Panjab to have Harsher Punishment for Blasphemy; 44% Jump in June GST

On 5 Jul, Panjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced the state government will introduce a legislation to ensure harsher punishment for acts of sacrilege against religious scriptures. Chairing a meeting with officers and representatives of the Sarb Dharam Beadbi Rokko Kanoon Morcha (All Religions Stop Blasphemy Front), Mann said that Panjab is a 'sacred land' of great gurus, saints, and seers who have shown the path of 'mutual love and tolerance.' Mann reiterated that the Panjab govt is firmly committed to ensuring 'exemplary punishment' for the perpetrators of blasphemy. However, the move does not seem any different from what the Indian National Congress’ Panjab govt (2017–22) had enacted. That bill was rejected by the then Governor of Panjab Vijayendra Pal Singh Badnore. There is no clarity on how this bill will pass beyond the Panjab Legislative Assembly and if it will be effective in containing incidents of sacrilege. Meanwhile, Panjab Finance and Taxation minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, at USD 320M, the state registered a record 44% year-on-year growth in net Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection for June 2025 and 27.01% growth for the first quarter of the 2025–26 financial year. Cheema also stated that the Panjab govt recently invested USD 116.8M each in the Guarantee Redemption Fund and Consolidated Sinking Fund, with the latter now exceeding USD 1.16B. The Panjab govt is now going to raise USD 993M loan during July–September. With this, the total borrowings raised by the govt during this fiscal year will touch USD 1.6B. Also, on 26 Jun, the Panjab govt suspended 26 officers and employees of Jail Department for dereliction of duty. Panjab Jail Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar said that the officers and employees have been suspended with immediate effect under Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970 for dereliction of duty and negligence. The action comes as part of a broader drive to root out corruption and dismantle drug networks operating inside prisons (earlier coverage).