News / Author / Navneet Sharma

Navneet Sharma

A senior assistant editor, Navneet Sharma leads the Punjab bureau for Hindustan Times. He writes on politics, public affairs, civil services and the energy sector.

Articles by Navneet Sharma

Constitutional overreach’ defined Purohit-Mann tussle

The 84-year-old Maharashtra politician, Banwarilal Purohit, who came to Punjab as governor in September 2021 after gubernatorial stints in Tamil Nadu, Assam and Meghalaya, was engaged in a confrontation with the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for most part of his nearly three-year-long tenure in the border state

With President Droupadi Murmu accepting his resignation on Saturday night, curtains have come down on Banwarilal Purohit’s eventful tenure as the governor of Punjab.

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 29, 2024 07:04 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma

Punjab sees 15% jump in tax revenue despite sluggish GST

Punjab’s tax revenue stood at ₹17,977 cr in April-June quarter as against ₹15,673 cr during the corresponding period last year

The Punjab government registered an increase of 15% year-on-year (YoY) in its tax revenue in the first quarter (April-June) of the financial year 2024-25

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 22, 2024 06:38 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma

Cong takes the cake, spoils AAP’s party

Ruling party fails to repeat its 2022 stellar show; wins in 33 assembly segments of 13 LS constituencies compared to 92 seats it had bagged in 2022 state polls

Congress supporters celebrate party’s victory in Jalandhar. (ANI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 06, 2024 06:08 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Punjab: Congress bounces back with resounding win on 7 seats, 3 for AAP

The Congress tally, though one less than the eight seats it won in the 2019 parliamentary polls, marked its return as a dominant player in state politics after the party had slumped to a distant runner-up position in the state assembly polls two years ago.

Punjab Pradesh Congress committee chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring celebrating after winning the Ludhiana seat on Tuesday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 05, 2024 08:16 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Punjab: Setback for AAP’s ‘mission 13’, but solace on vote share front

The ruling party’s vote share has also gone down in Punjab from 42% in the 2022 state polls to 26% this time, a dive of about 16%.

A consolation for the AAP is that its Punjab vote share in Tuesday’s results is almost equal to that of the Congress (around 26%), which won seven seats in the state.

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 05, 2024 06:56 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma

With 5 bypolls, Punjab heads into another electoral battle

The MLAs, who emerged victorious in the Lok Sabha election results declared on Tuesday, include cabinet minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal. The resignation of Jalandhar West MLA Sheetal Angural, who had switched to the BJP from the AAP two months ago, has been accepted by Punjab assembly speaker.

The elected candidates are expected to tender their resignations from the Punjab assembly in the next few days.

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 05, 2024 06:34 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Punjab electors cut turncoats to size

Of 14 defectors who joined the four major parties in the past two-and-a-half years, only two have won — Dr Raj Kumar and Dr Dharamvira Gandhi

Congress candidate Dr Dharamvira Gandhi after his victory in Patiala on Tuesday. (PTI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 05, 2024 06:26 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Cong bounces back with resounding win on 7 seats, 3 for AAP

Jailed radical Sikh leader Amritpal triumphs in Khadoor Sahib, SAD retains Bathinda, BJP scores a duck

Former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi with supporters after his win in the Lok Sabha elections in Jalandhar on Tuesday. (PTI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 05, 2024 06:14 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Punjab government misses 2023-24 capex target by 53%

Punjab government missed its capital expenditure target by 53% in FY 2023-24, facing challenges in meeting revised goals due to pending central funds.

Against a capital expenditure of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>10,354 crore proposed in budget estimates (BE), the state government spent only <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>4,862 crore during the financial year, leaving a gap of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>5,492 crore, according to the latest data on key economic indicators

Chandigarh

Updated on May 25, 2024 07:52 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

LS polls: Of 52 Punjab candidates, mainstream parties field only six women

The proportion of women candidates in Punjab is way short of the 33% reservation in Lok Sabha and state assemblies laid down for them by the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, or the Constitution (128th Amendment), Bill.

In the 2014 and 2019 parliamentary elections, women constituted 15%, and 13% of the total 39 candidates fielded by the Congress, AAP and the SAD-BJP combine in the state.

