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Harsimran Singh Batra

Articles by Harsimran Singh Batra

Ludhiana: Polls over, erratic water supply again haunts Dugri residents

Fuming over the ‘fake’ claims and promises made by candidates during elections, residents alleged that the supply was streamlined in the area ahead of the polling just to woo the voters, but it got disrupted soon after the voting got over

A woman carries a bucket of water in Dugri area of Ludhiana. (HT Photo)

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Published on Feb 26, 2022 12:45 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

As polling ends, Ludhiana MC officials to resume action against tax defaulters

Different branches of the Ludhiana MC, including the property-tax wing, water-sewer branch (operations and maintenance cell) and building branch, have been directed to make lists of defaulters and initiate action against them. They were not able to take action earlier as they remained busy with polling, said the mayor.

As per information, Ludhiana MC is currently in a deep financial mess and if the authorities fail to expedite the recoveries, they will struggle to even pay the salaries of the employees. (HT File)

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Published on Feb 23, 2022 01:00 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

After hectic campaigning, Ludhiana candidates unwind

Candidates in fray for the Ludhiana assembly seats heaved a sigh of relief as they spent time with their family members and attended to other personal commitments on Monday. For a few others, however, it was work as usual.

Shiromani Akali Dal’s Ludhiana West candidate Maheshinder Singh Grewal, who was seen playing football with his grandson in a park close to his residence. (Harsimar Pal Singh/HT)

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Published on Feb 22, 2022 02:23 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra and Nikhil Sharma, Ludhiana

Punjab assembly elections: Notice sent to 10 candidates in Ludhiana for poll code violations

One day ahead of the Punjab assembly elections, 10 candidates were issued notices for using print ads and social media to woo voters despite ECI ban on campaigning

10 candidates were issued notices for poll code violations in Ludhiana ahead of Punjab Assembly polls. (HT File)

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Updated on Feb 20, 2022 12:05 AM IST

ByMohit Khanna & Harsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana | Unrest in hospitality sector over EC orders on outsiders

Decrying the orders on outsiders, the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Punjab has written to the EC seeking permission to allow the wedding guests and regular customers to stay in the hotels in Ludhiana

The order by the EC has triggered uproar and anxiety across the hotel industry and among their customers in Ludhiana. (Representative Photo/HT Files)

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Published on Feb 19, 2022 01:09 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Punjab polls: Unfortunate that Capt Amarinder is contesting in alliance with BJP, says Gehlot

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot visit was aimed at wooing the Rajasthan-based workers and residents working in the industries of Ludhiana

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot campaigning in favour of Congress candidate in Ludhiana on Wednesday. (Gurpreet Singh/ Hindustan Times)

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Published on Feb 17, 2022 04:21 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana | AAP’s Kulwant Sidhu pitches for peace and development of Atam Nagar

AAP’s Kulwant Sidhu has been involved in door-to-door campaigning and nukkad meetings in Ludhiana along with his supporters and son Yuvraj Singh

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Kulwant Singh Sidhu on Wednesday pitched for peace and development of the Atam Nagar constituency in Ludhiana. (HT Files)

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Published on Feb 17, 2022 12:33 AM IST

ByHarsimran SIngh Batra, Ludhiana

Buddha nullah pollution: Vested political interests and bureaucratic delays major hurdle, says STF member

A member of the special task force (STF) formed by the state government, Col JS Gill (retd) has cited vested political interests and bureaucratic delays as major reasons behind the delays in getting the pollution under control; he also wrote a letter to governor Banwarilal Purohit, Gill raising doubts over the ₹650 crore-project to clean the Nullah

Col JS Gill (retd), a member of the government appointed special task force (STF), cited vested political interests and bureaucratic delays as major reasons behind the delays in getting the Buddha Nullah pollution under control. (HT File)

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Published on Feb 15, 2022 11:49 PM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Punjab assembly elections: Sitting Payal MLA Lakhvir Singh Lakha’s kin pulling all stops to ensure his defeat

Accusing him of being involved in corruption and promoting the mafia, sitting Payal MLA Lakhvir Singh Lakha’s paternal uncles, who claim to have introduced him to politics, have been campaigning for Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-Bahujan Samaj Party’s (BSP) candidate Jaspreet Singh Bija ahead of the Punjab assembly elections.

