Punjab is facing a severe grain storage crisis as the state holds 290-295 lakh tonnes of wheat and rice against a capacity of 180-190 lakh tonnes. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to the Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi, requesting the central government to speed up the movement of existing grain to other states via railways. The CM urged increasing the movement pace to 15 lakh tonnes per month to vacate space for the upcoming paddy harvest. https://www.rozanaspokesman.in/news/punjab/300726/punjab-likely-to-face-major-food-grain-procurement-crisis-news-in-punj.html

State Bank of India (SBI) has launched the 'Har Ghar Lakhpati' scheme, a customized recurring deposit (RD) variant aimed at helping small and medium-income groups build a corpus of ₹1 lakh or more. Investors can choose a tenure between 3 to 10 years with interest rates ranging from 6.50% to 6.75% for general citizens, while senior citizens get an additional 0.50%. The scheme allows a loan facility up to 90% of the deposit amount. Accounts can be opened via the YONO app or at any SBI branch with basic documents like Aadhaar and PAN. https://punjab.news18.com/news/business/sbi-har-ghar-lakhpati-rd-scheme-deposit-rules-interest-rate-calculator-sk-991754.html

Arvind Kejriwal, the National Convener of the Aam Aadmi Party, has accused the BJP-led central government of attempting to block his scheduled town hall event. He alleged that the police tried to cancel the booking at the Constitution Club. Kejriwal claimed that the government is forcing E20 petrol on citizens despite automobile companies failing to provide written assurance regarding its impact on vehicle mileage and engine health. He warned the Prime Minister to withdraw the E20 petrol initiative, stating that the public would otherwise force the government to do so. https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/zeephh/national/arvind-kejriwal-e20-petrol-town-hall-bjp-allegations-punjabi-news/3277828

Punjab MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar announced that the state government has accepted most demands of striking sanitation workers. Key decisions include regularizing contract workers with 5 years of service, moving outsource workers with 3 years experience to contracts, and doubling contract salaries from 10,500 to 20,520 rupees. Nijjar urged workers to end their strike and return to work, expressing optimism that remaining issues and the planned train protest will be resolved through dialogue. https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/zeephh/punjab/inderbir-singh-nijjar-cleanliness-workers-strike-punjab-government-accepted-demands/3279499

Baba Balbir Singh, head of Budha Dal, praised the Punjab government's anti-sacrilege law, calling it beneficial for the Sikh religion. He noted that the law has helped curb incidents of sacrilege in the state and suggested incorporating suggestions from the Sikh community to make the law even stronger and more effective. https://www.rozanaspokesman.in/news/punjab/290726/buddha-dal-chief-baba-balbir-singh-praised-the-sacrilege-law.html

SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has urged the Central Government to respect Sikh sentiments regarding the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. Reacting to Union Minister Kirti Vardhan's response in Parliament, Dhami stated that the corridor is not just an administrative matter but a symbol of faith for Sikhs worldwide. He emphasized that Kartarpur Sahib is the sacred place where Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent his final years and called for the corridor to be reopened with adequate security measures, balancing national safety with religious freedom. https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/zeephh/punjab/sgpc-demands-reopening-of-kartarpur-sahib-corridor-harjinder-singh-dhami/3280049

The Indian government has decided to keep the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor closed for now, citing security concerns at the border. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that while they respect the religious sentiments of the Sikh community, the safety of pilgrims remains the top priority given the current security situation on the India-Pakistan border. The decision came in response to inquiries by MPs Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer during the Parliament session. The government assured that the situation will be reviewed once security conditions become favorable. https://punjabi.newsd5.in/%E0%A8%AA%E0%A9%B0%E0%A8%9C%E0%A8%BE%E0%A8%AC-%E0%A8%B0%E0%A8%BE%E0%A8%B8%E0%A8%BC%E0%A8%9F%E0%A8%B0%E0%A9%80%E0%A8%95%E0%A8%B0%E0%A8%A4%E0%A8%BE%E0%A8%B0%E0%A8%AA%E0%A9%81%E0%A8%B0-%E0%A8%B8/

On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann paid tributes in Chandigarh, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the War Memorial in Drass, Ladakh to honor the fallen heroes. Both leaders remembered the supreme sacrifices of the Indian soldiers during the 1999 Kargil War. https://punjab.news18.com/videos/punjab/kargil-vijay-diwas-live-cm-mann-rajnath-singh-990194.html

Giani Kuldeep Singh Garhgaj, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, has urged Sikh MLAs to listen to their conscience and implement the decisions of the Takht. During the Miri Piri Khalsa March in Faridkot, he clarified that the government's claims regarding the Sacrilege Act are misleading and not based on reality. He emphasized that government interference in the service and Maryada of Guru Granth Sahib is unacceptable. SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami also criticized the government for sending a clarification letter instead of making promised amendments. The march reached Jaito with great enthusiasm from the Sikh community. http://www.quamiekta.com/2026/07/31/66518/

Late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala's father, Balkaur Singh, announced that a hologram concert tour will begin in October, starting from Toronto, Canada. The tour will feature around 10 shows initially, including a new song release and the launch of an official merchandise brand. Balkaur Singh also discussed his political commitment to the Congress party and expressed dissatisfaction with the current AAP government's handling of their issues. The family remains hopeful that their younger son will carry forward Sidhu's legacy. https://www.punjabitribuneonline.com/news/punjab/sidhu-moosewala-hologram-tour-sidhu-moosewalas-hologram-concert-tour-will-start-in-october-balkaur-singh/