Gurpreet Singh Nibber

Gurpreet Singh Nibber is an Assistant Editor with the Punjab bureau. He covers politics, agriculture, power sector, environment, Sikh religious affairs and the Punjabi diaspora.

Articles by Gurpreet Singh Nibber

At the mercy of weather, say farmers as fresh rain wreaks havoc to wheat crop

The fresh rainfall which started on Thursday night has added to the woes of Punjab farmers who have already suffered damages to the near-harvest wheat crop during the previous spell of rain, high-velocity winds and hailstorm last week.

Farmer inspect the damage to wheat crop flattened by strong winds and rains, on the outskirts of Amritsar on Friday. (PTI)
Updated on Apr 01, 2023 01:15 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Inclement weather fall-out: Punjab to seek relaxation in wheat grain quality

The food and civil supplies department Punjab has decided to move a case before the Centre seeking relaxation in quality of wheat arriving in the state mandis for procurement.

The procurement is set to begin from April 1, when the four state managed procurement agencies and the Centre’s food corporation of India (FCI) will start procurement in 1,870 mandis of the state. (PTI File Photo)
Published on Mar 27, 2023 10:27 PM IST
By, Chandigarh

Rain, hailstorm flatten 40% wheat crop in Punjab

Untimely heavy rainfall in many parts of Punjab may have severely impacted the standing wheat crop on over 15 lakh hectares, which is more than 40% of the net sown area of the winter staple, officials said on Sunday

Chief minister Bhagwant Mann has ordered a girdawari (field inspection) to access the impact on the crop that is almost ready to be harvested. A report is expected within a week. (HT Photo)
Published on Mar 27, 2023 09:35 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Rains cause damage to wheat crop ahead of harvesting in Punjab

Intermittent rainfall during the last few days across Punjab has led to lodging of the wheat crop, which is at maturing stage

A farmer inspects the damages of his wheat crop flattened by strong winds and rains, on the outskirts of Amritsar. (PTI Photo)
Published on Mar 25, 2023 12:35 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

One million addicts in Punjab drug de-addiction centres: Minister

The health and family planning minister Dr Balbir Singh on Wednesday informed the state legislative assembly that there are almost one million drug addicts in state-operated and privately-run de-addiction centers in Punjab, adding that the figures (in public domain) are under reported.

The minister said this while speaking on the menace of drug addiction in the state. (HT Photo)
Published on Mar 22, 2023 10:05 PM IST
By, Chandigarh

More rains, winds can lead to crop loss in Punjab: Experts

While the light spell of rainfall across Punjab on Friday and Saturday followed by sunshine on Sunday have so far proved to be a boon for the wheat crop, experts have sounded a word of caution that more precipitation and gusty winds may lead to crop loss in the state

Experts have admitted that the weather conditions are unpredictable, which has put them on tenterhooks to keep a keen watch at the forecast. (ANI Photo)
Updated on Mar 19, 2023 11:04 PM IST
By, Chandigarh

UBDC water wastage: Punjab agri dept seeks more carrying capacity of water channels for irrigation

The agriculture department has taken up with the irrigation department to increase capacity of water channels for irrigation purposes in the Majha belt as one-third of the water flowing from the Upper Bahri Doab Canal for watering of fields was getting waste.

Out of 8,200 cusecs water in UBDC for irrigation purposes, 2,700 cusecs go waste, as the water channels could only hold 5500 cusecs. (AP file photo)
Published on Mar 13, 2023 10:04 PM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab budget: Economic survey predicts 3.7% growth in agricultural and allied sector

According to the Economic Survey, the agriculture and allied sector employs 26% workforce of the population in the state against the significantly higher figure of 47% at the national level

In Punjab, Economic Survey predicts that the agriculture and allied sectors witnessed a growth of 0.8% in the year 2021-22 and are expected to register a growth of 3.7% in the current financial year (2022-23) (HT File)
Published on Mar 11, 2023 01:43 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab budget: 20% hike in Agriculture sector allocation, focus on crop diversification

Out of the total allocation, 67% or ₹9,331 crore goes into giving free power to 14 lakh-plus agriculture tube wells.

Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced that the state would adopt Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), however, no allocation was announced. (HT File)
Published on Mar 11, 2023 01:40 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab budget: Govt allocates 7,780 cr for power subsidy to domestic consumers

Chandigarh : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab on Friday allocated ₹7,780 crore for power subsidy to domestic consumers

The Punjab government in July last year fulfilled its first pre-poll guarantee of providing 300 units of power free every month to domestic consumers.
Published on Mar 11, 2023 01:36 AM IST

Punjab assembly: House sees unruly scenes over Sidhu Moosewala’s security cut

The Punjab Assembly on Thursday witnessed unruly scenes after AAP and Congress legislators sparred over the issue of the withdrawal of the security cover of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, who was murdered last year.

