PunjabENews

Tag: punjab news

  • Woman killed, another injured in explosion at illegal firecracker unit in Amritsar

    Woman killed, another injured in explosion at illegal firecracker unit in Amritsar

    Chandigarh: A woman was killed and another seriously injured after a powerful explosion triggered a fire inside a house in the Annagar area of Amritsar on Wednesday.

    The deceased has been identified as Sumanpreet Kaur, while the injured woman has been identified as Gurpreet Kaur.

    Following the incident, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar and other senior police officials reached the spot to assess the situation.

    According to police, a call was received from a local resident, Ashok Kumar, informing authorities about a fire inside the house. Police teams rushed to the scene and alerted the fire brigade, after which firefighting operations were launched immediately.

    Police Commissioner Bhullar said the blast occurred due to the alleged illegal manufacturing of firecrackers inside the building. He said explosive material used for making firecrackers had been stored on the first floor of the house, where the explosion took place.

    At the time of the incident, several family members were reportedly present inside the house.

    The explosion and subsequent fire engulfed the entire building within minutes, leading to the death of Sumanpreet Kaur and leaving another woman critically injured.

    Police have started further investigation into the incident and are probing the illegal storage and manufacturing activities being carried out inside the house.

  • Survey flags rising unemployment in Punjab, Haryana; educated youth worst hit

    Survey flags rising unemployment in Punjab, Haryana; educated youth worst hit

    Chandigarh: The latest Periodic Labour Force Survey 2025 (PLFS) has revealed worrying unemployment trends in Punjab and Haryana, highlighting growing pressure on the labour market, especially among educated youth.

    According to the report, while India’s overall unemployment rate stands at 5.3%, Punjab has recorded a higher rate of 6.7%, followed by Haryana at 6.2%. The situation is particularly concerning in rural Punjab, where unemployment has reached 7.4%.

    The most alarming aspect is joblessness among graduates. In Punjab, the unemployment rate among degree holders has surged to 20.6%, meaning nearly one in five educated युवाओं is without a job. Haryana also reflects a similar trend, with 14.1% unemployment among graduates.

    The data challenges the long-held belief that higher education guarantees employment. Even postgraduates are struggling to find suitable jobs, raising serious concerns about the quality and relevance of education.

    Experts attribute the crisis to a widening gap between academic learning and industry requirements. While many युवाओं hold degrees, they lack practical and technical skills demanded by modern industries.

    Additionally, slow industrial growth in Punjab and increasing competition in Haryana have forced many youths into informal sectors like agriculture or low-paying jobs.

    The report calls for urgent policy reforms, stressing the need to promote skill-based education over traditional academic pathways. It also underlines the importance of boosting private sector investment and diversifying industries to create sustainable employment opportunities.

    Without timely intervention, the growing pool of educated unemployed youth could pose a major economic and social challenge for both states.

  • Moga: nephew dies in accident while returning from ‘jago’, aunt dies of shock

    Moga: nephew dies in accident while returning from ‘jago’, aunt dies of shock

    Chandigarh: Grief gripped Bir Badhni village in Moga after two members of the same family died following a road accident late Sunday night.

    According to police, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited employee Parmjit Singh (39), who worked as an assistant lineman, was returning home on a motorcycle after attending a ‘jago’ ceremony in Ghalkalan village.

    Near Badhni Kalan, Parmjit reportedly lost control of his motorcycle and fell on the road, dying on the spot.

    Shortly afterwards, other family members travelling behind him in a car reached the accident site. On seeing Parmjit’s body, his aunt Kulwinder Kaur (55) suffered a cardiac arrest due to shock and died at the spot.

    Police have recorded the statement of Parmjit’s wife, Hardeep Kaur. Parmjit is survived by his wife and two children, while Kulwinder Kaur was the mother of five children.

  • Punjab sees decline in young farm workers

    Punjab sees decline in young farm workers

    Chandigarh: Punjab is witnessing a gradual decline in young workers engaged in agriculture, unlike several other states where the younger workforce continues to dominate the sector.

    According to data from the Union labour ministry’s e-Shram portal, only 47.22% of registered agricultural workers in Punjab fall in the 18–40 age group, compared to the national average of 51.53%. In neighbouring Haryana, 50.17% of farm workers belong to the same age bracket. The figures do not include farmers and are limited to registered unorganised workers.

