Former MLA Gurpreet Singh has been given the ticket from Fatehgarh Sahib and the name of Karamjeet Anmol has been announced to contest from Faridkot….reports Asian Lite News
The Aam Aadmi Party announced its first list of eight candidates for the Lok Sabha elections from Punjab on Thursday.
The list includes five cabinet ministers- Gurmeet Singh Khudian from Bathinda, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal from Amritsar, Laljit Singh Bhullar from Khandur Sahib, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer from Sangrur and Dr Balbir Singh from Patiala.
Apart from these, the sitting MP from Jalandhar, Sushil Kumar Rinku, has been named a candidate for the party whose convenor is Delhi Chief Minister Aravind Kejriwal
Former MLA Gurpreet Singh has been given the ticket from Fatehgarh Sahib and the name of Karamjeet Anmol has been announced to contest from Faridkot.
On February 27, the Aam Admi Party had announced its candidates for four Lok Sabha seats in Delhi and one from Haryana’s Kurukshetra constituency. It has fielded Kuldeep Kumar from the East Delhi constituency, whereas former Delhi Minister and senior AAP leader Somnath Bharti will contest from the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat.
The party has fielded Sahiram Pahalwan from the South Delhi seat, and Mahabal Mishra is set to contest from West Delhi. In Haryana, AAP has decided to field Sushil Gupta will contest from Kurukshetra.
There are 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab with four seats reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates. In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, the Congress-led UPA alliance clinched 8 seats, while the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) managed to secure four. The AAP, which was contesting for the first time in the state won one seat.
AAP is the first party in the state to have announced its candidates for the upcoming general elections. (ANI)
She also added that the PML-N’s key objectives during her tenure would be the provision of employment, education and healthcare, Dawn reported…reports Asian Lite News
Amid boycotts and delays, the Punjab Assembly on Monday elected PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz as the first female Chief Minister of the province and Pakistan, media reported.
“It is natural that when people are subject to victimisation the way I have been, they harbour hatred. I want to say today, that I do not seek revenge, nor do I have hatred for anyone,” Maryam clarified.
Maryam clinched an overwhelming victory with 220 votes against rival Rana Aftab Ahmed Khan of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), Dawn reported.
In her an hour-and-a-half-long victory speech — during which she held a frame of her late mother Kulsoom — Maryam said that she was upset at the opposition boycott.
“I wish they had been a part of the political and democratic process,” she said.
“If the opposition was present today, and if they had protested during my speech, I would have been happy,” Maryam added.
She thanked the opposition for “putting her through a struggle which has no comparison,” citing the numerous court cases, the imprisonment of her father and the death of her mother.
“I want to give a message to the opposition: the doors of my chamber and heart will always remain open for them as they are for the members of my party,” Maryam said.
Initially, the SIC — which is now home to the PTI-backed independent candidates who won the general election — had nominated Mian Aslam Iqbal, an MPA-elect from Lahore, for the slot.
However, it later replaced him with Aftab from Faisalabad, a former PPP jiyala, as Iqbal had not come to the House to take oath as MPA, fearing his arrest by the Punjab police.
Ahead of the Assembly session on Monday, Maryam first visited her mother’s grave and then arrived at the Punjab Assembly, which was scheduled to convene at 11 a.m, Dawn reported.
However, the session began almost two hours later than scheduled as the SIC alleged its MPAs were not allowed to enter the Assembly premises. When the ball finally got rolling at 1 p.m., 103 SIC lawmakers staged a walkout.
Following the boycott, Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan announced that the session would continue in the absence of the SIC members and signalled the MPAs present in the House to gather on opposite sides of the aisle after which voting was held.
Upon the completion of the process, the results were announced and Maryam was declared the 30th Chief Minister of Punjab and the first woman to rule the largest province of the country.
After the election, Maryam, alongside her father Nawaz Sharif and uncle Shehbaz Sharif, took oath as the Punjab Chief Minister at a ceremony at the Governor House, Dawn reported.
