Announces Major Price Cut on Verka Dairy Products from September 22

Chandigarh, September 19 – Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has announced a significant reduction in the prices of Verka milk and dairy products to provide relief to the public.The Chief Minister said Verka, a trusted brand of the state’s farmer cooperative Milkfed, has decided to lower the prices of its popular dairy items. The revised rates will take effect from the morning of September 22, 2025. He added that the price cuts are aligned with the Union Government’s GST 2.0 reforms, which reduced taxes on essential dairy products. Mann emphasized that such measures will further strengthen the state’s cooperative…
Read More
Rain Hits Punjab and Haryana, Safety Alert Issued for Sutlej River Dams

Rain Hits Punjab and Haryana, Safety Alert Issued for Sutlej River Dams

National Times Bureau :- Heavy rainfall began on Friday morning across several districts of Punjab and Haryana, prompting the Meteorological Department to issue warnings for intermittent showers throughout the day. Areas including Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar (Mohali), and Patiala are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall, while other districts may experience cloudy skies with occasional drizzle. The rainfall has caused a rise in water levels in the Sutlej River, raising safety concerns at the Dhussi Barrage in Mandala Channa. Rapid water flow has damaged nearby barriers, putting four adjacent homes at risk. The Meteorological Department has…
Read More
Punjab Receives ‘Severely Flooded’ Status from Centre, Paving Way for Greater Relief

Punjab Receives ‘Severely Flooded’ Status from Centre, Paving Way for Greater Relief

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): In a major acknowledgment of the devastation caused by recent torrential rains, the central government has officially classified Punjab as a “severely flooded” state. The designation follows detailed field visits by Union Ministers Jitendra Singh and Jitin Prasada to the worst-affected regions of Pathankot and Gurdaspur, where they reviewed the extensive damage caused by the flooding. The announcement is expected to significantly boost the state’s access to central assistance, especially in the form of long-term financial support for rebuilding critical infrastructure. Punjab, which is grappling with the aftermath of one of its most destructive floods in decades,…
Read More
Heavy Showers Lash Parts of Punjab, Sutlej River Swells Again; Farmers Fear Flooding Threat

Heavy Showers Lash Parts of Punjab, Sutlej River Swells Again; Farmers Fear Flooding Threat

Ludhiana (Gurpreet Singh): The monsoon’s final push across Punjab has brought intermittent rainfall across several districts today, raising both hopes for relief from sweltering humidity and concerns over rising water levels. While residents welcomed the dip in temperatures, the rain has once again triggered flood anxiety, especially among farmers near the banks of the Sutlej River. Several Districts Under Rain Cloud The latest update from the Meteorological Department suggests that various regions in Punjab, particularly in the north and central zones, are experiencing light to moderate rainfall. Areas likely to receive significant showers include Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh…
Read More
Punjab Gets Rs 240 Crore From Centre for Flood Relief Under SDRF

Punjab Gets Rs 240 Crore From Centre for Flood Relief Under SDRF

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Union Government has released the second installment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for Punjab, providing Rs 240 crore to support relief and restoration work in flood-affected regions. The Ministry of Finance confirmed the transfer in an official communication, noting that the release is part of the Centre’s committed share under the 15th Finance Commission’s recommendations for the financial year 2025-26. This tranche is aimed at strengthening ongoing recovery operations in Punjab, where floods during the monsoon season caused widespread damage to homes, farmlands, and public infrastructure. The state government is expected to channel the…
Read More