Punjab and CHD
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Free Entry for Asian Champions Trophy Matches in Jalandhar and Mohali; India Open Against Bangladesh on October 27
NEW DELHI, October 20: Hockey fans will be able to watch the Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 free of cost, with Hockey India announcing free entry passes for all matches scheduled at Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5. India will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on October 27 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar. The hosts will subsequently face China on October 29, Japan on October 30, Malaysia on November 1 and South Korea on November 2. The tournament will feature 20 matches across the two venues, marking the return of international hockey to Punjab, a state with a rich hockey tradition. All league-stage matches will be played in Jalandhar from October 27 to November 2, while the semi-finals and medal matches are scheduled to take place at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali on November 4 and 5. Fans can obtain free entry passes through the Ticketgenie website, www.ticketgenie.in, or its mobile application. After registering, they can select their preferred matches from the available fixtures and receive a digital pass carrying a QR code. The code must be scanned at the stadium to gain entry. Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey said the decision was aimed at encouraging more supporters to attend the matches and experience top-level international hockey. “By making entry free for the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, we hope to bring more supporters to the stands and give them an opportunity to experience the excitement of top-level international hockey,” he said. Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh also expressed hope that both venues would witness packed stands during the tournament. “Hockey has always enjoyed a special place in Punjab, and we want fans to be part of this celebration of the sport,” he said, adding that free entry would help make hockey more accessible to families, young players and enthusiasts while bringing them closer to the game. The initiative reflects Hockey India’s efforts to promote the sport at all levels, from grassroots development to elite international competition, and provide fans with an opportunity to watch some of Asia’s leading hockey teams in action.
Punjab and CHDFarmers advised to bring paddy with moisture content below 17 per cent; combine harvesting restricted to 10 am to 6 pm
Amritsar: DC Urges Farmers to Follow Paddy Procurement Norms, Avoid Stubble Burning Farmers advised to bring paddy with moisture content below 17 per cent; combine harvesting restricted to 10 am to 6 pm The Deputy Commissioner, Dalwinderjit Singh, has urged paddy farmers to follow the prescribed procurement norms and avoid stubble burning to ensure smooth procurement and protect the environment. The Centre has fixed the maximum permissible moisture content in paddy at 17 per cent for procurement, while the minimum support price (MSP) for the current season has been set at Rs 2,461 per quintal. The DC advised farmers to harvest their crops only after full maturity and bring dry paddy to mandis, cautioning that grain exceeding the prescribed moisture limit could create difficulties during procurement. The administration has directed the Chief Agriculture Officer and the District Mandi Officer to organise awareness camps in villages to educate farmers about crop maturity, moisture requirements and procurement norms. Combine harvester operators have also been instructed to carry out harvesting only between 10 am and 6 pm. Meanwhile, the DC held a meeting with officials of various departments at the District Administrative Complex to review measures aimed at preventing stubble burning. Observing that harvesting was almost complete in most parts of the district, he stressed the need to sustain awareness campaigns to discourage farmers from burning crop residue. Officials of the Agriculture Department and the Punjab Pollution Control Board have been directed to visit villages, explain the harmful effects of stubble burning and educate farmers about scientific methods of crop residue management. Subdivisional Magistrates (SDMs) have also been asked to visit villages, interact directly with farmers and monitor efforts to prevent stubble-burning incidents. Appealing to farmers to refrain from burning paddy straw, the DC said available machinery could be used to manage crop residue without setting it on fire. Farmers could also prepare bales of paddy straw for sale or use it as dry fodder for livestock. He pointed out that stubble burning causes air pollution, reduces soil fertility and destroys beneficial insects in fields. He urged farmers to adopt available residue-management techniques and contact their nearest Agriculture Department office for technical guidance. As per department of agriculture, punjab, paddy cultivation area in punjab increased from 32.43 lakh hectares in 2025 to a record 32.76 lakh hectares in 2026 whereas the MSP for common paddy rose from ₹2,369 to ₹2,441 per quintal, while the rate for Grade A paddy increased from ₹2,389 to ₹2,461 per quintal.
