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Vishal Rambani

Vishal Rambani is an assistant editor covering Punjab. A journalist with over a decade of experience, he writes on politics, crime, power sector, environment and socio-economic issues. He has several investigative stories to his credit.

Articles by Vishal Rambani

Two years of AAP govt: Free power powers populism in Punjab

The Aam Aadmi Party had in July 2022 implemented its poll promise of providing 300 units of power free to each consumer every month. Since then it has directly benefited 88% consumers to the tune of ₹11,500 crore.

Almost 90% of Punjab’s households got zero electricity bills last month. Of the 38 lakh consumers billed by the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), 33.5 lakh got zero bill for electricity consumption. (HT File)
Updated on Mar 16, 2024 08:30 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Two years of AAP govt: Punjab’s fight against corruption on course

The VB unearthed the foodgrain transportation scam, the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC) plot scam, transport department illegal verification scam besides the forest department scam

The VB filed a chargesheet against Punjab Police deputy inspector general Inderbir Singh, while cases of two more IPS officers are being investigated. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Updated on Mar 16, 2024 08:24 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

With Preneet’s exit, Cong struggling to find ‘suitable’ candidate from Patiala

With sitting MP Preneet Kaur, now suspended from the party, set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, the grand old party is finding it hard to find a suitable candidate from the Patiala seat for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls

MP Preneet Kaur.
Updated on Mar 14, 2024 06:46 AM IST

Punjab VB probing PPAs sends teams to private thermal plants after government nudge

Probing PPAs signed during the decade-long Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regime between 2007 and 2017 is one of the main poll promises of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and CM Bhagwant Mann-led government after getting assent to the Bill scrapping the Punjab State Vigilance Commission Repeal Bill, on October 25 ordered VB to start the probe afresh

Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), tasked with probing the alleged inflated power purchase agreements (PPAs), has started the physical assessment of constructions and equipment at the private thermal plants which contribute to fixed costs
Updated on Mar 12, 2024 08:30 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Bacchus lovers cheer as IMFL prices to be slashed by 20% in Punjab under Excise Policy 2024-25

Punjab government is looking to increase the check on smuggling of cheaper alternatives from other states in the Excise Policy 2024-25

Punjab unveiled its Excise Policy 2024-25. (HT File)
Updated on Mar 10, 2024 08:34 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab vigilance files chargesheet against DIG Inderbir in 2 bribery cases

DIG Inderbir is already in the thick of controversy as he was indicted by a Supreme Court-appointed inquiry committee, led by Justice Indu Malhotra (retd), for dereliction of duty, causing a breach in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security during his Punjab visit in 2022. Inderbir was then posted as DIG Ferozepur. The case has been moved for major punishment.

2007-batch IPS officer, deputy inspector general (DIG) of police Inderbir Singh is the first DIG-rank IPS officer in Punjab Police to be indicted by the VB in two cases. (HT File)
Updated on Mar 08, 2024 09:00 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

40% of urban couples opting for IVF due to effects of pollution and environmental degradation, says health minister

Punjab health minister says 40% of urban couples turn to IVF due to environmental degradation. MLAs call for laws to protect environment and assess crop damage.

Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh
Updated on Mar 08, 2024 08:10 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

RDF withheld: Punjab banks on centrally sponsored schemes for rural devp

Finance minister Harpal Cheema said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is committed to provide all-round development for the rural population, by providing basic amenities and creating rural employment and rural livelihood, and an allocation of ₹3,154 crore has been made towards this.

With nearly <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>5,500 crore Rural Development Fund (RDF) stuck in a legal wrangle, Punjab will be banking on Centrally Sponsored Schemes, such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana etc, for rural development. (HT File)
Updated on Mar 06, 2024 08:28 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

10% of Punjab budget to go towards power subsidies

Out of the total outlay of ₹2.04 lakh crore for the upcoming fiscal, a whopping ₹20,477 crore will go towards power subsidies in the form of free electricity to farmers and domestic users, and subsidies for industrialists.

