News / Author / Navrajdeep Singh

Navrajdeep Singh

Navrajdeep Singh is a senior staff correspondent. He covers agriculture, crime, local bodies, health and education in the Patiala district of Punjab.

Articles by Navrajdeep Singh

Punjab records 104 farm fires, air quality improves drastically

With overnight rainfall, the smog was also cleared in most parts of the state. Even the air quality in Punjab improved with most of the cities reporting air quality index in ‘good’ and ‘satisfactory’ category

The farm fire cases have dropped drastically in the past two days as Punjab reported only 104 cases of stubble burning on Saturday. (PTI File Photo)

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Published on Nov 11, 2023 10:11 PM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

Rain brings respite from farm fires in Punjab

Light to moderate rainfall across the state has given major relief from raging farm fires as only six active cases of stubble burning were reported in Punjab on Friday. Of the total cases, two each were reported in Fazilka and Ludhiana and one each in Sangrur and Gurdaspur. The state reported a total of 23,626 stubble burning cases in this paddy harvesting season so far.

Heaps of the harvested paddy are covered with tarpaulin amid rains, at a grain market in Patiala on Friday. (PTI)

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Updated on Nov 11, 2023 08:38 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

After crackdown, Punjab sees 68% dip in farm fire cases

Sangrur registered 135 farm fire cases, followed by 96 cases in Mansa, 83 in Ferozepur, 52 in Kapurthala, 38 in Fazilka and 32 in Jalandhar. Pathankot and SAS Nagar districts reported zero cases of stubble burning

Patiala, Nov 09 (ANI): A farmer burns paddy stubble in a field at a village near Patiala on Thursday. (ANI Photo) (Harmeet Sodhi)

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Updated on Nov 10, 2023 08:50 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

Punjab AAP MLA diverted ₹3 crore loan amount to his account, bogus firms, says ED

As per central agencies probe, the Amargarh legislator diverted over ₹3 crore to his accounts, ₹34 crore to his bogus firms

Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Amargarh Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra

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Updated on Nov 09, 2023 08:02 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

Farm fires in Punjab: Environmental compensation imposed in only 9% cases till November 6

As per the action-taken report till November 6, a day before the Supreme Court issued stringent directions to stop stubble burning, of the total 19,463 cases, the district administrations across Punjab have imposed environmental compensation of ₹51.70 lakh in 1,851 cases only.

The Punjab government has imposed environmental compensation (penalty) only on 9% of stubble burning cases till November 6. (PTI File Photo)

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Updated on Nov 09, 2023 07:40 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

Stubble fires continue to rage in Punjab despite SC directive

The highest number of fires were in the CM Bhagwant's constituency Sangrur, which saw 466 such incidents on Wednesday

Smoke billows out as stubble burned by the farmers after harvest at Village Jodhan near Ludhiana on Wednesday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

india news

Updated on Nov 09, 2023 04:35 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

Punjab logs 1,515 farm fire incidents, season’s count crosses 20k mark

On Monday, the state had recorded 2,060 cases, while on Sunday 3,230 active farm fire cases were reported, the highest in a single day this season.

A farmer burns stubble in his field on the outskirts of Amritsar in Punjab. (PTI)

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Updated on Nov 08, 2023 08:34 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

Punjab clocks over 2k farm fire incidents on Monday; next 10 days critical, say experts

Of the 2,060 cases, Sangrur reported a maximum of 509 followed by Bathinda 210, Mansa 195, Barnala 189, Ferozepur 146, Faridkot 122, Moga 110 and 89 each in Patiala and Ludhiana. Muktsar recorded 77 cases, while Jalandhar reported 70 fire incidents

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Updated on Nov 07, 2023 06:46 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

Punjab’s Sangrur reports most farm fires, next 10 days critical, say experts

The number of farm fires in Punjab has surged, with over a fourth of nearly 20,000 instances of stubble burning detected in the past two days. Officials warn that more fires are likely for at least nine more days. The surge is led by Sangrur, the constituency of Punjab's chief minister. Farm fires contribute to the pollution crisis in Delhi. The numbers are lower than in previous years, but Delhi and its surrounding cities have been in "severe" pollution for five days. The spike is due to farmers having little time to clear their fields before preparing for the next crop.

