Vishal Rambani is an assistant editor covering Punjab. A journalist with over a decade of experience, he writes on politics, crime, power sector, environment and socio-economic issues. He has several investigative stories to his credit.
Articles by Vishal Rambani
Termination of power purchase pact: PSERC’s order on relief to private firm set aside
Pointing out that the PSERC had issued its interim order without giving the appellant (PSPCL) an opportunity to be heard, the tribunal stated such a move was unjustified.
Published on Apr 28, 2025 08:30 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh
Driving test by proxies, old videos used to trick automated system in Punjab
A total of 16 FIRs were registered and 24 people were arrested, including private agents and some government staff.
Published on Apr 26, 2025 10:12 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh
Driving licence scam: Punjab vigilance head, 2 other officers suspended
The other suspended officials are assistant inspector general, VB, SAS Nagar, Swarandeep Singh, and senior superintendent of police, VB, Jalandhar, Harpreet Singh. The government suspended the officers for allegedly not taking action against the people involved in the alleged scam
Published on Apr 26, 2025 10:06 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh
Punjab: Two RTOs among three booked by vigilance on graft charges
Asst transport officer Ramandeep Singh Dhillon has been arrested, while Mohali and SBS Nagar RTOs are on the run
Published on Apr 23, 2025 07:26 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh
Addressing industrial consumers’ complaints: PSPCL proposes pilot project to outsource work in 10 subdivisions
To speed up the redressal of industrial consumers’ complaints and enhance operational efficiency, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has proposed a pilot project to outsource the work of two subdivisions in each of the five zones
Published on Apr 20, 2025 08:40 AM IST
‘50 bombs’ claim: LoP Partap Singh Bajwa grilled for 6 hours; Congress rallies behind him
The beleaguered Congress leader reached the police station around 2.30 pm and was questioned by the Punjab police officers, including Mohali superintendent of police (city) Harbir Atwal.
Published on Apr 16, 2025 09:40 AM IST
Bajwa intended to disturb peace in Punjab, says FIR
Leader of Opposition (LOP) and Congress MLA Partap Singh Bajwa was booked on the complaint of Punjab Police woman constable Taranpreet Kaur on Sunday for providing misleading information with the intention to disturb peace by claiming that 50 bombs have reached the border state
Published on Apr 15, 2025 07:48 AM IST
After 50 bombs claim, Congress leader Bajwa skips Punjab Police summons
Leader of opposition booked under stringent Section 353(2) of BNS for making false statements intended to create enmity or hatred, which is non-bailable. Seeks time till 2pm on Tuesday to appear before cyber cell in Mohali. Congress explores legal options, calls for protest in Chandigarh tomorrow.
Published on Apr 14, 2025 12:33 PM IST
Punjab Bajwa booked after being grilled over ‘50 bombs’ claim
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring says the state government shouldn’t shoot the messenger. If he has shared some information, police and intelligence should follow it up, he adds.
Published on Apr 14, 2025 07:52 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh
Drastic steps needed to curb power theft in Punjab, says PSERC
Punjab's power losses increased, with feeders over 50% rising to 543. PSERC urges PSPCL to act on high-loss areas and curb electricity theft.
Published on Mar 31, 2025 08:20 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh
Amid membership row, cracks widen as SAD announces organisational polls from April 2
Rebel camp terms it defiance of Akal Takht directive; says elections cannot be held before completion of membership drive
Published on Mar 30, 2025 07:28 AM IST
Power bills in Punjab to go down as regulator merges slabs
Punjab's electricity regulator announces no hike in tariffs for 2025-26, simplifying billing and reducing costs for consumers, effective April 1, 2025.
Published on Mar 29, 2025 09:00 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh
Focus on rural transformation with ₹3,500-cr for village devp
Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced an allocation of ₹3,500 crore for the development of Punjab’s villages, aiming to address key needs and improve living conditions.
Published on Mar 27, 2025 05:52 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh
10% of state’s budget to go towards power subsidies
Nearly 10% of the state’s total budget is allocated to providing free power to various consumer groups, a key financial challenge for the state government.
Published on Mar 27, 2025 05:32 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh
Bhupesh Bhagel asks MLAs to corner AAP government on drugs, ‘unfulfilled’ promises during Punjab budget session
Congress plans aggressive strategy in Punjab Assembly, focusing on drugs and unfulfilled promises, as party leaders emphasize public issues and MLA accountability.
