23.25°C Vancouver

News

sukhbir-singh-badal-criticizes-budget-as-hollow-similar-to-previous-years
IndiaMar 26, 2025

Sukhbir Singh Badal Criticizes Budget as Hollow, Similar to Previous Years

Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal has criticized the budget presented by the Bhagwant Mann government, calling it a betrayal of the people of Punjab. Badal described the budget as hollow and directionless, similar to those presented by the AAP government in its first three years, claiming it will only worsen the state's debt burden. He warned that Punjab’s debt is set to reach Rs 4.17 lakh crore, with an increase of Rs 1.54 lakh crore during the tenure of the Aam Aadmi Party. Additionally, Badal pointed out that the state government ha
mann-govt-ignores-rs-1-100-monthly-guarantee-for-women-in-latest-budget
IndiaMar 26, 2025

Mann Govt Ignores Rs 1,100 Monthly Guarantee for Women in Latest Budget

The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government has once again failed to fulfill its promise of providing Rs 1,100 per month to women in the state, even in this year’s budget. The guarantee was made by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal during the 2022 assembly elections upon the formation of the government in Punjab. In the budget presentation, themed "My Punjab, Changing Punjab," the state government focused on several initiatives, including a Rs 150 crore drug census to count the number of people using drugs in Punjab. Additionally, the government announced a scheme offering free treatment up to Rs 10
partap-singh-bajwa-criticizes-state-government-over-budget
IndiaMar 26, 2025

Partap Singh Bajwa Criticizes State Government Over Budget

Senior Punjab Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Vidhan Sabha, Partap Singh Bajwa, criticized the state government for its recently announced budget. He alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party government has neglected all sections of society in its financial plan. Bajwa pointed out that while the government has proposed conducting a drug census in the state, it should begin from within the Punjab Vidhan Sabha itself. He suggested that the Chief Minister, cabinet ministers, and other MLAs undergo dope tests, with the results made public before the initiative extends to the general public
seechewal-raises-farmers-issue-in-rajya-sabha
IndiaMar 25, 2025

Seechewal Highlights Farmers' Issues and Punjab's Economic Crisis in Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha member from Punjab, Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, raised the issue of the severe economic crisis in Punjab during today’s session. He stated that the state is burdened with a debt of Rs 3.74 lakh crore, and it has become increasingly difficult to pay the interest installments on this debt. Seechewal emphasized that Punjab is facing several serious challenges that require urgent attention, such as the significant decline in the groundwater level. The issues of debt and the water crisis in Punjab were raised at the center just ahead of the state’s budget presentation tomorrow, wh
narayan-singh-chaura-granted-bail-in-sukhbir-badal-shooting-case
IndiaMar 25, 2025

Narayan Singh Chaura Granted Bail in Sukhbir Badal Shooting Case

Narayan Singh Chaura has been granted bail by an Amritsar court in connection with the shooting case involving former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. Chaura had been in judicial custody for nearly four months. Chaura had attempted to shoot Sukhbir Singh Badal while he was performing religious duties at the gate of Sri Harmandir Sahib. While granting bail, the Amritsar court stated that the investigation into the case is nearly complete, and there is no compelling reason to keep the accused in jail any longer. The shooting incident occurred on December 3, and Chaura was arres
amritpal-singh-likely-to-be-transferred-to-punjab-in-april
IndiaMar 25, 2025

Amritpal Singh Likely to Be Transferred to Punjab in April

Amritpal Singh, MP from the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency in Punjab and leader of the ‘Waris Punjab De’ organization, may be transferred to Punjab from Dibrugarh Jail in Assam in April. His National Security Act (NSA) detention is set to end on April 22. In addition, Amritpal Singh's associate, Pappalpreet Singh, could be brought back after April 10. Another associate, Varinder Singh Fauji, is also expected to be brought to Amritsar by the Punjab Police by tonight. He will be presented in the Ajnala court tomorrow, where his remand will be sought. A case has been filed against all
ministry-of-external-affairs-denies-political-clearance-for-punjab-agriculture-minister-khudians-u-s-visit
IndiaMar 24, 2025

Ministry of External Affairs Denies Political Clearance for Punjab Agriculture Minister Khudian’s U.S. Visit

The Ministry of External Affairs of India has denied political clearance for Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian to visit the United States. Khudian was scheduled for an official trip from March 29 to April 6, but he has confirmed that he did not receive clearance for the visit. The delegation accompanying him has also been denied clearance. This is not the first instance of a Punjab leader being denied political clearance for an official foreign visit. Previously, the Central government had withheld approval for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other ministers to travel abroad
central-government-increases-mps-salaries-by-24-percent
IndiaMar 24, 2025

