An investment outreach hosted by Madhya Pradesh (MP) Chief Minister Mohan Yadav in Ludhiana saw Panjab-based industrialists pledging USD 1.7B for projects in MP. Anil Sareen, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state general secretary said, 'While other states are offering incentives like cheaper land and tax breaks, Ludhiana’s industrial land prices are unaffordable. Add to that the deteriorating law and order situation—no wonder industries are looking elsewhere.' Gurmeet Singh Kular, president of the Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organisation, said MP was procuring 500K bicycles for free distribution to schoolgirls, a major boost for Ludhiana’s cycle industry. 'CM Mohan Yadav has also invited us to set up a full manufacturing unit in Bhopal or Indore.' Meanwhile, on 11 Jul, the Cyber Crime Cell of Chandigarh Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Panjab Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state chief Aman Arora on charges of defamation and criminal conspiracy for allegedly circulating a doctored video. The complaint was filed by Indian National Congress' Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa. According to the complaint, Bajwa had posted a video on 25 Jun on his official X handle criticising the state Vigilance Bureau’s treatment of Member of Legislative Assembly Ganieve Kaur, wife of arrested Shiromani Akal Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia. Bajwa had drawn parallels with a similar case involving INC MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira. Bajwa said the AAP’s Panjab social media team edited the video to remove references to Kaur and her status as a legislator. The altered video falsely portrayed that Bajwa was defending Majithia. Concurrently, on 10 Jul, Panjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann mocked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his frequent foreign travels by naming fictional countries to highlight the obscure destinations. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs disapproved Mann's remarks. The next day, Mann repeated the comment in the Panjab Assembly. Panjab BJP protested against Mann. The remarks were in poor taste and Mann’s behavior was an imitation of how BJP leaders behave in public office (earlier coverage).
Like what you're reading? Subscribe to our top stories.
Liv Forum provides a digest of analysis on major issues facing Indian (East) Panjab and Sikhs globally.
In accordance with our Privacy Policy, we will never share or sell the information of our subscribers.