“It is natural that when people are subject to victimisation the way I have been, they harbour hatred. I want to say today, that I do not seek revenge, nor do I have hatred for anyone,” she clarified.
Maryam further highlighted that history was made with her election today and dedicated the victory to all the women in the country.
“This is a testament that being a woman (or) a daughter will not come in the way of your dreams,” she said.
Maryam also thanked her father, PML-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif, for his “handholding” and for imparting invaluable advice.
“It gives me immense pride today to be in the same seat that a visionary like Nawaz Sharif was in, who is the only person among 250 million Pakistanis to have held the position of Prime Minister three times,” she stressed and vowed to take forward the PML-N’s legacy.
She also added that the PML-N’s key objectives during her tenure would be the provision of employment, education and healthcare, Dawn reported.
“I was born in an affluent household but I got a chance to hold direct interactions with the common people and I am aware of their problems. I know the expectations they have from the government.”
“Therefore, from today onwards, after the oath, I will go to my office and begin the implementation of my manifesto,” she said.
“I know that five years are too little, 24 hours aren’t enough. Not from tomorrow, but from today, after I take the oath, I will act on my manifesto as soon as I get to my office,” she added.
She also announced a Ramazan relief package, Nigheban, for the province, Dawn reported.
She said it included essentials worth Rs 6.5 to 7 million which would be distributed to the public during Ramazan.
“The package will be delivered to their doorstep,” she said.
Maryam added that marketplaces providing essential items at subsidised rates would also be set up.
She added that she planned to transform Punjab into an “economic hub” by creating an enabling environment for businessmen.
She said the government’s job was to create policies and regulations, adding that she had plans to enhance public-private partnerships.
Maryam added that “incentives were necessary” for the private sector in order to foster economic stability.
She further said that free medicines would be provided at every government hospital across the province from today.
She vowed to build one state-of-the-art hospital in every city of Punjab.
Maryam also said that Punjab’s first air ambulance would be announced within the next 12 weeks to improve healthcare for the people living in mountainous and hilly areas.
In her speech, Maryam also asserted that the safety of women in the province was her first priority.
“Therefore, I am announcing a dedicated helpline for women,” she said.
She added that women would also be provided proper facilities, including separate washrooms and daycare centres, at workplaces.
“Harassing any woman is Maryam Nawaz’s red line,” she affirmed.
She maintained that there would be zero tolerance for police high-handedness, adding that the recent incident in Taxila — where a policeman slapped an elderly woman — would be investigated.
The Chief Minister said that the AAP is holding seat-sharing talks with the Congress in Delhi as not going for it will make things easy for the BJP…reports Asian Lite News
Rebuffing rumours about all not well in opposition bloc INDIA, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that it is “mutual decision” of the AAP and Congress to go solo in Punjab for the Lok Sabha elections, and there are no differences between them.
Talking to reporters about AAP’s decision to go it alone in Punjab, Kejriwal, who met Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi for lunch, said that the decision was mutual and there is no hostility over this.
The Chief Minister said that the AAP is holding seat-sharing talks with the Congress in Delhi as not going for it will make things easy for the BJP.
Since a decade, the BJP has been winning all seven parliamentary seats in the national capital.
Earlier, when Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced AAP’s decision contest all 13 seats in the state, Punjab Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa had said that is what the grand old party wants exactly.
Recently in an interview to a private TV channel, Bajwa had said: “We cannot go with AAP in Punjab, as AAP is the ruling party and Congress is in opposition.”
Reacting to the development, the BJP termed the opposition alliance as “opportunist”.
I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone. I am not concerned about what will be done in the country but we are a secular party and in Bengal, we will alone will defeat BJP...reports Asian Lite News
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday said that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party will win all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab.“In the 2024 Lok Sabha election…AAP will get 13 seats (in Punjab),” Mann said at a media briefing.
Mann’s remarks came amid seat-sharing talks between AAP and Congress for the Lok Sabha polls, expected in April-May this year. The two parties have reportedly paused seat-sharing talks in the border state.Mann’s remarks are being seen as a setback to the seat-sharing talks between the two parties. Punjab has 13 Lok Sabha seats.
