Punjab Additional Chief Secretary cum Financial Commissioner Revenue (FCR) Anurag Verma on Monday, made a surprise visit to the Ludhiana East Tehsil complex, in Transport Nagar, here, to inspect the delivery of services to the people. He visited the sub-registrar's office and checked the on-going registry processes besides functioning of CCTV cameras.
Verma stated that Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab government is commited to provide doorstep services to the public in effective and transparent manner. In his checking, he evaluated the situation in tehsil complex at the grassroots level.

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Saturday criticised the Union Budget 2025-26, terming it as "disappointing" as the state government had demanded a special industrial package for five border districts to promote employment and development.

He said the Budget "is focused on Bihar's election, catering to the BJP's political interests rather than addressing the needs of the nation".

Addressing the media here, Cheema expressed disappointment that none of the demands made by Punjab during the pre-budget meeting held in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer on December 20, 2024, were met in the Budget.

He contended that the Budget failed to mention the names of states other than those ruled by parties in alliance with the BJP at the Centre, highlighting the Prime Minister's bias towards specific states.

After Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, and Patiala, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has now elected its mayor in Phagwara Municipal Corporation as well. AAP’s Rampal Uppal has been elected as the new Mayor of Phagwara. Meanwhile, Tejpal Basra has been elected as the Senior Deputy Mayor, and Vipan Krishna as the Deputy Mayor.

AAP Punjab President Aman Arora congratulated all the newly elected office bearers and said that the councilors prioritised Phagwara’s development above party politics by electing an AAP mayor.

Following the election of AAP’s mayor, Aman Arora addressed a press conference in Phagwara along with the party’s MP Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal, Dr Sunny Ahluwalia and other leaders. He thanked the party’s top leadership, local leaders, and workers, stating that this historic victory was the result of the hard work of party workers.

The Kila Raipur Rural Olympics 2025, one of Punjab’s premier sporting events, on Friday got off with Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond inaugurating games in the Kila Raipur stadium.

In his address, Sond emphasised that the government is dedicated to elevating sports. “The government has been making significant efforts to foster a sports-friendly environment, prioritising the restoration of Punjab's previous sports glory.” Sond also announced the government has kept a substantial budget of Rs 75 lakh for organising these games, which will significantly benefit sports and athletes in the state.

He expressed optimism the event will contribute positively to establishing a sports culture, uncovering talent from every corner of the state. Additionally, he mentioned that the government has also increased cash awards for athletes securing medals at the Olympics and other international competitions.

Additionally, the annual ‘Kheda Watan Punjab Diyan’ event has garnered an overwhelming response from the youth.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) hit back at the statement made by Union Minister and BJP leader Ravneet Bittu regarding the raid on the Delhi residence of Punjab’s Chief Minister. AAP MP and senior spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang criticized the incident, stating that the BJP is continuously trying to defame Punjabis as part of its larger conspiracy.

Malvinder Kang said that ever since the Delhi elections were announced, the BJP has been targeting Punjabis. "Sometimes they have problems with vehicles from Punjab, and at other times, they target Sikhs and people from Punjab. The statements of BJP leaders reflect their hatred towards Punjabis," Kang said.

At least nine people were killed and 11 injured in a collision between a pick-up van and canter truck while transporting workers of a catering service provider in Punjab's Ferozepur district on Friday, police said.

The police said the pickup van was ferrying workers from Guru Har Sahai, a subdivision in Ferozepur district, to Jalalabad in neighbouring Fazilka district when the accident occurred.

Prima facie the cause of the accident was a tyre burst of the canter.

According to the police, about 25 to 30 people, mainly waiters, were in the pickup truck. They were travelling from Guru Har Sahai to Jalalabad to attend a programme when the accident occurred near Golu Ka Mod within the Guru Har Sahai Assembly constituency area.

Punjab has once again set a benchmark in environmental sustainability by securing the prestigious ‘Best State’ and ‘Best District’ awards under the Green Schools Programme. These accolades, facilitated by the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST) and the Department of Science, Technology & Environment, Government of Punjab, will be conferred during the ‘Green Schools Awards Ceremony’ organized by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on February 4 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

The awards celebrate Punjab’s exemplary efforts in fostering environmental awareness and sustainability among school communities, reinforcing its leadership in the nationwide initiative.