NGT Issues Notice on Panjab Floods; ED Attaches Malbros Properties

On 15 Dec, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued a notice to Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and the Panjab government over repeated floods in Panjab and issues related to dam operations, data transparency, and dam safety. After analyzing dam inflow and outflow data in 2023, a citizen’s initiative, the Public Action Committee (PAC) approached the Indian union and the Panjab governments to investigate the causes of floods in Panjab. After the PAC representations, from October 2023 to date, BBMB stopped placing critical dam operation data—relating to inflows, outflows, and reservoir levels—in the public domain. That is when, in keeping with the precautionary principle and the Dam Safety Act, PAC served a notice to BBMB, the union Water Resources Ministry, and the Panjab government urging immediate preventive action. PAC stated that with the NGT notice now the focus will shift to whether BBMB complied with statutory duties related to data disclosure, flood cushion maintenance, and precautionary dam operation. On another PAC submission, NGT has stayed further axing of trees under the modernization plan of the Minor Canal from Fatehpur Awana to Ayali Khurd until the next hearing in Ludhiana. Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached the immovable properties worth USD 8.7M of the Mansurwal village, Ferozepur-based Malbros distillery in a money laundering case under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 and filed a case against the company. ED investigations revealed that M/s Malbros International Private Limited ‘was involved in generation and acquisition of Proceeds of Crime by deliberately causing pollution of ground water by persistently and covertly injecting untreated effluents into deep aquifers through reverse boring, and repeatedly discharging wastewater onto land, drains, and an adjacent sugar mill. Its daily functioning involved persistent illegal discharge of untreated effluents into land and groundwater, causing large-scale irreparable ecological damage in the form of water pollution and consequent health hazards causing crop loss, cattle deaths, and serious health impacts for residents of villages around its premises.’ This is a significant signal to all other polluting industries in Panjab, including the dyeing and electroplating units which have been polluting the Buddha Nullah (rivulet) in Ludhiana (earlier coverage).

Panjab recorded over 48% turnout from 13.6M voters for Zila Parishad (District Council, ZP) and Panchayat Samiti (Block Council, PS) elections on 14 Dec. The elections cover 347 zones of 22 ZPs and 2,838 zones of 153 PSs across the state. More than 9K candidates from different political parties were in the fray. Over 44K police personnel were deployed and school teachers were deputed to conduct the polls through ballot paper. The polls were marred by incidents of stone-pelting, scuffles, booth capturing, prompting the State Election Commission (SEC) to order repolls at sixteen polling booths. The SEC announced repolls at Chahiyan in Gurdaspur district, Babania and Madhir in Muktsar district, and Chananwal in Barnala district after reports of presiding officers allegedly absconding with ballot papers. The repoll is scheduled for 16 Dec; the results will be announced on 17 Dec. Clashes were reported in Tarn Taran’s Kazi Kot village, where workers of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) pelted stones at each other. Similar incidents occurred in Ferozepur’s Betu Kadim village. Polling agents of Indian National Congress (INC), SAD, and Bharatiya Janata Party lodged complaints with the Gidderbaha police, accusing AAP leader Sandeep Singh Dhillon alias Sunny Dhillon and others of booth capturing. Polling was also cancelled in Khurmanian and Khasa villages of Amritsar due to a printing error on ballot papers. INC leaders raised concerns over administrative lapses and alleged intimidation. INC Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa claimed that pressure, manipulation, and misuse of administration had discouraged voter participation. SAD leaders Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema and Arshdeep Singh Kler echoed these allegations, claiming that AAP colluded with the SEC and Panjab Police to 'steal' the elections. On 9 Dec, the SEC had ordered the transfer of the Nabha Block Development and Panchayat Officer Baljit Kaur after receiving complaints of alleged favoritism. On 10 Dec, just hours ahead of the Punjab and Haryana High Court hearing in the viral audio-clip controversy, Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Varun Sharma had been asked to proceed on leave. Due to dense fog, a teacher couple Jaskaran Singh Bhullar and Kamaljit Kaur died in an accident while travelling for election duty in Moga (earlier coverage).

