15.69°C Vancouver

News

punjab-government-plans-to-take-on-rs-49-900-crore-in-new-debt
IndiaMar 27, 2025

Punjab Government Plans to Take on Rs 49,900 Crore in New Debt

The Punjab government is reportedly planning to incur new debt amounting to Rs 49,900 crore, according to recent media reports. Out of the Rs 1.02 lakh crore budget presented by the Bhagwant Mann government for 2025-26, a substantial portion will be allocated to salaries, pensions, electricity subsidies, and loan interest payments. This leaves only Rs 9,067 crore for developmental projects and other expenses. The budget, unveiled yesterday, includes Rs 450 crore for the free bus travel scheme for women, the same allocation as the current financial year. However, the scheme’s actual expendit
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.

Just In

pm-carney-defends-decision-to-invite-pm-modi-to-g7-summit
CanadaJun 06, 2025

PM Carney defends decision to invite PM Modi to G7 summit

Prime Minister Mark Carney is defending his decision to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 Summit in Alberta later this month, as security officials investigate links between the Indian government and murder of a Canadian two years ago. Carney says that it makes sense to have India at the G7 table as one of the world's largest economies. The prime minister says the invitation was extended with a commitment to continued law enforcement discussions. Former prime minister Justin Trudeau said in 2023 that agents of the Indian government were linked to the murder of Sikh separatis
ndp-joins-sikh-community-in-condemning-modis-g7-invitation
CanadaJun 06, 2025

After WSO, NDP too condemn PM Modi's G7 invitation

On Friday, NDP critic for Public Safety and National Security Jenny Kwan and NDP critic for Foreign Affairs Heather McPherson expressed deep concern and solidarity with the Sikh community following Prime Minister Mark Carney’s inappropriate invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the upcoming G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta.“This decision is profoundly troubling and deeply hurtful to the Sikh community in Canada,” said Kwan. “It is unconscionable that the government would roll out the red carpet for Prime Minister Modi, whose regime has been directly implicated in
bengaluru-stampede-case-complaint-filed-against-virat-kohli
IndiaJun 06, 2025

Bengaluru stampede case: Complaint filed against Virat Kohli

A complaint has been filed against cricketer Virat Kohli at the police station in India in connection with the stampede that took place outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on June 4. Social activist HM Venkatesh has held Kohli responsible for the accident in his complaint. 11 people died in this stampede. According to reports, no FIR has been registered against Kohli yet. So far, a case has been registered against Royal Challengers Bangalore, an event management company and the Karnataka State Cricket Association in this case and 8 officers including the Police Commissioner have be
wso-condemns-carneys-invitation-to-modi
CanadaJun 06, 2025

World Sikh Organization of Canada Condemns Carney’s Invitation to Modi

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) condemns Prime Minister Mark Carney's invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the upcoming G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. The timing and nature of this announcement have caused outrage and pain within the Sikh community across Canada. On May 21, the WSO sent a formal letter to Prime Minister Carney urging him not to invite Prime Minister Modi (original letter follows below). WSO says, the letter detailed India’s well-documented campaign of transnational repression targeting Sikhs in Canada, including the 2023 assassination
b-c-gained-13-000-jobs-in-may
BCJun 06, 2025

B.C. gained 13,000 jobs in May

Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, has issued a statement on the release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for May 2025. Minister's statement “Now, more than ever, it’s critical for B.C. to focus on diversifying our economy and protecting jobs for British Columbians, and we are doing that work. “This week, we announced the launch of our ease-of-doing-business review, to continue the work to cut red tape, modernize our regulatory and permitting systems, and foster innovation, as we secure B.C.’s position as the engine of Canada’s new eco