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Challenges Facing Punjab’s Paddy Farmers Amidst Disastrous Weather

A wave of frustration is spreading among farmers in Punjab.

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Challenges Facing Punjab's Paddy Farmers Amidst Disastrous Weather
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A wave of frustration is spreading across Punjab as farmers fight to recover from severe crop losses. The challenges facing Punjab’s paddy farmers are growing every day, with many losing income due to discolored and damaged paddy. From Amritsar to Doaba, farmers who waited months for their harvest are now disappointed. Discolored grains have made it difficult to sell their produce at the minimum support price (MSP). The government allows only 5% discoloration, but many farmers have crossed that limit. Gurjit Singh, a farmer from Kapurthala, said, “By harvest time, my crop was already discolored.” High moisture levels have made the situation even worse.

The crisis is deepening fast. The state’s food and civil supplies department expects total paddy arrivals to reach just 150 lakh tonnes, the lowest in nine years and 20% below expectations. Farmers had planted crops on 32.49 lakh hectares, but floods and heavy rains in August and September caused massive losses. Continuous bad weather delayed harvesting and raised grain moisture. Despite repeated requests, the Centre refused to relax the grain color standards. Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian called this season “a double blow” for farmers, weather damage and slow procurement.

Northern districts like Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran suffered the worst impact. Waterlogged fields destroyed large parts of their harvest. Floods damaged over 5 lakh acres of farmland, while 2.97 lakh acres saw total crop loss. Many farmers can’t sell their produce because buyers reject discolored or damp grains at mandis. Even the recovered grains are being turned away, worsening the crisis.

In Ludhiana, procurement has slowed sharply. The district received around 8 lakh tonnes of paddy this season, far less than the 16.5 lakh tonnes collected last year. On one recent day, Mandis got only 48,000 tonnes. Farmers have sold 7.6 lakh tonnes so far, and 6.8 lakh tonnes have been lifted from markets. Jaspal Singh from Rania village shared, “Due to moisture, we had to add 5 to 10 extra kilos per 37.5 kg bag.” Fortunately, as the weather improved, moisture levels dropped to 17%, giving farmers some relief.

Farmers in the Malwa region are facing similar issues. Yields of non-basmati rice have dropped between 5% and 15%. Still, grain quality has improved slightly, with acceptable moisture levels. Fazilka stands out as a bright spot, completing about 25% of its paddy harvest so far. Chief Agriculture Officer Harpreet Pal Kaur said her team is still conducting crop-cutting studies because farmers have not yet harvested nearly 75% of the fields.

In Mansa, Chief Agriculture Officer Harvinder Sidhu explained that untimely rain hit crops during the flowering stage. Early-planted fields suffered the most, while late-sown ones escaped much of the damage. Farmers like Resham Singh from Faridkot reported a 10% drop in production. In Bathinda, mandi officials said procurement is running smoothly but confirmed that overall losses remain high. Farmers and traders have already sold about 5 lakh tonnes out of the 7 lakh tonnes received.

Mandi teams in Muktsar assured farmers that procurement will continue until November 15. They expect new arrivals to end next week. In Doaba, harvesting is almost complete. Farmers report losses of 6 to 8 quintals per acre, bringing average yields down to 26 to 28 quintals, much lower than the usual 32 to 34 quintals. Manjit Singh from Nagar village said, “Untimely rain and crop disease made this the hardest season in years.”

Experts say this year’s situation reveals serious gaps in flood control and farming techniques. They urge the state to adopt flood-resistant seeds, better irrigation systems, and more crop diversification. The agriculture department is pushing for soil testing, precision farming, and training sessions to help farmers reduce losses and improve yields.

Despite setbacks, Punjab’s farmers remain resilient. They hope for fairer government policies and better weather next season. Officials believe that strong cooperation among farmers, markets, and authorities can help stabilize the situation and prevent future crises.

In the end, the challenges facing Punjab’s paddy farmers show how extreme weather and weak crop management threaten agriculture. With quick policy action, technology, and farmer unity, Punjab can recover and safeguard its farming future.