Farm fires in the state and in neighbouring Haryana are linked to the pollution crisis in the national capital. (REUTERS)

india news

Updated on Nov 07, 2023 06:06 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh

ED arrests Punjab AAP MLA Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra in money laundering case

Aam Aadmi Party MLA Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra, who is accused of ₹41-crore bank fraud, had evaded four ED summons; to be produced in Mohali court

The Enforcement Directorate took Aam Aadmi Party’s Amargarh MLA Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra, 60, into custody in connection with a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case registered against him last year. (HT file photo)

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Updated on Nov 06, 2023 06:22 PM IST

ByVishal Rambani, Navrajdeep Singh

Punjab logs 3,230 farm fires, highest this season

Officials attributed the sudden spike to a shorter window farmers had to prepare the fields for the next crop — wheat — and said that the next seven days would be crucial to see the “positive results” of fewer cases this year.

A farmer burns paddy stubble in a field, at a village near Jalandhar, Sunday. (PTI)

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Updated on Nov 06, 2023 07:42 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh

Punjab logs 3,230 farm fires, highest this season

Officials attributed the sudden spike to a shorter window farmers had to prepare the fields for the next crop — wheat

Ludhiana, India – November 05, 2023: Despite a ban on the Stubble Burning, local farmers are still indulged in the practice, ignoring the orders and effect on the environment. Farmers are setting the stubble on fire in tjeir fields at Chandigarh Road and village near Pakhowal in Ludhiana on Sunday, November 05, 2023. (Photo Gurpreet Singh/Hindustan Times)

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Updated on Nov 06, 2023 05:38 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh

Farm fires dip by 47% in Punjab but air quality worse than last year

Experts blame poor air quality on spike in stubble burning cases in Punjab in last 10 days and sudden dip in temperature

The spike in farm fires in the past one week has worsened the air quality in Punjab. Analysis of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data reveals that the air quality this year is worse than the corresponding period last year.

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Updated on Nov 05, 2023 06:30 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh

Farm fires near 13,000 in Punjab, AQI deteriorates

According to the Ludhiana-based Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC), Sangrur recorded maximum 603 cases in the past two days, followed by 402 in Ferozepur, 302 in Tarn Taran, 226 in Mansa, 223 in Bathinda, 187 in Patiala, 144 in Kapurthala and 134 in Jalandhar

A farmer burns paddy stubble at a field, on the outskirts of Jalandhar on Friday. (PTI)

cities

Updated on Nov 04, 2023 06:52 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

Air quality dips as farm fires rage in Punjab

Smog engulfs several parts of Punjab, particularly southern districts, where paddy harvesting is in full swing

With a spike in stubble burning cases, the air quality in some Punjab districts has deteriorated to “poor” and “very poor” category.

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Updated on Nov 03, 2023 09:00 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Vishal Joshi

Punjab records 1,921 farm fires, highest in single day this season

The total cases reported in the state during the corresponding period in 2022 and 2021 were 17,846 and 14,920 respectively

Farmers burn straw stubble after a harvest in a paddy field, on the outskirts of Jalandhar. (AFP)

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Updated on Nov 02, 2023 07:52 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

Drugs case: ED seizes ₹4.5 crore, digital devices, incriminating documents

The ED conducted raids at 25 locations, including residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Mohali Kulwant Singh, in connection with investigation into money trail that came to fore following the arrest of Ludhiana-based drug lord Akshay Chhabra and his aides

The ED official said the raids were conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act at 25 residential and commercial premises belonging to Akshay Kumar Chhabra and other associates in Ludhiana, Mohali, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jalandhar (Punjab) and Ganganagar in Rajasthan in the illegal drug trade case.

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Updated on Nov 02, 2023 07:40 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

ED raids AAP MLA’s house, other locations in drugs probe case

The ED sleuths accompanied by paramilitary personnel simultaneously raided 25 locations in Mohali, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Amritsar

The ED officials refused to come on record over the raid. (HT File)

cities

Updated on Nov 01, 2023 05:40 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

No more tears! Show your Aadhar & get onion at ₹25/kg at govt outlet in Jalandhar

Punjab's first NCCF retail outlet is selling onions at a subsidised rate of ₹25/kg, while the open market price is ₹60-80/kg. Each household can purchase 4kg at a time.

Currently, the rate of onion in the open market is <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>60-80/kg. (PTI)

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Updated on Oct 31, 2023 08:16 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

Punjab reports 1,068 farm fires, highest in single day this season

Bathinda’s air quality deteriorates to ‘very poor’ category; Sangrur tops chart with 181 active stubble burning cases

Punjab on Sunday recorded 1,068 farm fires, the highest in a single day this season, taking the total incidents of stubble burning to 5,254.