Both AAP and Trinamool Congress are part of the INDIA bloc.The AAP leader was asked about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks that her party Trinamool Congress would fight the Lok Sabha polls alone.Mamata Banerjee said earlier in the day that the made by the party had not been accepted and Trinamool Congress would fight it alone in West Bengal.“I had no discussions with the Congress party.
I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone. I am not concerned about what will be done in the country but we are a secular party and in Bengal, we will alone will defeat BJP. I gave many proposals but they rejected them from the beginning. From then, we have decided to fight the elections in Bengal alone” the TMC supremo said.The Bengal Chief Minister also claimed she had not been informed of Rahul Gandhi’s Nyay Yatra passing through Bengal.
“They did not even bother to inform me that they will be coming to West Bengal as a matter of courtesy even though I am a part of the INDIA bloc. So there is no with relation with me as far as Bengal is concerned” Mamata Banerjee said“We will decide on what to do at the all-India level. We are a secular party. We will do whatever we can to defeat the BJP. The alliance does not comprise any one party. We have said that they should fight in some states and the regional parties should be left to fight alone in the other states. They should not interfere” she added.
Paddy straw burning in Punjab and Haryana has been identified as a major contributor to the alarming increase in air pollution in Delhi during October and November…reports Asian Lite News
The number of stubble burning incidents in Punjab has surpassed 30,000 within two months, with 2,544 new farm fires reported on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated to “severe,” and neighbouring Haryana experienced a ‘very poor’ category.
In the same period last year and in 2022, Punjab recorded 67,020 and 45,464 stubble burning incidents, respectively. The recent surge in crop residue burning incidents is evident, with 639 cases on November 9, six on November 10, 104 on November 11, 987 on November 12, 1,624 on November 13, and 1,776 on November 14.
Paddy straw burning in Punjab and Haryana has been identified as a major contributor to the alarming increase in air pollution in Delhi during October and November. On Wednesday, Punjab reported a total of 30,661 farm fires, with Bathinda leading at 356 cases, followed by Moga (318), Barnala (264), Sangrur (262), Ferozepur (253), and Faridkot (225). In comparison, the state had reported 1,761 and 141 farm fires on the same day in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Delhi’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 401 at 4 pm, marking a continuous deterioration from 397 on Tuesday, 358 on Monday, and significantly lower levels on Sunday (218) and Saturday (220).
Punjab declares red alert
Punjab Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla on Wednesday said a red alert has been sounded in all districts and legal action would be initiated if anyone was found burning stubble.
DGP Gaurav Yadav had appointed Shukla as the Police Nodal Officer to monitor action against stubble burning.
He said that CPs/SSPs have been directed to engage farmers, citizens and various stakeholders to sensitise them about the ill-effects of the stubble burning, which is also a violation of law and action and action could be initiated against them.
“All DSPs and SHOs have been asked to have discussions with Sarpanches and Kisan leaders to sensitise them about the ill effects of stubble burning, which not only affect the urban people but each and every individual,” said Shukla, who was on a tour to review the stubble burning cases in Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar district.
He also called a meeting of all gazetted rank officers and Station House Officers (SHOs) in Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar to review the status of stubble burning in their areas.
How writing became a tool for self-discovery, empowerment for these women.
The Olympiad promises to provide a unique and exciting platform for students to deepen their understanding of the Punjabi language…reports Asian Lite News
In a significant move aimed at preserving and promoting the rich cultural legacy of Punjab, the state government has declared the commencement of the International Punjabi Language Olympiad. This exciting event, set to unfold online on December 9th and 10th, stands as a unique opportunity for students to delve into their linguistic roots and explore the beauty of the Punjabi language.
The initiative arises in response to the changing global landscape, where Punjab’s diaspora has dispersed across the globe in pursuit of better opportunities. Harjot Singh Bains, the Education and Language Minister, highlighted the imperative need to bridge the gap between the younger generation and their mother tongue. In a letter to the Education Department, he emphasized that many youngsters born abroad lack a full awareness of the beauty and significance of the Punjabi language.