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Emergency Care Denied: Man Loses Finger After Delay in Treatment

A serious incident occurred in Mohali, Punjab, where a man named Jatinder lost his finger.

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Emergency Care Denied_ Man Loses Finger After Delay in Treatment
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A heartbreaking case in Mohali has brought serious attention to emergency healthcare failures. Man loses finger after delay in treatment becomes the key phrase that sums up this shocking story. On a busy day in the city, Jatinder suffered a severe crush injury to his left little finger, and his search for urgent medical help turned into a painful journey that ended with the loss of his finger.

The couple first went to Civil Hospital in Phase 6, where doctors quickly referred them to GMSH-16 in Chandigarh for specialized care. Although this seemed like a step toward treatment, the situation became worse. On their way, they stopped at ESI Hospital in Phase 7, hoping for faster help. However, the doctor told them Jatinder was “not eligible for cashless treatment,” which clearly violated ESIC guidelines that guarantee emergency care from day one of employment. This denial added confusion and stress when speed was crucial.

Because they were refused help, they rushed back to GMSH-16. Even then, they waited for nearly three hours, yet no doctor examined Jatinder. This delay, combined with the earlier refusal, created a dangerous gap in the care he urgently needed. By the next morning, desperation pushed them to visit a private hospital in Mohali. Sadly, doctors explained that the delay had caused irreversible damage. Plastic surgery was no longer possible, so amputation was required. The family paid Rs 5,000, but the emotional cost was far heavier.

Advocate Jasbir Singh strongly criticized the situation, calling it a “serious system failure.” He explained that Jatinder could have kept his finger if treatment had been timely. He also demanded strict action against officials responsible for ignoring ESIC rules. Although he informed senior ESIC officials on the same day, no one responded to him. His reaction reflects the concerns of many workers who feel unprotected despite contributing regularly to the system.

Meanwhile, ESIC Regional Director Pankaj Vohra acknowledged the incident only after hearing about it from the advocate. He has requested a detailed report from the Senior Medical Officer and said further steps will follow. However, residents are waiting to see whether these statements will lead to real improvements.

Mohali’s growing population, rising urban needs, and increasing pressure on hospitals already challenge the system. Many people feel the current healthcare structure is struggling to keep up. Because emergency care can determine whether a patient recovers or suffers life-changing consequences, delays cannot be ignored. This incident also highlights the importance of clear communication, proper staffing, and strict enforcement of medical guidelines.

Ultimately, this story serves as a reminder that healthcare access is a basic right. Systems must respond quickly, especially in emergencies. Authorities should act now so no one else faces such a tragedy. The painful reality of a man loses finger after delay in treatment should push the system toward urgent reform.

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Court Clears Three Men Accused in 2020 Murder Due to Poor Police Investigation

Mohali: A local court in Mohali has cleared three men of murder charges.

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Court Clears Three Men Accused in 2020 Murder Due to Poor Police Investigation
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A Mohali court has made an important decision in a four-year-old murder case. Court clears three men accused in 2020 murder after police failed to provide enough evidence. Judge Hardeep Singh found serious flaws in the investigation conducted by the Phase 8 police station. This ruling raises important questions about police accountability.

The case involves the killing of a man known as “Haryanvi” on May 24, 2020. The incident occurred near the traffic lights at Phase 7 in Mohali. The three accused men are Pardeep alias Kalua from Sector 52 Chandigarh, Pawan from Phase 8, and Ranjeet from Phase 8.

Initially, police arrested these men based on a dying declaration by the victim. Before dying, the victim named them as his attackers. However, the court found that this statement was not recorded properly during the investigation.

According to the case details, PCR in-charge Prashotam Lal found the victim badly injured at the scene. His upper arm had a deep cut and he was bleeding heavily. Therefore, police rushed him to Civil Hospital in Phase 6.

On the way to the hospital, the victim identified himself as “Haryanvi.” He told police that Pardeep, Pawan, and Ranjeet attacked him with sticks. Unfortunately, he died shortly after reaching the hospital.

