Punjab government approves 9 major decisions, including deployment of sniffer dogs in jails
Chandigarh (Uttam Hindu News) - In a historic decision, the Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, today approved increasing the compensation amount for crop loss to farmers to Rs 20,000 per acre. The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister at the Chief Minister's Office here today.
A spokesperson from the Chief Minister's Office stated that to provide adequate relief to those affected by natural disasters, the Cabinet ex-post facto approved revised compensation rates for compensation from the state budget. The state faced severe floods this year, leading to the decision to increase the relief amount. This decision will provide compensation of Rs. 10,000 per acre for crop losses ranging from 26 to 75 percent, and Rs. 20,000 per acre for losses ranging from 76 to 100 percent. Additionally, Rs. 40,000 per house will be provided for partially damaged houses, compared to the previous amount of only Rs. 6,500 per acre. There will be no increase in the amount provided by the Government of India from the SDRF; therefore, the additional compensation will be borne by the state government from its own treasury.
Amendment to Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013 approved
To streamline the operations of interstate checkposts, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013, allowing the levy of a fee on vehicles carrying processed or unprocessed minor minerals entering the state. This will help the Department meet the operational costs of interstate checkposts. It will also help strengthen and streamline the system at these checkposts, facilitating their upkeep and maintenance.
Amendment to the policy for fixing reserve price of plots approved
To simplify and streamline the process of fixing reserve price of various sites under development authorities, the Cabinet approved amendment to the policy for fixing reserve price of plots. As per the revised e-auction policy, the reserve price of the site will be determined based on the valuation by three independent valuers empanelled with the National Banks. The reserve price, once fixed for auction, will be valid for one calendar year.
Approval of Site Allotment Policy for Cooperative Societies
The Cabinet also approved the policy for allotment of land to cooperative societies for construction of multi-storey flats under the Group Housing Scheme-2025. This policy aims to ensure affordable and planned housing in urban areas of Punjab by facilitating cooperative housing societies. This decision provides a transparent, fair, and structured framework for land allotment, ensuring timely construction and development in line with the state's urban planning goals.
Approval of Policy for Completion of Mega Housing Projects
To mitigate hardships faced by promoters and provide relief to the general public, the Cabinet approved the Policy for Completion of Mega Housing Projects falling under the jurisdiction of various Development Authorities. The applicable period for development of the project and the completion date of already approved projects will be allowed only once, at the rate of Rs. 25,000 per acre per year, on the request of the promoter, for a maximum period of five years from December 31, 2025. The payment for extension in the applicable period will have to be deposited first, and no further extension in the applicable period will be allowed thereafter.
Approval to increase the fixed honorarium of OSDs (Litigation) working in various departments
The Cabinet also approved the increase in the fixed honorarium of OSDs (Litigation) working in various departments. Thirteen temporary vacancies of OSDs (Litigation) have been created in various departments, and their retainership fee was increased from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 60,000 in the year 2020. Now the fixed salary/retainership fee of OSDs (Litigation) has been increased by Rs. 10,000.
Ex-post facto approval for constitution of Cabinet Sub-Committee
The Cabinet gave ex-post facto approval for constitution of Cabinet Sub-Committee for conversion of rolling mills in Mandi Gobindgarh and Khanna areas from coal to PNG.
Approval to implement Telecommunications Rules
The Cabinet approved the implementation of Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules-2024 in the state.
Decision approved to enhance vigilance in prisons
To prevent criminal activities and drug smuggling, enhance the level of frisking of visitors and strengthen the overall security arrangements of prisons, the Cabinet has granted exemption for procurement of sniffer dogs under Section 63(1) of the Punjab Transparency in Procurement Act, 2019. Six sniffer dogs will be procured from BSF/CRPF for the security requirements of prisons to prevent criminal activities inside the prisons. This move will help in enhancing the security of prisons and checking criminal activities in prisons.