Punjab

A sharp rise in fraudulent phone calls linked to LPG bookings has emerged as a serious concern in Punjab, fueled by rumors of supply disruptions and heightened consumer anxiety. Cybercriminals are exploiting panic-driven demand by impersonating representatives of major gas providers and using phishing tactics to extract sensitive financial information. Authorities warn that increased digital adoption, combined with misinformation about shortages, has created a fertile environment for such scams.

A fresh inter-state dispute has emerged as Bhagwant Mann announced that Punjab will seek Rs. 1.44 lakh crore in unpaid water royalty from Rajasthan. The claim traces back to a pre-independence agreement governing water supply arrangements, under which payments were allegedly discontinued after 1960. With Rajasthan continuing to receive substantial water flows, the issue has resurfaced with financial and political implications.

HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited (HMEL) has announced a major investment of Rs 2,600 crore in the specialty and fine chemicals sector in Punjab, signaling a strategic diversification beyond traditional refining operations. The announcement was made by industrialist Lakshmi Niwas Mittal during the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit 2026. In addition to the chemical sector expansion, the company plans to enter the fuel retail market by establishing 500 fuel stations across India. 

The Punjab government has unveiled plans to establish three large-scale exhibition centres aimed at strengthening the state’s industrial and commercial ecosystem. The proposed facilities will be developed in Ludhiana, New Chandigarh, and Amritsar, providing businesses with modern venues to showcase products, attract investors, and promote trade opportunities. The initiative was announced during discussions with industry leaders at the Progressive Punjab Investment Summit, where policymakers and entrepreneurs examined key economic challenges and opportunities in the state.