Direct Talks: The Punjab Chief Minister has held direct talks with farmer groups to address their main concerns.Support for Farmers: The discussions focused on increasing subsidies, improving welfare schemes, and providing financial security.Government's Commitment: The government is committed to strengthening the agriculture sector and protecting the livelihoods of farmers. In Punjab, the state government is taking a direct approach to support the farming community. The Chief Minister...

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann unveiled the Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana on July 8, offering ₹10 lakh annual insurance coverage to all 65 lakh families in Punjab. Destined to launch on October 2, the scheme was allocated ₹778 crore in the 2025–26 state budget. Eligible beneficiaries will receive Sehat cards to access cashless treatment at government and empaneled private hospitals—even outside Punjab under Ayushman Bharat provisions. The scheme includes retired government employees and...

Punjab authorities are alarmed by a surge in international extortion calls targeting businessmen in Ludhiana and Jagraon. In one case, a shopkeeper narrowly escaped a shooting on July 5, followed by a ₹50 lakh ransom demand from a U.S.-based number. Another businessman received threats from a Malaysian number. Investigators suspect encrypted communication by either foreign gangs or local handlers. Cybercrime units are now tracing call origins, while no arrests have yet been made. This...

Authorities in Punjab are investigating a disturbing pattern where local businessmen in Ludhiana and Jagraon received ransom calls from foreign numbers claiming links to international criminal gangs. In one case, shopkeeper Jatinder Singh was allegedly shot at on July 5, followed by a ₹50 lakh demand from a U.S. phone number. Another Jagraon businessman was threatened by a Malaysian number. Punjab cybercrime units are tracing encrypted call origins, suspecting either foreign networks or local...

Punjab Businessmen Face Extortion Threats from International Callers In Ludhiana, a series of extortion attempts have alarmed the business community, with local businessmen receiving threatening international WhatsApp calls, allegedly from gangs operating abroad. In one case, a businessman was shot at before being asked to pay ₹50 lakh by a caller using a U.S. number. Another received similar threats through a Malaysian contact. Punjab Police have launched an investigation and enlisted...

Punjab’s Health Department has issued a directive requiring all government doctors to submit medico-legal reportsincluding X-rays and CT scans to investigating officers within 48 hours of preparation. The order, backed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, aims to reduce delays in criminal investigations. Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action, with oversight managed through district SSPs. A standard operating procedure (SOP) is also being drafted. The Punjab Civil Medical...

FIRs Filed Against Digital News Portals in Ludhiana for Publishing Poll Data During Election Silence In a serious crackdown before the Ludhiana West by-election, FIRs were filed against multiple digital news portals that violated the 48-hour “poll silence” period by publishing opinion polls. This period, legally protected under the Representation of the People Act, is meant to allow voters to reflect without media influence or political pressure. Despite prior warnings issued by...

Gurdaspur: Punjab Police Foils Major Espionage Plot, Two Arrested for Leaking Military Secrets to ISI In a major breakthrough for national security, Punjab Police successfully dismantled an espionage network by arresting two individuals involved in leaking sensitive military information to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The operation took place in Gurdaspur on May 15 (Thursday), following credible intelligence alerts. The arrested individuals, Sukhpreet Singh and...

Chandigarh: In a historic initiative, the Punjab government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has launched the construction of the Malwa Canal, marking the state’s first new canal project since India’s independence. This ambitious 150-kilometre-long canal is poised to be a transformative development for Punjab’s agriculture sector, especially in the water-stressed Malwa region. With a budget of over ₹2,300 crore, the canal will significantly enhance irrigation...

Punjab's AGTF Strikes Hard: State’s Crackdown on Organised Crime Yields Results     Chandigarh: The Punjab government’s unwavering crackdown on organised crime is showing tangible results, as the state’s specialised Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) continues to dismantle powerful criminal syndicates. Established to combat the rising threat of gang violence and its deep-rooted connections with cross-border arms smuggling and...

Chandigarh:  The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has embarked on a transformational mission to strengthen early childhood care and development. With a bold vision and a dedicated budget of ₹200 crore, the state is building 1,419 new Anganwadi centres and revamping existing ones to elevate the quality of services provided to women and children across the state. Infrastructure Boost: Building Foundations for the Future In Phase 1, 1,000...

Chandigarh: Determined to create a world-class learning environment, the Bhagwant Singh Mann government has launched an ambitious initiative to upskill Punjab’s government-school leaders and teachers through prestigious international and national programmes. Under the scheme: Batches of principals and teachers have already travelled to Singapore and Finland—countries celebrated for their cutting-edge education systems. A third cohort is undergoing intensive...