Gurpreet Singh Nibber is an Assistant Editor with the Punjab bureau. He covers politics, agriculture, power sector, environment, Sikh religious affairs and the Punjabi diaspora.
Articles by Gurpreet Singh Nibber
‘No BJP connect, vying for regaining foothold’
Gurpartap Singh Wadala, who has been formally announced to lead the rebel group of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) as convener of the ‘Akali Dal bachao lehar’, has said efforts will be made to inspire youth to bring them into the party fold. In an interview with HT, he clarifies that the group has no connection with the BJP.
Updated on Jul 16, 2024 07:28 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
SAD rebels up ante against Sukhbir, launch ‘Akali Dal Bachao Lehar’
Rebel SAD leaders appoint Gurpartap Singh Wadala to lead 'Akali Dal Bachao Lehar', launch mass contact program amidst existential crisis.
Updated on Jul 16, 2024 07:14 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Paddy under DSR system far from target this time too
The paddy sowing process is almost over whereas only 2.25 lakh acres are under the DSR technique against the target of 7 lakh acres.
Published on Jul 14, 2024 10:40 PM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
To curb farm fires, govt to provide imported balers on subsidy
65% subsidy will be provided to industrial units for purchase of European baler while up to 80% subsidy will be for farmer groups, cooperative societies and individuals for small baler
Updated on Jul 13, 2024 08:30 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Wadala to be convener as SAD rebels firm up plans to revive party
SAD rebel group forms panel led by Gurpartap Singh Wadala to revitalize party. Plans include outreach to Sikh masses, rallies, and honoring past leaders.
Updated on Jul 09, 2024 08:08 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
10 Sikh MPs make it to UK Parliament
With a total of 26 Indian-origin members, apart from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority lawmakers, this is Britain’s most ethnically diverse Parliament so far, according to an analysis by British Future, a think tank.
Updated on Jul 06, 2024 08:02 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Showers so far inadequate, more spells needed for paddy growth: Experts
Heavy rainfall was expected across Punjab from June 29 to July 1 but it got delayed and the first spell was witnessed in the intervening night of July 2 and 3 in the districts of central Punjab.
Updated on Jul 04, 2024 07:24 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Ex-jathedar Ranjit Singh turns down SAD rebels’ proposal to lead faction
Apart from Chandumajra, former union minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, his son former finance minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur, former ministers including Sikandar Singh Maluka and Surjeet Singh Rakhra, and former MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala are among the leaders who have raised a banner of revolt against Sukhbir.
Updated on Jul 03, 2024 08:40 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
SAD rebels seek apology, ball now in Akal Takht’s court
Rebel Shiromani Akali Dal leaders on Monday appeared before the jathedar of the Akal Takht and apologised for the “mistakes” committed when their party was in power in the state
Updated on Jul 02, 2024 08:36 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Once a powerful regional force, the SAD is now a shadow of its former self
The political journey ahead will not be easy for the Akali party chief particularly when a few leaders have expressed dissent.
Published on Jun 29, 2024 07:59 PM IST
Sukhbir faces major revolt as senior SAD leaders ask him to step down
After a marathon meeting in Jalandhar, senior SAD leaders Prem Singh Chandumajra, Sikander Singh Maluka, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Parminder Singh Dhindsa and Sarwan Singh Phillaur also announced Akali Dal Bachao Lehar. This is the first serious challenge to Sukhbir’s leadership after Akali Dal’s poor showing in the Lok Sabha polls
Updated on Jun 26, 2024 07:10 AM IST
Despite ban, PUSA-44 paddy variety still in use
According to growers, PUSA-44 variety gives higher yield of about 10-15% but also produces at least 20% more residue that has a high silica content which produces dense smoke when burnt.
Updated on Jun 20, 2024 06:48 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
SAD removes Sikandar Singh Maluka as disciplinary committee head
Sikandar Singh Maluka , a former minister and once a close confidante of the Badals, fell apart recently after his daughter-in-law Parampal Kaur, resigned as an IAS officer to contest the Lok Sabha elections on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket from Bathinda.
Updated on Jun 15, 2024 07:44 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
SAD leaders repose faith in Sukhbir’s leadership, discuss poll outcome
Party leader Prem Singh Chandumajra said, “Parties in the entire country formed alliances but our party was unable feel the political pulse.”
