Latest news with #KuldeepSinghDhaliwal
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab govt appoints Sanjeev Arora as new NRI minister, diaspora extends support for overseas outreach; but demands real action this time
AMRITSAR : With the recent replacement of Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal as Punjab's NRI minister by Sanjeev Arora, a wave of cautious optimism is sweeping through the diaspora. Past frustrations are giving way to hope, and some NRIs are even stepping forward with bold offers to fund overseas govt outreach offices, provided their voices are genuinely heard. 'Despite heartfelt appeals by NRIs and bold promises made by the Punjab govt, NRIs continue to face numerous unresolved issues, including property disputes such as fraudulent property transfers , illegal occupations of their properties, matrimonial conflicts, etc.," said Rajwant Singh from Switzerland following a Zoom meeting with members of the NRI community. He said there is no doubt that the Punjab govt has set up dedicated bodies — including the NRI department and NRI police stations — but they have largely failed to deliver real results. He added that poor leadership, lack of funds, too much paperwork, and political interference have left the majority of NRIs disappointed. 'Even when we file complaints with the NRI police, the cases get buried under influence and delay,' alleged Rajwinder. Shubhlatha Vishat from Germany said that when Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal — himself once an NRI — was appointed to the role of NRI minister in 2022, expectations were sky-high. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo His decision to give up American citizenship was seen as a gesture of deep commitment. Yet, as time went on, NRIs began to feel that his tenure did not live up to its promise. 'He had the right story, but no strategy. We didn't see any serious outreach. It felt like NRI issues were simply a portfolio, not a priority,' she said. Many NRIs still remember how their coordinated support helped sweep AAP to power in 2022. They say they are willing to do it again, but this time, only if their issues are addressed with sincerity and speed. Sonia Kumari from Finland said that most of the overseas Punjabis enthusiastically supported the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the 2022 elections by mobilising fundraising campaigns and social media drives in its favour. 'We expected that a people-first party would prioritise their voices. When this didn't happen, the sense of betrayal was palpable,' she said. Avtar Singh from Belgium said that with the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections on the horizon, the AAP has a golden opportunity . 'If the new NRI minister Sanjeev Arora shows genuine engagement and results within the next year, he will unlock a force of global goodwill,' he said, but cautioned that if the new NRI minister repeats the mistakes of the past, it will lose a generation of trust. With Sanjeev Arora, recently elected MLA from Ludhiana West, now at the helm of NRI affairs , the NRI community is extending a powerful offer. Rajwinder said the NRIs, during the Zoom meeting, have decided to extend a rare and unprecedented offer to fully bear the costs of establishing NRI-specific offices abroad — including rent, salaries, and daily operations — if the Punjab govt commits to genuinely resolving their concerns. 'These offices must not be ceremonial, but they should be staffed by trained legal, administrative, and consular experts — not political appointees — and must function as direct bridges between overseas Punjabis and the Punjab government ,' said Rajwinder. Echoing Rajwinder, an NRI from Norway, Jagtar Singh, said, 'If the govt is serious, we are ready to support not just financially, but strategically. We can help draft policy, identify priority cases, and ensure rapid coordination. But we need genuine political will.'
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Party wants others to get a chance, friends with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann since 1992: Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal
Chandigarh: Following his resignation from the Punjab cabinet, AAP's Ajnala MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that he promptly submitted his resignation when chief minister called him for a meeting on Thursday morning, citing the party's decision to give others a chance. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Dhaliwal also asserted his long-standing friendship with Mann, dating back to 1992. Asked about the specific reason for his departure, Dhaliwal indicated, "The party high command can tell you better…I was told that someone else has to be given a chance and I submitted by resignation. My personal view is that Sanjeev Arora will do a better job with the NRI affairs department. I feel that all capable leaders of the party should get a chance to become a minister. I am not after ministerial portfolios. I will continue to be a faithful worker of the party. " Addressing questions about whether his style of functioning contributed to the previous changes in his portfolios before his eventual exit, Dhaliwal said, "The portfolios don't matter. I relentlessly worked for whatever charge was assigned to me. I can continue work for the state even without a cabinet berth. For me, welfare of Punjab is the priority. The party has 95 MLAs and others should also get a chance. The party will give a responsibility elsewhere in the organisation. " He elaborated on the sequence of events, "The chief minister called me on Thursday morning, and he informed me when I met him. The party high command must have taken the decision to give someone else a chance… I am still a close friend of CM Mann and I did not join politics because he is my friend. I joined AAP as it is the best platform to bring about a change. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now I have no grouses as I did not come back from the US to become a minister. I did not take a single day off." Dhaliwal also highlighted his achievements during his ministerial tenure, stating, "My family lives in California. I gave up my US citizenship to come back for the sake of Punjab in 2013. The chief minister and the party gave me the opportunity to be a part of the govt for 3.5 years. In just one year, I managed to free 11,000 acres of common land in Punjab's villages, which was worth Rs 2,700 crore. I settled 4,000 disputes of the NRIs. I fought the last Lok Sabha election from Amritsar when the party asked me to do so." BOX Style will remain same: MLA Replaying to a question, AAP's Ajnala MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said, "My style will remain the same. Even an MLA can do a lot for the welfare of people and I will prove it." When further pressed about the reasons for his exit, Dhaliwal said, "The chief minister can tell you better." He also dismissed the notion of his removal being linked to his proximity to the CM, asserting, "I have been close to even Arvind Kejriwal. The CM has to see who is best suited for a cabinet portfolio. " MSID:: 122231009 413 |
