26052026-TTC-01.qxd 26-05-2026 00:41 Page 1 c m y b 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 146 NO. 144 | 12 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881 ASSAM INTRODUCES UCC BILL TO BAN POLYGAMY NATION /thetribunechd XI HAILS ‘UNBREAKABLE’ TIES WITH PAK AS HE MEETS SHEHBAZ WORLD CHINA EXPORT CURBS HARMANPREET, DHARAM PUT INDIA’S ELECTRONICS AMONG 66 GET PADMA PUSH AT RISK BUSINESS AWARDS BACK PAGE tuesday | 26 may 2026 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com Petrol tops ~100 after fourth hike in 11 days, FM defends Modi’s austerity push Quad looks to chart Indo-Pacific strategy Fuel prices up ~2.61-~2.71| W Asia crisis bound to hit people: Sitharaman Mehangai manav New Delhi, May 25 Amid sharpening geopolitical rivalries in the IndoPacific, West Asia uncertainty and renewed concerns over global supply chains, India will on Tuesday host the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, with New Delhi expected to push for a stronger strategic and economic agenda among the four-member grouping comprising India, the US, Japan and Australia. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will host US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi for the talks expected to focus on maritime security, resilient supply chains, critical minerals, emerging technologies and regional stability. Diplomatic sources said the ministers were likely to reaffirm their commitment to a “free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific” while reviewing progress on ongoing Quad initiatives in areas such as cyber security, disaster relief coordination, undersea cable connectivity and critical technologies. The meeting assumes sig- Aditya Rangroo CENTRE KEEPS TABS AMID PANIC BUYING Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 25 Petrol prices were raised by Rs 2.61 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71 on Monday, the fourth increase in less than two weeks, even as Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s austerity call amid the West Asia crisis, stressing the need to focus on the “3Fs” — fuel, fertiliser and forex. The latest fuel price increase has taken the cumulative hikes since May 15 to nearly Rs 7.5 per litre. Sitharaman said the crisis in West Asia was not merely a geopolitical issue, but one that would directly lead to higher fuel costs for common people. She, however, maintained that the domestic economy remained positive and resilient despite external challenges. In Delhi, petrol prices rose to Rs 102.12 per litre, while diesel climbed to Rs 95.20. Fuel prices have reached their highest levels since May 2022, with petrol prices crossing Rs 100 in most cities, after remaining largely frozen for more than continued on page 8 Painedbyclaims judiciaryshielding accusedinTwisha deathcase:SC Tribune News Service The Centre is monitoring fuel supplies across the country on a daily basis and taking corrective measures to ensure adequate stocks are available, a senior official said on Monday, citing panic buying at petrol stations in parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. STOCKS JUMP 1%, ~ TOO BOUNCES BACK ‘STEER CLEAR OF FEAR-MONGERING’ ❝ Naysayers have created a cynical and pessimistic narrative. India can’t afford fear-mongering. The challenges are more externally driven even as our domestic economic situation remains resilient even today. Nirmala Sitharaman, FM Give up LPG within 30 days of piped supply: Govt Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 25 In a major move that will impact urban and semiurban households across India, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Monday issued a landmark CBI takes over probe “We are slightly in pain because of some of the actions. We will request our media friends not to go for the statements of the victim’s family or the other family. Let things move as per law and procedure…,” a Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said. The Bench, which also included Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi, asked the media to exercise restraint while reporting on the case. “We also request the media to avoid recording statements of persons who are likely to be potential witnesses, as it may unnecessarily impact the outcomes on certain issues which are to be investigated,” said the Bench, which had on Saturday taken suo motu cognisance of alleged institutional continued on page 8 Consumers can opt for transfer vouchers to restore connection in future notification amending the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000. AfterscrappingIWT,govt mulls ~2.3K cr project to divert Indus water to HP Rinku Behera New Delhi, May 25 Expressing anguish over the narrative that the judiciary was shielding the accused, the Supreme Court on Monday said it would ensure a fair, independent and impartial probe into the death of former modelturned-actor Twisha Sharma. Twisha (33) was found hanging at her matrimonial home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area on May 12 within a few months of marriage. Her family accused her in-laws of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide. Her in-laws, however, alleged that she suffered from drug addiction. An FIR registered by the state police against her husband Samarth Singh and her mother-in-law Giribala Singh, who is former district judge, on charges of dowry harassment has been transferred to the CBI. The agency on Monday registered an FIR in the case. Indian markets surged over 1 per cent, driven by a 5% dip in crude prices amid improving sentiment over the US-Iran talks. Sensex jumped 1,073.61 