News / Author / Navneet Sharma

Navneet Sharma

A senior assistant editor, Navneet Sharma leads the Punjab bureau for Hindustan Times. He writes on politics, public affairs, civil services and the energy sector.

Articles by Navneet Sharma

Samagra Shiksha Scheme: Centre’s nod to ₹1,277-cr budget for school education in Punjab

Union ministry turns down state’s proposal for computer labs, smart classrooms; flags teacher vacancies & adverse pupil-teacher ratio

The ministry also pointed out the poor coverage of children with special needs (CWSN) and lack of adequate infrastructure, stating that the state has only a 1% share of such children out of the total student enrolment and their number from Class 1 (21,795) to Class 12 (2,420) shows a continuous decline. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on May 15, 2025 07:58 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

BBMB row, repeal of Dam Safety Act: A hardening stance behind Punjab’s firm resolution

While several farmer unions in Punjab opposed the Act from the outset, arguing that it infringed upon the state’s rights over water resources, the state government complied with and implemented the measures mandated by the legislation, despite having some reservations.

Water resources minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said the state government was opposed to the Act from day one and kept conveying its concerns. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on May 09, 2025 08:36 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

United, Punjab parties vow no extra water for Haryana

All Punjab parties united against Haryana's demand for additional water from Bhakra Dam, asserting Punjab has no surplus to share.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann with state BJP president Sunil Jakhar (left) and SAD leader Balwinder Singh Bhundar during a joint-press conference in Chandigarh on Friday. (PTI)

Chandigarh

Published on May 03, 2025 09:04 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

BBMB row: Punjab parties put up united show, say no water to spare for Haryana

During two-hour meeting, the Congress, BJP, AAP, SAD, BSP, CPI and CPI(M) backed the Bhagwant Mann-led state government to decide the next course of action to “protect” the interests of Punjab after the recent BBMB decision.

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann with state BJP president Sunil Jakhar, left, addressing a joint press conference after the all-party meeting on the sharing of river waters with Haryana, in Chandigarh on Friday. (PTI Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on May 02, 2025 03:39 PM IST

ByNavneet Sharma

20% children in Punjab schools missed out on mid-day meals

The number of students who missed out or skipped free school meals was higher in Bal Vatikas (pre-primary) and upper primary (classes 6 to 8) sections.

Student coverage under the school meals scheme decreased by 74,000 between April 1 and December 31, 2024. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on May 02, 2025 08:40 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

{Water sharing row} All-party meet today, special House session on May 5

All major political parties invited to discuss Centre’s bid to usurp Punjab’s rights; govt to bring resolution on water issue in special session: Arora

The twin decisions were made during a meeting convened at short notice on Thursday evening by chief minister Bhagwant Mann, which was attended by Punjab cabinet ministers, AAP legislators and party office-bearers. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on May 02, 2025 07:22 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

AAP protests against BJP in Punjab over BBMB releasing more water to Haryana

The Bhakra Beas Management Board on Wednesday decided to release 8,500 cusecs of water from the Bhakra Dam to Haryana

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) regulates water distribution from the Bhakra (in photo), Ranjit Sagar and Pong dams. (HT file photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 01, 2025 11:33 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma

Punjab govt tightens fiscal belt, tells depts to cut wasteful expenditure, maximise revenue

Strap: Administrative depts asked to set monthly, quarterly revenue targets, covering both tax, non-tax revenues; performance to be assessed quarterly; finance dept’s prior approval must for foreign travel, hiring of professional services, purchase of staff cars

In 2024-25, the Punjab government, led by CM Bhagwant Mann, had overshot its revenue deficit budget estimate of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>23,198 crore by <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>5,487 crore, or approximately 24%, ending the financial years with <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>28,685 crore as per revised estimates. (ANI)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 24, 2025 07:44 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Punjab education department to release SOP for RTE admission in private schools

These SOPs cover aspects such as notification of reserved seats, eligibility criteria, the admission process and monitoring mechanisms to ensure smooth implementation of the legal provisions, say people familiar with the development

There has been delay by several private unaided schools in reserving 25% seats for underprivileged children starting this academic session, according to reports. (Picture only for representational purpose)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 17, 2025 05:30 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Centre pegs toll plazas closure losses from 2020 to 2024 at ₹1,639-cr during farmers’ protests in Punjab

A senior Punjab government official said the communication from the central ministry was related to seeking the state government’s assistance in preventing the forcible closure or disruption of toll plazas. The official, who wished to remain anonymous, clarified that there was no demand for any recovery or compensation from the state for this revenue loss.

