Here are the top news headlines from Punjab for Thursday, May 21, 2026:
1. Severe Heatwave Grips Punjab; IMD Issues Orange Alert Till May 26
A brutal, persistent heatwave has taken over the state, pushing temperatures well above seasonal norms. Major cities like Patiala, Bathinda, and Ludhiana are hovering around the to mark. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that dry, scorching conditions will continue with no relief expected for at least the next five days.
2. Punjab Petrol Pumps Run Dry; Dealers Seek Urgent Government Intervention
The Punjab Petrol Pump Dealers Association has written an emergency email to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, reporting a severe short supply of petrol and diesel from oil marketing companies. Long queues and widespread “dry-outs” at retail outlets are threatening critical transportation and upcoming paddy-sowing activities, especially in rural agricultural belts.
3. State Power Demand Touches Record 14,238 MW Amid Scorching Heat
Driven by the intense heatwave, electricity demand in Punjab shattered historical records for the month of May, peaking at 14,238 MW. The sudden surge has thrown several rural and suburban pockets into prolonged power outages, disrupting localized water supplies and straining the state’s power infrastructure.
4. Nationwide Sanitation Workers’ Strike Ends After Successful Talks with Punjab Govt
Bringing massive relief to residents across Punjab’s major urban cities, sanitation workers and sewer employees have officially called off their prolonged strike. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema confirmed that the government has agreed to form dedicated committees to look into demands regarding a minimum monthly salary of ₹26,000 and the regularisation of temporary workers.
5. Patiala Police Crack MBBS Student Murder Case Within 36 Hours
The Patiala Police department successfully resolved the high-profile murder case of medical student Dr. Kamaldeep Mittal. Following an intensive 36-hour investigation, authorities arrested the victim’s childhood friend, citing personal animosity as the primary motive.
6. Satirical “Cockroach Janta Party” Phenomenon Sparks Digital Frenzy in Punjab
Social media feeds across the state are buzzing over the viral “Cockroach Janta Party” (CJP) campaign. Initially sparked by a metaphorical remark from Chief Justice Surya Kant, the satirical page has rapidly crossed 10 million followers, outstripping mainstream political handles and dominating internet discourse among Punjab’s youth.
7. Cotton Sowing Hit Hard: Punjab Manages Only 32% of Target as Window Closes
Agricultural experts have raised alarms after data revealed that Punjab has managed to sow cotton across just 40,402 hectares against the state’s target of 1.25 lakh hectares. The closure of the ideal sowing window, delayed by late wheat harvesting, leaves late-sown crops highly vulnerable to pest infestations like whitefly and pink bollworm.
8. Punjab Govt Retains 33% Hybrid Seed Subsidy to Rescue Declining Cotton Cultivation
In a bid to incentivize struggling farmers and reverse the steady shift back to paddy, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian directed officials to scale up awareness around the state’s 33% subsidy on certified BT cotton hybrids. The subsidy is being credited directly via DBT to help farmers battling recent climate setbacks.
9. High Court Refuses Stay on DA Order; No Immediate Relief for Punjab Government
In a blow to state treasury planning, the Punjab and Haryana High Court refused to grant a stay on an earlier order demanding the release of pending Dearness Allowance (DA) installments for state government employees and pensioners, mounting further financial pressure on the administration.
10. Vigilance Bureau Intensifies Graft Probe; Former PSPCL Top Brass Arrested
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau has arrested a former Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) along with two associates. The high-profile arrests are tied to an ongoing anti-corruption campaign targeting alleged irregularities and embezzlement in state-allocated power contracts.
