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

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

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

The late Joginder Singh reflects on his journey from Haryana to Punjab, noting the deep-seated caste-consciousness in Punjab's social, political, and even religious spheres. Despite being mocked for his ignorance of caste identities like 'Jatt' or 'Bhapa' during his law studies in Chandigarh, he maintained his principles. He practiced what he preached by marrying his daughter into a Gursikh family without ever enquiring about their caste, proving that character and faith matter more than lineage. https://www.rozanaspokesman.in/news/chandigarh-news/020826/nijji-diary-de-panne.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/

Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Garhgaj of Sri Akal Takht Sahib urged the government to consult the high-level committee regarding amendments to the sacrilege law. Speaking during the Miri Piri Khalsa March from Jaito to Sri Muktsar Sahib, he emphasized that religion and politics are inseparable in Sikhism. He warned the community against anti-Panthic forces and recalled the sacrifices of the Jaito Morcha. The march received a warm welcome from the youth and devotees across various villages, featuring historical weapons and displays of Sikh heritage. http://www.quamiekta.com/2026/08/02/66525/