Tamil Nadu leads India in debt with 10.42 lakh crore, followed by Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Punjab ranks 12th with an estimated debt of 4.13 lakh crore by March 2026. The Punjab government plans to borrow an additional 13,900 crore in the second quarter of the current fiscal year to repay legacy debts. In comparison, Haryana has a debt of 4.02 lakh crore, while Mizoram has the lowest debt at 14,516 crore. https://www.rozanaspokesman.in/news/punjab/300726/tamil-nadu-ranks-first-nationwide-in-terms-of-borrowing.html

Veteran Telugu actress Pavala Shyamala passed away at the age of 75 due to a cardiac arrest at a hospital in Hyderabad. She had been battling various health issues including heart disease, Parkinson's, and hypertension. Despite a successful long-standing career in the Telugu film industry, she reportedly faced severe financial difficulties in her later years. Her demise has left the film fraternity and fans in deep mourning. https://punjab.news18.com/news/entertainment/veteran-telugu-actress-pavala-shyamala-passes-away-at-75-cardiac-arrest-cited-as-the-cause-ak-990659.html

The Punjab Congress Minority Department held its first state-level meeting chaired by Dr. Emmanuel Nahar. Around 250 representatives discussed key issues like empowering the Minority Commission, providing land for graveyards, and social welfare schemes. The party plans to include these demands in its upcoming manifesto. Meenakshi Singh accused the BJP of religious politics affecting Muslims and Christians, while Jaiswinder Singh Vicky announced plans to strengthen the organization at the district level across Punjab. https://punjab.news18.com/news/punjab/chandigarh-punjab-congress-minority-department-meeting-manifesto-minority-issues-local18-989942.html

In Nakte village near Bhawanigarh, eight cattle belonging to farmer Pargat Singh died due to electrocution. The incident occurred at night when a short circuit caused electric current to flow through the iron grills of the fodder manger. The deceased animals included four buffaloes and four cows. SDM Bhawanigarh Manjit Kaur dispatched a team of veterinary doctors for the post-mortem. The affected farmer and villagers have appealed to the government for financial compensation. https://www.punjabitribuneonline.com/news/sangrur/wreckage-in-village-nakte-8-mutes-die-due-to-electrocution/

The Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh, has written to the Punjab Assembly Speaker and Sikh MLAs regarding the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act 2026. He urged them not to agree to any amendments in the upcoming August 3 session without Panthic consensus. The Takht rejected the Punjab government's recent response as unsatisfactory and expressed concerns over potential misuse of the law against Sikhs, similar to TADA or UAPA. A committee of Sikh experts has been formed to coordinate with the government and reach a consensus within two months. https://www.punjabitribuneonline.com/news/amritsar/letter-from-sri-akal-takht-sahib-to-punjab-vidhan-sabha-speaker-sikh-mlas-and-cabinet-ministers/

The annual Amarnath Yatra has been temporarily suspended from both Baltal and Pahalgam routes due to inclement weather and ongoing track restoration work. Heavy rains in the Baltal area triggered flash flood-like conditions on Thursday night, though no casualties were reported. Authorities have halted the movement of pilgrims until repair works are completed. Since starting on July 3, approximately 4.5 lakh devotees have visited the holy cave. The pilgrimage is scheduled to conclude on August 28. https://www.punjabitribuneonline.com/news/nation/amarnath-yatra-update-amarnath-yatra-postponed-due-to-bad-weather/

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

During the Miri Piri Khalsa March, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gadgaj emphasized that religious decisions of the Sikh Panth will only be made according to Panthic traditions, not government interference. SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami also spoke on the supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The march, aimed at connecting youth with Sikh heritage, moved from Ferozepur to Faridkot with great enthusiasm from the devotees. http://www.quamiekta.com/2026/07/31/66506/

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

The Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain alert for Punjab and Chandigarh for the next four days starting July 27. An orange alert has been declared for July 28 and 29, forecasting very heavy rainfall in several districts including Pathankot, Gurdaspur, and Hoshiarpur. The weather shift is due to a low-pressure area over Rajasthan and a Western Disturbance. While water levels in Bhakra and Pong dams are rising, they currently remain well below the danger mark. This rain has provided much-needed relief from the humid heat. https://punjabi.abplive.com/news/punjab/punjab-and-chandigarh-weather-update-on-27-july-2026-876580