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Updated on Feb 15, 2022 12:08 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ahead of Punjab polls, candidates pull out all the stops in Ludhiana central

The Ludhiana central constituency, a bastion of the Congress since 2012, will see a four-cornered contest in the Punjab assembly polls scheduled on February 20.

The Ludhiana central constituency, a bastion of the Congress since 2012, will see a four-cornered contest in the Punjab polls scheduled on February 20. While three-time MLA Surinder Dawar is fighting to retain the seat, Bhartiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) candidate Gurdev Debi, Shiromani Akali Dal’s (SAD) Pritpal Singh Pali and Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Ashok Prashar Pappi are making every effort to breach the Congress, stronghold. (HT Photo)

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Published on Feb 14, 2022 02:34 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Punjab polls: Amit Shah visits Ludhiana, Sunday markets disrupted

With cops directing shopkeepers in Daresi area of Ludhiana to keep their stores closed till the afternoon, citing security reasons amid home minister Amit Shah’s visit ahead of the Punjab polls, low footfall was seen in the Sunday Chaura Bazar, AC Market, and Akalgarh Market

Shopkeepers said that business was impacted by up to 50% as the customers, especially those visiting the garment market from other cities and districts, could not reach the Sunday markets due to closure of roads amid home minister Amit Shah’s visit to Ludhiana amid the Punjab polls. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Updated on Feb 14, 2022 02:03 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Channi shouldn’t be called a ‘poor Dalit’ anymore, says former Punjab Congress chief Dullo

Former PPCC chief Shamsher Singh Dullo criticised the Congress party’s ticket distribution process, while also suggesting chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi to stop projecting himself as a ‘poor Dalit’

Former PPCC chief Shamsher Singh Dullo criticised the chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s projected image of a ‘poor Dalit’ while attending an event in Ludhiana. (HT File)

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Updated on Feb 12, 2022 12:53 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Day after arrest and subsequent release, Simarjit Bains resumes campaign

Lashing out at the opposition, especially his nemesis and Congress candidate Kamaljit Karwal, LIP chief Simarjit Singh Bains said that he has 16 FIRs against him, and he wears those as a badge of honour.

Celebrating his release from police custody, Simarjit Bains’ supporters were seen chanting “Aa Gya Bains, Chhaa Gya Bains” and showering flower petals on him in Ludhiana on Wednesday. (HT Photo)

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Published on Feb 10, 2022 01:26 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

In election season, illegal constructions mushroom in Ludhiana

On many of these illegal constructions in Ludhiana, owners are putting up posters of political leaders in a bid to evade municipal corporation (MC) action

Illegal construction going on at Chaar Khamba road in Ludhiana on February 07, 2022. (HT Photo)

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Published on Feb 10, 2022 12:19 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Simarjeet Bains’ arrest, just two weeks before polling, set to derail his campaign

The two-time MLA, who is again trying his luck from the Atam Nagar constituency, was arrested from the Ludhiana court complex on Tuesday over his involvement in a group clash on Monday

Lok Insaaf Party chief and MLA Simarjeet Singh Bains being taken away by the police from the Ludhiana Court Complex on Tuesday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Published on Feb 08, 2022 11:26 PM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Punjab assembly elections: Rebel leader’s appeal to boycott Congress adds to Jagraon candidate Jagtar Singh Hissowal’s troubles

Alleging that the Congress has ignored the Valmiki and SC communities, rebel leader’s Geja Ram Valmiki appealed for a boycott of the party, adding to the troubles of the party’s Jagraon candidate Jagtar Singh Hissowal.

