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
Poll talk @HT: Focus on winning hearts than seats in Punjab, Sukhbir tells BJP
In an interview to Hindustan Times, Akali leader cautions one-time ally against “aggression to capture the numbers” in the border state
Published on Apr 03, 2024 12:29 PM IST
FCI allows Punjab to use open plinths for wheat storage for the last time
The FCI gave a leeway due to lack of storage space even as the Centre has mandated storage of food grains in covered godowns to save grains from the vagaries of the weather.
Updated on Mar 30, 2024 08:28 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
SAD looks to resurrect its core strength – ‘panth’ & peasantry
With possibilities of a tie-up between the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) laid to rest, the latter sees it a chance to resurrect its core strength --- the ‘panth’ and farmers
Updated on Mar 27, 2024 08:48 AM IST
SAD’s hints it may go solo in Lok Sabha polls
The resolution said ‘the party’s principles are over politics’ and it sought to resolve the issues concerning Punjab and the Sikhs as a pre-requisite for an alliance with the saffron party, hinting that “no alliance was possible at this stage.”
Updated on Mar 23, 2024 09:02 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Tie-up delay: SAD in wait-and-watch mode in Punjab
SAD hopeful of alliance with BJP but has also asked its carders to be in poll mode on all 13 LS seats
Updated on Mar 17, 2024 08:56 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh :
Two years of AAP govt in Punjab: Dip in farm fires, diversification still remains a challenge
In the past two years, several meetings have been held between chief minister Bhagwant Mann and farm bodies’ representatives for discussions on peasantry demands but have failed to bring out a positive outcome.
Updated on Mar 16, 2024 09:06 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
2 years of AAP govt: Providing jobs, a ‘work in progress’ in Punjab
While 11,467 jobs were provided in the education department, 8,853 vacancies have been filled in the home department, 4,737 in the local bodies department, 4,564 in power, 2,124 in revenue and 1,086 in health.
Updated on Mar 16, 2024 08:00 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Assembly budget session adjourned sine die, three days ahead of schedule
Speaking during zero hour, CM Mann accused Centre of not involving state govt while inaugurating projects in Punjab
Updated on Mar 13, 2024 06:06 AM IST
Rural roads repair work hit due to non-release of RDF, says Agriculture minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian in question hour
Sultanpur Lodhi legislator raised the issue and said that many roads were damaged in his constituency during last year’s floods and are in urgent need of repairs.
Updated on Mar 12, 2024 08:24 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Punjab farmers set to take the wheel of improved, easy-to-use surface seeders
PAU's improved surface seeder aids in crop residue management, weed control, and efficient wheat sowing post-paddy harvest, benefiting farmers in Punjab.
Updated on Mar 11, 2024 09:10 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Punjab budget session question hour: No teacher in 26 Chabbewal, Garhshankar schools, says Congress MLA
Education minister Harjot Singh Bains told the House that the govt is making efforts to ensure full strength of teachers in ‘kandi’ belt schools
Updated on Mar 08, 2024 08:04 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
No mention of AAP’s pre-poll promises in Punjab budget: Bajwa
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday presented the state budget for 2024-25 with a total outlay of ₹2.04 lakh crore
Updated on Mar 07, 2024 06:28 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Sukhdev Dhindsa merges his party SAD (Sanyukt) with SAD after 4 years
The merger took place almost four years after Dhindsa and his son, former finance minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, were expelled from the party in February 2020 for alleged anti-party activities, after which they floated the SAD (Sanyukt)
Updated on Mar 06, 2024 08:40 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Punjab: ₹13,784 crore for agri sector, major chunk to be pumped into free power for tubewells
Out of the total allocation, a major chunk 67% ( ₹9,330 crore) has been reserved for free power to agricultural tubewells. The state has over 14 lakh tubewells which support at least 70% of the agricultural land.