Congress MLAs led by the leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa walked out of the Punjab assembly on Thursday to protest a remark by state rural development minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal. (Ravi Kumar/HT Photo)
Published on Mar 09, 2023 11:20 PM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab assembly: Congress MLAs walk out against minister Dhaliwal’s remark

Leader of the opposition Partap Singh Bajwa demanded action against those who shared details of VIPs whose security had been withdrawn on social media last year, including that of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, leading to his murder

Congress MLAs, led by leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and state unit chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, walking out of the Punjab assembly in Chandigarh on Thursday. (Ravi Kumar/HT)
Published on Mar 09, 2023 02:32 PM IST

Punjab assembly budget session, Day 2 : CM Mann, leader of Oppn Bajwa spar in House over VB functioning

Chief minister Bhagwant Mann and leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa were involved in a heated exchange of words in the Punjab assembly on Monday after the Congress leader raised questions on the functioning of the state vigilance bureau.

Bajwa and other Congress MLAs sought an apology from the CM alleging that he threatened the opposition legislators and leaders with vigilance bureau cases. (HT Photo)
Updated on Mar 06, 2023 11:42 PM IST

Punjab assembly: CM Mann, leader of Oppn Bajwa spar over VB functioning

Congress MLAs, led by Partap Singh Bajwa, stay away from House after heated argument, demand apology from chief minister Bhagwant Mann for accusing opposition members of corruption

Punjab Congress MLAs, led by Partap Singh Bajwa (centre), protesting against the AAP government at the Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh on Monday. (Ravi Kumar/HT)
Published on Mar 06, 2023 05:49 PM IST

Punjab’s new mining policy: Regulatory violations to cost mining contractors environmental clearance

Punjab government has decided to take environmental clearances for all the mines to be auctioned for digging sand and gravel in its name and transfer it to the contractors operating these mines to keep the monopoly of the mines’ operators under a check.

The state’s mining policy which is expected to be launched this month would reflect the policy change. (HT File Photo)
Updated on Mar 06, 2023 01:33 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana: Punjab to rollout crop insurance scheme this kharif sowing season

The Punjab government has decided to set an early deadline for the implementation Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana for the upcoming kharif sowing season. Earlier, the government was planning to rollout the scheme from the 2024 kharif sowing season.

Kharif crops, such as paddy, are sown during the onset of the monsoon season around the month of June and harvested at the end of this season during the months of September and October. (HT File Photo)
Published on Mar 02, 2023 10:18 PM IST

Stopping stubble burning: IARI begins field trials of short-duration paddy varieties

To deal with the menace of paddy stubble burning, Indian Agricultural Research Institute has started trials of high yielding short duration variety PR-2090, as an alternative to PUSA-44, which has now been put in the category of being hazardous to the environment for high quantity of crop residue and a water guzzler.

According to IARI director, the new variety for which the yield performance data has been recorded and sent for trials at 14 different locations. (HT File Photo)
Published on Feb 26, 2023 09:46 PM IST
By, Chandigarh

Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit: State to hold 4 sector-specific investor summits every year: Bhagwant Mann

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday said that the state government would organise sector-wise investors’ summits every quarter of the year in the cities and town of Punjab to woo the industry for investing in the state.

Mann was addressing industrialists and delegates on the valedictory function of two-day 5th Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit, 2023 organised at Indian School of Business, Mohali. (HT File Photo)
Published on Feb 24, 2023 09:01 PM IST
By, Chandigarh

5th Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2023: Become partners in state’s socio-economic growth, says CM

Mann sells Punjab as most favourable investment destination in country, promises investors hassle-free experience

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann gave a clarion call to industrialists to become partners in socio-economic growth in the state and said no stone will be left unturned to facilitate investors.
Published on Feb 24, 2023 02:19 AM IST

Punjab invites investment in textile, food processing and IT sectors

Two-day 5th Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2023 gets underway in Mohali with Bhagwant Mann-led AAP govt promising hassle-free investment

Chief minister Bhagwant Mann addressing the inaugural session of the two-day 5th Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2023 in Mohali on Thursday. (HT Photo)
Updated on Feb 23, 2023 03:39 PM IST

