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Navneet Sharma

A senior assistant editor, Navneet Sharma leads the Punjab bureau for Hindustan Times. He writes on politics, public affairs, civil services and the energy sector.

Articles by Navneet Sharma

After Delhi debacle, future tense for AAP in Punjab

Though chief minister Bhagwant Mann drew impressive crowds, the AAP lost most of the dozen-odd seats having a sizable Punjabi population with big margins. The AAP had deployed its top state leaders, including ministers, MLAs and other leaders, to campaign in Delhi.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann leaves residence of AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal after a meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. February 8, 2025. (Photo by Vipin Kumar/ Hindustan Times) (Vipin Kumar/HT)
Published on Feb 09, 2025 09:04 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Prime Minister Internship Scheme: 41% of Punjab youth accepted corporate offers

A total of 4,920 candidates from Punjab and Haryana received 6,732 internship offers from partner companies

Interns under the scheme are provided a monthly stipend of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>5,000 for the 12-month internship period, along with a one-time grant of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>6,000 for incidental expenses. (HT File)
Published on Feb 06, 2025 09:20 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab to assess Unified Pension Scheme

A panel constituted to draft the standard operating procedure for the implementation of the OPS will study the new scheme notified by the Union govt last week

Punjab to assess Unified Pension Scheme
Published on Jan 31, 2025 05:16 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab GST mop-up surged in 3rd quarter after poor first half

The 5.97% year-on-year growth in GST mop-up in the first six months of 2024-25 was the slowest in four years, but the collection of ₹6,518.57 crore during the October-December quarter on account of better consumption and increased compliance more than made up for the shortfall

The total collection during the April-December period of 2024-25 stood at <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>17,318.21 crore, up 11.98% from <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>15,464.79 crore in the same months of the previous fiscal, according to data of key fiscal indicators.
Updated on Jan 24, 2025 08:14 AM IST

Punjab’s capex up 40% in April-Nov but may still fall short of target

Punjab's AAP government increased capital expenditure to ₹3,700 crore in 2024-25, but still risks falling short of the ₹7,445 crore target.

In 2022-23, capital expenditure was <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>2,641.45 crore between April and November.
Updated on Dec 17, 2024 08:54 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Pushing for its extension, Punjab among top beneficiaries of GST compensation

This amount constitutes approximately 6.9% of the total GST compensation of ₹6.64 lakh crore released by the central government to states during the period. Only four states – Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, in that order - received more goods and services tax compensation than Punjab, according to a written reply submitted by the finance ministry in Parliament recently.

Punjab, which is strongly pushing for an extension of the goods and services tax (GST) compensation cess beyond March 31, 2026, was among the largest beneficiaries of the compensation payments offered to states for transition to the new indirect tax regime. (PTI File)
Updated on Dec 06, 2024 10:50 PM IST
By, Chandigarh

Attack on workers: NHAI writes to DGP, alleges police ‘inaction’

NHAI has urged Punjab police to act on recent assaults against laborers at a highway project, citing past inaction and safety concerns for workers.

One of the labourers engaged at the Amritsar-Hoshiarpur-Una national highway project site in Amritsar, being treated at a hospital after he was injured in an attack on November 27. (HT Photo)
Updated on Dec 02, 2024 07:54 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

PM SHRI: Centre sanctions funds to Punjab for upgrading 233 schools

The funds have been approved by the project approval board (PAB) of the Union ministry of education (MoE) to upgrade 233 government schools in the state.

Of the <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>209 crore, the centre will contribute <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>126 cr, while the remaining will be provided by state govt (HT File)
Published on Nov 27, 2024 10:45 PM IST
By, Chandigarh

For AAP, Punjab bypoll victories comes as a much-needed midterm boost

The by-elections to four assembly seats were seen as a midterm litmus test for the AAP government in the state following its poor showing in the April-May parliamentary polls, where it won only three of the 13 Lok Sabha seats.