Presenting the state budget on Tuesday, Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Our government is committed to our “Annadatas” (farmers) and as a gesture of our continued support to them, we have allocated <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>9,330 crore towards power subsidy for agriculture.” (PTI)
Updated on Mar 06, 2024 08:22 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Faulty district survey reports delayed environmental clearance for mining, says Punjab mining department report

The mining department says faulty district survey reports (DSRs) were prepared by a private firm which has been blacklisted

The report further said that this caused a huge loss, amounting to crores of rupees in revenue to the state government and stalled the mining work in Pathankot and Ropar for more than one and a half years.
Updated on Feb 27, 2024 07:48 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Allotment of industrial plots: Punjab govt grants nod to prosecute 6 ex-PSIEC officials

The Punjab government has granted prosecution sanction against six officials of the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC) into the alleged irregularities in the allotment, regularisation, and bifurcation of industrial plots

The Punjab government has granted prosecution sanction against six officials of the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC) into the alleged irregularities in the allotment, regularisation, and bifurcation of industrial plots.
Updated on Feb 23, 2024 08:06 AM IST

Eyeing poll dividends AAP government in Punjab goes soft on farmers

As per reports, as the farmers started their mobilisation to Delhi, the Punjab government gave clear instructions to the district administration not to stop them and ease their movement to the border

Farmers during their protest at Shambu Border on Wednesday. (Ravi Kumar/ HT)
Updated on Feb 15, 2024 09:10 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Four-time Cong MP Preneet Kaur set to join BJP

Preneet Kaur, a prominent face of the Congress in the royal city, is set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) next week. Presently, suspended by the Congress for alleged anti-party activities, Preneet openly supports the saffron party in her stronghold, Patiala.

Four-time Patiala MP Preneet Kaur, a prominent face of the Congress in the royal city, is set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) next week. (ANI File Photo)
Updated on Feb 13, 2024 08:24 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab panchayat elections likely after Lok Sabha polls

As the government is already gearing up for parliamentary polls, the elections for panchayats will be held after the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab. The Panchayati Raj Act also provides a provision for holding elections within six months from the completion of the term of a panchayat.

With the poll bugle for the Lok Sabha elections having been sounded, Punjab is likely to hold general elections for the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) after the parliamentary elections. (HT File Photo)
Updated on Feb 07, 2024 08:48 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

11 players from Punjab given PCS, PPS jobs

Indian women’s cricket team skipper was appointed as DSP again after she was stripped of the rank in 2018 owing to a fake degree

CM Bhagwant Mann giving appointment letter to Indian women’s cricket team skipper Harmanpreet Kaur in Chandigarh on Sunday. (Sourced)
Updated on Feb 05, 2024 07:48 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Banwarilal Purohit resigns as Punjab governor, UT administrator; cites ‘personal reasons’

In a short letter to President Droupadi Murmu, Banwarilal Purohit cited personal reasons behind tendering his resignation.

Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit at the Parliament House complex during the Budget session in New Delhi on Friday. (PTI)
Updated on Feb 04, 2024 08:18 AM IST

Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit resigns over personal reasons

In a short letter written to the President of India, Banwarilal Purohit, 83, cited personal reasons behind tendering his resignation

Banwarilal Purohit with Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann. (File Photo)
Updated on Feb 03, 2024 04:10 PM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab Congress suspends Navjot Sidhu’s Moga rally organisers

PPCC president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring had warned of strict action against leaders’ indiscipline several times. However, action has been taken against only the event organisers and not Sidhu, against whom a report had been sent to the party high command too.

Former PPCC president Navjot Singh Sidhu addressing rally in Moga. (HT file)
Updated on Jan 28, 2024 06:34 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

2020 graft case: After 4 yrs VB gets nod to prosecute assistant excise and taxation commissioner Rajesh Bhandari

Assistant excise and taxation commissioner (AETC) Rajesh Bhandari, who was posted at the Shambhu barrier in the excise and taxation department’s (mobile wing), was arrested on January 15, 2020, by the VB sleuths after his driver was caught accepting a bribe on his behalf in Chandigarh.