Updated on Mar 06, 2024 08:18 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s ‘lock the opposition in House’ remark triggers uproar
Heated exchanges ensued after CM’s statement with Bajwa taking exception said that protests and walkouts are their right under the democratic system
Updated on Mar 05, 2024 07:48 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
In poll season, Punjab parties walk on eggshells around farmers’ stir 2.0
Though the farmers’ protest 2.0 is a pale shadow of the 2020-21 stir in scale and intensity, it is dominating the narrative in the state ahead of the April-May LS elections
Updated on Mar 04, 2024 07:58 AM IST
Punjab’s crop residue management plan bets big on subsidised machines
Punjab’s crop residue management plan has been sent to the Centre for approval, which if given will be followed by the release of funds
Updated on Mar 01, 2024 08:02 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Farmers’ protest 2.0: New vanguards emerge as veterans pushed to margins
The farmers’ agitation in Punjab has witnessed a change of guard as leaders who were at the forefront of the 13-month protest at the Delhi borders between November 2020 and December 2021 have been pushed to the margins and new elements with fringe support are now calling the shots
Updated on Feb 26, 2024 06:32 AM IST
Bharti Kisan Union (Sidhupur) convener Dallewal seeks designated protest site in Delhi
According to Dallewal, farm organisations would continue with the ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest and renew their efforts to start the march on Wednesday. The protest started on February 13 but the marching protestors were halted on two borders—Shambu and Khanauri by the Haryana government.
Updated on Feb 21, 2024 08:10 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Union ministers assure farmers to ‘study framework’ for guaranteed MSP
During the marathon meeting that went on late into night, the farmers remained adamant that the Centre fulfill their demands immediately. This, even as the ministers tried to get across the point that it is not conducive at the moment as the Lok Sabha election schedule could be announced any time now, which would bring into force the model code of conduct as a result of which the government can’t announce policy decisions.
Updated on Feb 17, 2024 06:50 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
Amid deadlock, farmers' stir talks with Centre stretch past midnight
Previous discussions between the government and protesters – on February 8 and 12 – ended in an impasse, with farmers refusing to dial down on their demands.
Updated on Feb 16, 2024 07:18 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
SAD suspends month-long Punjab Bachao Yatra
The ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra which was scheduled in Faridkot and Ferozepur districts on Thursday, was put on hold following the latest round of agitation by the farmers, who form a significant chunk of the party’s support base.
Updated on Feb 15, 2024 08:24 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
BKU (Ugrahan), SKM rally behind protesters after police action at Punjab and Haryana border
Prominent farmer organizations in Haryana, including Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan) and Samyukta Kisan Morcha, are holding protests against police action on farmers. They aim to mount pressure on the BJP government ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The organizations are condemning the use of tear gas shells and rubber bullets by Haryana security personnel on protesting farmers. They plan to hold protests on rail tracks and toll plazas in the state.
Updated on Feb 15, 2024 08:06 AM IST
The two men behind the farmers’ march
The two leaders also spearheaded the two rounds of talks with the central government that ended in a deadlock on Monday.
Updated on Feb 15, 2024 01:50 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
BSP snaps ties with SAD ahead of Lok Sabha polls
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Tuesday snapped around three-year-old alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and announced to go solo in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls
Updated on Feb 14, 2024 10:04 AM IST
Round 2 of talks ends in deadlock, farmers’ Delhi march on
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have announced that more than 200 farmer unions would head to the national capital to press the Centre to accept their demands, including the enactment of a law to guarantee a minimum support price (MSP) for crops
Updated on Feb 13, 2024 09:16 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh/new Delhi
Delhi braces for stir after late push to resolve farmers' protest crisis
Security forces have fortified the borders of Delhi with metal barricades, shipping containers, and more as farmers plan to march into the city.
Updated on Feb 13, 2024 07:25 AM IST
‘Delhi Chalo’ call: 3 Union ministers to hold another meeting with farmers on Monday
Three central ministers will hold a meeting with farm bodies from Punjab and Haryana, who are planning a protest march to Delhi, on Monday. The farmers are demanding the fulfilment of promises made by the central government in 2021.
Updated on Feb 12, 2024 08:00 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber/ Parteek Singh Mahal, Chandigarh/ Faridkot
Farm protests: Breakaway factions make their presence felt
Since the Nov 2020 protests against the now repealed farm laws, several farm bodies have split leading
Updated on Feb 10, 2024 09:14 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh
SAD, BJP tie-up talks in advanced stage ahead of Lok Sabha polls
According to people familiar with the development, if all goes well, the alliance announcement is expected next week. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal is likely to meet the BJP top brass before it, it is learnt
Updated on Feb 09, 2024 07:02 AM IST
Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Chandigarh