In a letter to chief secretary KAP Sinha last week, Union ministry of road transport and highways secretary V Umashankar called attention to the cumulative loss caused to the central exchequer by the frequent forced closures of toll plazas from October 2020 to November 2024 in the state.

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 12, 2025 06:54 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Former bureaucrats write to Punjab CM, seek transparency in EWS admissions

Activists urge Punjab government to ensure transparent admissions in private schools for EWS children, following high court's 25% seat reservation mandate.

Social activists Jagmohan Singh Raju and Onkar Nath, both former bureaucrats who had moved the high court against the restrictive state guidelines, have written to chief minister Bhagwant Mann and senior government officials to issue comprehensive guidelines. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 10, 2025 09:56 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Schools of Eminence: Punjab sets target, adds 30 more schools to upgrade list

Out of 118 Schools of Eminence, 14 have been renovated and inaugurated. The renovation work of 26 senior secondary schools is either complete or nearing completion: Education minister said

Students appearing for School of Eminence

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 04, 2025 09:20 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Congress alleges ₹4k-cr paddy procurement scam in Majha, Seeks probe by House panel

Fatehgarh Churian MLA Tript Bajwa brought up the matter during the zero hour, alleging a ‘loot’ in paddy purchase in Majha.

LoP Partap Singh Bajwa demanded that a House committee be constituted to probe the matter. (HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 29, 2025 09:12 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Punjab: Bedlam in House over Bajwa’s remarks against Seechewal

Cong MLAs stage 3 walkouts after treasury members demand apology from LOP; assembly passes motion censuring Bajwa

Acrimonious scenes were witnessed in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Thursday, resulting in three walkouts by the Congress MLAs, after treasury members demanded an apology from leader of Opposition (LOP) and Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa over his remarks against environmentalist and Aam Aadmi Party’s Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal.

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 28, 2025 08:00 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma

Punjab: Mounting debt burden a worry, 4 lakh-cr mark to be breached

For 2024-25, the government initially projected an outstanding debt liability of ₹3,74,091.31 crore, but it ended borrowing an additional ₹8,844 crore. “These extra funds were raised with the approval of the Union finance ministry, which allowed us some additional borrowing,” said principal secretary, finance, Ajoy Kumar Sinha.

The state government is expected to borrow <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>34,201 crore, taking the total state debt liability to <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>4,17,136.10 crore by March 31, 2026, according to the ‘Budget at a Glance’ document tabled by finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema in the state assembly on Wednesday. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 27, 2025 09:12 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Punjab’s ₹2.36-lakh crore budget focuses on drug problem, health sector

₹14,524 cr earmarked for agriculture, allied sectors, ₹9,992 crore for providing free power to the farm sector; ₹150 crore for drug census; ₹110 crore for deploying anti-drone systems.

Chandigarh

Updated on Mar 26, 2025 12:06 PM IST

ByNavneet Sharma

Punjab: AAP legislators question health minister over docs’ availability

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators on Tuesday questioned their own ministers in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, raising concerns over issues in their constituencies, with one of them going so far as to say that it feels as though they “are living in Pakistan.”

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 26, 2025 09:28 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma

Punjab Budget session: Congress MLAs stage walkout twice as Khaira not allowed to speak

The first walkout occurred during zero hour on day two of the budget session when Khaira requested speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan to allow him to raise issues in the House

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 25, 2025 09:20 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Sisodia back as AAP Punjab in-charge after 5 years

Sisodia replaced Jarnail Singh, a four-time AAP MLA from Tilak Nagar in Delhi; Satyender Jain named as co-in-charge; appointments part of major rejig in AAP nearly six weeks after Delhi poll debacle

AAP senior leader Manish Sisodia attended a meeting at Arvind Kejriwal residence at 5 Ferozshah Road, in New Delhi, India, on Friday, March 21, 2025. (Vipin Kumar/ Hindustan Times)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 22, 2025 06:22 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Congress walks out of Punjab assembly over colonel’s assault, action against farmers

During governor’s address on opening day of budget session, leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and Congress MLAs troop into well of House, raise slogans against AAP govt and walk out.