With an outstanding debt of almost USD 43B, Panjab’s fiscal health is precarious. Rising subsidy bills, interest on legacy debt, and expenditure on salaries and pensions have left no legroom for capital expenditure. To tide over the financial crisis, the government has decided to sell vacant or unutilized government land under the three-decade-old Optimum Utilisation of Vacant Government Lands (OUVGL) scheme. In a meeting chaired by Panjab chief secretary Kumar Anugraha Prasad Sinha on 11 Dec, several land pockets in Patiala, Bathinda, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar were identified to be disposed of under the scheme. The profit expected from the sale of these land pockets is estimated to generate a revenue of USD 306M for the state. Additionally, months after rolling back its land pooling policy, the Panjab government has cleared the decks for a major urban expansion push by acquiring 5.1K acres for developing nine new sectors in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar and two townships in New Chandigarh. The mandatory Social Impact Assessment has been completed and an expert committee has endorsed the acquisition. Concurrently, the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has started the process to demarcate nearly half of a 21-acre chunk of land in Sector 53 for auctioning the site for group housing for employees of the Union Territory administration. The other half would be sold to private developers. Meanwhile, the opposition parties have opposed the decision of the Panjab government to transfer 165-acre land of Bathinda-based Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Power Plant (GNDTP) to Punjab Urban Planning & Development Authority (PUDA) for commercial exploitation. The government approved the transfer of 165.67 acres of land of the GNDTP's residential colony to PUDA under the OUVGL scheme. 80% of the proceeds from the sale of the land will be kept by Punjab State Power Corporation Limited and 20% will go towards PUDA (earlier coverage).

Days after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee objected to the Panjab government’s proposed program to celebrate Veer Bal Diwas (Brave Children’s Day) in Ludhiana on 12 Dec, acting Jathedar (leader) Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Eternal Throne, AT) Kuldeep Singh Gargajj has written to Sikh Members of Parliament to impress upon the Indian union government to rename Veer Bal Diwas as Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas (Sovereign’s Sons Martyrdom Day). He said, ‘The Indian union government has been observing the Sahibzadas’ martyrdom day as Veer Bal Diwas since 2022 which misrepresents Sikh ethos and tenets.’ MPs Vikramjit Singh Sawhney, Malvinder Singh Kang, and Balbir Singh Seechewal from Aam Aadmi Party, and Gurjeet Singh Aujla from Indian National Congress have also written to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for the traditional term to be restored. Meanwhile, addressing a congregation in Fatehgarh Sahib on 2 Dec, Jathedar Gargajj said, 'The population of all the communities has swelled, but we (Sikhs) have not been able to match the growth.' He went on to add that producing only one child is not a wise policy. 'We should have at least 3 or 4 children in a family, only then we have relations such as Massi, Bhua, Phufad, Tayi (aunts and uncles). We should think in this direction.' While the Jathedar's concern about demographic decline among Sikhs is valid, the statement raises questions. First, the decline is not only among Sikhs but also Panjabis and other communities. India's population growth rate is projected around 0.89% for 2024–25, a significant low from the 1960s when it was over 2%. Second, in Panjab, the issue is related to low sperm count, poor ovarian reserve, and hormonal balances. Third, the health issues are related to high exposure of pesticides in agriculture as well as water and air pollution. Fourth, poor fertility health is also due to loneliness, sedentary lifestyles, drug use, stress levels, obesity, diabetes, and thyroid issues. Fifth, many couples marry late, expenses around bringing up children are high so they prefer less children. The focus should be on fixing these issues and understanding why couples are shying away from having more children (earlier coverage).

Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Eternal Throne, AT) pronounced tankhah (salary, implying punishment) for a number of individuals on 9 Dec. Former AT Jathedar (leader) Giani Gurbachan Singh publicly sought forgiveness for pardoning Dera (Sect) Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in September 2015 leading to a furore in the Sikh community. The Panj Piare (Five Loved Ones) ordered him to perform two days of langar sewa (community kitchen service) and recite prescribed prayers for two days. Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) Vice Chancellor Karamjit Singh apologized for his comments to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat. He was asked to perform a two-day langar sewa at Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar, and clean footwear for an hour daily; perform five days of prescribed prayers; read Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha’s book Ham Hindu Nahin and distribute 500 copies of the book. Punjab Language Department director Jaswant Singh Zafar apologized over the dance and song program during the 350^th martyrdom anniversary event of ninth Sikh Sovereign Guru Teghbahadur in Srinagar. He was asked to perform two days of langar sewa and cleaning footwear at Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib, Patiala; perform four days of prescribed prayers and distribute 100 copies of principal Satbir Singh’s books. Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Virsa Singh Valtoha apologized for making derogatory remarks in October 2024 against the jathedars. He was asked to perform three days of langar sewa and clean footwear for an hour daily at Darbar Sahib, Amritsar; perform similar service for two days at Darbar Sahib, Tarn Taran, and one day each at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib and Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. SAD has lifted its 10-year ban on him. Preacher Harinder Singh of Nirvair Jatha (Group) UK apologized for his comments on the first Sikh Sovereign Guru Nanak. He was asked to strictly adhere to Panth (Sikh Collective) approved maryada (code of conduct) and deliver sermons that strengthen the faith. He was asked to perform two days of sewa; recite prescribed prayers for 11 days. All were asked to offer USD 12 for karah prasad (traditional offering) (earlier coverage).