A VB official, who did not wish to be named, said the bureau after completing the investigation wrote to the financial commissioner taxation, on March 13, 2020, seeking permission for prosecution
Updated on Jan 17, 2024 08:50 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

ED arrests Punjab ex-minister Dharamsot in money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday arrested Congress leader and former Punjab forest minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot from Jalandhar under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in an investigation linked to an alleged forest scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday arrested Congress leader and former Punjab forest minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot from Jalandhar under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in an investigation linked to an alleged forest scam.
Updated on Jan 16, 2024 06:26 AM IST

PM Modi security breach: Mann gives clean chit to state’s former chief secy

The breach took place when the Charanjit Singh Channi-led Congress government was governing the state

A panel headed by retired Supreme Court justice Indu Malhotra had indicted Tiwari for not deputing any officer to travel with the Prime Minister’s motorcade (HT)
Updated on Jan 13, 2024 01:01 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab taps solar power to bring down purchase cost

Punjab State Power Corporation Limited signs ninth PPA in two years for 2,800MW of solar power at an average cost of ₹2.51/unit

The Punjab State Power Corporation will buy 300 MW from Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) for an economical <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>2.43/unit. (HT file photo)
Updated on Jan 10, 2024 09:04 AM IST

Punjab: Troubles mount for DIG Inderbir as co-accused suspended DSP moves plea to turn approver in drugs and graft case

The suspended DSP has recorded his statement under section 164 of the CrPC (confession before a magistrate) in the Tarn Taran court recently, stating that he had handed over the bribe money to then DIG Ferozepur range Inderbir. The matter is pending before the Tarn Taran court

DIG Inderbir Singh said his name has been falsely dragged in both the cases.
Updated on Jan 08, 2024 06:54 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab: Ahead of LS polls, SAD ramps up efforts to galvanise Panthic factions, splinter groups

Ever since the SAD government, which was in power in Punjab in 2015 , was accused of mishandling the sacrilege incidents, its political image has taken a hit in the state

Punjab: Ahead of LS polls, SAD ramps up efforts to galvanise Panthic factions, splinter groups
Updated on Jan 03, 2024 08:34 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

VB to probe all PPAs signed during SAD-BJP regime: Govt

Probing PPAs is one of the main poll promises of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and CM Bhagwant Mann-led government after getting assent to the bill scrapping the Punjab State Vigilance Commission Repeal Bill, on October 25 ordered VB to start the probe afresh

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann
Updated on Jan 02, 2024 08:32 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

PSERC rejects state Powercom proposal to buy solar power from SGEL at 2.55 per unit

Though the power rate offered by SGEL to the PSPCL is much less, still PSERC observed that it is not as par with the power tariff finalised by both entities in 2022, when the upper ceiling limit was ₹2.44 per unit.

The Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC), has rejected the proposal of the state power corporation to buy 500 MW of solar power from Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Green Energy Limited (SGEL) at a rate of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>2.55/kWh for next 25 years.
Updated on Dec 26, 2023 08:08 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Merger with Shiromani Akali Dal: Dhindsa faction to form panel

Sources said most of the leaders supported the merger move and the SAD (S) decided to form a panel, which will take feedback from the district units of the party to submit a report to Dhindsa on the possibility of merger and other modalities.

Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa (File)
Updated on Dec 24, 2023 07:48 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Congress vs Congress: War of words erupts between Bajwa, Sidhu

Bajwa, taking aim at Sidhu, has criticised the recent rally, while Sidhu has hit back, attacking the LoP and sharing the post of his aides on X (formerly Twitter)

Sidhu hit back by posting a joint statement released by former MLAs Nazar Singh Manshaiah, Kaka Rajinder Singh, Maheshinder Singh, Raminder Awla, Jagdev Singh Kamalu and others (HT File)
Updated on Dec 21, 2023 08:22 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

2008-09 medical officers’ recruitment: Punjab VB books PPSC ex-chairman, 5 members, one held

Probe agencies spokesperson said PPSC member Dr Satwant Singh Mohi, an ex-MLA from Shatrana, has been arrested while raids are on to arrest the remaining accused

The SIT was formed on a petition filed by late DGP KPS Gill, who had filed a writ in HC over the alleged wrongdoings in PPSC.
Updated on Dec 20, 2023 06:56 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Punjab governor gives assent to scrapping state vigilance commission

Punjab State Vigilance Commission Repeal Bill was pending with Raj Bhawan for assent for past one year

Governor Banwarilal Purohit gave his assent to the Punjab State Vigilance Commission Repeal Bill a year after chief minister Bhagwant Mann tabled it and it was passed by the state assembly. (HT file photo)
Published on Dec 19, 2023 02:36 PM IST
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