Chandigarh

Updated on May 21, 2024 07:48 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Parties drop sitting MPs, only 7 of 13 in poll fray

The BJP, which won two seats in the 2019 elections in alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), has replaced both its sitting MPs, actor Sunny Deol and Union minister Som Prakash, from Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur.

The Congress, which had the highest number of seven sitting Lok Sabha members in Punjab, is left with just two of them — Gurjeet Singh Aujla from Amritsar and Dr Amar Singh from Fatehgarh Sahib, in its line-up.

Chandigarh

Updated on May 16, 2024 06:58 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma

Every 4th Lok Sabha candidate in Punjab a turncoat

Of the total 52 candidates declared by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), 14 are turncoats who crossed over to their new parties in the past two-and-a-half-years and got rewarded with tickets

Though all four parties embraced defectors with open arms to reap political benefits, the BJP has given tickets to seven candidates, who switched from other parties during this period

Chandigarh

Updated on May 11, 2024 07:22 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

In a first, 12 sitting Punjab MLAs in race for Lok Sabha berth

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded nine legislators and Congress 3 MLAs; If they win, it will be raining byelections in the state

These incumbent MLAs, including five cabinet ministers and some other prominent leaders, have been fielded by their parties in nine of the 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state (HT File Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 04, 2024 09:02 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Interview | Punjab will vote on performance, BJP’s polarisation won’t work: Mann

In the interview, Mann railed against PM Narendra Modi and defended his performance in Punjab while exuding confidence on INDIA bloc’s poll prospects.

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 24, 2024 12:19 PM IST

ByRamesh Vinayak, Navneet Sharma

Poll race: AAP a pacesetter as others yet to get off the blocks

Mann hit the campaign trail last week after introducing all 13 Lok Sabha nominees to party workers and telling them he would go to each parliamentary constituency 3-4 times

Chief minister Bhagwant Mann is on the road in Punjab, addressing public meetings and holding road shows to garner support for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections, even as rival parties, particularly the Congress, are still to finalise their candidates for several constituencies.

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 23, 2024 07:38 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma

Lok Sabha polls: AAP fields turncoat Pawan Kumar Tinu,three MLAs in its final list

AAP announces Punjab Lok Sabha candidates, including turncoats and sitting MLAs, completing all 13 nominees. No women on list.

AAP has fielded two-time former MLA Pawan Kumar Tinu from Jalandhar reserved seat.

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 17, 2024 07:24 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Punjab LS polls: AAP fields turncoat Tinu from Jalandhar besides 3 MLAs

Batala MLA Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi is AAP candidate from Gurdaspur, Muktsar MLA Jadeep Singh Kaka Brar from Ferozepur, and Ludhiana Central MLA Ashok Parashar Pappi from Ludhiana

Two-time former MLA Pawan Kumar Tinu being welcomed into the Aam Aadmi Party by chief minister Bhagwant Mann on April 14. Tinu, who was earlier with the Shiromani Akali Dal, was on Tuesday fielded from the Jalandhar reserved seat. (File photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 16, 2024 01:04 PM IST

ByNavneet Sharma

DNA for DNA: Parampal hits back at Sukhbir, asks him to introspect

The former 2011-batch IAS officer was reacting to the SAD president’s comment on Thursday that the DNA test of those joining the BJP should be conducted.

Parampal Kaur Sidhu had taken voluntary retirement from service to join politics. (Shrikant Singh)

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 13, 2024 08:08 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Charges by rivals, murmurs within roil AAP with just days to go for LS elections

With general elections looming, the party faces a crisis as leaders defect and others remain conspicuously silent, leaving the party's future in doubt.

AAP leaders at a protest in Delhi on April 7. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

India News

Updated on Apr 13, 2024 08:51 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Alok KN Mishra, Chandigarh/new Delhi

How Kejriwal’s arrest is playing out in Punjab

With Mann as the face of the party in Punjab, the plan was to make his government’s achievements, especially poll guarantees such as 300 units of free power and 43,000 government jobs, the central theme of the campaign. But, a month later, the party has been compelled to change tack and focus on the incarceration of Kejriwal, who was arrested by the ED in the Delhi excise policy case three weeks ago.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was first off the blocks in Punjab when the party’s national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal launched the party’s Lok Sabha poll campaign on March 11 with the slogan – Sansad ch vee Bhagwant Mann, Khushaal Punjab te vadhegi shaan (With Bhagwant Mann in Parliament as well, Punjab will be happy and prosperous). (PTI File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 13, 2024 07:06 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Centre approves ₹1,275-cr outlay for Punjab under Samagra Shiksha, flags teacher vacancies

