Skip to Main content

9.43°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

May 12, 2020 3:00 AM -

Punjab CM pitches for lockdown extension with 'carefully crafted strategy'

Share On

punjab-cm-pitches-for-lockdown-extension-with-carefully-crafted-strategy

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday pitched for extension of the lockdown with a "carefully crafted strategy", which is to be backed by fiscal and economic empowerment of the states to save lives and secure livelihood. Photo-ANI

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday pitched for extension of the lockdown with a "carefully crafted strategy", which is to be backed by fiscal and economic empowerment of the states to save lives and secure livelihood.

During a video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh said that states needed to be given greater flexibility in micro-planning as part of a carefully planned exit strategy, encompassing both COVID containment and a defined path of economic revival.

He demanded urgent financial assistance to states to meet at least 33 per cent of their committed liabilities, along with revenue grants to the states for 3 months to meet the shortfall in revenue and to fund expenditure on COVID-19.

The Punjab Chief Minister also called for a "national strategy" on COVID testing.

He also reiterated his demand for the immediate release of Punjab's GST arrears of Rs 4,365.37 crore.

The Chief Minister also urged the Prime Minister to increase the borrowing limit under the Financial Responsibility and Budget Management Act 2005 (FRBM Act) from 3 per cent to 4 per cent of SGDP to enable states to meet their fiscal liabilities.

Latest news

School bus crash in western Manitoba sends several children to hospital

Several children were taken to hospital after a school bus left a highway in western Manitoba on Tuesday morning, according to RCMP. Police say the bus rolled off the road south of Mafeking, near the community of Swan River, roughly 550 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg. Emergency crews responded to the scene shortly after the crash was reported. RCMP confirmed that four people on board the bus suffered significant but non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to hospital for treatment. Other passengers were assessed at the scene and were also taken to hospital as a precaution. The cau

statistics-canada-plans-workforce-reduction-affecting-about-850-employees

CanadaJan 13, 2026

Statistics Canada plans workforce reduction affecting about 850 employees

Statistics Canada says it will cut approximately 850 positions as part of a broader effort to adjust its operations, along with a reduction of about 12 per cent of its executive team. Carter Mann, a spokesperson for the national statistical agency, said affected employees are expected to be notified within the next two weeks. He added that the agency remains focused on meeting its mandate to provide reliable data for Canadians while adapting to internal changes. According to data from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Statistics Canada employed 7,274 people as of March 31, 2025. Of tha

Lake Country RCMP arrest two suspects in break and enter investigation linked to Kelowna

Lake Country RCMP say two men have been arrested following an early morning break and enter that investigators believe is connected to a series of similar crimes targeting businesses in Kelowna. Police were called to a business in the 11,000 block of Oceola Road around 3:00 a.m. Sunday after receiving a report of a break and enter in progress. Officers contained the area and arrested two male suspects as they exited the building carrying tools commonly associated with break and enter offences. RCMP say a search of the suspects uncovered identifiable property and Canadian currency believed to b

atmospheric-river-soaks-b-c-south-coast-as-rainfall-tops-200-millimetres-in-some-areas

Atmospheric river soaks B.C. south coast as rainfall tops 200 millimetres in some areas

Communities across British Columbia’s south coast and Vancouver Island have been hit with intense rainfall over the past three days as an atmospheric river moved through the region, prompting evacuation orders, alerts and ongoing flood warnings. Environment Canada says several areas recorded more than 100 millimetres of rain between Saturday and Monday, with the Kennedy Lake Forestry Station on Vancouver Island measuring nearly 286 millimetres during the period. On the mainland, Port Mellon reported 204 millimetres, while Ucluelet recorded 168 millimetres and Squamish received 132 millimetre

teen-critically-injured-in-richmond-hit-and-run-as-police-seek-suspect-vehicle

Teen critically injured in Richmond hit-and-run as police seek suspect vehicle

A 17-year-old boy remains in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle that fled the scene late Saturday night in Richmond, according to RCMP. Police say officers were called just after 11:25 p.m. to reports of a disturbance in the 4200 block of No. 3 Road. When they arrived, they found the teenager unconscious and suffering serious injuries. He was taken to hospital by paramedics, where he continues to receive life-saving care. Investigators believe the collision followed an altercation near the roadway. The incident has prompted a parallel investigation into an alleged assault causi

Related News

Punjab to launch Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme on January 22

Punjab to launch Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme on January 22

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

Farm leaders meet in Chandigarh, announce nationwide farmers’ march in early 2026

Farm leaders meet in Chandigarh, announce nationwide farmers’ march in early 2026

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

Bomb threats prompt evacuation of court complexes across multiple Indian states

Bomb threats prompt evacuation of court complexes across multiple Indian states

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

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital