Decision followed a three-and-a-half-hour debate on the contentious Bill, which was tabled in the House on Monday by CM Bhagwant Mann
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Punjab
Despite ban, expensive dog breeds like Pitbull Terriers and Mastiffs (Boerboels) are fast catching the fancy of Punjabis
PULSA, in collaboration with the High Court Legal Services Committee, has also developed a standard operating procedure (SOP) to enable videoconferencing between legal aid counsel and jail inmates
The Punjab Vidhan Sabha opened its session with an obituary for Fauja Singh, a long-distance runner. Singh, aged 114, died in a hit-and-run accident while crossing a road near his village.
Opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa criticized the late distribution of the draft bill, calling the process improper. He stated the Congress party opposes sacrilege and wants thorough scrutiny of the bill addressing Punjab's socio-religious issues.
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A 2025 study by Amritsar researchers found television exposure correlates more with parent-child conflict in Punjab than internet use. Both media types contribute to youth materialism. Parental mediation is key in mitigating these effects.
Both Akal Takht, Takht Sri Patna Sahib withdraw edicts passed against each other
Slams ‘intentional delay’ by Chandigarh Police
The Golden Temple received an email threat to be bombed. Police were notified, security was increased, and bomb disposal teams were deployed. An investigation is underway to identify the source of the threat, possibly linked to incidents in South India.
Fatehgarh Sahib panchayat had asked them to leave within a week
Punjab plans to build reservoirs to store Ghaggar River floodwaters, starting with a site in Sangrur. The state is also monitoring water levels in major dams, which are currently below danger levels. The Minister criticized Haryana and Rajasthan for water sharing discrepancies during the monsoon.
The Punjab Assembly passed the Punjab State Development Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025. This streamlines the 2018 tax act, addressing taxpayer concerns. A lump-sum payment of Rs 2,200 replaces the annual Rs 2,400 monthly payments.
Bhagwant Mann introduced the Punjab Prevention of Offences against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025, following previous failed attempts to legislate against sacrilege. The new bill addresses the return of the 2018 bill due to the shift from IPC to Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and ongoing sacrilege incidents.
Villages near the Kawan Wali Pattan bridge in Fazilka are worried about rising Sutlej River levels due to recent rainfall and upstream water releases. Despite the current situation being under control, villagers fear a repeat of the 2023 floods. Government officials have set up relief centers and prepared supplies, while road repairs from the previous floods remain incomplete.
Punjab's monsoon rainfall is slightly above average in July and overall. Some districts like Amritsar and Ludhiana saw excess rain, while Kapurthala faced a significant deficit. Haryana and Himachal Pradesh received much higher-than-normal seasonal rainfall. Recent rainfall varied across Punjab.
Heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding and building collapses in Abohar, injuring residents and damaging property. Bathinda also experienced severe flooding, with roads submerged and low-lying areas inundated, highlighting infrastructure shortcomings.
Bikram Singh Majithia's hearing for a barrack change was postponed to July 17. He's in judicial custody in Nabha jail under the Prevention of Corruption Act and seeks a copy of his arrest grounds. A bail hearing is set for July 22, with his custody ending July 19.
State told to conduct recruitments afresh by following UGC norms
Is hit by an unidentified vehicle around 3.30 pm while crossing the road at his native Beas village
A Bench led by Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia directs the Punjab government to initiate the recruitment process afresh as per the 2018 UGC Regulations now in force in the state
The directions came as Justice Sandeep Moudgil’s Bench was told by the petitioner that Bajwa, who's 'hospitalised' for treatment since March, was allegedly using mobile phones and was issuing cheques
Describing the delay as intentional, Justice Bhardwaj asserted the conduct of the police amounted to “setting the wrong example” and protecting the accused
The Supreme Court noted that the consequences are not just legal, but moral
The state police force now has a record 20 officers holding the rank of Director General of Police
Bill also includes 3 to 5 years jail and up to Rs 3 lakh fine for abetting sacrilege of holy scriptures
Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj holds meeting with Sikh high priests as Bihar-based Takht retracts edicts declaring Sukhbir Badal and jathedars as 'tankhaiya'
The 25th anniversary of the Kali Bein environmental campaign commenced with a conference addressing river pollution and global warming. The 'Seechewal Model' of voluntary river cleaning was praised as a global example. Speakers emphasized the need for environmental action, citing pollution from industries and declining air quality.
No let-up in theft cases, 3 vehicles stolen, purse snatched
Main accused detained in Jammu | Illicit relations allegedly cause of murder
The SGPC will meet August 5 to discuss the five Sikh Takhts amid tensions. Disputes involve the Akal Takht and Takht Patna Sahib, fueled by Sukhbir Singh Badal's case and Patna Sahib's past actions. The SGPC controls the appointment of three Takht jathedars.
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