    The e-Shram portal was launched on August 26, 2021, to register unorganised workers and extend welfare scheme benefits to them. In Punjab, 59.42 lakh unorganised workers have been registered so far, of whom 14.24 lakh are from the agriculture sector — the highest among all sectors in the state.

    However, the data indicates that 52.76% of agricultural workers in Punjab are above 40 years of age, pointing to an ageing workforce. By contrast, states such as Madhya Pradesh (57.17%), Bihar (55.90%), Uttar Pradesh (57.08%), Rajasthan (57.61%) and Gujarat (48.49%) have a higher share of agricultural workers in the 18–40 age group.

    Punjab currently has an estimated 65 lakh households, while 59.42 lakh unorganised workers are registered on the portal. The trend suggests that the younger generation is moving away from farm labour, leading to an increasing dependence on migrant workers for agricultural operations.

    Among Punjab’s agricultural workers, 56.64% are women and 43.35% are men. Apart from agriculture, 9.68 lakh workers are registered in the construction sector and 9.17 lakh in domestic work.

    Across the country, 31.51 crore unorganised workers have been registered on the e-Shram portal, of whom 16.30 crore are engaged in agriculture. While agriculture remains the largest source of employment nationally, Punjab’s data highlights a growing shift among young workers away from farm labour.

  • Four killed, one injured as car collides with truck in Mansa district

    Four killed, one injured as car collides with truck in Mansa district

    Chandigarh: Four people were killed and one person was seriously injured after a car collided head-on with a truck late at night in Punjab’s Mansa district, police said on Saturday.

    The accident occurred on the Mansa–Sirsa road near Sardulewala village in Sardulgarh. On receiving information, Sardulgarh police rushed to the spot and initiated rescue operations.

    Sardulgarh SHO Ganesh War said the deceased included two men and two women. The car driver sustained critical injuries and was immediately shifted to a hospital for treatment.

    Police said the impact of the collision was so severe that four occupants of the car died on the spot. The victims and the injured driver were residents of Sirsa district in Haryana and were returning after attending a wedding in Chandigarh.

    Police have started an investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident.

  • ED, income tax department raid former Punjab minister Sunder Sham Arora’s residence

    ED, income tax department raid former Punjab minister Sunder Sham Arora’s residence

    Hoshiarpur: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the income tax department on Wednesday carried out a search operation at the residence of former Punjab industries minister Sunder Sham Arora in Hoshiarpur, officials said.

    The search was conducted early in the morning with teams reaching Arora’s house along with security personnel. Officials examined documents and electronic devices as part of the operation, while movement in and out of the premises was restricted during the search.

    Sources said mobile phones and other digital equipment were also checked as investigators scrutinised financial records. The action led to heightened security in the area and drew the attention of local residents.

    Arora has been under the scanner of investigative agencies in connection with alleged irregularities during his tenure as minister. He has earlier faced corruption-related cases linked to the alleged misuse of office and accumulation of assets disproportionate to known sources of income. The vigilance bureau had previously arrested him in one such case.

    Officials said the present action indicates that the probe has expanded to examine possible money laundering angles. The income tax department is also analysing financial transactions to assess discrepancies between declared income and assets.

    No official statement has yet been issued regarding recoveries or further action. Sources indicated that the investigation is ongoing and that agencies are also keeping watch on the activities of Arora’s associates and business links.

    Further details are expected as the probe progresses.

  • Former woman sarpanch shot dead in Mansa

    Former woman sarpanch shot dead in Mansa

    Chandigarh: A former woman sarpanch was shot dead in Punjab’s Mansa district on Saturday evening, while her husband narrowly escaped unhurt after bullets hit their vehicle, police said.

    The victim has been identified as Mahinderjit Kaur, former sarpanch of Khillan village and niece of senior Congress leader and former PRTC director Karam Singh Chauhan. The attackers also opened fire at her husband, but he survived as the bullets struck the car instead of hitting him.

    The incident took place at around 4.45 pm. On receiving information, Mansa police reached the spot, took the body into custody and launched an investigation.