points to settle at 76,488.96, while Nifty surged 312.40 points to end at 24,031.70. Rupee rose 34 paise to close at 95.26/$. Tribune News Service NewDelhi, May25 Following India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan in abeyance in the aftermath of last year’s Pahalgam terror attack, the Centre has proposed two major infrastructure projects linked to the Chenab river system worth Rs 2,620 crore. The projects seek enhanced utilisation of the waters of the Indus system within the country. These include Rs 2,352crore Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh and Rs 268-crore sediment bypass tunnel at Salal Dam in J&K. The Tribune has learnt that the Chenab-Beas project is set to be placed for the Centre’s approval any time now. The project involves the construction of an 8.7-km-long tunnel that will divert surplus water from the Chenab basin into the Beas river system in Himachal, thus benefitting Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan. The water from Lahaul’s Chandra river, a tributary of the Chenab, will be channelled towards the Beas basin through hydraulic structures and tunnels, a move expected to help generate an additional 4,000 MW of electricity in Himachal. “The Chenab-Beas tunnel project is of great strategic importance to the northern states. This will prevent the surplus waters of the Indus systems to flow into Pakistan and divert this water to Himachal, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan,”said HP ex-CM Jai Ram Thakur. Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur described the project as “immensely beneficial for HP and the country”. “Under the Chenab-Beas tunnel project, there is also a proposal to build a 19-metre-high barrage in the Lahaul valley. The project will not just help generate more hydropower, but also expand better use of waters of rivers originating in India,” Anurag said. The notification introduces a clear and time-bound rule — any household that already has a domestic LPG connection and subsequently obtains a PNG connection must, within 30 days, either formally apply for termination of the continued on page 8 again: Rahul; BJP calls it global crisis Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 25 The Congress on Monday attacked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over the recent fuel price hikes, accusing it of burdening ordinary families despite record profits by public sector oil marketing companies, while the BJP hit back, accusing the Opposition of politicising a global energy crisis and attempting to spread negativity. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged that the “mehangai manav” had struck again and he had just one job of making promises during elections and attacking people’s pockets at other times. He said the government was increasing fuel prices in phases so that the impact was felt “quietly” by the public. He alleged that the Centre raised prices immediately after elections and warned that further hikes could follow. continued on page 8 GONDOLA SCARE Ujwal Jalali Tribune News Service India to host US, Japan, Australia ministers today amid global tensions nificance against the backdrop of growing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, tensions around Taiwan and mounting concerns over economic coercion and strategic vulnerabilities in global supply chains. India is expected to emphasise the need for “trusted and diversified” supply chains, particularly in semiconductors, rare earths and critical minerals, which have emerged as major pillars of Quad cooperation. The continuing instability in West Asia and concerns over possible disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are also expected to figure during the discussions. Given India’s dependence on energy imports, New Delhi is likely to underline the importance of securing maritime trade routes across the Indo-Pacific and the Indian Ocean region. Apart from security issues, the ministers are expected to discuss practical cooperation in artificial intelligence, telecom resilience, clean energy continued on page 8 BombthreatatDiljit’s house,mayor’soffice LUDHIANA: Panic gripped civic officials and security agencies on Monday after an email warning of blasts at the office of Ludhiana mayor and the residence linked to Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh was received on the official email IDs of senior MC officials, including the MC Commissioner. — TNS DelhiGymkhanaClub orderchallengedinHC NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court will on Tuesday hear a plea challenging the Centre’s order directing the Delhi Gymkhana Club to vacate its 27.3-acre property in the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi by June 5, setting the stage for a major legal fight over one of the Capital’s most prime and sensitive land parcels. BACK PAGE 3AIADMKrebelMLAs resign,settojoinTVK CHENNAI: The AIADMK suffered another blow on Monday when three of its party legislators belonging to the rebel group led by senior leaders CV Shanmugam and SP Velumani resigned and are set to join the ruling TVK, prompting “horsetrading” charges from the Opposition DMK and AIADMK. — PTI PM Modi BJP’s biggest face for Punjab Assembly poll: Saini Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service Around 300 tourists stranded in 65 cable cars were rescued in a 7-hour joint operation by the Army, J&K Police, SDRF and local administration after the ski gondola system developed a snag in Gulmarg on Monday. ANI New Delhi, May 25 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, currently leading the charge for the