Central Government Increases MPs' Salaries by 24 Percent

The Narendra Modi-led government in India has announced a 24 percent hike in the salaries of Members of Parliament (MPs). According to a notification issued on Monday, the new salary for current MPs, including allowances, will be Rs 1.24 lakh per month, up from the previous Rs 1 lakh. This salary increase will be effective from April 1, 2023. In addition to this, the pension for former MPs has also been raised from Rs 25,000 to Rs 31,000. The last salary hike for MPs occurred in 2018, when then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley increased their salaries from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh.
sgpc-to-establish-rules-for-appointment-retirement-and-duties-of-jathedars-dhami
IndiaMar 24, 2025

SGPC to Establish Rules for Appointment, Retirement, and Duties of Jathedars: Dhami

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to create rules regarding the appointment, retirement, and scope of work for Jathedars following recent controversies. This announcement was made by SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, who stated that a high-level committee would be formed to address these matters soon. Advocate Dhami further emphasized that the retirement of Jathedars serving at Takht Sahibs would be handled with respect. Efforts will also be made to honor the Singh Sahibs who have retired for their services. Dhami acknowledged that, given the current

Just In

coquitlam-rcmp-announce-guilty-plea-after-lengthy-firearm-related-offence-investigation
BCJul 29, 2025

Coquitlam RCMP announce guilty plea after lengthy firearm related offence investigation

Following a lengthy police investigation into a 2021 shooting incident that occurred in Coquitlam, 36-year-old Sukhdeep Singh Pansal of Delta, British Columbia, has plead guilty to firearms related charges and has been sentenced to 38 months in prison. On January 16, 2021, at approximately 12:05 a.m., Coquitlam RCMP frontline officers responded to a report of shots fired from a high-rise building located in the 600 block of Whiting Way, Coquitlam. A woman was found with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was taken to hospital. The Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team (ERT) ass
north-vancouver-rcmp-seek-publics-help-identifying-suspect-in-series-of-break-and-enters
BCJul 29, 2025

North Vancouver RCMP seek public’s help identifying suspect in series of Break and Enters

North Vancouver RCMP are seeking public assistance in identifying a suspect involved in three separate break and enter incidents. On July 8, 2025, North Vancouver RCMP received a report of a break and enter at a residential building in the 2100 block of Chesterfield Avenue, North Vancouver. CCTV footage from the building captured a male suspect gaining access at approximately 4:00 a.m. Nothing was stolen, but damage was caused to the property. On July 10, 2025, police received a second report from the same residential building. The suspect entered the premises and stole approximately $600 in c
seniors-advocate-says-b-c-will-need-almost-16-000-new-long-term-care-beds-by-2036
BCJul 29, 2025

Seniors advocate says B.C. will need almost 16,000 new long-term care beds by 2036

A report from British Columbia's seniors' advocate say the province will need almost 16,000 new long-term care beds by 2036 to meet the demands of an aging society. Dan Levitt's report tabled at the provincial legislature pegs the current shortfall at over 2,000 beds, and predicts the gap will "grow exponentially" over the next decade. It says the number of people waiting for beds has grown significantly in the past 10 years to 7, 212 in 2025, and people are also waiting longer. The average wait time for a long-term care bed had almost doubled to 290 days by 2024, according to the report, whic
vpd-investigates-strong-arm-robbery-of-senior
BCJul 29, 2025

VPD investigates strong-arm robbery of senior

Vancouver Police have released video of suspects in the alleged strong-arm robbery of an 84-year-old woman downtown on Sunday. The senior was standing near Homer and West Pender Street shortly before 11:30 a.m. on July 27 when she was approached by a man and woman who accused her of stealing from them. One suspect allegedly took the woman’s cane, while the other tried to take the purse off her shoulder. The senior held on to the purse until another person intervened. The suspects were last seen walking north on Homer Street. “Every indication suggests this senior was targeted because s
starmer-says-uk-will-recognize-palestinian-state-unless-israel-agrees-to-a-ceasefire
WorldJul 29, 2025

Starmer says UK will recognize Palestinian state unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Tuesday the U.K. will recognize a Palestinian state in September – unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza and takes steps toward long-term peace. Starmer called ministers together for a rare summertime Cabinet meeting to discuss the situation in Gaza. He told them that Britain will recognize a state of Palestine before the United Nations General Assembly, “unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, reaches a ceasefire, makes clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank, and commits to a long-term