Sanitation workers in Punjab have announced an end to their strike after reaching an agreement with the Punjab government over their long-pending demands. The decision follows a series of measures announced by the state government, including a substantial increase in monthly wages for sanitation employees. According to the Punjab government, sanitation workers who were previously receiving a monthly salary of ₹10,500 will now receive ₹20,500. The revised wages will be paid from Aug. 1 to sanitation workers and sewermen employed on a contractual basis. The government also announced the form

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike after what he described as two days of continuous talks with the central government. Reports claim Congress Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha played a key role in facilitating backchannel discussions that helped resolve the impasse. According to the reports, backchannel negotiations continued for nearly three days, with efforts made at multiple levels to reach a consensus. Some Ladakhi leaders are also reported to have acted as intermediaries during the discussions. Tankha has previously represented Wangchuk in the Supreme Court in a case re

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday issued his first public response to the ongoing paper leak controversy, announcing that fast-track courts will be established to ensure the speedy trial of those accused in the cases. He said the government is committed to taking strict action against those responsible for examination paper leaks. Despite the announcement, protests over the issue continued. Demonstrators and opposition parties described the measure as insufficient and reiterated their demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Late Wednesday, clash

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk has said he is prepared to end his 24-day hunger strike over the alleged NEET-UG examination paper leak if the central government provides a written assurance that no punitive or retaliatory legal action will be taken against students who participated in the examination reform movement. According to a letter issued by Wangchuk, the assurance would protect student protesters involved in demonstrations demanding reforms to the examination system following the NEET-UG controversy. Wangchuk said Union ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him on Tuesday night a

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, alleging the state government has failed to prevent repeated examination paper leaks in Punjab. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Warring said several major paper leak incidents have been reported during the Mann government's tenure. He cited the Punjab Group-B recruitment examination, which he said was leaked about six months ago, along with alleged leaks involving the Class 12 English examination, the Punjab State Teacher Eligibility

Amid a march by farmers from Punjab and Haryana toward Delhi to protest the proposed India–U.S. trade agreement and heightened tensions at the Shambhu border, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the central government remains fully committed to the welfare of farmers. The Prime Minister said farmers' interests would be given top priority in any trade agreement. He added that the government would take decisions after considering the concerns of the agricultural community. Modi also addressed students protesting over the NEET-UG paper leak case. He said the government is treating the

Farmers from different parts of the country are scheduled to gather at Kisan Ghat in New Delhi on Tuesday for a Mahapanchayat to protest the proposed India–U.S. trade agreement. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said the gathering, being organised on the call of the Desh Bachao Morcha, will oppose the proposed deal, which he described as being against the interests of farmers. According to Pandher, the agreement could adversely affect the farming community, and protesters will urge the Centre not to implement it. Pandher said buses carrying farmers from Punjab are expected to leave for Delh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Punjab government's handling of law and order during a public rally in Jalandhar on Friday, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration of failing to ensure public safety and protect the state's future. Addressing the gathering, Modi paid tribute to Punjab, describing it as the land of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He alleged that the state government was attempting to hide the ground reality through extensive advertising, while claiming that the law and order situation had deteriorated across Punjab. The prime minister said businesses were finding it

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the 2015 Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura police firing cases has issued a notice to Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, directing him to appear for questioning on Monday. According to the SIT, the fresh summons follows the statement of BJP leader Vijay Sampla, who told investigators he did not sign a memorandum submitted to the Punjab Governor with Sukhbir Singh Badal in connection with the sacrilege incidents. Investigators are seeking clarification on the circumstances surrounding the document and the facts related to its submission. Las