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
After India-Pakistan conflict, Punjab farmers allowed to access fields across barbed wire under BSF watch
The Border Security Force (BSF) has lifted restrictions on farmers accessing their agricultural land located beyond the barbed-wire fence along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab after a gap of over 25 days following the tension with the neighbouring country. While the relaxation came into effect Monday, farmers said they have not resumed work as BSF's Kisan guards are yet to accompany them during their visits. Punjab Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal is learnt to have recently approached BSF officials to lift the restrictions. Farmers have welcomed this much-needed move by BSF. Vanjar Singh, a farmer from Gatti Rajoke block in Ferozepur, said, 'After the Pahalgam incident on April 22 and the capture of a BSF jawan by Pakistan Rangers on April 23 in the Mamdot sector, we were asked to finish harvesting quickly. From the end of April, we were unofficially barred from going across the fence, and afterwards, the border conflict happened in May.' Parkash Singh from Tindiwala village said, 'We managed to complete wheat harvesting, but couldn't collect wheat straw, which is vital cattle fodder. Now the question is whether BSF will give us enough time to do so, especially with paddy transplantation approaching from June 1.' BSF protocol requires two Kisan Guards to accompany each tractor crossing the fence. This limits how many farmers can access their fields daily, leading to concerns that some may be forced to burn wheat stubble due to time constraints. In summer, BSF permits movement across the fence between 8 am and 5 pm under strict security oversight. Nearly 21,600 acres of farmland belonging to farmers from 220 villages lie between the barbed-wire fence and the international border within Indian territory. These lands fall in the six border districts — Ferozepur, Fazilka, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, and Amritsar — which together span 553 km along the Pakistan border and have over 1,800 villages. The total agricultural area in these districts is around 15 to 17 lakh hectares. Farmers of all the border districts have thanked the military for Operation Sindoor, with many villages holding a victory march in Fazilka last week. From Tuesday, people have also been allowed to see the Beating Retreat ceremony at the Wagah, Hussainiwala, and Sadki borders in Punjab.
News18
19-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Beating Retreat Ceremony To Resume At Attari-Wagah Border Tomorrow After Ceasefire
Last Updated: The ceremony was halted in response to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. After a 12-day hiatus, the Beating Retreat ceremony, which was stopped after operation Sindoor, will resume at the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar, Punjab and Hussainiwala Border in Ferozepur from Tuesday. The India-Pakistan flag meeting ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border has been scaled down amid heightened tensions between the two countries. Unlike previous years, the gates will remain closed, and participants will not shake hands during the ceremony. The ceremony was halted in response to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The barbed wire gates will be opened for farmers starting tomorrow. Meanwhile, Punjab Government Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal visited the Shahpur border outpost near Ajnala on Monday to meet BSF officers and personnel deployed along the border amid ongoing India-Pakistan tensions. Dhaliwal thanked the security forces on behalf of the state by presenting sweets and fruit baskets to the jawans. He said that we are proud of our jawans and in future whenever they will need us, the Punjab government and farmers will always stand with them. The Punjab Minister met with BSF officers at the Shahpur border outpost and discussed the concerns of local farmers whose land lies beyond the barbed wire. Following the meeting, Dhaliwal announced that the gates would be opened for farmers starting tomorrow, allowing them to access their fields without restrictions.
Economic Times
15-05-2025
- Economic Times
Amritsar hooch tragedy: Death toll rises to 27 as 4 more die
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The death toll in the hooch tragedy in Punjab's Amritsar rose to 27, with four more people succumbing in the Majitha area in the past 24 hours, officials said on Thursday. Of the four, three hailed from Bhangwan village and one was from Galowali Kullian village, they Cabinet minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Thursday distributed cheques of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of those who died after consuming spurious liquor in villages of the Majitha said strictest action will be taken against all those responsible for this have so far arrested 16 people in connection with the incident, he minister said the government is providing free medical treatment to those hospitalized and will grant them financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each."No amount of money can compensate for the loss of a family's breadwinner, but it is the government's responsibility to do whatever possible to support the surviving members," he of the victims of the tragedy were daily deaths have been reported in Bhangali, Patalpuri, Marari Kalan, Talwandi Khumman, Karnala, Bhangwan and Therewal villages.A police probe revealed that methanol -- a chemical used in industrial products -- was procured in bulk online to prepare the toxic is a light, colourless organic chemical compound which is poisonous when ingested and is illegally added to alcoholic beverages as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, which is the normal consumable victims of the tragedy ranged in age from 26 to 80 years, many of whom were the sole breadwinners for their separate cases have been registered at Majitha and Kathunangal police stations in Amritsar Rural under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant sections of the Excise Act and the SC/ST Act.