The budget, which is marginally lower than the outlay of ₹1,298 crore for 2023-24, has been sanctioned to meet the expenditure on the new and ongoing programmes for improvement in the quality of education, upgrade of school infrastructure, pre-primary education, training of teachers, and vocational education

There is also a spillover amount of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>221 crore from the financial year 2023-24, which remained unspent and has been carried forward. (HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 09, 2024 08:36 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

20% of polling stations in Punjab identified as vulnerable

Of the total 24,433 polling stations in the 13 Lok Sabha constituencies of the state, 4,976 polling stations are in vulnerable areas, identified in an exercise carried out by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab.

Vulnerability mapping by the office of Punjab CEO found that Amritsar district has the highest number of 624 vulnerable polling stations, followed by Jalandhar (472), Ludhiana (458), Fazilka (393), and Tarn Taran (318). (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 06, 2024 08:30 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Pre-GST arrears: OTS scheme evokes good response, Punjab collects ₹62 cr

The one-time settlement (OTS) scheme rolled out by the Punjab government for settling value-added tax (VAT) arrears has received a good response

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 05, 2024 08:42 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma

Kejriwal’s arrest delays AAP’s second list; likely after March 31

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann had declared on March 21 that his party will announce the names of its candidates for the remaining five parliamentary seats in next five days, but there is no sign of the second list of candidates

The AAP is still to announce its candidates from Anandpur Sahib, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, Ludhiana and Hoshiarpur. (HT photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Mar 29, 2024 06:28 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma

Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest to have ripple effect in Punjab

With no senior top-rung leadership at the national level in the absence of Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh the present situation appears set to pitchfork Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann as the sole spearhead of the party campaign in the parliamentary elections if the AAP national convener doesn’t come out of jail soon

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann speaks to the media on the arrest of Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged irregularity in the now-scrapped liquor policy scam, outside the CM's residence, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Mar 23, 2024 03:45 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Moose Wala mother’s IVF row: Punjab govt issues notice to health secy for acting on Centre’s request

Amid a row related to the in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment of late singer Sidhu Moose Wala’s mother Charan Kaur, the Punjab government has issued a show-cause notice to principal secretary, health, Ajoy Sharma for acting on the Centre’s request for a report in the matter without first bringing it to the notice of the chief minister and the health minister

Sidhu Moose Wala’s parents, Balkaur Singh and Charan Kaur, had welcomed a baby boy on March 17, almost two years after the singer was shot dead in Mansa district of Punjab.

Chandigarh

Updated on Mar 22, 2024 06:38 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma

Punjab health secy issued notice over Sidhu Moose Wala mother’s IVF row

Ajoy Sharma, a 1999-batch IAS officer, has been asked by the state government to show cause within two weeks on why action should not be initiated against him for proceeding in the matter without taking orders from chief minister Bhagwant Mann and health minister Dr Balbir Singh

Late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala’s parents had welcomed a baby boy on March 17, nearly two years after he was shot dead in Punjab’s Mansa district. The government action follows Moose Wala’s father Balkaur Singh’s allegations on Tuesday that the state government was harassing him over the birth of his second son. (Balkaur Singh’s Facebook page)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 21, 2024 11:24 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma

Two years of AAP govt in Punjab: Putting state back on learning curve

In the 2024-25 budget, the state has also announced plans to transform 100 government senior secondary schools in rural areas into ‘Schools of Brilliance’ to elevate education quality for classes 6 to 12 and 100 primary schools into ‘Schools of Happiness’ with focus on providing well-ventilated classrooms, dedicated play areas, resource rooms and activity corners

Chandigarh

Updated on Mar 16, 2024 09:08 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Two years of AAP govt: Punjab’s revenue receipts looking up, fiscal concerns remain

The AAP government has focused on boosting revenue receipts through better compliance and plugging leakages. The state’s own tax revenue (OTR), which includes goods and services tax, excise, and stamp duty, has seen a 13.2% year-on-year increase in the financial year 2022-23

When the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) stormed to power in Punjab in March 2022 with populist guarantees, its most immediate challenge was the grim state of finances. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Chandigarh

Updated on Mar 16, 2024 08:16 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma, Chandigarh

Lok Sabha Polls: Five Punjab ministers, sitting MP in AAP’s first list of 8 candidates

No woman features in the AAP list; names of nominees for remaining 5 seats under discussion, to be announced soon

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday took a lead over its rivals in Punjab by releasing its first list of eight candidates for the Lok Sabha elections that includes five cabinet ministers and a sitting MP.

