News / Author / Karam Prakash

Karam Prakash

Karam Prakash is a Patiala-based senior correspondent covering several districts of Malwa region of Punjab. He writes on various domains, including health, agriculture, power and education.

Articles by Karam Prakash

Barnala doctor absconds from govt job, told to pay ₹50 lakh bond money

As per the rules, a government doctor must either serve the department for 10 years or deposit ₹50 lakh before resigning. The doctor, Dr Sahil Chhabra, had earned an MD seat on Punjab government quota and flouted the rules by not following the bond norms

The Barnala health department informed HT that they had already filed a case in Barnala judicial court for the recovery of the bond money from the radiologist. Meanwhile, Dr Chhabra could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 24, 2023 08:00 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

1,503 and counting: Chikungunya cases in Punjab at 7-year high

At 544, Amritsar accounts for 36% cases alone; followed by Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Pathankot; in just one year, the number of cases has jumped by 226% from 460 in 2022

Chikungunya is caused by the vector-borne chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and resembles dengue in many aspects. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 23, 2023 08:24 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Sandhwan exhorts students to deter farmers from stubble-burning

I saw a cloud of smoke emanating from a field (in Pakistan)… locals told me it was due to stubble burning. Only a border separates us, but habits are the same: Kultar Singh Sandhwan

Punjab Vidhan Sabha speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan (HT photo)

cities

Updated on Nov 22, 2023 09:00 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Punjabi University gets less grant for Oct-Dec quarter, V-C takes up matter with govt

Notably, chief minister Bhagwant Mann, in March, this year, had announced that the university will be given ₹30 crore per month by the government grant to help it improve its financial health

A senior official said that the state government has assured them that issue would be resolved soon. (File)

cities

Updated on Nov 21, 2023 08:58 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Punjab’s dengue count surpasses last year’s mark, DENV 2 prevalent strain

The DENV 2 strain is considered severe as it has a tendency to cause haemorrhagic fever, thus increasing the risk of mortality.

Punjab reported 36 fresh cases on Thursday, taking its total count to 11, 272. Last year, the state had logged 11,030 cases in all. (HT File)

cities

Updated on Nov 17, 2023 07:06 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Punjab govt to restart paddy procurement at 285 centres

The department of food supplies and consumer affairs on Wednesday decided to resume paddy procurement operations at 285 grain markets of the state from Thursday. The orders in this regard have been issued by the Punjab Mandi Board. The majority of the grain markets that will be restarted fall in the rural areas.

Bundles of paddy crops are kept at the New Grain market, in Patiala on Wednesday. The department of food supplies and consumer affairs on Wednesday decided to resume paddy procurement operations at 285 grain markets of Punjab from Thursday. (ANI)

cities

Updated on Nov 16, 2023 05:56 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Punjab: Mandi board winds up paddy procurement at 1,559 centres, upset farmers threaten protest

Farmer bodies said the move would badly hit the growers as a lot of produce is yet to reach mandis owing to delayed harvesting. The Punjab Mandi Board had started the procurement operations at 1,870 grain markets and procurement centres. At least 1,559 grain markets and procurement centres across Punjab have stopped purchasing paddy, leaving farmers worried.

At least 1,559 grain markets and procurement centres across Punjab have stopped purchasing paddy, leaving farmers worried. (HT File Photo)

cities

Updated on Nov 15, 2023 06:02 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Seeking benefits under welfare schemes: 91k applications of construction workers gather dust

10 officials get show-case notice; told to submit reasons by Nov 15. As many as 91,000 applications of construction workers seeking benefits under various welfare schemes are gathering dust across the state.

As many as 91,000 applications of construction workers seeking benefits under various welfare schemes are gathering dust across the state. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/ Representational image)

cities

Published on Nov 11, 2023 10:11 PM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

PRTC starts intrastate Volvo bus services

The state-run Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) on Friday kickstarted intrastate Volvo services. It is the first time that the Volvo buses will be running on the Chandigarh-Abohar route, which was earlier dominated by private Volvo buses.