BJP in Punjab, has signalled that the party will contest the 2027 Assembly elections in the border state under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Answering a question by The Tribune on the BJP’s top challenge of the lack of a prominent face in the state, Saini said PM Modi was the party’s “biggest face in Punjab”. “All of us are the faces and PM Modi is the biggest face. We have many leaders in the state,” Saini, who was in Delhi for an event today, said. The Haryana CM drew parallels between West Bengal and Punjab and said, “In West Bengal, we fought the elections on the face of PM Modi. We have a Chief Minister, and a strong Chief Minister, a Chief Minister who will take the state to great heights.” Tasked by the BJP with ‘DIVERT CHENAB WATER TO RESOLVE SYL ROW’ Haryana CM Saini said the Chenab waters could be diverted to Punjab for further sharing with Haryana to resolve the SYL issue. The Indus, Jhelum and the Chenab were allocated to Pakistan under the 1961 IWT, which India suspended in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. STAGE SET FOR PUNJAB CIVIC BODY POLL TODAY As many as 7,555 candidates will battle it out in the Punjab civic body poll on Tuesday. Around 32K police personnel and 35K poll officials have been deputed for the elections to eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils and 20 nagar panchayats. expanding outreach across Punjab, especially among OBCs, Saini today played down the factor of Jat Sikh dominance in Punjab politics and said the BJP wanted to take everyone together. “Jat Sikhs have immense contribution to the development of Punjab. The BJP believes in sabka saath, sabka vikas,” he said. A prominent OBC leader of the BJP , Saini has, however, been enlisted by the party to campaign in Punjab where 30 per cent people are OBCs and 32 per cent Scheduled Castes. In Punjab, the BJP is experimenting with an umbrella coalition of OBCs and SCs, besides playing on the core strength of Hindu consolidation, which paid off in Bengal. Asked if the BJP was a serious contender in Punjab, Saini, routinely seen travelling across the state in a turban, said, “Punjab has made up its mind to elect the BJP . Punjab’s people have been betrayed by the Congress and AAP They are now wait. ing for the election dates.” On why Punjab would rely on the BJP not even a fringe , player so far, Saini said, “Because the adjoining BJP government in Haryana delivered on all poll promises, especially to the women, while Punjab’s AAP government did not.” Punjab orders 21-day crackdown to cage all stray dogs Plea against cockroach Sensitive areas declared ‘no-release zones’ | Task forces to be set up in 3 days | Strict deadlines for sterilisation Rajmeet Singh SC JUNKS PLEA OVER MANN’S REMARK Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 25 Adhering to the Supreme Court’s recent guidelines, the Punjab Government on Monday ordered the formation of Stray Animal Control Task Forces across the state and launched a 21-day “urgent crackdown” on stray dogs in sensitive public areas. All schools, colleges, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations, religious places, parks, sports complexes and other crowded public spaces have been declared “no-release zones”. Stray dogs removed The Supreme Court has refused to entertain an NGO’s petition flagging Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s alleged statement that the court has given a “free hand” to eliminate stray dogs. “Just because a CM makes a statement, does that mean we have to change our order?” a Bench said. from these areas will not be released back into the same localities, in line with the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. “The failure to comply with the instructions will invite strict action and personal accountability,” a senior government functionary said. In a detailed circular issued by the Department of Local c m y b Government, all municipal corporations, councils and nagar panchayats have been directed to implement a comprehensive, time-bound action plan to ensure public safety, particularly for children, while adhering to the apex court directions. The department has set deadlines for various tasks. Every municipal body must constitute a Stray Animal Control Task Force under the supervision of the Commissioner or Executive Officer within three days. Complete mapping and survey of all sensitive areas to identify stray dogs, feeding hotspots and the status of sterilisation and vaccination must be done in seven days. Dedicated complaint helplines, control rooms and rapid response continued on page 8 party can wait, says SC Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 25 The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant an urgent hearing on a petition seeking action against the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) — a satirical digital outfit that has taken social media by storm — saying it shall be listed in “due course of time”. “Don’t take it so sentimentally,” a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant told the petitioner’s advocate, NK Goswami, after he sought an out-of-turn hearing on his petition demanding action against the CJP and all those allegedly involved in commercial exploitation of the top court’s observations. “There is no grave urgency. We will consider it in due course of time,” the Bench, which also included Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi, told the petitioner’s counsel. Filed by advocate Raja Chaudhary on Sunday, the petition also sought a CBI probe into the issue of fake advocates, fraudulent law continued on page 8