    Preliminary information suggested that the firing was carried out by neighbours, though the motive behind the attack is yet to be ascertained.

    Deputy superintendent of police Buta Singh Gill said police teams were probing the matter from all angles and further details would emerge after the investigation progresses.

  • Heavy rain lashes Punjab and Chandigarh; three children injured as roof collapses in Manimajra

    Heavy rain lashes Punjab and Chandigarh; three children injured as roof collapses in Manimajra

    Chandigarh: Widespread rain lashed parts of Punjab and Chandigarh on Friday, triggering incidents of structural damage, waterlogging and travel disruption.

    In Manimajra, a house roof collapsed amid heavy rain, trapping three children under the debris. They were rescued and rushed to hospital, where two were reported to be stable, while the condition of one child was stated to be serious. Preliminary inquiry suggested the house was old and its structure had weakened further due to continuous rain.

    In another incident, a portion of the false ceiling at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Chandigarh’s Sector 32 collapsed. The ceiling had reportedly been installed only six months ago. No casualties were reported.

    Strong winds accompanying the rain caused tree branches to fall at several locations in Chandigarh, while major roads witnessed severe waterlogging, leading to traffic congestion.

    Flight operations were also affected due to the deteriorating weather. IndiGo said flight schedules were impacted in Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Dharamshala and Chandigarh due to adverse weather conditions.

    In Punjab, hailstorms were reported from Jalandhar and Abohar, while roads in Ludhiana and Mansa were flooded. The Meteorological Department issued an alert for thunderstorms and hail till 2 pm, advising residents, especially in Patiala and Mohali, to exercise caution.

     

    According to the India Meteorological Department, a western disturbance is currently active over north India, combined with a cyclonic circulation over northern Pakistan, intensifying the impact. Another western disturbance is likely to affect north-west India from January 26, 2026.

    IMD director Surender Pal Singh said rainfall was likely across most areas on January 23, with isolated showers expected on January 24 and 26, and rain at some places on January 27 and 28. He added that minimum temperatures may rise by 2–4 degrees Celsius over the next 48 hours, followed by a similar drop in the subsequent two days, before rising again.

    Authorities have advised people to remain cautious as adverse weather conditions are expected to persist over the next couple of days.

  • Punjab Govt Changes Portfolios of Two Ministers

    Punjab Govt Changes Portfolios of Two Ministers

    Punjab News: A major reshuffle has taken place in the Punjab Cabinet with important changes in ministerial portfolios.

    According to the latest orders, Sanjeev Arora has been given charge of the Local Government Department, in addition to his existing portfolio.

    Meanwhile, Dr. Rajat Singh has been allotted the charge of the Local Government Department as well as the NRI Department.

  • Man beaten to death, two sons injured in group attack over old dispute in Moga village

    Man beaten to death, two sons injured in group attack over old dispute in Moga village

    Moga: A man was beaten to death and two of his sons were seriously injured after a group of around five dozen people attacked a family in Sukhanand village of the Baghapurana constituency in Punjab’s Moga district, police said on Saturday.

    The deceased has been identified as Sikander Singh. His injured sons and several other villagers were admitted to Faridkot Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Police said the entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras installed in the village.

    According to the police, the attack was linked to a long-running dispute. Sikander Singh’s relative was allegedly being harassed by a youth from the same village for some time. Although a compromise was reached about a year ago, during which the youth assured that he would stop harassing the girl, the harassment allegedly continued.

    The complainant, Harjit Singh alias Arsh, told the police that he was returning home from work when the incident took place. Baghapurana DSP Dalbir Singh said there was a minor scuffle between Harjit Singh’s brother and the accused earlier in the morning.

    He said that in the evening, Thana Singh, Sikander Singh, Lovejinder Singh alias Lovely, Beant Singh alias Sonu, Raja Singh alias Vat, Dhaniram, Buta Singh, Khushdeep Singh, Ramzan, Monu Singh and Ginda Singh, along with 8–10 unidentified persons, arrived armed with weapons.

    The assailants allegedly struck Sikander Singh on the head with iron pipes, causing critical injuries. He later succumbed to his injuries. Harjit Singh and others also sustained serious injuries during the attack.

    Police said a case has been registered and further investigation is underway.