Following his death, Phase 8 police quickly registered a murder case. They arrested all three accused men soon after. However, three years later, the court discovered multiple flaws in the investigation.

The judge noted several critical problems with the police work. First, there was no proper medical evidence to support the dying declaration. Second, police could not recover any weapons used in the attack. Third, investigators failed to place the accused at the crime scene. Additionally, no blood samples were connected to the crime.

The court’s judgment stated that the investigation was incomplete and careless. Without strong proof, the prosecution had no choice but to drop the charges. Consequently, all three men walked free.

Such acquittals due to flawed investigations are not uncommon in Punjab and Haryana. The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently reviewed a case and remarked that the investigators carried out a “tainted and sketchy” probe while acquitting the accused persons. The Supreme Court has also noted that interference with an acquittal is permissible only when findings are “perverse and impossible.”

Proper documentation of evidence is crucial in murder cases. Dying declarations hold significant legal weight but must be recorded correctly. When police fail to follow proper procedures, criminals may escape justice.

This case serves as a reminder for law enforcement agencies. Thorough investigations with proper evidence collection are essential for successful prosecutions. The community expects better policing to ensure accountability.

In conclusion, the court clears three men accused in 2020 murder highlights serious gaps in police investigation procedures. The Mohali police must improve their methods to ensure justice is served. Without proper evidence, even strong cases can fall apart in court.

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Couple Attacked Over Sand Trolley Dispute in Ludhiana

A serious incident occurred in Ludhiana, Punjab.

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Couple Attacked Over Sand Trolley Dispute in Ludhiana
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A shocking incident took place in Ludhiana, Punjab when a couple attacked over sand trolley dispute outside their home. Ronit Mishra and his wife were brutally assaulted after they asked a driver to move a sand trolley. This incident highlights the growing problem of illegal sand mining in Punjab.

According to Ronit, he noticed a sand trolley parked outside his home late Wednesday night. The trolley was blocking the narrow street and creating safety problems. Therefore, he politely asked the driver to move it.

At first, the driver left without any argument. However, he returned shortly with a group of young men on motorcycles. They started making noise and creating a scene. Then, in a shocking turn, they attacked Ronit and his family.

During the violent attack, the group struck Ronit with an iron rod. As a result, he needed six stitches on his head. Additionally, the attackers tore his wife’s clothes and stole her gold chain and earrings. Both suffered multiple injuries from this assault.

Ronit expressed his frustration about the ongoing problem. He said there is an illegal sand mining stand in their street. Furthermore, he mentioned that residents have objected many times but received only abuse and threats in return.

Witnesses believe the attackers are connected to illegal sand mining operations. These people have a history of threatening those who speak out against their activities. Consequently, many residents live in fear.

Meanwhile, Inspector Harshveer Singh confirmed that police have not yet received a formal written complaint. He said action can only be taken once victims submit an official complaint.

Illegal sand mining remains a serious issue across Punjab. The Supreme Court recently termed rampant illegal sand mining as “serious” and asked Punjab and four other states to provide facts and figures on the issue. A bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said authorities must deal with such activities effectively.

The scale of illegal mining in Punjab is alarming. From April 2022 to October 2024, authorities filed 1,360 FIRs in illegal mining cases. In Ropar, indiscriminate sand mining damaged a key bridge, forcing residents from at least 200 villages to travel an extra 30 km every day.

Punjab has long struggled with illegal sand mining, often linked to politically connected mafias. The state earns only a fraction of potential revenue from mining. In 2023-24, the annual mining revenue was Rs 288.52 crore.

Anti-mining activists face serious dangers in Punjab. One Sarpanch recalled how he was once shot at when trying to stop illegal mining at night, and the case is still pending with police.

Residents of Ludhiana are now calling for strict action against illegal mining. They want authorities to crack down on those who threaten common citizens. Community safety should be the top priority for law enforcement.

In conclusion, the couple attacked over sand trolley dispute case shows the dangers residents face when standing up against illegal activities. Until authorities take strong action, such incidents may continue to threaten peaceful neighborhoods across Punjab.

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