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Karam Prakash

Karam Prakash is a Patiala-based senior correspondent covering several districts of Malwa region of Punjab. He writes on various domains, including health, agriculture, power and education.

Articles by Karam Prakash

Punjab sees warmest Jan in 6 yrs; avg temp touches 19° C

Punjab experienced its warmest January in six years, with major cities across the state reporting higher-than-usual daytime temperatures

Commuters on their way to their destinations amid dense fog in Amritsar on Sunday. Sameer Sehgal/HT

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 03, 2025 08:00 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash

Farmers flay budget, say no allocation for legalising MSP, loan waiver

The farm unions criticised Sitharaman for ignoring the National Commission's key recommendation to keep MSPs 50% above the cost of production.

Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar of Samyukta Kisan Union (non-political) claimed that farmers were dejected with the Union Budget as the real issues concerning the farmer community had been ignored by the Union finance minister. (HT File)

Business

Updated on Feb 02, 2025 03:48 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Punjab: Farmers seek special allocation for MSP guarantee in Union budget

A day before Union budget, protesting farmer unions have demanded a special budgetary allocation to implement a legal guarantee for the minimum support price.

The farmer unions, staging sit-ins at the Punjab and Haryana borders since last year, have been invited for talks with the Union government on February 14. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Feb 01, 2025 08:25 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Will attend talks with central delegation if health permits: Farmer leader Dallewal

The veteran leader’s fast-unto-death entered its 64th day on Tuesday. His health has started showing signs of improvement since January 18 when he started accepting medical aid.

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on the indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border since November 26, speaks with the media, in Sangrur on Tuesday. (PTI)

Chandigarh

Published on Jan 29, 2025 05:36 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Ahead of meet with Centre, farmers to hold mahapanchayats at Khanauri, Shambhu

The protesting farmers’ unions said that these mahapanchayats were being organised to mark one year of ‘Kisan Andolan 2.0’ which started on Feb 13 last year.

Farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13 last year.(PTI/File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 28, 2025 04:21 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Rajindra Hospital incident: Day after power outage during surgery, Punjab health minister orders probe

The health minister, along with principal secretary Kumar Rahul, inspected the 66KV power station at the hospital and held an emergency meeting with senior PSPCL officials

Health minister Dr Balbir Singh meeting the patient whose surgery was halted due to power outage. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 26, 2025 06:04 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Amid fresh SFJ threat: Patiala turns into fortress for CM’s R-day event

As many as 3,100 Punjab Police personnel have been deployed for security to ensure smooth conduct of the Republic Day event

A bulletproof glass shield installed at the Polo ground in Patiala. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 26, 2025 05:26 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Power outage disrupts surgery at government Rajindra hospital

This is not the first time that such an incident has happened at the hospital. Last year in July, doctors and support medical staff of the hospital had to perform a Caesarean section or C-section under the flashlight of mobile phones due to a power outage.

The opposition was quick to latch on to the incident and slammed the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the state over ‘poor’ medical facilities.

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 25, 2025 07:00 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Punjab lifts security detail for Kejriwal after slugfest

The decision – which was made public weeks before the assembly elections in Delhi – sparked a political controversy

India News

Updated on Jan 24, 2025 06:10 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash

Dallewal’s health improving after medical aid: Report

“Examination of his cardiovascular system and respiratory system are normal. He is conscious, cooperative and oriented,” read the report prepared by the medical board following tests undergone by Dallewal on January 21.

The health of Jagjit Singh Dallewal –– whose fast-unto-death entered 58th day on Wednesday –– has improved significantly days after getting medical aid, the farmer leader’s latest medical examination report showed. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 23, 2025 05:00 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Doctors call off stir after Punjab govt reinstates career progression scheme

“In view of the issuance of notification on reinstatement of ACPs, the PCMSA call for agitation is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect. The PCMSA believes that the reinstatement of ACPs will go a long way in retaining doctors in the department,” said Dr Akhil Sarin, state president of PCMSA.

The Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) called off their planned agitation after the Punjab government issued a notification of reinstatement of annual career progressions (ACPs) of medical officers on Monday. The association had warned to suspend OPD services from January 20. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/ Representational image)

Chandigarh

Published on Jan 21, 2025 10:37 PM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Farmers suspend Delhi Chalo march but Jan 26 tractor rally on

Pandher said they (KMM) are appealing to SKM (non-political) convener Jagit Singh Dallewal to end his fast and get fit to take part in the talks.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher addressing the media at Shambhu border on Monday. (PTI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 21, 2025 08:46 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Shambhu

121 farmers end fast after Dallewal takes medical aid

A group of 121 farmers, who sat on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri protest site in solidarity with farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, ended their indefinite strike on Sunday after he took medical aid

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 20, 2025 05:18 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash

Big breakthrough: Centre to hold talks with protesting farmers on Feb 14

Following the announcement, Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death entered 54th day on Saturday, agreed to take medical aid so that he can participate in the proposed meeting, said people in know of the matter.

Joint secretary (agriculture) Priya Ranjan, met with fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal to extend the invite for February 14 meeting in Chandigarh. (HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 19, 2025 08:20 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Punjab govt misleading SC on Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s health, say farmers

The reaction came a day after Punjab government submitted a report in the SC that Dallewal’s health was stable; farmers claim Jagjit Singh Dallewal has lost 20kg since starting his fast, his body isn’t accepting water

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher addressing the media at the Shambhu border in Patiala on Thursday. (PTI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 17, 2025 06:18 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Farmers’ ‘unity’ meeting remains inconclusive, round 2 on January 18

The next meeting to draw a blueprint for a united fight for their demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP on crops

Samyukta Kisan Morcha leaders during a meeting with protesting factions in Patran town in Patiala on Monday. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 14, 2025 06:30 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

TB elimination campaign: Most Punjab districts faltering on screening vulnerable population

Barring Kapurthala, all other districts have been faltering on the first step itself — screening of vulnerable populations for TB. Documents accessed by HT have revealed that out of the total 18 districts, 10, including Patiala, the home district of Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh, have a screening percentage of less than 20%.

Data showed that there are 32.65 lakh vulnerable persons in 18 districts of Punjab, but only 5.75 lakh have been screened for TB as of January 6. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 13, 2025 07:00 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Amid Dallewal’s deteriorating health, protesting farmers urge SKM to hold unity meet soon

Dallewal, who is the convener of the SKM (Non-Political), has been on an indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 last year

Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death entered 47th day on Saturday, has so far refused to take any medical aid despite his prolonged fasting, which has caused his health to worsen.

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 12, 2025 06:10 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Kundan Gogia elected first AAP mayor of Patiala

AAP's Kundan Gogia elected Patiala's first mayor, with party winning 43 of 60 municipal seats. Harinder Kohli and Jagdeep Singh Jagga are deputy mayors.

Supporters celebrate after AAP's Kundan Gogia, extreme right, was appointed as new Patiala mayor on Friday. (PTI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 11, 2025 09:04 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

SKM extends invite to Dallewal, Pandher for Jan 15 ‘unity’ meet

The visit of the SKM leaders to the Khanauri protest site came a day after it passed a ‘unity resolution’ at ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ in Moga, calling for a joint fight against the Union government to press for acceptance of farmers’ demands including a legal guarantee to minimum support price (MSP) for crops.

Members of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) meeting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal at Khanauri border in Sangrur on Friday. (ANI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 11, 2025 08:44 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Kundan Gogia elected first AAP mayor of Patiala

Aam Aadmi Party has won 43 of the 60 seats in the municipal corporation; Harinder Singh Kohli elected senior deputy mayor and Jagdeep Singh Jagga deputy mayor.