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 21, 2025 12:38 PM IST

ByNavneet Sharma

What led the AAP govt in Punjab to act against farmers?

Punjab government dismantles 13-month farm protests due to waning public support, business pressure, and internal farmer divisions, surprising many.

Farmers from Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee stage a protest as they were stopped while trying to approach the DC office to protest against the arrest of their farmer leaders from the Haryana—Punjab Shambhu border, in Amritsar on Thursday. (ANI)

India News

Published on Mar 21, 2025 05:48 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Zia Haq, Mohali/new Delhi

Punjab utilised only 1/3rd of Samagra Shiksha funds for digital infra in schools

The central government allocated ₹198.62 crore to the Punjab government between the financial years 2020-21 and 2024-25 under the integrated scheme for school education to establish 1,910 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) labs and 3,885 smart classrooms . Of this amount, ₹66.80 crore was utilised: Union minister of state for education Jayant Chaudhary said in the Lok Sabha

These funds were sanctioned under the ICT and Digital Initiatives component of Samagra Shiksha for government schools having classes 6 to 12 following the approval of the annual work plan and budget (AWP&B) proposal of the state government by the project approval board (PAB) of the Union ministry of education. (HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 19, 2025 08:20 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

101 Punjab schools selected for upgrade under PM SHRI scheme

Patiala leads the chart with 29 selected schools, followed by Bathinda and Gurdaspur with 26 each, according to data shared by Union ministry of education

The total number of PM SHRI schools in Punjab has increased to 347, including one upper primary school, 80 secondary schools and 266 higher secondary schools. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 12, 2025 06:56 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Join duty or face suspension: Punjab govt to protesting revenue officers

Punjab Revenue Officers Association has suspended property registration work till March 7 to protest Vigilance Bureau action against some revenue officials in Ludhiana in a fraudulent land deal.

Chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday read the riot act to protesting tehsildars in Punjab, telling them to return to work immediately or the government will find their replacements. (ANI Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 04, 2025 03:38 PM IST

ByNavneet Sharma

With more loans, Punjab may end year with higher debt

Of the ₹30,464.92 crore projected in the 2024-25 budget estimates, the state has already borrowed 99% of the amount between April and Jan

The state government has already raised a loan of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>30,162.40 crore in the first 10 months, which amounts to approximately 99% of the net borrowing of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>30,464.92 crore projected in the 2024-25 budget estimates, according to data on key fiscal indicators

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 22, 2025 08:54 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Govt not keen to implement RTE Act in Punjab

The RTE Act mandates that 25% of seats in private unaided schools be reserved for children from economically weaker sections

Punjab is among the four states that have not reserved seats in private unaided schools. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 15, 2025 09:22 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Arvind Kejriwal gives pep talk to Punjab AAP leaders

Chief minister Bhagwant Mann, in his speech, also told the members not to feel disheartened and to work to develop a ‘Punjab model’ of governance and development, the party leaders said.

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann leaves after meeting AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal at Kapurthala House in New Delhi on Tuesday. (ANI)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 12, 2025 06:46 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

After Delhi debacle, future tense for AAP in Punjab

Though chief minister Bhagwant Mann drew impressive crowds, the AAP lost most of the dozen-odd seats having a sizable Punjabi population with big margins. The AAP had deployed its top state leaders, including ministers, MLAs and other leaders, to campaign in Delhi.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann leaves residence of AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal after a meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. February 8, 2025. (Photo by Vipin Kumar/ Hindustan Times) (Vipin Kumar/HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 09, 2025 09:04 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Prime Minister Internship Scheme: 41% of Punjab youth accepted corporate offers

A total of 4,920 candidates from Punjab and Haryana received 6,732 internship offers from partner companies

Interns under the scheme are provided a monthly stipend of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>5,000 for the 12-month internship period, along with a one-time grant of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>6,000 for incidental expenses. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 06, 2025 09:20 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Punjab to assess Unified Pension Scheme

A panel constituted to draft the standard operating procedure for the implementation of the OPS will study the new scheme notified by the Union govt last week

Chandigarh

Published on Jan 31, 2025 05:16 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

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Navneet Sharma

A senior assistant editor, Navneet Sharma leads the Punjab bureau for Hindustan Times. He writes on politics, public affairs, civil services and the energy sector.