Updated on Jun 14, 2024 08:24 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
SAD’s core committee to discuss poll outcome today
The Shiromani Akali Dal’s worries have mounted as its vote share in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections has fallen to 13.5% which is less than the previous state assembly polls of 2022 when it romped home with over 18% vote share of the total votes polled.
Updated on Jun 13, 2024 06:42 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Centre tells Punjab to control stubble fires, plan in advance
Against the total farm fire count of 49,922 in 2022, the numbers came down to 36,623 last year. However, the area under stubble fire increased to 19 lakh acres in 2023 against 15 lakh acres in 2022.
Updated on Jun 12, 2024 05:04 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Paddy transplantation in six districts to start from June 11
Punjab to stagger paddy transplantation to save groundwater. Six districts to start on June 11, rest on June 20. Short-duration varieties recommended.
Updated on Jun 10, 2024 05:58 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Nearly 80% SAD candidates lose security deposits
SAD could register win only on one seat, Bathinda, the Badals’ home turf, which party president Sukhbir Badal’s wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal won for the fourth consecutive term, starting from the general elections of 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2024.
Updated on Jun 06, 2024 06:36 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Lone SAD winner, Harsimrat doubles victory margin
Harsimrat Kaur Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal has won the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat four times consecutively.
Updated on Jun 05, 2024 05:26 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Final turnout 62.8% in Punjab: ECI
Bathinda tops with 69.36% voting in Punjab. Amritsar with 56.06% turnout finds place at the bottom of the chart.
Updated on Jun 03, 2024 05:16 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Sukhbir strikes emotional chord, raises pro-Punjab, ‘Panthic’ pitch
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal is using all his might to improve the prospects of his party by trying to reach out to as many people as possible.
Updated on May 30, 2024 06:30 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Election in Pincodes: Post militancy, separatist strain shrouds this Punjab seat
HT looks at some key constituencies across the country that encapsulate the issues shaping the ongoing Lok Sabha electoral contest
Published on May 29, 2024 08:47 AM IST
At 132 lakh tonnes, wheat arrivals hit all-time high in Punjab
According to the state food and supplies department, 6,000 tonne wheat arrived in state’s grain markers on Sunday, taking the total count to 132.25 lakh tonnes.
Updated on May 27, 2024 08:32 AM IST
Sukhbir expels brother-in-law Kairon from SAD over ‘anti-party’ activities
Balwinder Singh Bhundur, SAD secretary general said the party was forced to take action against Kairon as he was opposing party’s Khadoor Sahib candidate Valtoha
Updated on May 26, 2024 08:08 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Amid poll heat, farm issues pushed to the backburner in Punjab
Sights like these – stubble burning and indiscriminate use of tubewells-- are a common sight in Punjab’s villages these days.
Updated on May 25, 2024 06:04 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Election In Pincodes: Farm distress casts a long shadow on Punjab politics
80-year-old Mohinder Singh Kaur's family story reflects Punjab's agricultural crisis. Sangrur's upcoming Lok Sabha polls will be shaped by farmer distress.
Updated on May 22, 2024 01:08 AM IST
With 529 fresh cases, farm fire incidents touch 8.3K mark
On Tuesday, 1,024 cases of wheat straw burning were witnessed across the state. If the trend continues, such cases this season are likely to cross the last year’s total of 9,247.
Published on May 15, 2024 09:21 PM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Charanjit Channi’s comments on Poonch attack violated poll code, says Punjab CEO
CEO Sibin C said that the Punjab poll body has sought advice from the election commission of India for further action in the matter.
Updated on May 14, 2024 06:44 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Punjab agri experts raise concern over water-guzzling spring maize
PAU experts said the focus should be on replacing paddy with maize, which has higher economics, during karif season
Updated on May 13, 2024 08:42 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
At 127.6 lakh tonnes, wheat arrivals in Punjab mandis surpass last yr’s procurement figures
Last year, on the corresponding day, the total arrival had stood at 123.20 lakh tonnes. This time, the state is expecting a bumper crop with the total production expected to touch 175 lakh tonnes.
Updated on May 10, 2024 06:06 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh