Tag: Punjab

Latest StoriesResidential

Punjab to draft relief policy for unauthorized colonies: CM

CHANDIGARH: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced on Wednesday that the Punjab government is developing a policy aimed at assisting those who invested their savings in unauthorized colonies. He noted that numerous residents across Punjab have been adversely affected by fraudulent developers who sold illegal properties, leaving them with legal and infrastructure challenges. “Thousands of innocent families invested their life savings into these plots, only to find themselves unable to sell the land or secure registrations. They are also lacking basic amenities such as electricity, water, and sewer connections. These individuals are victims and deserve justice,” Mann stated. “Fraudulent developers misled…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

ED Raids Punjab, UP in Sanjeev Arora Case

JALANDHAR: The Enforcement Directorate launched new searches on Tuesday as part of a money laundering investigation involving Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora and others in connection with a suspected ₹100 crore GST fraud linked to mobile phone sales. Authorities revealed that approximately six locations in Jalandhar, Ludhiana (Punjab), Bareilly, and Noida (Uttar Pradesh) are being examined. The searches target both residences and business offices associated with the individuals and entities under scrutiny, including Hampton Sky Realty Ltd., a company linked to Arora. Arora, 62, was arrested by the central agency last month after extensive searches at his official residence in Chandigarh,…

IndustryLatest Stories

Punjab CM Announces Free Registration for 10 Lakh Workers

CHANDIGARH: On Saturday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a new initiative to enroll and revalidate 10 lakh construction workers for free. He instructed officials to directly engage laborers in welfare schemes through special camps. During a review meeting of the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers’ (BOCW) Welfare Board, he emphasized his government’s commitment to ensuring that all construction workers receive social security benefits, welfare support, and opportunities for skill development. Mann expressed regret that welfare schemes for laborers have not reached their full potential due to long processing times, despite available funds. “Currently, only 2.21 lakh workers are…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

ED Searches Punjab Properties in Real Estate Fraud Case

CHANDIGARH: On Tuesday, the Enforcement Directorate initiated searches at multiple sites in Punjab and Chandigarh linked to a real estate company and its promoters, as part of a money laundering investigation related to alleged fraud involving the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), according to officials. Locations associated with Chandigarh Royale City Promoters Pvt. Ltd. (CRCPL), Royale Estate Group (located in Zirakpur, Mohali), and other individuals such as Praveen Kansal alias Rocky, Neeraj Kansal, Daljit Singh, Anurag Midha, Liaqat Ali, and Sumit Bansal were targeted during these searches. This action was taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora in 7-Day ED Custody

File photo GURUGRAM: A special PMLA court in Gurugram has remanded Punjab Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora to Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody for one week in connection with an alleged Rs 100-crore GST fraud-related money laundering case. The court noted that the allegations are “very serious” and the ED needs to investigate further. The lawyer representing Arora, a senior member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab, claimed that a “false and frivolous” case was fabricated against him, asserting that “no prima facie evidence” was gathered prior to his arrest. Arora, aged 62, was taken into custody by the ED…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

ED raids Punjab CM’s aide in land fraud case; CM denies ties

CHANDIGARH: On Thursday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at multiple locations in Punjab and Chandigarh, targeting the premises associated with a purported aide of an OSD-rank official in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). This operation was part of an investigation into money laundering linked to two real estate groups accused of fraudulent land use changes and scamming investors. Approximately a dozen locations were searched in Mohali (SAS Nagar) and Chandigarh connected to the Suntec City project (developed by Indian Cooperative Housing Building Society – ICHBS) and its promoter, Ajay Sehgal, along with ABS Townships, Altus Space Builders, Dhir Constructions,…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Haryana: India’s 3rd Most Groundwater-Stressed State

Representative image GURUGRAM: Haryana has become India’s third most groundwater-stressed state, with 88 assessment units labeled as overexploited, making up 61.5% of its groundwater blocks, according to data from the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) presented to the NGT. The NGT has criticized states for ineffective enforcement against illegal extraction and insufficient recharge efforts, prompting a broader review. The CGWA report indicates that only Punjab, with 75.1% of its groundwater units overexploited, and Rajasthan at 70.9%, perform worse than Haryana. Following Haryana are Delhi (41.2%), Tamil Nadu (33.87%), Karnataka (18.99%), and Uttar Pradesh (7.06%). During a suo motu hearing on…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Punjab Extends Taxpayer One-Time Settlement to May 31

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government announced on Saturday a two-month extension for the One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme aimed at recovering outstanding dues, now extended to May 31, 2026, from the original March 31, 2026 deadline, according to finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema. Cheema mentioned that the taxation department has received 9,151 applications so far, resulting in a total revenue collection of ₹134.21 crore. The state government has already granted waivers amounting to ₹446.17 crore. “This extension offers a final chance for eligible taxpayers to settle their dues and achieve financial relief. The taxation department has also identified 8,000 properties belonging…

IndustryLatest Stories

Punjab govt. unveils industrial reforms, eases lease conversion rules

Representative AI image CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government has approved significant industrial reforms, including amendments to facilitate the conversion of leasehold industrial plots and sheds into freehold status, as announced by Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora on Tuesday. Arora, responsible for industries, commerce, investment promotion, power, and local government portfolios, noted that the cabinet has also sanctioned the rationalization of post-allotment services for freehold plot holders. The reforms, developed through collaboration with industry stakeholders, are intended to enhance the ease of doing business and foster a transparent and investor-friendly industrial environment. The conversion fee has been set at 5%, with a full…

IndustryLatest Stories

Mohali Body Launches E-Auction for 42 Sites Worth ₹5,460 Crore

MOHALI: Punjab’s housing and urban development minister, Hardeep Singh Mundian, has announced a significant step in urban development with the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) set to auction 42 premium sites valued at Rs 5,460 crore through an online platform. The inaugural mega e-auction will take place from January 14 to February 11, 2026. The minister highlighted that this auction aligns with the Bhagwant Singh Mann government’s goal of stabilizing property prices, ensuring transparency, and fostering investor-friendly policies to attract homebuyers, entrepreneurs, and institutional stakeholders. The sites available include residential plots, shop-cum-offices (SCOs), mixed-use areas, collective housing plots, as…