In a big relief to passengers, the state-run Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) on Friday kickstarted intrastate Volvo services. It is the first time that the Volvo buses will be running on the Chandigarh-Abohar route, which was earlier dominated by private Volvo buses. (HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Nov 11, 2023 08:54 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Dengue cases in Punjab breach 10k mark; Hoshiarpur worst-hit

Dengue cases in Punjab seem to be surpassing last year’s count. With 133 fresh cases reported on Friday, the state has reached a case count of 10, 654 till November 10 this year, while in the corresponding period last year, the state had recorded 7,586 cases. Last year, the state had reported a total of 11,030 cases.

cities

Updated on Nov 11, 2023 08:50 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Behaviour below standards: Punjabi University professor suspended

The Punjabi University, Patiala, on Wednesday, suspended a senior professor of the Punjabi department after an inquiry committee found his conduct far below professional standards. The registrar of the Punjabi University issued the suspension orders of professor Surjit Singh on Wednesday.

The suspension order is said to have come after a protest was held by students, including members of the United Sikh Student Federation. The students had locked the main gate of the university campus in the morning for a few hours demanding action against the professor. (HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Nov 09, 2023 06:00 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Punjab’s plan to set up 2 new medical colleges likely to get delayed

Confirming the development, Punjab medical education minister Dr Balbir Singh, while talking to the HT, said after missing the deadline to apply this year, they would try to complete all the mandatory requirements to open new medical colleges in Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala in the first phase before the last date of applying the next year.

Punjab government’s plan of much-needed new medical colleges may not be functional before March 2025 as the final date to apply for the new medical colleges for next year’s batch has been missed by the state. The due date to apply was October 20. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/ Representational image)

cities

Updated on Nov 08, 2023 10:08 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Withdraw mercy plea or else will go on hunger strike, says Balwant Singh Rajoana

In his two-page letter, a copy of which is with HT, Balwant Singh Rajoana said that there has been no decision on the plea even after 12 years

cities

Updated on Nov 08, 2023 08:52 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Amid wheat sowing, govt supply of heat-tolerant PBW-826 seeds hit

The variety, developed and introduced by the PAU last year, had witnessed 31% and 17% higher yield than other prevailing varieties

The heat-tolerant variety was developed and released by the Punjab Agriculture University last year. (File)

cities

Updated on Nov 06, 2023 06:52 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Fake entries of patients: Health dept issues warning to seven Aam Aadmi Clinics after audit

The inquiry report discovered that regular entries (doctor consults) were made by the staff of these AACs even if the patient had come to collect lab reports

The seven AACs, against whom a warning has been issued, are located at the Punjab Language Department; Satya Enclave; Tafzalpura; Old Kabadi Market; Anand Nagar-B; Dukhniwaran Sahib Gurdwara; and Jujhar Nagar. (File)

cities

Updated on Nov 04, 2023 08:26 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

DAP shortage looms amid wheat sowing in Punjab

The state needs around 5.50 lakh metric tonnes of DAP this season and has received 3.80 lakh metric tonnes from the Centre, including 2 lakh metric tonnes in stock, to date.

The experts said that the availability of sufficient DAP was crucial at this time and could negatively impact the yield. (File)

cities

Updated on Nov 02, 2023 07:38 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Air quality ‘poor’, kids, elderly should avoid venturing out: Patiala health dept

The department has also advised vulnerable people such as people suffering from breathing problems to wear a face mask while going out

A farmer burns paddy stubble at a field, near Jalandhar on Tuesday. (PTI)

cities

Updated on Nov 01, 2023 06:28 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Minorities commission chief seeks report on 1984 riots victims’ rehab

NCM chief Lalpura has written a letter to the Punjab CM to submit the report within 15 days; the NCM has sought a report on how many families have been paid compensation; whether a job has been given to their family members; details of housing accommodation or any other rehabilitation

Asking for the status, the commission has said there are several instances where already announced measures have not reached the families. (File)

cities

Updated on Nov 01, 2023 06:20 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Red entry in land records may create visa hassles, says Patiala admn, farmers irked

The advisory has not gone down well with farmers who said that instead of providing alternatives such as in-situ machinery to them, the Patiala administration was resorting to hostile policies to curb farm fire incidents.

If farmers fail to pay the fine imposed by the government for burning paddy stubble, their children may face difficulties in getting a visa as a ‘no-dues’ certificate won’t be issued by the administration, Patiala deputy commissioner (DC) Sakshi Sawhney had said. (HT File)

cities

Updated on Oct 31, 2023 08:12 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Volvos on intrastate routes: 2 PRTC luxury buses to ply on Chandigarh-Abohar route

It is for the first time that the PRTC will be extending its Volvo bus services to the intrastate routes. As of now, PRTC is plying Volvo buses only on the Delhi airport routes.

Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) Volvo’s bus.

cities

Updated on Oct 29, 2023 07:40 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Behaviour with students: Punjabi varsity asks prof to file reply in 15 days

The probe was ordered against professor Surjit Singh of Punjabi department after a girl student died at her residence leading to protests and allegations of mental harassment against him. A two-member committee headed by a retired district session judge had, however, absolved him of any role in the girl’s death

After an inquiry committee found the conduct a Punjabi University professor far below professional standards, the varsity has issued him a departmental chargesheet and given him 15 days’ time to file a reply. (HT File)

cities

Updated on Oct 29, 2023 07:28 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Two thermal plants in Punjab running out of coal

Two thermal power plants in Punjab are facing coal shortages, with one plant having only two days' stock left. The shortage is due to reduced coal supply from Central Coalfields Limited and mining disruptions caused by the monsoon season.

Thermal plant at Goindwal sahib in district Tarn Taran

cities

Updated on Oct 28, 2023 08:28 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Teaching job aspirant’s suicide: Cops promise action after kin file complaint against Punjab minister Harjot Bains

The woman’s kin said they will continue their protest and will cremate the body only after a case is registered against the Punjab education minister Harjot minister

The protesting family members of a teaching job aspirant, who died by suicide on October 21, filed a complaint against education minister Harjot Bains in Rupnagar on Tuesday.

cities

Updated on Oct 25, 2023 06:40 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash

Delay in ex gratia payments: Punjab labour dept initiates action against seven officials

Confirming the development, the senior officials of the labour department said that the family members of the construction workers are yet to receive the compensation and a departmental chargesheet has been issued against the erring officials

cities

Updated on Oct 22, 2023 07:20 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Punjab: Tardy lifting leads to glut of paddy in state mandis

Jasdev Singh, a farmer who had reached a grain market in Patiala on Friday afternoon, said, “I had to struggle a lot to make space in the market to offload my paddy produce

As per government officials, the lifting process mainly got hit due to rain, labourers’ strike, and rice millers’ protest. (HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Oct 21, 2023 08:18 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

‘Fake’ entries: Audit Aam Aadmi Clinics with patient footfall higher than 100 per day, says Patiala health dept

Doctors accused of registering ‘fake’ patients to get incentives; sources in the health department said three Patiala AACs — Satya Enclave, Tafazalpur and Language Department (Bhasha Vibhag) — are under scanner

Senior medical officers (SMOs) have been asked to form teams and conduct an audit of the AACs falling under their respective blocks. (HT file)

cities

Updated on Oct 17, 2023 08:30 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

2.74 lakh addicts under treatment at OOATs in Punjab

As per data Gurdaspur district has the highest number of patients (35,000) registered in the state followed by Bathinda (24,399) while Tarn Taran is in third place with 21,000.

The Punjab government had launched the OOAT clinics as part of its rehabilitation programme in October 2017. (File)

cities

Updated on Oct 16, 2023 08:42 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Patiala doctor dies of suspected dengue; health dept to perform confirmatory test

As per the state health department officials, the state has reported 6,708 dengue cases so far. Of all districts, with 825 cases, Hoshiarpur is the worst hit

With moderate rains forecasted by the weather department during the next 36 hours in the state, experts said dengue cases are likely to rise in the coming months.

cities

Updated on Oct 16, 2023 05:42 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Laying of interlocking tiles: Contractor booked for flouting stay orders issued by Patiala DC

A case has been registered against Aman Gupta, the contractor, under Section 4 of the Punjab Prevention of Damage to Public and Private Property Act and Section 427 of the India Penal Code (IPC)

Patiala DC Sakshi Sawhney had ordered to stop laying of interlocking tiles on a road in Nabha following a complaint by locals, who claimed that even the roads that were in good condition were being dug up to lay interlocking tiles. (HT photo)

cities

Updated on Oct 11, 2023 08:28 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Two addicts drown in bid to escape from illegal rehab centre, 4 booked

The duo had jumped into rivulet while being chased by de-addiction centre staff, say cops; Joint team of Haryana health dept, police raids Ambala facility, rescues 32 addicts

The rescued youth told police that they were mercilessly beaten up and kept in inhuman conditions by the staff of the illegal de-addiction centre. (HT photo)

cities

Updated on Oct 11, 2023 08:06 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash/Bhavey Nagpal, Patiala/ambala

Copy

Whatsapp Twitter Facebook Linkedin

Karam Prakash

Karam Prakash is a Patiala-based senior correspondent covering several districts of Malwa region of Punjab. He writes on various domains, including health, agriculture, power and education.