Union ministry turns down state’s proposal for computer labs, smart classrooms; flags teacher vacancies & adverse pupil-teacher ratio

While several farmer unions in Punjab opposed the Act from the outset, arguing that it infringed upon the state’s rights over water resources, the state government complied with and implemented the measures mandated by the legislation, despite having some reservations.

All Punjab parties united against Haryana's demand for additional water from Bhakra Dam, asserting Punjab has no surplus to share.

During two-hour meeting, the Congress, BJP, AAP, SAD, BSP, CPI and CPI(M) backed the Bhagwant Mann-led state government to decide the next course of action to “protect” the interests of Punjab after the recent BBMB decision.

The number of students who missed out or skipped free school meals was higher in Bal Vatikas (pre-primary) and upper primary (classes 6 to 8) sections.

All major political parties invited to discuss Centre’s bid to usurp Punjab’s rights; govt to bring resolution on water issue in special session: Arora

The Bhakra Beas Management Board on Wednesday decided to release 8,500 cusecs of water from the Bhakra Dam to Haryana

Strap: Administrative depts asked to set monthly, quarterly revenue targets, covering both tax, non-tax revenues; performance to be assessed quarterly; finance dept’s prior approval must for foreign travel, hiring of professional services, purchase of staff cars

These SOPs cover aspects such as notification of reserved seats, eligibility criteria, the admission process and monitoring mechanisms to ensure smooth implementation of the legal provisions, say people familiar with the development

Activists urge Punjab government to ensure transparent admissions in private schools for EWS children, following high court's 25% seat reservation mandate.

Out of 118 Schools of Eminence, 14 have been renovated and inaugurated. The renovation work of 26 senior secondary schools is either complete or nearing completion: Education minister said

Fatehgarh Churian MLA Tript Bajwa brought up the matter during the zero hour, alleging a ‘loot’ in paddy purchase in Majha.

Cong MLAs stage 3 walkouts after treasury members demand apology from LOP; assembly passes motion censuring Bajwa

₹14,524 cr earmarked for agriculture, allied sectors, ₹9,992 crore for providing free power to the farm sector; ₹150 crore for drug census; ₹110 crore for deploying anti-drone systems.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators on Tuesday questioned their own ministers in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, raising concerns over issues in their constituencies, with one of them going so far as to say that it feels as though they “are living in Pakistan.”

The first walkout occurred during zero hour on day two of the budget session when Khaira requested speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan to allow him to raise issues in the House

Sisodia replaced Jarnail Singh, a four-time AAP MLA from Tilak Nagar in Delhi; Satyender Jain named as co-in-charge; appointments part of major rejig in AAP nearly six weeks after Delhi poll debacle

During governor’s address on opening day of budget session, leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and Congress MLAs troop into well of House, raise slogans against AAP govt and walk out.

Punjab government dismantles 13-month farm protests due to waning public support, business pressure, and internal farmer divisions, surprising many.

Patiala leads the chart with 29 selected schools, followed by Bathinda and Gurdaspur with 26 each, according to data shared by Union ministry of education

Punjab Revenue Officers Association has suspended property registration work till March 7 to protest Vigilance Bureau action against some revenue officials in Ludhiana in a fraudulent land deal.

Of the ₹30,464.92 crore projected in the 2024-25 budget estimates, the state has already borrowed 99% of the amount between April and Jan

The RTE Act mandates that 25% of seats in private unaided schools be reserved for children from economically weaker sections

Chief minister Bhagwant Mann, in his speech, also told the members not to feel disheartened and to work to develop a ‘Punjab model’ of governance and development, the party leaders said.

Though chief minister Bhagwant Mann drew impressive crowds, the AAP lost most of the dozen-odd seats having a sizable Punjabi population with big margins. The AAP had deployed its top state leaders, including ministers, MLAs and other leaders, to campaign in Delhi.

A total of 4,920 candidates from Punjab and Haryana received 6,732 internship offers from partner companies

A panel constituted to draft the standard operating procedure for the implementation of the OPS will study the new scheme notified by the Union govt last week

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