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Updated on Oct 30, 2023 06:28 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh

85% of stubble burning incidents reported in nine Punjab districts

The state has recorded 1,946 farm fires so far, with Amritsar topping the chart with 729 incidents followed by Tarn Taran (253), Patiala (215), Sangrur (123), Ferozepur (118), Kapurthala (97), Fatehgarh Sahib (61) and Mansa (65)

Stubble burning is seen in a field, at Rayya village, in Amritsar on Monday. (ANI)

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Updated on Oct 24, 2023 07:16 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

Not justified to blame one state for air pollution in Delhi: PPCB official

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had on Saturday issued a notice to the Punjab government over high air pollution levels in New Delhi due to stubble burning by Punjab farmers

As per the PPCB’s crop residue burning (CRB) information and management system, 30 cases of stubble burning were reported on Sunday, with a maximum number of nine cases recorded in Sangrur. (File)

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Updated on Oct 23, 2023 08:46 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

Jalandhar triple murder: Accused went to watch movie after killing his parents, brother

The investigators, who didn’t wish to be named, claimed that after killing three of his family, accused Harpreet Singh (32) opened LPG cylinder knobs in the kitchen to destroy all the evidence by making it look like a cylinder blast

Jalandhar senior superintendent of police (rural) Mukhwinder Singh Bhullar said during detailed interrogation, the accused confessed to the crime. (iStock)

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Updated on Oct 21, 2023 07:54 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

Increase in wheat MSP: Punjab farmers reject hike for rabi crops as ‘peanuts’

On Wednesday, the cabinet committee on economic affairs announced revised MSPs for winter-sown crops for 2024-25 marketing year.

With an increase of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>150, the MSP of wheat has been revised from <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>2,125 to <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>2,275 (a hike of 7%). The committee has also mentioned <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>1,128 as expected cost of wheat production per quintal than last year’s <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>1,065. (HT File)

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Updated on Oct 20, 2023 09:48 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

Property dispute: Man guns down parents, brother in Jalandhar

As per police, the property dispute between the accused, his parents and his brother was the main reason behind the murder

Jalandhar senior superintendent of police (rural) Mukhwinder Singh Bhullar said in the preliminary investigation it came to the fore that the accused opened fire at them from point-blank range.

cities

Updated on Oct 20, 2023 09:36 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

Punjab crime: Woman, daughter shot dead in Jalandhar, US-based son-in-law booked

Two assailants barge into house at Bhujewal village soon after woman’s husband leaves to drop grandson to school, open fire at point-blank range before setting the mother’s body on fire

A CCTV grab of the two assailants released by Jalandhar police after a woman and her daughter were shot dead at their house at Bhujewal village on Tuesday. (HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Oct 17, 2023 03:58 PM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh

Punjab: Farmers, experts worried as rain could delay paddy harvest by fortnight

State agriculture director Jaswant Singh seeks report from all districts to assess impact on crop health, yield; assures affected growers of all assistance

Procurement at a standstill as workers cover a heap of paddy at the grain market in Bathinda after rain on Monday morning. (Sanjeev Kumar/HT)

cities

Published on Oct 16, 2023 01:49 PM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh

Rift wide open: AAP MLA Angural accuses MP Rinku of ‘targeting’ his aides

Before joining the AAP, both Rinku and Angural were not only at loggerheads politically but have had personal enmity for the past several years

Jalandhar West MLA Sheetal Angural (File)

cities

Updated on Oct 16, 2023 06:24 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

Jalandhar blast toll rises to six, family matriarch lone survivor

Five members of Ghai family died in sleep when fridge compressor snag sparked off LPG cylinder explosion in kitchen engulfed their house on Sunday night; one member breathed his last in hospital on Monday.

Smoke billowing from the house in Jalandhar’s Anand Nagar on Sunday night as neighbours look on. (HT Photo)

cities

Published on Oct 09, 2023 02:22 PM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh

Kapurthala: 2 months on, flood-hit farmers yet to be compensated for crop loss

Paddy crop on nearly 17,000 hectares in the mand area of Sultanpur Lodhi, Bholath and Kapurthala sub-divisions was destroyed due to floods in Sutlej and Beas rivers in July and August.

People along with their belongings shift to a safer place from the flood-affected areas of Sultanpur Lodhi and Kapurthala district of Punjab. (ANI File)

cities

Updated on Oct 07, 2023 08:58 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Jalandhar

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Navrajdeep Singh

Navrajdeep Singh is a senior staff correspondent. He covers agriculture, crime, local bodies, health and education in the Patiala district of Punjab.