Chandigarh

Updated on Mar 15, 2024 07:14 AM IST

ByNavneet Sharma

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Navneet Sharma

A senior assistant editor, Navneet Sharma leads the Punjab bureau for Hindustan Times. He writes on politics, public affairs, civil services and the energy sector.

Punjab’s tax revenue stood at ₹17,977 cr in April-June quarter as against ₹15,673 cr during the corresponding period last year

Ruling party fails to repeat its 2022 stellar show; wins in 33 assembly segments of 13 LS constituencies compared to 92 seats it had bagged in 2022 state polls

The Congress tally, though one less than the eight seats it won in the 2019 parliamentary polls, marked its return as a dominant player in state politics after the party had slumped to a distant runner-up position in the state assembly polls two years ago.

The ruling party’s vote share has also gone down in Punjab from 42% in the 2022 state polls to 26% this time, a dive of about 16%.

Of 14 defectors who joined the four major parties in the past two-and-a-half years, only two have won — Dr Raj Kumar and Dr Dharamvira Gandhi

Jailed radical Sikh leader Amritpal triumphs in Khadoor Sahib, SAD retains Bathinda, BJP scores a duck

Punjab government missed its capital expenditure target by 53% in FY 2023-24, facing challenges in meeting revised goals due to pending central funds.

The proportion of women candidates in Punjab is way short of the 33% reservation in Lok Sabha and state assemblies laid down for them by the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, or the Constitution (128th Amendment), Bill.

The BJP, which won two seats in the 2019 elections in alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), has replaced both its sitting MPs, actor Sunny Deol and Union minister Som Prakash, from Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur.

Of the total 52 candidates declared by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), 14 are turncoats who crossed over to their new parties in the past two-and-a-half-years and got rewarded with tickets

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded nine legislators and Congress 3 MLAs; If they win, it will be raining byelections in the state

In the interview, Mann railed against PM Narendra Modi and defended his performance in Punjab while exuding confidence on INDIA bloc’s poll prospects.

Mann hit the campaign trail last week after introducing all 13 Lok Sabha nominees to party workers and telling them he would go to each parliamentary constituency 3-4 times

AAP announces Punjab Lok Sabha candidates, including turncoats and sitting MLAs, completing all 13 nominees. No women on list.

Batala MLA Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi is AAP candidate from Gurdaspur, Muktsar MLA Jadeep Singh Kaka Brar from Ferozepur, and Ludhiana Central MLA Ashok Parashar Pappi from Ludhiana

The former 2011-batch IAS officer was reacting to the SAD president’s comment on Thursday that the DNA test of those joining the BJP should be conducted.

With general elections looming, the party faces a crisis as leaders defect and others remain conspicuously silent, leaving the party's future in doubt.

Of the total 24,433 polling stations in the 13 Lok Sabha constituencies of the state, 4,976 polling stations are in vulnerable areas, identified in an exercise carried out by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab.

The one-time settlement (OTS) scheme rolled out by the Punjab government for settling value-added tax (VAT) arrears has received a good response

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann had declared on March 21 that his party will announce the names of its candidates for the remaining five parliamentary seats in next five days, but there is no sign of the second list of candidates

Ajoy Sharma, a 1999-batch IAS officer, has been asked by the state government to show cause within two weeks on why action should not be initiated against him for proceeding in the matter without taking orders from chief minister Bhagwant Mann and health minister Dr Balbir Singh

The AAP government has focused on boosting revenue receipts through better compliance and plugging leakages. The state’s own tax revenue (OTR), which includes goods and services tax, excise, and stamp duty, has seen a 13.2% year-on-year increase in the financial year 2022-23

No woman features in the AAP list; names of nominees for remaining 5 seats under discussion, to be announced soon

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