Mercury drops in Haryana, Punjab after rain

Chandigarh: The maximum temperatures dropped sharply in Haryana and Punjab as rain lashed many parts of the two states on Monday. According to the Meteorological Department here, Chandigarh, which received light rain during the day, recorded a maximum temperature of 13.7 degrees Celsius, down six notches against normal. However, the minimum temperature here settled at 9.3 degrees, which was slightly above normal limits. In Haryana, Ambala recorded a maximum temperature of 13.2 degrees Celsius, down six notches against normal while Hisar also had a cold day at a high of 14.1 degrees. Cold weather conditions also prevailed in Karnal during the day at 13.6 degrees while Sirsa recorded a high of 14.8 degrees. In Punjab, Patiala braved the chill during the day recording a high of 13 degrees, down six notches against normal. Amritsar recorded a maximum of 16.4 degrees while Ludhiana recorded a high of 14.5 degrees. The minimum temperatures at many places in Punjab hovered close to or below normal limits. Gurdaspur reeled under severe chill at a low of 4 degrees. Amritsar recorded a low of 6.2 degrees, Ludhiana registered a minimum of 7.4 degrees while Pathankot and Bathinda recorded respective minimums of 6.4 degrees and 5.6 degrees Celsius.

Shimla sees season's second light snowfall

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh's capital, Shimla, on Monday witnessed the second light snowfall of the season, bringing cheer to tourists, locals and farmers. Snowfall also occurred in nearby tourist spots of Kufri and Narkanda besides higher reaches including Kharapathar, Chaurdhar and Chanshal. The local meteorological department had forecast rain and snow in mid and higher reaches on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. The snowfall is expected to boost tourist footfall in the state providing a fillip to local tourism business. Meanwhile, intense cold wave persisted in the lower hills of Himachal Pradesh, with Una, Hamirpur, Chamba and Mandi experiencing cold wave conditions and Sundernagar reeling under severe cold wave.
   
Shops and commercial establishments to remain open for 24 hours till January 5 in Himachal

Shimla: To facilitate Christmas and New Year celebrations and heavy rush of tourists in Himachal Pradesh, the state government has decided to keep all the shops and commercial establishments open around the clock from December 23 to January 5, 2025. A spokesperson of the state government informed on Monday that this decision has been taken in public interest under the Himachal Pradesh Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1969 and an official notification has been issued.

Cong MP Selja meets farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal

Chandigarh: Senior Congress leader and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja on Monday met farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a fast-unto-death for the last 28 days at the Khanauri border protest site. In her statement, she expressed her concern over the deteriorating health of Dallewal. Not a single BJP leader from the Centre Government has met Dallewal so far. Despite adverse weather conditions, farmers are protesting here, she added. Selja said that the government must take appropriate steps in this regard and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take immediate action to address the farmers' demands. Dallewal himself has written an open letter to the Prime Minister raising 13 demands, including the MSP Guarantee Law, but the government seems unwilling to listen to the farmers. The government has turned the Punjab and Haryana borders into something akin to the India-Pakistan border, she alleged.  

Chandigarh MP opposes power transmission

Chandigarh: City MP Manish Tewari on Monday alleged that the BJP Government is selling the public properties built by the previous government at a throw-away price. “We strongly opposed the decision of the Chandigarh administration to hand over the electricity transmission in the city to a private company as it is unfair to the employees to the department concerned,” Tewari added. He said this after meeting with the fasting Congress activities who have continued their protest on the sixth day against the privatization of Chandigarh Electricity Department. He further said that the common people of the city are also likely to suffer as the private company is expected to lead to a significant increase in electric tariff in the city. Congress spokesperson Rajiv Sharma said that the chain hunger strike against privatization of the profit making department will continue for the 7th day on Tuesday.

Haryana becomes first State to procure all 24 crops at MSP: Hry Minister

Chandigarh: Haryana has become the first state in India to procure all 24 crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), said Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana. He said that the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has shown an unwavering commitment to the welfare of farmers. He described the decision to procure all 24 crops at MSP as a significant step towards securing the economic well-being of Haryana’s farmers. The newly issued notification expands the list of procured crops to include Ragi, Soybean, Nigerseed, Safflower, Barley, Maize, Jowar, Jute, Copra, and Summer Moong, alongside the already procured crops like Paddy, Bajra, Kharif Moong, Urd, Arhar, Til, Cotton, Groundnut, Wheat, Mustard, Gram, Masur, Sunflower, and Sugarcane.

Bajwa slams Mann for prioritizing a cricket match in Australia over addressing state’s issues

Chandigarh: Senior Congress leader and the Leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa on Monday lashed out at Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for prioritizing watching a cricket match in Australia over dealing with prevalent critical issues in the State. “CM Mann is all set to be at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Boxing Day (26 December 2024) to witness the fourth Test between Australia and India for the Border-Gavaskar Series. Even though he has not conducted cabinet meetings for the past several months,” alleged Bajwa. “The state has been going through a very crucial phase now. The border districts have been shaken by the blasts, exposing the poorest law and order situation. One of the senior-most farm union leaders, Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s fast unto death has entered its 28th day. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union Government has plotted to dismantle the mandi system in Punjab and bring back some clauses of three anti-farmer laws via the National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing. In such circumstances, how can the Punjab CM even think of enjoying the cricket match in Australia," Bajwa asked.