Latest news with #AmarinderSingh
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
GMADA orders inquiry into 15 illegal colonies
The chief administrator of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), Vishesh Sarangal, has ordered an inquiry into 15 illegal colonies that have come up in areas under GMADA's jurisdiction in Mohali over the past eight months. On May 19, HT had highlighted how, despite the Punjab government's repeated claims of cracking down on unauthorised colonies, nearly 15 illegal colonies have mushroomed in Mohali. The chief administrator has directed additional chief administrator Amarinder Singh to submit a report within two days, following which action will be taken against the officials concerned. These colonies — spread across nearly 50 acres in Sectors 120 to 123, covering villages such as Daun, Raipur, Behlolpur, Barmajra, Tarauli and Jhampur — have been carved out of agricultural land, bypassing the mandatory Change of Land Use (CLU) process, which entails hefty fees and government permissions. Property dealers have purchased fertile agricultural land and subdivided it into plots ranging from 100 to 150 square yards and are selling them to unsuspecting homebuyers. While GMADA is known to enforce regulations strictly in urban sectors, it appears to have turned a blind eye in these rural pockets, allowing homeownership dreams to be built on shaky legal ground. A senior GMADA officer said, that the fault does not lie with GMADA alone, but also with the district administration, questioning why land is being registered without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from GMADA, and why PSPCL is installing power meters in these illegal colonies. In August last year, while scrapping the requirement for an NOC for land and property registration, the Punjab Housing and Urban Development Department had instructed chief administrators of all regional development authorities to ensure that no illegal colonies are allowed to develop. Authorities were also directed to use recent Google satellite imagery to identify illegal constructions and initiate prompt legal action against violators. In a policy shift, the Punjab government had also announced a one-time exemption from the NOC requirement for property owners who could prove the authenticity of their sale deeds executed before July 31, 2024.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Time of India
Harassed by commission agents, Patiala farmer commits suicide
Patiala: In a tragic incident, 30-year-old Amarinder Singh , a farmer from Achal village in Nabha block of Patiala district, died by suicide after allegedly facing relentless harassment from commission agents. The young farmer shot himself in the head with his licensed revolver at home Wednesday evening and succumbed to his injuries two days later during treatment at a private hospital in Patiala. The family members of the deceased have told the police that following his father's death the commission agents claimed that Rs 17 lakh dues were pending against them and kept harassing the family after getting an undertaking from them. Amarinder's relative, Bhupinder Singh, revealed that Amarinder was the only son in his family. "He was married just a year ago, and his wife, who is expecting their child, was at her parental home when the incident occurred. Now, only his grieving mother remains in the household. The village is in deep shock, with family members and locals demanding strict action against the accused agents." Bhupinder further said Amarinder was under constant pressure from the agents. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo Based on the statement of Amarinder's mother, Nabha Sadar police registered a case against the accused under charges of abetment to suicide. SHO Gurpreet Samrao confirmed that a manhunt was launched to arrest the accused. Farmer union leader Harmel Singh described Amarinder as a gentleman who was pushed to the brink by the agents. The incident sparked anger among local farmers, who are demanding stringent punishment for the accused. Activists have highlighted the need for systemic reforms to protect farmers from such exploitation. Patiala: In a tragic incident, 30-year-old Amarinder Singh, a farmer from Achal village in Nabha block of Patiala district, died by suicide after allegedly facing relentless harassment from commission agents. The young farmer shot himself in the head with his licensed revolver at home Wednesday evening and succumbed to his injuries two days later during treatment at a private hospital in Patiala. The family members of the deceased have told the police that following his father's death the commission agents claimed that Rs 17 lakh dues were pending against them and kept harassing the family after getting an undertaking from them. Amarinder's relative, Bhupinder Singh, revealed that Amarinder was the only son in his family. "He was married just a year ago, and his wife, who is expecting their child, was at her parental home when the incident occurred. Now, only his grieving mother remains in the household. The village is in deep shock, with family members and locals demanding strict action against the accused agents." Bhupinder further said Amarinder was under constant pressure from the agents. Based on the statement of Amarinder's mother, Nabha Sadar police registered a case against the accused under charges of abetment to suicide. SHO Gurpreet Samrao confirmed that a manhunt was launched to arrest the accused. Farmer union leader Harmel Singh described Amarinder as a gentleman who was pushed to the brink by the agents. The incident sparked anger among local farmers, who are demanding stringent punishment for the accused. Activists have highlighted the need for systemic reforms to protect farmers from such exploitation.
Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Action was overdue': Captain Amarinder Singh hails strike on terror camps under Operation Sindoor
Senior BJP leader and former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh Wednesday hailed the Indian defence forces' precision strikes on terror camps inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. Reacting to the strikes, Amarinder said, 'The action was overdue as Pakistan had not been desisting from exporting terror into our country.' A former Army officer himself, Amarinder congratulated the Indian defence forces 'for exercising utmost restraint by specifically targeting the terror camps' and 'not targeting civilian or military installations.' 'India does not want any escalation. The country had made it categorically clear that it will not let those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack go unpunished. They have been punished as admitted by the Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist who, though he escaped himself, lost several members of his family,' Amarinder said. 'Our target was the terrorist training camps, and we have hit them hard and that is it,' he stated. Warning Pakistan against trying to escalate the conflict 'lest it lead to its own doom', he condemned its attack which resulted in the death of several people in the border town of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. At least 10 civilians were killed and 40 were injured, mostly in Jammu's Poonch sector, as Pakistani troops resorted to heavy shelling across the Line of Control in response to Operation Sindoor, official sources said earlier. After the shelling, many families in Poonch started fleeing toward Jammu, seeking safety. Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Bhagwant Mann took to X and said that the country is united in the fight against terrorism, 'We are proud of our Indian Army and our brave soldiers. 140 crore countrymen are standing with the Indian Army. The people of Punjab stand with the country's army for the courage and enthusiasm of the soldiers.' Operation Sindoor was executed two weeks after the terror attack in Baisaran meadow in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Krishan Kumar, man behind Punjab's education reforms, now anchors its boat in battle over river waters
Jalandhar: As Punjab is once again locked in a battle with Haryana over river waters and has been holding ground against releasing "extra" water, Punjab principal secretary (water resources) is the man playing a pivotal role in strengthening and pleading the state's case in the dispute which has this time also evoked the intervention of the Union home ministry. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Known for doing his homework thoroughly for whatever task he takes up or is entrusted to him, and a stickler to rules, Kumar was earlier at the centre of pushing major reforms in school education — first as director general (school education) and then as secretary (education). His name and those of a few Punjab engineers posted in the Bhakra Beas Management Board are already being discussed and admired in Punjabi social media space for standing their ground, citing rules and data instead of giving in to BBMB directives, which most in Punjab perceive as unfair. It is learnt that as other BBMB members in a meeting on April 30 voted for releasing "extra" water, and the meeting was supposed to end in half an hour, Kumar dug in his heels and dragged the meeting to 5.5 hours alone. He also scuttled BBMB's move to get Punjab's objections later through email, as he typed objections over three pages in the meeting itself and placed these on record. Sticking to the rules, he has been adapting a practical and pragmatic approach and is also known for innovating for improvements wherever he has served. Known for backing performers and reprimanding shirkers, he has earned admirers, but there is no dearth of loathers also. During his stint as Nawanshahr deputy commissioner from 2005 to 2007, his innovative and aggressive campaign against female foeticide in the district, with strong social and medical auditing, drew attention at the state level and then at the national level. In Aug 2006, the then chief minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, wrote to all DCs to follow a similar strategy and functional approach. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In Feb 2007, the Union ministry of health and family welfare asked all the states to replicate the 'Nawanshahr model' to check female foeticide. He has had his share of run-ins with the powerful also. When he was posted as the director general (school education) in the later part of 2007, his office became a crucial one as he started pushing reforms in school education. The then education minister, Dr Upinderjit Kaur, a former university professor and coming from a traditional Akali family, backed the reforms and provided Kumar with political cover. As Upinderjit's portfolio was changed when Manpreet Badal parted ways, and she was made finance minister, Krishan Kumar soon had a run-in with the new education minister, Sewa Singh Sekhwan, and was eased out. He then had a stint in the PMO. He was brought in as education secretary by Capt Amarinder Singh at the start of his second stint in 2017. With Kumar at the helm, Punjab rose from 22nd position in the Performance Grading Index nationally to the top. Amarinder backed him, even annoying party colleagues as Krishan brought merit and transparency in transfers and ended political interference, apart from quite a few other administrative reforms. He also improved school infrastructure with community support. During this stint, he also issued instructions against any schools discouraging students from conversing in Punjabi. When AAP came into power, he was secretary of higher education and was transferred to the water resources department in April 2022. With the political temperature soaring now, Krishan Kumar finds himself in the middle of Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann and his party's biggest test in Punjab so far. MSID:: 120874786 413 |
News18
28-04-2025
- Politics
- News18
Punjab Govt Orders State Employees To Stay Available On Phones 24/7
The Punjab government's latest mandate aims to ensure that state employees are reachable even on holidays to ensure urgent administrative work is not disrupted In a recent directive, the Punjab government has mandated that all state employees must remain reachable on their phones 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including after office hours and on public holidays. This order, issued by the Punjab Government, aims to ensure that urgent administrative work is not disrupted. Government workers have been instructed to keep their mobile phones on at all times, including during Sundays, holidays, and at night. According to the directive signed by the Special Secretary (Personnel), officers of the rank of secretary and above are required to ensure that no employee under their supervision switches off their phone. The order emphasises that the availability of officers is crucial for the timely completion of essential administrative work and the provision of public services. 'It has been noticed that many officials are not available on their mobile phones after office hours. Their phones are switched off, in flight mode, out of coverage area, or on call divert," the order stated. 'Some work related to administration requires immediate approval from the government. Therefore, the availability of officers related to these works is necessary," it added. 'All Special Chief Secretaries, Additional Chief Secretaries, Financial Commissioners, Principal Secretaries and Secretaries are directed to ensure that all officers of your department are available on cell phones after office hours and on holidays to complete essential office administrative work so that these works can be completed in a timely manner," it added. This is not the first time such a directive has been issued. Former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had passed a similar order in 2017, during his first year in office, ensuring that employees' phone bills would be covered or refunded to ensure availability 24 hours a day. Historically, the issue of phone allowances has been a point of contention between the government and its employees. The previous Akali Dal-BJP government introduced a phone allowance for government employees in 2012. However, in 2020, the Amarinder Singh government decided to rationalise spending by halving the mobile allowance of its employees, saving the state approximately Rs 40 crore annually. The allowance for Group A employees was reduced from Rs 500 to Rs 250 per month, Group B from Rs 300 to Rs 175, and Group C and D from Rs 250 to Rs 150 per month. First Published: April 28, 2025, 17:52 IST
