Here are the top 10 general news headlines from Punjab on Sunday, May 24, 2026, covering major administrative changes, the upcoming civic body elections, severe weather response, and police operations:
1. Massive Sports Boost: CM Mann Honours 1,070 Athletes with ₹32.05 Crore in Awards
In one of the largest sports promotion drives in the state’s history, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann distributed ₹32.05 crore in prize money to 1,070 medal-winning athletes and 87 Maharaja Ranjit Singh Awardees. He announced an unprecedented sports budget of ₹1,763 crore for 2026-27 and revealed that Punjab will host the high-voltage India-Pakistan match during the Asian Champions Trophy.
2. Scorching Heatwave: New Morning Timings for All Govt Offices and Schools Start Tomorrow
Amid severe heatwave conditions with temperatures hovering near 45°C, the Punjab government’s revised schedule officially kicks off on May 25. All government offices, schools, and colleges will operate from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM to shield citizens and employees from the intense afternoon heat. Extended summer vacations are also being finalized across various districts.
3. Public Holiday Declared on May 26 Across Punjab for Municipal Elections
The Punjab Government has declared a General Holiday on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. The holiday applies to all state government offices, boards, corporations, and educational institutions (including those in Chandigarh) to enable citizens to cast their votes in the Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council, and Nagar Panchayat elections.
4. Counter-Intelligence Busted Cross-Border Drug Module; 28 kg Heroin Seized in Ferozepur
In a major breakthrough against narco-terrorism, the Counter-Intelligence wing of the Punjab Police intercepted a cross-border smuggling module in Guruharsahai, Ferozepur. Four individuals were arrested, and 28.12 kg of heroin along with ₹9.5 lakh in drug money was recovered. DGP Gaurav Yadav confirmed the module was operating under foreign-based handlers.
5. Punjab Civic Polls: SAD Urges Election Commission to Extend Polling Hours Due to Heatwave
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema has formally appealed to the State Election Commission to alter the polling hours for the May 26 civic polls. Citing extreme heat, SAD requested the hours be extended from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM to 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM to protect senior citizens and laborers, ensuring a fair voter turnout.
6. Major Water Conservation Push: Punjab Sets 5 Lakh Acre Target for Direct Seeding of Rice
Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian announced an ambitious expansion of the Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) technique for the 2026–27 kharif season, setting a target of 5 lakh acres. Backed by a ₹40-crore support scheme, the government is offering farmers an incentive of ₹1,500 per acre via its active online portal to combat rapidly declining groundwater levels.
7. High Court Orders Ballots and CCTV Surveillance for May 26 Civic Polls
Ahead of Tuesday’s municipal voting, the Punjab & Haryana High Court rejected pleas to use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), confirming that the civic polls will be conducted using traditional ballot papers. To ensure absolute transparency and curb potential malpractices, the Court has mandated strict CCTV surveillance at all polling booths.
8. Uninterrupted 8-Hour Power Supply Guaranteed for Farmers This Paddy Season
Power Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond announced that the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has completed all groundwork to provide more than eight hours of daily electricity to agricultural pump connections. The staggered supply will roll out in phases starting June 1, beginning with districts like Gurdaspur, Amritsar, and Hoshiarpur.
9. Highway Robbery Plan Foiled in Gurdaspur; Six Arrested with Firearms
The Gurdaspur Police intercepted and arrested six individuals who were allegedly plotting a coordinated armed robbery on a major highway. SSP Aditya confirmed that a .30 calibre pistol, live rounds, and sharp weapons were seized. Five of the suspects hail from Patiala, and four have extensive prior criminal histories.
10. Jalandhar Police Recover Hand Grenade in Anti-Gangster Crackdown
As part of an ongoing state-wide sweep against organized crime networks, the Jalandhar Police apprehended a suspected operative and recovered a live hand grenade. The arrest has triggered a deeper investigation by intelligence wings to trace the origin of the explosive device and map out local logistical networks.