Rebel leader Geja Ram Valmiki appealed to Valmiki and SC community to boycott Congress, adding to the troubles of the party’s Jagraon candidate Jagtar Singh Hissowal . (HT File)

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Updated on Feb 08, 2022 12:03 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Punjab assembly elections: Congress, BJP yet to take action against leaders contesting against party candidates in Ludhiana

Congress and BJP have not yet taken action against sitting Samrala MLA Amrik Dhillon and former Ludhiana (South) councillor Surinder Sharma respectively for contesting as independents in the Punjab assembly elections against party candidates in Ludhiana; the leaders had been denied tickets by their respective outfits, following which they filed nominations as independents without quitting the parties

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Updated on Feb 07, 2022 12:39 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Both Channi, Sidhu incapable of running Punjab: Union minister

Addressing a press conference, BJP leader Hardeep Puri targeted Sidhu over his ties with Pakistan PM Imran Khan and accused Channi of trying to create communal divide in Punjab

Union minister Hardeep Puri addressing media in Ludhiana on Saturday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Published on Feb 05, 2022 11:39 PM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Assembly elections: 184 left in poll fray in Ludhiana after withdrawal of nominations

A total of 14 candidates in Ludhiana withdrew their nominations on Friday. With at least five prominent candidates fighting in each of the 14 assembly seats in Ludhiana, the district is set to see a multi-cornered contest this time around

While during the last assembly elections, held in 2017, it was a largely triangular contest, this time around all constituencies in Ludhiana, as well as the rest of the state, are set to see a multi-cornered contest. (PTI)

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Published on Feb 05, 2022 12:39 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

From under matric to PhD-holders, all in fray for assembly seats in Ludhiana

One candidate, Jagmohan Sharma, who is fighting on a Bharatiya Janata Party-Punjab Lok Congress (BJP-PLC) ticket from Ludhiana East, has no educational records at all. In the affidavit submitted before the election commission Jagmohan Sharma has written ‘Nil’ against the column on educational qualification.

On the 14 assembly seats in Ludhiana there are some who are highly qualified, in terms of education, and some have even pursued higher education from foreign institutes. (Arijit Sen/HT Photo)

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Published on Feb 03, 2022 01:32 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Punjab polls| From rape to attempt to murder, Bains booked in 15 cases

Bains has been booked for a wide array of offences in Ludhiana, Patiala, Mohali and Jalandhar s include rape, attempt to murder, violating Covid protocols, robbery, criminal intimidation

Bains was booked in six cases in 2017, the count rose to eight in 2019 when Bains filed nominations for the Lok Sabha polls. Now, the cases against him stand at 15. (HT Photo)

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Published on Feb 01, 2022 02:20 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Transporters in Ludhiana decry public representatives’ indifference toward deplorable state of transport nagar

Transporters in Ludhiana said they have been raising issues of potholed roads, waterlogging and security concerns at transport nagar, but public representatives continue to be indifferent to their suffering as they do not have any voting rights in the city

Transporters in Ludhiana criticised public representatives for their indifferent attitude toward the deplorable state of transport nagar, raising issues of potholed roads, waterlogging and security concerns. (Gurpreet Singh?HT)

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Published on Jan 26, 2022 12:17 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Punjab assembly elections: BJP ex-councillor to fight as independent from Ludhiana South segment

Surinder Sharma, a former councillor, who had been aspiring for a BJP ticket, said he won’t shy away from fighting independently if the party fails to change the decision. The BJP, which is in alliance with the PLC, won’t be fielding any candidate from Ludhiana South as part of a seat-sharing arrangement.