(From left) AAP’s Punjab chief Aman Arora, Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha, CM Bhagwant Mann and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal during an event to celebrate bypoll victories, in New Delhi on Saturday. (PTI)
Updated on Nov 24, 2024 08:20 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

In Punjab bypoll battle, AAP wins three seats, Congress one

The AAP won the Chabbewal, Gidderbaha and Dera Baba Nanak assembly seats, shaking off its dismal performance in the state in the April-May Lok Sabha elections

Aam Aadmi Party ​workers celebrate Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon’s win​​ in Gidderbaha on Saturday. (Sanjeev Kumar/HT)
Updated on Nov 24, 2024 07:44 AM IST

Punjab: Aman Arora, a Hindu face, replaces Mann as AAP state president

Arora’s appointment is widely seen in political circles as effort by the AAP to attract Hindu voters, particularly in urban areas, while also countering the growing influence of the BJP in the state

Newly appointed Punjab AAP chief Aman Arora and state unit’s working president Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi (right) with CM Bhagwant Mann. (Spurced)
Updated on Nov 23, 2024 08:24 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Aman Arora replaces Bhagwant Mann as Punjab AAP president

A prominent Hindu face of the AAP in Punjab, Arora’s appointment will not only help the party attract Hindu voters but also counter the BJP, which is making an aggressive push to expand its support base in the state after parting ways with the Shiromani Akali Dal. 

Chief minister Bhagwant Mann flanked by newly appointed Punjab AAP president Aman Arora (left) and Batala MLA Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi, who has been made the state working president of the party. (HT Photo)
Updated on Nov 22, 2024 03:28 PM IST

Dera Baba Nanak bypoll: Punjab CEO asks Haryana to enhance vigil on jailed gangster Bhagwanpuria

The action comes after Congress MP Randhawa alleged that the gangster was ‘threatening’ voters to influence byelections. In his letter, Punjab chief electoral officer Sibin C also emphasised the seriousness of the matter and requested immediate action, with a report to be sent to him for further information to the Election Commission of India.

Jaggu Bhagwanpuria
Updated on Nov 12, 2024 05:56 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab to borrow more as debt burden mounts

Of the planned borrowing, ₹2,000 crore has already been taken in October, with the remaining ₹3,000 crore to be raised in November and December, as outlined in the indicative calendar the state government shared with the Reserve Bank of India

The Punjab government has planned to borrow <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>5,000 crore in the third quarter of the current fiscal year. (HT File)
Updated on Nov 08, 2024 06:44 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab: Ahead of MC polls, Kejriwal, Mann review performance of civic bodies

Kejriwal and Mann held the review meetings in Delhi with the commissioners of various municipal corporations

The performance review meetings would continue, and some municipal commissioners have been called on Tuesday. (HT File)
Updated on Oct 29, 2024 05:58 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Procurement crisis becomes a political minefield for AAP

The paddy procurement crisis in Punjab is fast becoming a political minefield for the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government ahead of crucial byelections to four assembly constituencies.

Farmers, frustrated by the tardy lifting of paddy stocks and mismanagement, are blocking roads and rail tracks and staging sit-ins outside the mandis (grain markets). (HT File)
Updated on Oct 26, 2024 08:04 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab: SAD turncoat, MP’s doctor son among AAP candidates for bypolls

Dimpy Dhillon, Ishank, Gurdeep Randhawa and Harinder Dhaliwal fielded from Gidderbaha, Chabbewal, Dera Baba Nanak and Barnala

The voting will be held on November 13 and counting on November 23.
Updated on Oct 21, 2024 07:26 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab: At 18,303 crore in first half of year, revenue deficit a concern for government

The deficit is 79% of the ₹23,198-crore gap estimated for the entire financial year of 2024-25. According to the fiscal indicators released on Wednesday, the state’s revenue receipts amount to ₹41,709 crore and the revenue expenditure stand at ₹60,011 crore by the end of the first six months.

In the 2024-25 Budget Estimates , the state government projected revenue receipts of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>1.03 lakh crore while revenue expenditure at <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>1.27 lakh crore. (File)
Updated on Oct 18, 2024 09:00 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab’s GST growth slows down to 4-year low at 5.97%

Sluggish growth in GST collection has become latest concern for state govt, which is grappling with mounting debt burden

GST collection has slowed to a four-year low in the first half of the financial year 2024-25. (HT File)
Updated on Oct 17, 2024 06:34 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

3.70 lakh schoolkids in Punjab missed out on free mid-day meals last year

This was revealed in a performance review of the PM Poshan scheme done by the project approval board (PAB) of the Union ministry of education four months ago