Newly elected mayor Kundan Gogoi (centre, garlanded) flanked by senior deputy mayor Harinder Singh Kohli (left) and deputy mayor Jagdeep Singh Jagga in Patiala on Friday. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Jan 10, 2025 03:53 PM IST

ByKaram Prakash

Dallewal, Pandher unions welcome SKM’s call for unity

The farmers, under the banner of SKM (non-political) and KMM, have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, 2024, after their march to Delhi was stopped by the security forces.

Doctors check on farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a fast unto death over various demands, in Sangrur on Thursday. (ANI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 10, 2025 08:32 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Punjab: Farmer attempts suicide at Shambhu, dies in Patiala hospital

Second such incident in a month at protest site on the Punjab and Haryana border, where farmers have been agitating for almost a year, urging the Centre to guarantee MSP on crops.

The farmer from Tarn Taran district took the extreme step at the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana where agitators have been protesting for almost a year, urging the Centre to guarantee minimum support price (MSP) for crops. (Representational photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 09, 2025 02:56 PM IST

ByKaram Prakash

SAD rebels sceptical of Jan 10 working committee meeting outcome

Gurpartap Singh Wadala added that their main demand is that SAD should accept Takht’s edict and let the seven-member committee begin reorganisation accordingly.

The rebel SAD leaders during a meeting in Patiala. (HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 09, 2025 05:30 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Farmers announce nationwide tractor march on January 26

Protesting farmer unions on Tuesday announced a nationwide tractor march scheduled for January 26. This comes amid the ongoing hunger strike by farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a fast-unto-death since November 26 at the Khanauri border.

The condition of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal continued to deteriorate further on Tuesday when his blood pressure (BP) dropped to a critical level. Dallewal’s systolic BP fell to 77, while the diastolic value was recorded at 45 last night, creating a panic at the Khanauri site. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 08, 2025 05:02 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

SC panel-Dallewal meet ends in deadlock

Fasting farmer leader turns down top court-appointed committee’s request to take medical help; Dallewal, who is the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political), has been on an indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana since November 26, 2024

The committee members reached the Khanauri protest site at around 3.30 pm and requested the septuagenarian Dallewal to take medical assistance. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 07, 2025 09:00 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Punjab steps up efforts to convince Dallewal for medical help

A day before SC is to hear a contempt petition against the Punjab officials, state government stepped up efforts to convince Jagjit Singh Dallewal.

Patiala ADC Anurprita Johal along with Patran SDM Ashok Kumar meeting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal on Sunday. (HT Photo)

India News

Updated on Jan 06, 2025 04:00 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Strengthen morcha at Khanauri: Dallewal’s message to farmers

Dallewal has urged farmers in other states to hold protests to demonstrate that the movement extends beyond Punjab

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal addresses the gathering at the Khanuari border during the kisan mahapanchayat in Punjab’s Sangrur district on Saturday. (PTI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 05, 2025 08:16 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

Punjab farm union activists flock to Khanauri protest site for mahapanchayat

Turn up in droves to attend kisan mahapanchayat to be addressed by farmer leader Jagjeet Singh Dallewal, whose indefinite fast entered its 40th day on Saturday.

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on an indefinite fast, was brought in an ambulance to the stage for addressing the mahapanchayat convened at the Khanauri protest site on the border with Haryana on Saturday. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Jan 04, 2025 02:51 PM IST

ByKaram Prakash

SC panel to submit first report on boosting farm income by month-end

The committee has met various stakeholders, including directors of agriculture and horticulture departments of Punjab and Haryana, and the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).

Recently, in its report on demand for grants (2024-25) tabled in the just-concluded Parliament session, the standing committee on agriculture, animal husbandry and food processing has backed the idea of legally guaranteed minimum support prices (MSP) for farm produce, calling it “essential”.

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 03, 2025 09:12 AM IST

ByKaram Prakash, Patiala

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Karam Prakash

Karam Prakash is a Patiala-based senior correspondent covering several districts of Malwa region of Punjab. He writes on various domains, including health, agriculture, power and education.