The International Punjabi Language Olympiad is designed to be an inclusive affair, inviting students up to grade IX from all corners of the world to participate. This means that young Punjabis residing in India, the USA, Australia, Europe, and beyond will have the chance to showcase their linguistic prowess and celebrate their cultural heritage. It marks a significant effort to unite the global Punjabi community through the common thread of language.
The state government’s announcement has ignited enthusiasm among educators, parents, and students, with many regarding this initiative as a pivotal step in ensuring the continued flourishing of the Punjabi language and culture among younger generations, regardless of their geographic location.
The Olympiad promises to provide a unique and exciting platform for students to deepen their understanding of the Punjabi language. Additionally, it offers a rare opportunity for participants to connect with peers from different parts of the world who share a common cultural bond.
To register for the International Punjabi Language Olympiad, interested students can visit the Punjab School Education Board website. The registration process has been streamlined and made accessible, ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds can actively participate and celebrate their linguistic heritage.
In a world where languages and cultures are in constant flux, it is heartening to witness a state government taking proactive steps to ensure that the Punjabi language remains vibrant and cherished by future generations. The International Punjabi Language Olympiad is not merely an exam; it is a celebration of a language that unites a global community. As December 9th and 10th approach, anticipation builds for the vibrant spirit of Punjabi culture to shine brightly on the global stage.
She also initiated projects, such as the production of newspaper and fabric bags, to offer employment to female laborers, enabling them to face the “tough times” with dignity and economic stability…reports Asian Lite News
In a groundbreaking milestone for the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Ritu Bahri has made history by becoming the first woman to assume the role of acting Chief Justice. This historic announcement came on the eve of the retirement of Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha, underscoring Justice Bahri’s position as a pioneering figure in the legal realm.
Born on October 11, 1962, in Jalandhar, Justice Ritu Bahri hails from a family deeply rooted in the legal profession. Her lineage is marked by legal luminaries, including her great-grandfather, the late Karam Chand Bahri, a renowned civil lawyer. Her grandfather, the late Som Dutt Bahri, not only followed in his footsteps but also served as a Punjab MLA from 1952 to 1957. Justice Bahri’s father, Justice Amrit Lal Bahri, retired as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1994, affirming the family’s steadfast commitment to justice and the rule of law.
Justice Bahri embarked on her illustrious legal journey when she pursued her law degree at Panjab University in 1985. Her career is marked by a string of accomplishments, reflecting her unwavering dedication to justice and societal welfare. Notable roles include serving as the Haryana Assistant Advocate-General in 1992, Deputy Advocate-General in 1999, and Senior Additional Advocate-General in December 2009. Her ascent in the legal field stands as a testament to her legal acumen and dedication to the law.
However, what truly distinguishes Justice Bahri is not just her legal expertise but also her profound compassion and commitment to humanitarian causes. During the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic, she exhibited remarkable leadership by providing homes to economically disadvantaged individuals and low-income groups. She also initiated projects, such as the production of newspaper and fabric bags, to offer employment to female laborers, enabling them to face the “tough times” with dignity and economic stability.
Justice Bahri recognized the critical importance of education and social equity. She bridged the educational divide between urban and rural school students by distributing books, toys, and snacks, ensuring that every child had access to educational resources and opportunities. Her dedication to justice extends to family matters as she championed the cause of shared parenting between estranged couples, advocating for the welfare of children caught in the midst of parental separation.
As Justice Bahri takes on the role of acting Chief Justice, her appointment represents not only the advancement of women in the legal profession but also her unyielding commitment to justice, equality, and humanitarian values. Her unique blend of legal expertise and social consciousness positions her as a formidable presence in the legal community and a source of inspiration, especially for aspiring female lawyers.
In an era when diversity and inclusivity take center stage in conversations, Justice Ritu Bahri’s appointment as the first woman acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court is a pivotal moment in the annals of legal history. Her legacy will undoubtedly leave an enduring mark on the pursuit of justice and equality in the region, and her journey stands as a shining example of what can be achieved through dedication, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the law.
