Punjab has scheduled elections for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti bodies for December 14, introducing several procedural changes aimed at improving participation and oversight. The State Election Commission confirmed that ballots will be cast using paper ballots instead of electronic voting machines, marking a shift from recent local elections. Half of all seats will be reserved for women, a measure officials say is intended to strengthen representation and broaden community involvement in local governance. Vote counting is set for December 17. For the first time, each district will have a

The acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, met with the family of a 13-year-old girl who was killed during an alleged attempted sexual assault in Jalandhar, urging authorities to pursue the maximum punishment allowed under law. The visit comes as community members continue to express concern about the handling of the case. During the meeting, the Jathedar offered prayers for the victim and received a detailed account of the events from the family. He assured them that the Panth’s highest temporal seat, along with the broader Sikh community, supports the family as the

The Punjab government has increased the state procurement price for sugarcane by 15 rupees per quintal, bringing the new rate to 416 rupees. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during the inauguration of a new sugar mill in Dinnanagar. The Chief Minister said Punjab now offers the highest state-advised price for cane farmers in the country. Haryana has set its rate at 415 rupees per quintal for the current season, creating a narrow but notable difference between the two neighbouring states. Farm groups in Punjab have been pressing for higher returns as input costs continu

The Election Commission of India has directed Punjab’s Director General of Police to appear before the poll authority on November 25 after a series of police cases were filed against workers of the Shiromani Akali Dal during the Tarn Taran by-election campaign. Officials say the order was issued after the commission reviewed a detailed report submitted by the state police on November 13, one day before results were announced. According to information provided to the commission, nine FIRs were registered in separate police districts over the course of the campaign. The cases were lodged in Ta

The Aam Aadmi Party has strengthened its position in Punjab after winning the Tarn Taran assembly by-election with a significant lead. According to the final count released today, AAP candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu secured 42,649 votes, finishing well ahead of his competitors in a closely watched contest. Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa of Shiromani Akali Dal placed second with 30,558 votes, trailing Sandhu by 12,091 votes. The election saw participation from multiple parties, with Mandeep Singh of Waris Punjab De finishing third with 19,620 votes. Congress candidate Kanwarveer Singh Burj followed in

The Punjab government has introduced a new policy requiring village sarpanches and panchayat members to obtain official approval before travelling abroad. The Rural Development and Panchayats Department has circulated instructions to all District Development and Panchayat Officers as well as Additional Deputy Commissioners across the state to ensure implementation. According to the directive, many elected representatives from panchayati raj institutions often travel overseas for personal reasons, which can delay or disrupt ongoing development work in villages. To prevent such administrative sl

The Tarn Taran assembly constituency in Punjab recorded a voter turnout of 60.95 per cent during Tuesday’s by-election, according to election officials. Polling took place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. under tight security arrangements across the constituency. The seat fell vacant following the death of Aam Aadmi Party MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal in June. A total of 15 candidates contested the by-election, with 1,92,838 registered voters eligible to cast their ballots. Officials said 222 polling stations were set up at 114 locations to facilitate the voting process. Counting of votes will take place on

A powerful explosion near the Red Fort Metro Station in central Delhi has left 11 people dead and at least 24 injured, according to local authorities. The cause of the blast remains under investigation, and a high alert has been declared across Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Delhi Fire Department officials said the explosion occurred inside a parked car near the Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening. The impact caused several nearby vehicles to catch fire, resulting in extensive damage. Eyewitnesses reported seeing debris scattered across the road and hearing multiple smaller bla

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has postponed the hearing in the disproportionate assets case against former Punjab minister and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia. The proceedings, which continued for nearly an hour on Friday, were adjourned to Monday after the court heard arguments from both sides. Majithia’s counsel argued that since a chargesheet has already been filed and the investigation remains incomplete, there is no justification for keeping his client in custody. The defence alleged that the state government is deliberately delaying the bail process by repeatedly s