Workshop on paddy straw management: Lodging FIR not solution for stubble burning, says Bhagwant Mann

The chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday said lodging FIRs against the farmers is not the solution to tackle stubble burning as it involves social stigma

Chief minister Bhagwant Mann , Union minister Bhupender Yadav and Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar during an event in Mohali. (HT photo)
Published on Feb 21, 2023 01:45 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab agri dept seeks 400 crore to launch crop insurance scheme

The Punjab agriculture department has sought ₹400 crore from the state finance department to kickstart the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, which aims to provide insurance cover to farmers against crop loss

States such as Telangana, Gujarat and Bihar, which had initially rejected the scheme, have also adopted it now. (Representational Photo)
Updated on Feb 19, 2023 11:27 PM IST
By, Chandigarh

Crash in potato prices hit farmers in Punjab

Table varieties of potato, which were priced between ₹1,400 to ₹1,500 last season are fetching around ₹350 a quintal this time while the premium varieties, which fetched ₹1,800 a quintal last season are being sold for only around ₹550 a quintal.

Traders have tie-ups with the farmers, and directly purchase the potato produce from them before selling it in big mandis in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and even Delhi. (HT File)
Published on Feb 18, 2023 11:56 PM IST
By, Chandigarh

Key issues on hold as farm bodies in Punjab see split in ranks

Farm bodies, who were part of the unified protest and forced the Centre to repeal the three farm laws in 2021, are a divided house now.

After the announcement of repealing the farm laws by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 19, 2021, the SKM sought assurance from the Centre for resolving other issues. (HT file photo)
Published on Feb 16, 2023 08:56 PM IST
By, Chandigarh

Gloves off as Punjab governor, CM Bhagwant Mann slug it out again

The cold war between Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit and chief minister Bhagwant Mann escalated on Monday with the former dropping another letter bomb questioning AAP government’s recent decisions. The move drew a sharp response from Mann who said his government is only answerable to Punjabis and not a Centre-appointed governor.

The cold war between Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit and chief minister Bhagwant Mann escalated on Monday with the former dropping another letter bomb. (HT File Photo)
Updated on Feb 14, 2023 02:25 AM IST

Punjab governor, CM spar over principals’ selection for foreign trip

Chandigarh: The ongoing tussle between Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit and chief minister Bhagwant Mann escalated on Monday, with the former questioning a state government appointment and the selection of school principals for a training trip to Singapore

Chandigarh, India March 16: Bhagwant Mann Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate in Punjab's state assembly polls takes the oath as Chief Minister of Punjab next to Punjab's governor Banwarilal Purohit during the swearing-in ceremony at Khatkar Kalan village of Punjab on March 16, 2022. Photo by Ravi Kumar/Hindustan Times
Published on Feb 14, 2023 01:20 AM IST

Raise money from public to reduce debt, Economists to Punjab

A report by three professors of economy says that the government should also seek seven years moratorium on debt repayment to get time for resuscitation, besides other measures

This current scenario began in 1984-85 when the state witnessed a revenue deficit for the first time and the governments since then have borrowed beyond the means and added to the accumulation of debt and the present (Bhagwant Mann government of the Aam Aadmi Party) government is following the suit, adds the report.
Published on Feb 13, 2023 01:15 AM IST

Facing split in ranks, BKU Ekta-Ugrahan cosies up to radical bodies

With turmoil roiling its ranks, Punjab largest farmer organisation, the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ughrahan), has now found a common cause with the radical bodies who are protesting for release of Sikh detainees.

Insiders say Ugrahan has been forced to change tack as he is struggling to keep his flock together. (HT file photo)
Published on Feb 10, 2023 11:31 PM IST
By, Chandigarh:

Punjab plans to buy wheat worth 210-cr through FCI’s scheme

Department of Food and Civil Supplies, Punjab has decided to buy wheat from the open market sale scheme started by Food Corporation of India.

As per estimates, Punjab government has set a target to purchase 70,000 tonnes of wheat. (HT file photo)
Published on Feb 08, 2023 09:08 PM IST

National Food Security Act: 16 lakh beneficiaries in Punjab ineligible to get subsidised wheat

As against the norms of the Center, Punjab has 16 lakh more beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) scheme.

After the Center fixed the state allocation under the scheme to 2.12 lakh tonne wheat against requirement (as per the current figures) of 2.36 lakh tonne imposing a cut of 24,000 tonne. (HT file photo)
Published on Feb 06, 2023 10:36 PM IST
By, Chandigarh
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