Published on Mar 19, 2025 08:30 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh
Congress strong in Punjab but needs work on micro-management, says Bhupesh Baghel
There is an exodus in AAP, and the boat is about to sink, says Bhupesh Baghel, Punjab Congress affairs incharge
Published on Mar 14, 2025 07:06 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, New Delhi
Rift in Akali Dal over removal of jathedars
Majithia opposes the move of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Akali Dal accuses him of backstabbing Sukhbir; Bhundar retracts statement
Published on Mar 09, 2025 08:18 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh:
13 PCS officers face chargesheet for registering BS-IV vehicles fraudulently
The file has been sent to the CM who is the competent authority to take action against PCS and IAS officers. The role of more officials is still under the scanner, says Laljit Singh Bhullar, Punjab transport minister.
Published on Mar 03, 2025 08:46 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh
Punjab assembly passes resolution against Centre’s draft agri marketing policy
CM Mann says agricultural marketing is a state subject and policies should be tailored to regional needs; accuses Centre of overstepping its authority and undermining state autonomy
Published on Feb 26, 2025 07:18 AM IST
PSPCL gets ₹4,000-cr boost, but free power subsidy gap remains
This amount includes ₹504 crore in unpaid electricity bills from various Punjab government departments, pending since 2021, which the PSPCL had been struggling to recover.
Published on Feb 24, 2025 06:38 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh
Punjab Congress set for leadership change ahead of 2027 assembly polls
With former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel taking over as the general secretary in charge of Punjab, the party high command is learnt to have started deliberating a change of guard in the state unit. The matter is said to have come up during a meeting of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretaries in New Delhi recently.
Published on Feb 20, 2025 06:44 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh
Varinder Kumar removed as Punjab vigilance bureau chief
People in the know of the matter said Kumar’s removal comes in the wake of several high-profile cases, including those against former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu and the PSIEC scam, falling flat in the high court. AAP leaders, meanwhile, maintained that it was a routine transfer.
Published on Feb 18, 2025 08:12 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh
Scammers ‘clone’ Punjab mining dept portal, losses pegged at ₹100 cr
The state mining department has unearthed a fraud wherein scammers ‘cloned’ the official website and used it to generate passes for the mining vehicles, causing a loss to the state exchequer
Published on Feb 10, 2025 07:22 AM IST
PSPCL to appoint new CMD as Baldev Singh Sran set to retire
As per the official information, 25 candidates have applied for the post of CMD, PSPCL, for which the government has invited applications. Among the top contenders are DIS Grewal, the current director (distribution), Harjit Singh, director (generation), and RS Saini, director (commercial). The trio have years of experience within PSPCL and a deep understanding of the corporation’s operational and financial complexities.
Published on Feb 04, 2025 06:54 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh
DA case: Governor gives nod to prosecute Dharamsot
Dharamsot was booked by the Punjab vigilance bureau (VB) in connection with the alleged forest scam in June 2022. During investigation, the VB also registered a disproportionate assets case against him.
Updated on Jan 28, 2025 09:56 AM IST
On a high, private drug rehab centres under cloud in Punjab
Vigilance Bureau probe finds medicines intended for treating addiction, particularly tablets containing Buprenorphine and Naloxone, being misappropriated and sold in black by more than 60% private drug de-addiction centres in state; seeks cancellation of licences.
Updated on Jan 21, 2025 08:40 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh
Additional chief secretary K Siva Prasad seeks VRS, Centre gives nod
A 1993-batch IAS officer, K Siva Prasad had sought premature retirement during former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh’s tenure also but later withdrew his request
Updated on Jan 21, 2025 07:48 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh
Punjab MLAs, ministers to boost AAP’s Delhi poll campaign
Delhi goes to poll on February 5 and AAP has mobilized its full organisational strength, assigning campaign duties to cabinet ministers, MLAs, party office bearers, newly elected councillors, volunteers, and workers from Punjab.
Updated on Jan 10, 2025 08:54 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh
Green energy purchase: Punjab’s loss is Himachal’s gain
After Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission rejects deal, hill state swiftly signs PPA with Solar Energy Corporation of India to buy 900MW of wind-solar hybrid power
Updated on Jan 08, 2025 07:38 AM IST
Punjab developers found taking RERA for a ride
GST raids reveal land pooling agreements were made without actual land, and the Expression of Interest model was used to secure early investments from buyers, even before securing necessary approvals
Updated on Jan 06, 2025 07:28 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Chandigarh