The Punjab government will roll out its Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme on January 22, a week later than originally planned, state Health Minister Balbir Singh said on Monday. The scheme was initially scheduled to be launched on January 15, but the date was deferred after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s Jathedar summoned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on that day. As a result, the government decided to postpone the formal launch by one week. Balbir Singh said a trial phase will be conducted before the full rollout to ensure the system is functioning smoothly. He added

A key meeting of farm leaders from across India was held Friday at Kisan Bhawan in Chandigarh, bringing together representatives from several states to discuss a common strategy on farmers’ demands. Leaders from Punjab attended the meeting along with farmer representatives from Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said a consensus was reached to launch a nationwide farmers’ march in the first week of February 2026. According to him, the march will travel from Kanyak

Security agencies were put on high alert Thursday after bomb threats were issued to at least 10 court complexes across several Indian states, including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Authorities evacuated the affected court premises as a precaution while police teams launched extensive searches. In Punjab, district courts in Ferozepur, Moga and Rupnagar received threat messages, according to police sources. Similar threats were also reported at the Himachal Pradesh High Court, triggering concern among court staff, lawyers and litigants. No injuries o

A special court in Punjab’s Bathinda district has rejected a request by BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut to be exempted from personal appearance in a defamation case filed against her, directing her to be present in court on January 15. The court warned that failure to appear on the scheduled date could result in the cancellation of her bail and the issuance of arrest warrants. The matter is being heard by a special court dealing with cases related to public representatives. The defamation case dates back to 2021 and was filed by Mahinder Kaur, a 70-year-old resident of Bahadurgarh Jandian vi

The Punjab government has once again extended winter holidays for schools across the state, citing intense cold weather and persistent fog conditions. Under the revised order, all government and private schools in Punjab will now remain closed until January 13 and reopen on January 14, following the Lohri festival. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the decision was taken in response to the ongoing cold wave, which has led to a sharp drop in temperatures and reduced visibility in many districts. He said student safety remains the government’s top priority during the peak winter perio

A rift has surfaced within Punjab’s farmers’ union Bharatiya Kisan Union Sidhupur, with several senior leaders and district presidents openly rebelling against union president Jagjit Singh Dallewal. The dissenting leaders have levelled serious allegations related to financial transparency and internal governance of the organisation. According to the rebel group, funds collected by the union during various protests and organisational activities were never properly accounted for. They claim that despite repeated requests, the leadership failed to provide clear financial statements or explana

A CBI special court in Chandigarh has granted default bail to suspended Punjab Police Deputy Inspector General Harcharan Singh Bhullar in a disproportionate assets case after the investigating agency failed to file a chargesheet within the stipulated legal timeframe. The court ruled that the Central Bureau of Investigation did not complete the procedural requirement within the period prescribed under law, entitling the accused to default bail. However, the court clarified that Bhullar will not be released from custody as he remains jailed in connection with other corruption related cases. Duri

Former Punjab Police Deputy Inspector General Harcharan Singh Bhullar has suffered a legal setback after a CBI special court in Chandigarh rejected his bail application. The order was passed on Friday following a detailed hearing in the case. During the proceedings, the court heard arguments from both the prosecution and the defence. The hearing took place after the court had earlier directed both sides to submit their replies and present their positions on the bail plea. Bhullar had also approached the Supreme Court seeking interim bail and a stay on the ongoing CBI proceedings. However, the

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