Government school students having mid-day meal in Ludhiana. (HT File)
Updated on Oct 02, 2024 09:22 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

233 Punjab schools selected for upgrade under PM SHRI

Jointly financed by the central and state govts on a 60:40 funding ratio, the scheme seeks to upgrade 14,500 schools across India in over 5 years

The selected schools will be developed as ‘exemplar schools’ under the scheme to provide ‘high-quality education in an equitable, inclusive and joyful school environment. (HT File)
Updated on Sep 26, 2024 05:32 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

PM-Economic Advisory Council paper: Haryana surpasses Punjab in GDP share, per capita income

Punjab’s GDP share grew during the 1960s, mainly due to the Green Revolution, but then plateaued at around 4.3% until 1990-91, shows report.

Haryana’s share of gross domestic product now exceeds that of Punjab, and its relative per capita income has reached 176.8% in 2023-24 compared to Punjab’s 106.7%, shows report.
Published on Sep 18, 2024 07:49 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab: Revenue receipts up 10%; deficit, subsidy key challenges

It’s ₹34,983 crore for the April-August period, up from ₹31,840 crore of last year’s corresponding period.

Tax revenue up 13%, non-tax revenue surges 15%, GST receipts grow 5.26%. (HT File)
Updated on Sep 17, 2024 05:54 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Year on, Punjab govt yet to start ex gratia scheme for ‘physical casualty’ cases in armed forces

Soldiers’ deaths due to natural causes, illness, accident, suicide, or murder due to family disputes, whether in operational or non-operational areas, are classified as ‘physical casualties.’

Officials familiar with the matter said that a meeting was scheduled to be held under the chairmanship of the chief minister on Wednesday, but it got postponed
Updated on Sep 14, 2024 09:20 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab’s NPS payment short by 122.5 crore: CAG

Report shows ₹183.37 crore interest has been incurred by the state government due delay in release of payment.

According to the norms, the delayed transfer of NPS funds attracts interest at the corresponding interest rates applicable to the general provident fund subscribers.
Published on Sep 11, 2024 10:28 PM IST
By, Chandigarh

80% spike in pension bill in 4 yrs piles up state’s fiscal woes

The Punjab government, which is facing increasing pressure to implement its decision to revert to the old pension scheme (OPS), has seen an 80% jump in its expenditure on pension and other retirement benefits in four years.

The Punjab government, which is facing increasing pressure to implement its decision to revert to the old pension scheme (OPS), has seen an 80% jump in its expenditure on pension and other retirement benefits in four years. (HT File)
Updated on Sep 06, 2024 05:40 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Bishnoi’s interview: LoP Bajwa calls for JPC-like House panel for probe

Bajwa also demanded that an all-party delegation be formed to meet the representatives of farmer unions who have been sitting on protest in Chandigarh and nearby areas to discuss their demands,

The leader of Opposition (LoP) Partap Singh Bajwa (HT File)
Updated on Sep 04, 2024 05:14 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Gurdaspur Sainik School to see the light of day soon

The new school, delayed by a logjam between the Union ministry of defence and the Punjab government over pending paperwork for the Sainik School in Kapurthala, appears set to see finally progress as both sides have now agreed to the terms and conditions of their memorandum of agreement (MoA) for the existing school.

The Sainik School in Kapurthala.
Updated on Aug 30, 2024 09:28 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

CSR spending trebles, Punjab still lags behind

Punjab, which saw its corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds treble in the last five years, lags far behind other major states when it comes to benefitting from the corporate charity.

Punjab, which saw its corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds treble in the last five years, lags far behind other major states when it comes to benefitting from the corporate charity. (HT File)
Updated on Aug 23, 2024 05:46 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

NHAI delayed land acquisition: Punjab CM Mann in reply to Gadkari

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann further pointed out that there were several cases in which possession of land was given to NHAI, but the NHAI contractors took a long time to mobilise their machinery and start the work

Three days after Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari warned the Punjab government to improve law and order or lose eight highway projects, chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday blamed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for the delay in land acquisition and the two incidents of threats and violence in Jalandhar and Ludhiana on causes attributable to its concessionaire/ contractor. (HT File)
Updated on Aug 14, 2024 08:46 AM IST
By, Chandigarh
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