CHANDIGARH: The allotment of a room in Panjab University’s International Hostel to PUCSC president Gaurav Veer Sohal, a facility reserved for international and NRI students, has raised questions over transparency and adherence to procedure, particularly in the absence of any publicly notified vacancy or application process.Earlier in March, there was a controversy after the daughter…
CHANDIGARH: In fresh escalation of a workplace harassment case in a govt school, the UT education secretary has formally written to the SSP, seeking a criminal inquiry into a complaint signed by 24 women staff members. The issue was first taken up at the highest administrative level through the administrator’s office.The education department has enclosed…
Chandigarh: Aimed at modernising the prison administration system and aligning it with contemporary correctional practices, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Friday passed the Punjab Prisons and Correctional Services Bill, 2026, unanimously.While introducing the bill, Jails minister Dr Ravjot Singh said, “The proposed legislation aims to transform prisons from mere custodial institutions into centres of reformation,…
Chandigarh: On Labour Day, the Punjab assembly unanimously passed a resolution approving a 15% increase in minimum wages after 13 years, extending the benefit to all registered workers in both govt and private sectors.In his concluding address on the resolution, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann said education was the key to improving the conditions of…
Bathinda: Over 116.98 lakh metric tonne of wheat, which is 95.9% of the targeted procurement, has arrived in the purchase centres of Punjab so far this season.On Friday, 2,85,476 MT wheat arrived in the grain markets across the state, pushing the total arrival so far this season to 1,16,98,650 MT. The govt has set an…
CHANDIGARH: Punjab assembly’s special session on May Day descended into bedlam after Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira accused chief minister Bhagwant Mann of coming drunk to the House, triggering heated exchanges between the ruling and opposition benches.While Congress MLAs demanded alcometer and dope tests on all the MLAs present in the assembly, leader of opposition…
Chandigarh: The Chandigarh administration is fast-tracking a comprehensive “one-time relief” policy aimed at regularising internal modifications for thousands of residents. With 90% of the city’s 62,000 CHB dwellings currently facing building violations, the proposed settlement represents a critical lifeline for homeowners who have lived under the shadow of enforcement for years.A Path to Regularisation The…
Bathinda: The first FIR under Punjab’s amended anti-sacrilege act was filed at Malout City police station in Muktsar district on Friday after the recovery of torn pages from Gutka Sahib of Sukhmani Sahib.The case was registered against unidentified person/s under Section 5 of Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act and BNS Section…
Bathinda: Occupied with the special session of assembly on Friday, chief minister Bhagwant Mann could not keep his date with a trial court in Mansa in a criminal defamation case.An application for exemption from personal hearing was filed on his behalf. The court allowed the application, exempted Mann from personal appearance for the day, and…
Chandigarh: The Food Safety Administration, UT clarified that they have not detected any adulteration in watermelon samples tested during a city-wide inspection drive.In the wake of the death of four members of a Mumbai family after consuming watermelon, authorities directed food safety officers to collect samples of the fruit from city markets. The samples have…
