The Punjab cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has approved convening a one-day special session of the Vidhan Sabha on May 1, according to a state government announcement. The session will coincide with International Workers' Day and is expected to focus on issues affecting the working class. The government plans to discuss concerns linked to changes in employment programs, including the replacement of the Centre’s MGNREGA with what it describes as the “Ji Ram Ji Scheme,” as outlined in the cabinet decision. According to the announcement, representatives of labour unions from a

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann says the Netherlands is considering importing roses from the state following discussions during his recent visit. According to a statement shared by Mann, Dutch officials indicated interest in sourcing roses from Punjab, which he said could offer better-quality flowers at competitive prices. He noted that the Netherlands currently imports roses in large quantities from Ethiopia. Mann said the discussions focused on expanding cooperation in the horticulture sector, highlighting what he described as untapped opportunities for Punjab farmers in international fl

The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at 11 locations across Punjab and Chandigarh on Monday as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation involving former Punjab Police deputy inspector general Harcharan Singh Bhullar. According to an Enforcement Directorate statement, the कार्रवाई was carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and included premises linked to Bhullar, his associates, and individuals suspected of holding properties on his behalf. Officials said documents and digital evidence were seized during the searches. Investigators suspect th

Rajya Sabha MPs Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal and Sandeep Pathak, who announced their resignations from AAP, joined the BJP in the presence of party chief Nitin Nabin in Delhi on Friday. The remaining four MPs – former cricketer Harbhajan Singh, Swati Maliwal, Rajinder Gupta and Vikram Sahney will join the BJP later. Chadha, Mittal and Pathak, received bouquets from Nabin and greeted other BJP leaders present at the party office.

Amritsar Rural Police have formally arrested Khadoor Sahib MP and ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh in connection with the Ajnala violence case, following the expiry of his detention under the National Security Act. According to a police statement, the arrest was carried out immediately after the NSA detention period lapsed. Singh was produced before a sub-divisional court in Ajnala via video conferencing from Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam, where he remains lodged. Police told the court they require extended custody to continue their investigation, including recovery of weapons and

At least 21 people were killed and about 45 others injured after a passenger bus veered off a mountainous highway and plunged down a steep slope in Indian-administered Kashmir on Monday, according to local authorities. Civil administrator Prem Singh said the 42-seat bus was carrying more than 60 passengers from Ramnagar to Udhampur when it collided with an auto-rickshaw at a sharp curve. The impact caused the bus to lose control and fall approximately 30 metres onto a lower road. Officials said 19 people died at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries after being transported to

Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh will remain lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam even after the expiry of his detention under the National Security Act, following an interim order by the High Court. According to court proceedings, the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed that Singh not be transferred to Punjab and that hearings in the cases registered against him will continue to be conducted within the Assam jail premises. The interim order came in response to a petition filed by the Punjab government. Singh’s legal counsel argued before the court that he does not pose any threat in

India’s Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at multiple premises linked to the Lovely Group in Jalandhar and Phagwara on Tuesday, according to information provided by officials familiar with the operation. The searches were carried out by a Delhi-based ED team under provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, focusing on alleged violations. Authorities did not publicly detail the nature or scale of the suspected irregularities. Premises covered in the Action include Lovely Professional University, Lovely Autos, Lovely Sweets and a distance education centre operated by the group

The Punjab government has withdrawn the state-provided security cover for Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, according to information attributed to government sources. The move follows recent changes within the Aam Aadmi Party, which removed Chadha from his role as deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha. Chadha had been provided Punjab Police security in his capacity as the party’s co-incharge for Punjab and as a member of Parliament. According to officials, the decision was taken under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. No formal public statement detailing the reasons for the withdrawal h