Punjab experienced its warmest January in six years, with major cities across the state reporting higher-than-usual daytime temperatures

The farm unions criticised Sitharaman for ignoring the National Commission's key recommendation to keep MSPs 50% above the cost of production.

A day before Union budget, protesting farmer unions have demanded a special budgetary allocation to implement a legal guarantee for the minimum support price.

The veteran leader’s fast-unto-death entered its 64th day on Tuesday. His health has started showing signs of improvement since January 18 when he started accepting medical aid.

The protesting farmers’ unions said that these mahapanchayats were being organised to mark one year of ‘Kisan Andolan 2.0’ which started on Feb 13 last year.

The health minister, along with principal secretary Kumar Rahul, inspected the 66KV power station at the hospital and held an emergency meeting with senior PSPCL officials

As many as 3,100 Punjab Police personnel have been deployed for security to ensure smooth conduct of the Republic Day event

This is not the first time that such an incident has happened at the hospital. Last year in July, doctors and support medical staff of the hospital had to perform a Caesarean section or C-section under the flashlight of mobile phones due to a power outage.

The decision – which was made public weeks before the assembly elections in Delhi – sparked a political controversy

“Examination of his cardiovascular system and respiratory system are normal. He is conscious, cooperative and oriented,” read the report prepared by the medical board following tests undergone by Dallewal on January 21.

“In view of the issuance of notification on reinstatement of ACPs, the PCMSA call for agitation is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect. The PCMSA believes that the reinstatement of ACPs will go a long way in retaining doctors in the department,” said Dr Akhil Sarin, state president of PCMSA.

Pandher said they (KMM) are appealing to SKM (non-political) convener Jagit Singh Dallewal to end his fast and get fit to take part in the talks.

A group of 121 farmers, who sat on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri protest site in solidarity with farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, ended their indefinite strike on Sunday after he took medical aid

Following the announcement, Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death entered 54th day on Saturday, agreed to take medical aid so that he can participate in the proposed meeting, said people in know of the matter.

The reaction came a day after Punjab government submitted a report in the SC that Dallewal’s health was stable; farmers claim Jagjit Singh Dallewal has lost 20kg since starting his fast, his body isn’t accepting water

The next meeting to draw a blueprint for a united fight for their demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP on crops

Dallewal, who is the convener of the SKM (Non-Political), has been on an indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 last year

AAP's Kundan Gogia elected Patiala's first mayor, with party winning 43 of 60 municipal seats. Harinder Kohli and Jagdeep Singh Jagga are deputy mayors.

Aam Aadmi Party has won 43 of the 60 seats in the municipal corporation; Harinder Singh Kohli elected senior deputy mayor and Jagdeep Singh Jagga deputy mayor.

The farmers, under the banner of SKM (non-political) and KMM, have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, 2024, after their march to Delhi was stopped by the security forces.

Second such incident in a month at protest site on the Punjab and Haryana border, where farmers have been agitating for almost a year, urging the Centre to guarantee MSP on crops.

Gurpartap Singh Wadala added that their main demand is that SAD should accept Takht’s edict and let the seven-member committee begin reorganisation accordingly.

Protesting farmer unions on Tuesday announced a nationwide tractor march scheduled for January 26. This comes amid the ongoing hunger strike by farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a fast-unto-death since November 26 at the Khanauri border.

Fasting farmer leader turns down top court-appointed committee’s request to take medical help; Dallewal, who is the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political), has been on an indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana since November 26, 2024

A day before SC is to hear a contempt petition against the Punjab officials, state government stepped up efforts to convince Jagjit Singh Dallewal.

Dallewal has urged farmers in other states to hold protests to demonstrate that the movement extends beyond Punjab

Turn up in droves to attend kisan mahapanchayat to be addressed by farmer leader Jagjeet Singh Dallewal, whose indefinite fast entered its 40th day on Saturday.

The committee has met various stakeholders, including directors of agriculture and horticulture departments of Punjab and Haryana, and the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).

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