The Panjab government has raised concerns over ‘systemic mismanagement’ of the Beas Satluj Link (BSL) Project and the 990 MW capacity Dehar Power House by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). A letter by the Water Resources Department, Panjab addressed to the Chairman, BBMB has demanded an independent, time-bound audit of the BSL Project and Dehar Power House operations beginning from the 2023 filling season. The letter states that the balancing reservoir at Sundernagar, Himachal Pradesh has suffered from excessive silt deposition owing to inadequate dredging over the last two years. This has disrupted optimal water diversion into the Satluj river. This mismanagement allegedly forced the BSL system to operate below capacity during crucial months of May to September 2025, causing ripple effects across multiple hydropower assets leading to a generation loss of USD 25M during this period. The government further alleged that due to reduced diversion of Beas river water into the BSL system, Pong Dam water levels rose reaching 1376 ft (30 ft above the seasonal levels) and that this imbalance would compromise irrigation and drinking water supplies, including to other states. Meanwhile, after a Punjab and Haryana High Court judgment, the BBMB has started eviction proceedings against 63 property occupants in the township of Nangal. The BBMB had given project land on lease to private individuals when the Bhakra dam was being built in the 1960s. Thousands of people, facing eviction from their houses or shops, have started approaching the Panjab government. Panjab minister Harjot Singh Bains said, ‘The Panjab government would put up a proposal in the BBMB board to bring in a proposal for the one-time settlement of the lease problem of Nangal residents’. Additionally, the Indian union government said that over 64% of Panjab’s sanctioned posts in the BBMB remain vacant. Out of the 4,918 posts sanctioned for Panjab in the BBMB, only 1,756 were filled as of July 2025. The Panjab government took administrative steps to strengthen its BBMB presence last month by approving the creation of a dedicated cadre of 2,458 employees for deployment within the BBMB. This move is expected to reduce dependency on staff deputed from Panjab’s Water Resources Department and Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (earlier coverage).

Farmers from Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Union (Panjab), and Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Azad) removed the smart-chip meters from several villages in Ludhiana and Sangrur districts and deposited them at nearby power stations in a move to oppose the Electricity (Amendment) Bill. Farmers staged sit-in demonstrations in front of District Commissioner offices across Panjab on 17–18 Dec demanding that the government hold immediate talks with the union. Meanwhile, farmers in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh district clashed with the police during a protest against the construction of an ethanol factory at Tibbi on 10 Dec. Several were injured when police resorted to caning and lobbed teargas shells to disperse the farmers as the farmers used tractors to demolish a boundary wall of the under-construction plant. The 40-MW grain-based ethanol plant is being constructed by Dune Ethanol Private Limited, a Chandigarh-headquartered company with a cost of USD 500K in Rathikhera village panchayat near Tibbi. Farmers, many of them Sikhs, have been opposing the factory’s construction for more than a year with protests beginning in September 2024 over concerns of air pollution and increased water toxicity in the region. In November, a large team of police had surrounded the protest site and dismantled the tents. Therefore, thousands of farmers gathered at a Mahapanchayat in Tibbi on 10 Dec and attempted to enter the plant site. The clashes led to the filing of many First Information Reports and 40 arrests. As the protests continue, farmers from Panjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have reached the protest site in support. The company has agreed to temporarily halt the work on the plant site as the government decided to conduct a high-level inquiry into the environmental viability of the plant on 12 Dec. The plant officials have given a written assurance that ‘no work would be done until the inquiry is complete’. Additionally, the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Jagat Prakash Nadda said that the union government has cancelled 5,371 licenses of fertilizer firms for black marketing, hoarding as well as for distributing substandard material. Nadda said that the fertilizer supply to every state is monitored in real time through Integrated Fertiliser Monitoring System (earlier coverage).