Punjab Lok Congress (PLC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s alliance partner, had named Satinderpal Singh Tajpuri as its candidate from Ludhiana South constituency. (HT File)

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Published on Jan 25, 2022 01:09 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

In Ludhiana’s Atam Nagar, it’s a multi-cornered contest between former allies

Once a stronghold of Lok Insaaf Party (LIP) president Simrajit Singh Bains and Congress candidate Kamaljit Singh Karwal, Atam Nagar is now tied in a multi-cornered contest with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)’s Harish Rai Dhanda, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s Kulwant Sidhu and Punjab Lok Congress (PLC)-Bharatiya Janata Party’s Prem Mittal are emerging as strong contenders.

Political parties posters and hoardings at Atam Nagar in Ludhiana where a multi-cornered contest is taking shaping in the Punjab assembly elections. (HT File)

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Published on Jan 25, 2022 01:03 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

It’s a bumpy ride on Ludhiana’s cremation ground road as repair work stopped midway

The carpeting work of the Cremation Ground Road in Model Town Extension in Ludhiana was started in December but stopped in January and temperatures started dipping.

HALF-BAKED PLANS: One side of the Cremation Ground Road in Model Town Extension is covered with premix while the other half continues to have potholes, with a height difference of at least two to three inches between both sides. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Published on Jan 24, 2022 01:23 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Punjab polls: Hoarding wars erupt in Ludhiana’s Atam Nagar constituency

Gill road and adjoining areas have become the turf for the battle between Lok Insaaf Party (LIP) legislator Simarjit Singh Bains and Congress candidate Kamaljeet Karwal with hoardings of both leaders installed in competition with each other on a large number of buildings

Political parties’ posters and hoardings installed on different buildings in Atam Nagar in Ludhiana on Saturday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Updated on Jan 23, 2022 01:09 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

57,862 illegal buildings constructed in Ludhiana between 2016-20: Inquiry

The report, which was submitted by Ludhiana municipal corporation additional commissioner Rishipal Singh, was prepared by comparing power connections issued by the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) against the building plans approved during the period.

As per the report, the PSPCL had issued 76,770 connections in areas falling under the civic body’s jurisdiction. However, the civic body has only issued approved plans for 7,471 buildings. (HT Photo)

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Updated on Jan 22, 2022 02:00 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

A day on, Simarjit Bains and Kamaljit Karwal’s supporters take fight to social media

Some videos have also started doing the rounds of social media. In one of the videos, Lok Insaaf Party (LIP) president MLA Simarjit Singh Bains is purportedly seen asking his supporters to be ready to fight and raise their voice, if Congress workers try to suppress them or stop them from installing hoardings or banners in the constituency.

Security personnel deployed at Shimla Puri area on Gill Road after clash between Congress candidate Kamaljit Singh Karwal and Lok Insaaf Party MLA Simarjit Singh Bains’ supporters in Ludhiana on Thursday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Published on Jan 21, 2022 02:22 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Punjab assembly polls: Congress ticket aspirants in Ludhiana bank on political connections

Aspirants for the coveted Congress tickets in Ludhiana include former chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal’s son-in-law Vikram Singh Bajwa, chief minister Charanjit Channi’s relative Dilawar Singh Lehra, former union minister Buta Singh’s daughter Gurkeerat Kaur, former minister Karam Singh Gill’s son Raja Gill, and MLA Amrik Singh Dhillon’s grandson

The grand old party had announced candidates for nine assembly segments on January 15. However, they are yet to announce candidates for Ludhiana South, Sahnewal, Samrala, Jagraon and Gill Constituency. (Representative Image/HT File)

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Published on Jan 19, 2022 01:06 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Only 3 percent of Ludhiana’s eligible teens vaccinated against Covid so far

As per the Ludhiana health department, there are about 2.15 lakh teens in the 15-18 age group but only 7,604 (3.54%) have been vaccinated against Covid until Sunday. The reason for the slow start to teen vaccinations is being attributed to hesitancy, both among the teens as well as their parents

A medic administers Covid vaccine to a teen in Ludhiana at the civil surgeon’s office. The vaccination drive for this group began on January 3. (HT Photo)

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Published on Jan 17, 2022 01:48 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

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Harsimran Singh Batra

Fuming over the ‘fake’ claims and promises made by candidates during elections, residents alleged that the supply was streamlined in the area ahead of the polling just to woo the voters, but it got disrupted soon after the voting got over

Candidates in fray for the Ludhiana assembly seats heaved a sigh of relief as they spent time with their family members and attended to other personal commitments on Monday. For a few others, however, it was work as usual.