Punjab and CHDPunjab CM Promotes Food Processing Industry at SIAL Paris, Launches Two Sohna Products
PARIS: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday promoted the state's food processing industry and launched two new products under Markfed's SOHNA brand at SIAL Paris 2026, an international food industry exhibition being held in France from October 17 to 21. The new products, *Chickpeas in Brine* (Chitte Chhole) and *Red Kidney Beans in Brine* (Rajmah), expand Markfed's range of ready-to-use canned foods and are aimed at taking Punjab's traditional agricultural produce to international markets. Mann, who is leading a delegation of the Punjab State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (Markfed), inaugurated the federation's exhibition stall at the India Pavilion. The stall showcases Punjab's agricultural heritage, food processing capabilities and potential as a supplier of quality food products to global markets. SIAL Paris is a major international food trade exhibition held every two years, bringing together food producers, processors, buyers and other industry professionals from across the world. The event provides a platform for companies to showcase products, explore business partnerships and expand their international presence. Addressing a gathering at the Markfed stall, Mann said Punjab had traditionally been known as India's food basket, and the state's next priority was to establish itself as a globally recognised centre for quality food products, value-added agriculture and modern manufacturing. He said Punjab's farmers, entrepreneurs and industries had considerable potential to compete in international markets and that participation in exhibitions such as SIAL Paris could open new opportunities for the state's products. The launch of the two canned food products reflects the state's efforts to move beyond conventional agricultural production towards food processing, value addition, modern packaging, branding and export-oriented manufacturing. Processing agricultural produce into ready-to-use products can help expand market opportunities and increase the value of farm produce. The new products complement Markfed's existing range of Punjabi ready-to-eat dishes and processed foods marketed under the SOHNA brand. Their introduction also seeks to make traditional Punjabi food products accessible to consumers outside India. During his visit, Mann highlighted the contribution of Markfed, Milkfed, which markets dairy products under the Verka brand, and Punjab Agro in strengthening the state's agricultural economy. Products from these organisations are being showcased collectively under the Punjab Mart umbrella at the exhibition, presenting Punjab's agricultural and food processing capabilities to international buyers. The state government's initiative focuses on strengthening the link between agriculture and industry by encouraging the processing and branding of agricultural produce rather than relying solely on the sale of raw commodities. Greater emphasis on processed foods and international marketing could create opportunities for cooperative institutions, food manufacturers and farmers to reach new markets. Through its participation in SIAL Paris 2026, Punjab is seeking to showcase its traditional food products and processing capabilities while exploring opportunities to expand the global reach of its agricultural produce.
NationalAmit Shah to Visit Punjab on October 20; Bittu Calls for Decisive Action Against Drugs
BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu welcomed Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s proposed visit to Punjab on October 20, saying the state needed decisive action, strong leadership and a firm resolve to tackle the drug menace and safeguard its youth. He claimed that the AAP government had lost its mandate well before completing its term and appealed to Punjabis to support Shah and have faith in the BJP’s mission to make Punjab drug-free. Calling for unity to protect the state’s youth, Bittu said Punjab must reclaim its future. It will be Shah’s second visit to Punjab within a month. He had visited Jalandhar on September 30 and addressed a rally marking the culmination of the BJP’s ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’, which began on September 18. On Friday, Shah said the Centre would seek the Punjab government’s response over two incidents in the state — the alleged suicide of a father under pressure in Dirba and the broad-daylight killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa. Parvinder Singh Jhota, a 42-year-old anti-drug activist from Mansa, campaigned against the alleged illegal sale of intoxicating drugs and medicines. He was shot dead on October 13 during a confrontation with medical store owner Ashwani Kumar, who was arrested in Rajasthan. His killing triggered a Punjab bandh on October 15, with various groups demanding justice and a CBI probe. His father, Bhim Singh, has refused to cremate the body, which remains in Mansa Civil Hospital’s mortuary, until justice is delivered and those responsible are held accountable. Parvinder Singh Jhota, a 42-year-old anti-drug activist from Mansa, campaigned against the alleged illegal sale of intoxicating drugs and medicines. He was shot dead on October 13 during a confrontation with medical store owner Ashwani Kumar, who was arrested in Rajasthan. His killing triggered a Punjab bandh on October 15, with various groups demanding justice and a CBI probe. His father, Bhim Singh, has refused to cremate the body, which remains in Mansa Civil Hospital’s mortuary, until justice is delivered and those responsible are held accountable. Gulzar Singh, a Dalit daily-wage labourer from Toor Banjara village in Sangrur district, allegedly died by suicide on September 7 after consuming poison. A day earlier, he had questioned Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema at a public meeting over the alleged sale and supply of ‘chitta’ (heroin) in his village. Gulzar had alleged that his son’s drug addiction had forced the family to sell household belongings and that he faced pressure to apologise after raising the issue. His death triggered a political controversy, with his family alleging harassment and police registering a case against five people. The Punjab Police constituted a special investigation team to probe the case, while a petition seeking a CBI investigation was filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Amit Shah’s visit is considered significant in view of the Punjab Assembly elections scheduled for 2027.
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