A quantity of 2.01 LMT wheat from 481 depots and 4.87 LMT rice from 264 depots were offered from across the country under the auction…reports Asian Lite News
A quantity of 2.01 LMT wheat from 481 depots and 4.87 LMT rice from 264 depots were offered from across the country under the auction.
Around 12.21 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy has been procured in the states of Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Haryana, benefitting 99,675 farmers with MSP (minimum support price) value of Rs 2,689.77 crore.
This procurement was done till October 3, 2023 under the kharif marketing season 2023-24, official sources said.
Meanwhile 1.89 LMT of wheat and 0.05 LMT rice was sold to 2,255 bidders during the 15th e-auction conducted under the open market sale scheme (domestic) held on Wednesday (October 4).
A quantity of 2.01 LMT wheat from 481 depots and 4.87 LMT rice from 264 depots were offered from across the country under the auction.
As a part of Centre’s initiative for market intervention to control the retail price of rice, wheat and atta, weekly e-auctions of both wheat and rice are being organised.
In the e-auction, 2,447 empanelled buyers participated for both wheat and rice.
Warring accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of undermining Punjab’s case in the matter…reports Asian Lite News
Punjab Congress President, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, responded strongly to the Supreme Court’s directive for a land survey in Punjab related to the construction of the SYL canal. He firmly stated, “Punjab has no surplus water to share, and there is no question of conducting a survey.”
In his official statement, Warring expressed respect for the Honorable Supreme Court of India but vehemently opposed the order for the Central government to conduct a survey for the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal in Punjab. He highlighted the historical significance of Punjab’s water, emphasizing that it has been significantly depleted over the years, even its underground water resources are on the brink of exhaustion, and, therefore, there is no possibility of sharing water with other states.
Warring accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of undermining Punjab’s case in the matter. He alleged that AAP had vested interests in the issue, citing statements made by AAP leaders about delivering water to Haryana during their political campaigns. He criticized AAP for attempting to gain political ground in northern India through the SYL canal issue and accused the Punjab government of presenting a weak case in the Supreme Court.
Highlighting the emotional significance of the SYL canal issue for the people of Punjab, Warring cautioned against playing with the emotions of Punjabis. He warned that escalating this issue could harken back to a dark period in Punjab’s history when the situation was considerably more tense.
Addressing the survey order, Warring pointed out that the Haryana government had already conducted a survey and completed construction on its side because of their water needs. However, he reiterated that Punjab has no surplus water to allocate, making any survey in Punjab unnecessary.
Presently, the basmati rice has been exported to more than 60 countries, of which, Amritsar district alone exported Basmati rice around Rs 9,000 crore in the past year…reports Asian Lite News
In a bid to promote organic farming, the Punjab government has undertaken a pilot project under which residue-free basmati rice – entailing minimal or no usage of chemicals – has been cultivated in the Chogawan block of Amritsar district.
Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said they have purposely chosen the Chogawan block to carry out this pilot project as it is falls in the Ravi river basin and having favourable climatic conditions to nurture the most aromatic long grain basmati rice making it export quality produce.
“Basmati rice has a great export potential as most of the basmati produced in the region is being exported to European and Middle Eastern countries,” he said.
Presently, the basmati rice has been exported to more than 60 countries, of which, Amritsar district alone exported Basmati rice around Rs 9,000 crore in the past year.
In order to increase the export potential of the basmati, Khudian said the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has launched an awareness campaign to sensitise farmers about the judicious use of pesticides for basmati crop, besides, making them aware regarding use of alternative pesticides, rather than banned pesticides.
Ten insecticides and fungicides have been banned for application on the basmati crop.
The minister said the Chogawan block has around 32,000 hectares cultivated area, of which 28,753 hectares is covered under the paddy crop and 25,000 hectares solely under the basmati crop.
Out of 102 villages, 42 villages of the block have been selected under the project, he said. The main cultivated varieties in the block are PUSA basmati 1718, PUSA basmati 1121, PUSA basmati 1885, PUSA basmati 1509, PUSA basmati 1692 and Punjab basmati-7.