With overnight rainfall, the smog was also cleared in most parts of the state. Even the air quality in Punjab improved with most of the cities reporting air quality index in ‘good’ and ‘satisfactory’ category

Sangrur registered 135 farm fire cases, followed by 96 cases in Mansa, 83 in Ferozepur, 52 in Kapurthala, 38 in Fazilka and 32 in Jalandhar. Pathankot and SAS Nagar districts reported zero cases of stubble burning

As per central agencies probe, the Amargarh legislator diverted over ₹3 crore to his accounts, ₹34 crore to his bogus firms

As per the action-taken report till November 6, a day before the Supreme Court issued stringent directions to stop stubble burning, of the total 19,463 cases, the district administrations across Punjab have imposed environmental compensation of ₹51.70 lakh in 1,851 cases only.

The highest number of fires were in the CM Bhagwant's constituency Sangrur, which saw 466 such incidents on Wednesday

On Monday, the state had recorded 2,060 cases, while on Sunday 3,230 active farm fire cases were reported, the highest in a single day this season.

Of the 2,060 cases, Sangrur reported a maximum of 509 followed by Bathinda 210, Mansa 195, Barnala 189, Ferozepur 146, Faridkot 122, Moga 110 and 89 each in Patiala and Ludhiana. Muktsar recorded 77 cases, while Jalandhar reported 70 fire incidents

Aam Aadmi Party MLA Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra, who is accused of ₹41-crore bank fraud, had evaded four ED summons; to be produced in Mohali court

Officials attributed the sudden spike to a shorter window farmers had to prepare the fields for the next crop — wheat — and said that the next seven days would be crucial to see the “positive results” of fewer cases this year.

Officials attributed the sudden spike to a shorter window farmers had to prepare the fields for the next crop — wheat

Experts blame poor air quality on spike in stubble burning cases in Punjab in last 10 days and sudden dip in temperature

According to the Ludhiana-based Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC), Sangrur recorded maximum 603 cases in the past two days, followed by 402 in Ferozepur, 302 in Tarn Taran, 226 in Mansa, 223 in Bathinda, 187 in Patiala, 144 in Kapurthala and 134 in Jalandhar

Smog engulfs several parts of Punjab, particularly southern districts, where paddy harvesting is in full swing

The total cases reported in the state during the corresponding period in 2022 and 2021 were 17,846 and 14,920 respectively

The ED conducted raids at 25 locations, including residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Mohali Kulwant Singh, in connection with investigation into money trail that came to fore following the arrest of Ludhiana-based drug lord Akshay Chhabra and his aides

The ED sleuths accompanied by paramilitary personnel simultaneously raided 25 locations in Mohali, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Amritsar

Punjab's first NCCF retail outlet is selling onions at a subsidised rate of ₹25/kg, while the open market price is ₹60-80/kg. Each household can purchase 4kg at a time.

Bathinda’s air quality deteriorates to ‘very poor’ category; Sangrur tops chart with 181 active stubble burning cases

The state has recorded 1,946 farm fires so far, with Amritsar topping the chart with 729 incidents followed by Tarn Taran (253), Patiala (215), Sangrur (123), Ferozepur (118), Kapurthala (97), Fatehgarh Sahib (61) and Mansa (65)

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had on Saturday issued a notice to the Punjab government over high air pollution levels in New Delhi due to stubble burning by Punjab farmers

The investigators, who didn’t wish to be named, claimed that after killing three of his family, accused Harpreet Singh (32) opened LPG cylinder knobs in the kitchen to destroy all the evidence by making it look like a cylinder blast

On Wednesday, the cabinet committee on economic affairs announced revised MSPs for winter-sown crops for 2024-25 marketing year.

As per police, the property dispute between the accused, his parents and his brother was the main reason behind the murder

Two assailants barge into house at Bhujewal village soon after woman’s husband leaves to drop grandson to school, open fire at point-blank range before setting the mother’s body on fire

State agriculture director Jaswant Singh seeks report from all districts to assess impact on crop health, yield; assures affected growers of all assistance

Before joining the AAP, both Rinku and Angural were not only at loggerheads politically but have had personal enmity for the past several years

Five members of Ghai family died in sleep when fridge compressor snag sparked off LPG cylinder explosion in kitchen engulfed their house on Sunday night; one member breathed his last in hospital on Monday.

Paddy crop on nearly 17,000 hectares in the mand area of Sultanpur Lodhi, Bholath and Kapurthala sub-divisions was destroyed due to floods in Sutlej and Beas rivers in July and August.

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