As per the rules, a government doctor must either serve the department for 10 years or deposit ₹50 lakh before resigning. The doctor, Dr Sahil Chhabra, had earned an MD seat on Punjab government quota and flouted the rules by not following the bond norms

At 544, Amritsar accounts for 36% cases alone; followed by Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Pathankot; in just one year, the number of cases has jumped by 226% from 460 in 2022

I saw a cloud of smoke emanating from a field (in Pakistan)… locals told me it was due to stubble burning. Only a border separates us, but habits are the same: Kultar Singh Sandhwan

Notably, chief minister Bhagwant Mann, in March, this year, had announced that the university will be given ₹30 crore per month by the government grant to help it improve its financial health

The DENV 2 strain is considered severe as it has a tendency to cause haemorrhagic fever, thus increasing the risk of mortality.

10 officials get show-case notice; told to submit reasons by Nov 15. As many as 91,000 applications of construction workers seeking benefits under various welfare schemes are gathering dust across the state.

The state-run Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) on Friday kickstarted intrastate Volvo services. It is the first time that the Volvo buses will be running on the Chandigarh-Abohar route, which was earlier dominated by private Volvo buses.

The Punjabi University, Patiala, on Wednesday, suspended a senior professor of the Punjabi department after an inquiry committee found his conduct far below professional standards. The registrar of the Punjabi University issued the suspension orders of professor Surjit Singh on Wednesday.

In his two-page letter, a copy of which is with HT, Balwant Singh Rajoana said that there has been no decision on the plea even after 12 years

The variety, developed and introduced by the PAU last year, had witnessed 31% and 17% higher yield than other prevailing varieties

The inquiry report discovered that regular entries (doctor consults) were made by the staff of these AACs even if the patient had come to collect lab reports

The state needs around 5.50 lakh metric tonnes of DAP this season and has received 3.80 lakh metric tonnes from the Centre, including 2 lakh metric tonnes in stock, to date.

The department has also advised vulnerable people such as people suffering from breathing problems to wear a face mask while going out

NCM chief Lalpura has written a letter to the Punjab CM to submit the report within 15 days; the NCM has sought a report on how many families have been paid compensation; whether a job has been given to their family members; details of housing accommodation or any other rehabilitation

The advisory has not gone down well with farmers who said that instead of providing alternatives such as in-situ machinery to them, the Patiala administration was resorting to hostile policies to curb farm fire incidents.

It is for the first time that the PRTC will be extending its Volvo bus services to the intrastate routes. As of now, PRTC is plying Volvo buses only on the Delhi airport routes.

Two thermal power plants in Punjab are facing coal shortages, with one plant having only two days' stock left. The shortage is due to reduced coal supply from Central Coalfields Limited and mining disruptions caused by the monsoon season.

The woman’s kin said they will continue their protest and will cremate the body only after a case is registered against the Punjab education minister Harjot minister

Confirming the development, the senior officials of the labour department said that the family members of the construction workers are yet to receive the compensation and a departmental chargesheet has been issued against the erring officials

Jasdev Singh, a farmer who had reached a grain market in Patiala on Friday afternoon, said, “I had to struggle a lot to make space in the market to offload my paddy produce

Doctors accused of registering ‘fake’ patients to get incentives; sources in the health department said three Patiala AACs — Satya Enclave, Tafazalpur and Language Department (Bhasha Vibhag) — are under scanner

As per data Gurdaspur district has the highest number of patients (35,000) registered in the state followed by Bathinda (24,399) while Tarn Taran is in third place with 21,000.

As per the state health department officials, the state has reported 6,708 dengue cases so far. Of all districts, with 825 cases, Hoshiarpur is the worst hit

A case has been registered against Aman Gupta, the contractor, under Section 4 of the Punjab Prevention of Damage to Public and Private Property Act and Section 427 of the India Penal Code (IPC)

The duo had jumped into rivulet while being chased by de-addiction centre staff, say cops; Joint team of Haryana health dept, police raids Ambala facility, rescues 32 addicts

Join Hindustan Times

Create free account and unlock exciting features like