The Punjab government has extended winter holidays for schools across the state as severe cold conditions and dense fog continue to affect daily life. The decision applies to all government, aided, recognised and private schools in Punjab. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the move was taken on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, with the health and safety of students and school staff being given top priority. Schools will now remain closed until January 7 and will reopen as usual from January 8.In a post shared on social media platform X, Bains said prolonged cold w

The Punjab Congress has announced a statewide protest campaign opposing the Centre’s proposed changes to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), including a reported move to rename the scheme and alter its funding structure. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said on Monday that the party will launch its agitation from January 8, beginning with a protest march from Gurdaspur that will conclude in Guru Har Sahai. He said the campaign is aimed at safeguarding the original intent of MGNREGA, which he described as a lifeline for rural households

Several schools in Patiala district and the Patiala railway station were placed under heightened security on Tuesday after authorities received bomb threats through email, Punjab Police said. The threat follows similar warnings reported earlier in Amritsar and Jalandhar, raising concerns among parents and local residents. Police teams were immediately deployed to the affected schools and public locations, where thorough search operations were carried out as a precautionary measure. According to officials, the email claimed that explosive devices could detonate between 1:11 pm and 9:11 pm. As a

The Supreme Court of India has declined to grant interim bail to senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia in a disproportionate assets case, while issuing a notice to the Punjab government seeking its response to his bail plea. A bench of the top court directed the state government to file its reply within four weeks. The matter has been listed for further hearing on January 19, after the state submits its response. Majithia is facing charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act, with investigators alleging he amassed assets worth more than Rs. 540 crore beyond his known sourc

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament Amritpal Singh, who had sought permission to attend the ongoing winter session of Parliament. During the hearing, the court noted that the matter had been repeatedly deferred over the past three days due to the absence of Amritpal Singh’s legal counsel. The bench observed that with the winter session concluding on Friday, it was no longer feasible for the MP to secure parole and participate in the remaining proceedings. The court advised that any request to attend future sessions of

Authorities in Punjab are investigating bomb threat emails sent to approximately 11 schools in Jalandhar, prompting temporary closures and heightened security measures across the city. The threats were received by email early Monday morning, according to district officials. The incident comes just days after similar bomb threats were reported at several schools in Amritsar, raising concerns among parents, educators, and local authorities about student safety. In Jalandhar, school administrations alerted police after receiving the emails, leading to immediate search operations on school premise

Authorities in Amritsar ordered an immediate shutdown of several private schools after administrators reported receiving an email threatening bomb attacks on campus. The message, sent to multiple institutions early Tuesday, triggered evacuations and a large-scale police deployment. Local officials said at least 15 well-known private schools were identified in the threat. Police teams, including the bomb squad and fire services, secured school grounds while investigators worked to verify the credibility of the email. The Deputy Commissioner directed schools to release students for the day as a

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann says his government is focused on attracting international investment even as political tensions in the state intensify following recent remarks from Navjot Kaur Sidhu. Speaking to reporters, Mann said his administration is working to bring global companies to Punjab to expand opportunities in technology, health care, agriculture, and research. He contrasted that with what he described as the opposition Congress party’s focus on internal disputes and claims about the value of political positions. The Chief Minister returned this week from a visit to Japan

Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar is calling for a time bound inquiry into allegations of corruption in the state, urging Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to order an investigation under the supervision of the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Jakhar said an independent process is needed to examine all leaders, including himself, so the public can see a full accounting of the claims. He questioned the Chief Minister’s recent remarks suggesting he has files related to wrongdoing, asking why those documents have not been opened or shared with an impartial authority. Jakhar said b