On 12 Dec, Indian National Congress’s former leader and twice Chief Minister of Panjab, at present Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) present national executive member Captain Amarinder Singh asserted that he finds the BJP rigid in its approach while INC is more flexible and has a consultative outlook. Captain said, 'Panjab is a different area. Look at it, everywhere the BJP is pulling through, why not in Panjab? The reason is BJP doesn’t consult people who have been in the field, who know what to say. The decisions are taken at the upper level.' Responding to a question on if he misses INC, he said, 'No, the system there was different. I miss the system.' Meanwhile, Panjab BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia responded to Captain’s suggestion on alliance with Shiromani Akali Dal saying. ‘Our objective is that the BJP should have its own chief minister in Panjab, and we are working towards that.’ Concurrently, after being suspended by Panjab INC chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, former member of Legislative Assembly Navjot Kaur Sidhu said, 'This notice has been issued by a state president who has no legitimacy. Many such notices are issued. I am taking part in discussions with my party, but we have one condition—I will not support thieves. If we want to form a government, there are four or five people destroying the Congress (INC). If they are removed, then I will think about it.' The comment on ‘thief’ comes from a previous allegation on Warring when he was transport minister during INC’s rule in Panjab (2017–22). A Right to Information query had revealed he had sent Punjab Roadways buses to Rajasthan for fabrication and made money in the deal. Speaking about the legal notice from Member of Parliament Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Sidhu dismissed it, claiming he 'could not even ensure his wife’s victory' and accusing him of openly selling tickets in Rajasthan. She claimed 70% of INC leaders are with her, though she declined to name them. While Captain’s comments have started speculation on him reconsidering being in BJP, Sidhu’s comments reveal the deep factionalism inside Panjab INC (earlier coverage).

The Canadian Border Services Agency has removed 2,831 Indians—many of them Sikhs—from Canada  in the first ten months of 2025. In 2024, the number was 1,997. Indians also led the category for 'removal in progress' at 6,515 out of a total of 29,542. The overall removals has also increased from 17,357 in 2024 to 18,785 in 2025. Meanwhile, while one of the accused involved in the shooting at Panjabi musician Amritpal Singh Dhillon alias AP Dhillon's home and torching his vehicles at his British Columbia home—at the behest of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang—Abjeet Kingra has been sentenced to jail, the other accused Vikram Sharma has fled to India. Also, the Delhi police has arrested Bandhuman Singh Sekhon, a key conspirator in the firings at comedian Kapil Sharma’s restaurant in Canada. Sekhon is the Canada-based handler for the Goldy Dhillon gang and was arrested from Ludhiana on 25 Nov. Sekhon has revealed that the mastermind was Sukhwinder Singh alias Seepu, the shooters were Gurjot Singh alias Sharry and Diljot Singh Rehal. Concurrently, in Panjab, 17-year-old Vikas Angural, nephew of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sheetal Angural, was killed in a late-night stabbing in Jalandhar. Sheetal alleged that the main accused was a drug peddler who was out on bail in another case. The Panjab state BJP working president Ashwani Sharma tore into the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government alleging that the law and order situation had collapsed in the state with the criminals moving fearlessly. In other news, on 11 Dec, Akash (no second name) or Golu Pandit was shot dead by three car-borne assailants in the parking lot of the Abohar court complex in Fazilka district. Akash had gone for a hearing in an Arms Act case. On 15 Dec, a former kabaddi player and team promoter Rana Balachauria was shot dead by unidentified assailants while he was participating in a tournament in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar. The Bambiha gang claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming the victim gave shelter to the killers of Panjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala (earlier coverage).

79-year-old alumnus and former Panjab University Law Department chairman Dr. Daya Nand Jauhar donated his 500 square yards plot worth USD 329K to Panjab University, Chandigarh. He did this to support long-term academic activities and strengthen the department’s academic profile. The plot will be managed by the university, and the proceeds from its sale will form the corpus of the Prof. D N Jauhar Endowment. As per the approved structure, 60% of the annual income generated from the corpus will be used for academic activities while 40% will be reinvested to ensure sustainability. The endowment will support three annual programs: an international law court competition, an annual lecture, and an award for achievement. Jauhar said, ‘We receive so much from the schools, colleges, and universities that nourish us. We owe it to them to spend on their betterment’. He gives the example of how Khalsa College, Amritsar was built through individual donations. PU Vice Chancellor Renu Vig said, 'His initiative shows the strong bond our alumni have with the university. We hope others will also come forward to contribute to the growth of their alma mater.' Meanwhile in Talwara, Hoshiarpur a controversy is brewing between a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-run school and a Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB)-run Dayanand Anglo Vedic (DAV) School. The RSS school is trying to encroach on the 10-acre land of the DAV school by pushing BBMB to place the school land on auction. For the last six months, parents of the students in the DAV school and local residents in Talwara have been opposing the RSS attempts. The BBMB management of the DAV school is helping RSS by showing the school in financial loss. The school is not in loss and 1.2K students study in the school. BBMB chief engineer Rakesh Gupta assured that no auction will take place without consultations of all parties involved, including children in the school, but so far he has not withdrawn the auction notification. On 10 Dec, the locals protested and gave a call to Panjab to join their protest on 30 Dec. No print media has covered the story until now.