One day ahead of the Punjab assembly elections, 10 candidates were issued notices for using print ads and social media to woo voters despite ECI ban on campaigning

Decrying the orders on outsiders, the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Punjab has written to the EC seeking permission to allow the wedding guests and regular customers to stay in the hotels in Ludhiana

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot visit was aimed at wooing the Rajasthan-based workers and residents working in the industries of Ludhiana

AAP’s Kulwant Sidhu has been involved in door-to-door campaigning and nukkad meetings in Ludhiana along with his supporters and son Yuvraj Singh

The Ludhiana central constituency, a bastion of the Congress since 2012, will see a four-cornered contest in the Punjab assembly polls scheduled on February 20.

With cops directing shopkeepers in Daresi area of Ludhiana to keep their stores closed till the afternoon, citing security reasons amid home minister Amit Shah’s visit ahead of the Punjab polls, low footfall was seen in the Sunday Chaura Bazar, AC Market, and Akalgarh Market

Former PPCC chief Shamsher Singh Dullo criticised the Congress party’s ticket distribution process, while also suggesting chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi to stop projecting himself as a ‘poor Dalit’

Lashing out at the opposition, especially his nemesis and Congress candidate Kamaljit Karwal, LIP chief Simarjit Singh Bains said that he has 16 FIRs against him, and he wears those as a badge of honour.

On many of these illegal constructions in Ludhiana, owners are putting up posters of political leaders in a bid to evade municipal corporation (MC) action

The two-time MLA, who is again trying his luck from the Atam Nagar constituency, was arrested from the Ludhiana court complex on Tuesday over his involvement in a group clash on Monday

Alleging that the Congress has ignored the Valmiki and SC communities, rebel leader’s Geja Ram Valmiki appealed for a boycott of the party, adding to the troubles of the party’s Jagraon candidate Jagtar Singh Hissowal.

Addressing a press conference, BJP leader Hardeep Puri targeted Sidhu over his ties with Pakistan PM Imran Khan and accused Channi of trying to create communal divide in Punjab

A total of 14 candidates in Ludhiana withdrew their nominations on Friday. With at least five prominent candidates fighting in each of the 14 assembly seats in Ludhiana, the district is set to see a multi-cornered contest this time around

Bains has been booked for a wide array of offences in Ludhiana, Patiala, Mohali and Jalandhar s include rape, attempt to murder, violating Covid protocols, robbery, criminal intimidation

Transporters in Ludhiana said they have been raising issues of potholed roads, waterlogging and security concerns at transport nagar, but public representatives continue to be indifferent to their suffering as they do not have any voting rights in the city

The carpeting work of the Cremation Ground Road in Model Town Extension in Ludhiana was started in December but stopped in January and temperatures started dipping.

Gill road and adjoining areas have become the turf for the battle between Lok Insaaf Party (LIP) legislator Simarjit Singh Bains and Congress candidate Kamaljeet Karwal with hoardings of both leaders installed in competition with each other on a large number of buildings

The report, which was submitted by Ludhiana municipal corporation additional commissioner Rishipal Singh, was prepared by comparing power connections issued by the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) against the building plans approved during the period.

As per the Ludhiana health department, there are about 2.15 lakh teens in the 15-18 age group but only 7,604 (3.54%) have been vaccinated against Covid until Sunday. The reason for the slow start to teen vaccinations is being attributed to hesitancy, both among the teens as well as their parents

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