Led by CM Cabinet gives nod to disburse Rs 14,000 crore arrears to employees and pensioners
Chandigarh, February 13-
In a big bonanza to the employees and pensioners of the state government, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday accorded consent to disburse pending arrears worth Rs 14,000 crore to them.
A decision to this effect was taken in the meeting of the Council of Ministers held here under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister today at his office in Punjab Civil Secretariat-I.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Cabinet gave approval to release arrears of revised pay/ pensions and leave encashment from period of January 1, 2016 to June 30, 2022 and that DA/ DR from July 1, 2021 to March 31, 2024 for pensioners and employees. This sum worth Rs 14,000 crore will be released in stages and will give a much needed relief to the employees and pensioners. Pertinently, there are three lakh employees and three lakh pensioners of the state government who will be directly benefitted by this move.
GIVES NOD FOR CREATION OF 60,000 JOBS IN GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR
The Cabinet also gave nod to create new posts in Punjab State Legal Services Authority for setting up 22 new Lok Adalats in the state to dispense justice to the people. The Cabinet also gave approval to create three new posts of Assistant Director, Senior Assistant and Sewadar in the newly created district of Malerkotla. In order to check the pilferage of taxes in the state by proper utilization of the human resources in the Taxation department, the Cabinet also gave approval for creation of 476 new posts in the department.
Along with it green signal was given for changing the nomenclature of the posts of the Inspectors in the department as they will be now known as State Taxation Officers. The Cabinet also accorded consent for recruitment of 53 drivers in the Excise department on a regular basis. The Cabinet also gave green signal for amending the rules and qualifications for the direct recruitment of Physical Training Instructors (PTI teachers) in the Elementary Education department. This will facilitate the recruitment of 2000 such teachers across the state in the coming days.
In order to impart quality health services to the people of the state, the Cabinet also gave nod for revival of 822 posts of Group C cadre in the Health and Family welfare department. This will help in enhancing the efficiency of the department thereby immensely benefitting the people by providing them quality healthcare services. The Cabinet also gave approval for creation of 97 posts of various cadres in the Dr BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences, SAS Nagar. This will further help in increasing the efficiency of the institute to provide quality medical services to the people.
In a move aimed at generating more than 50,000 jobs for youth, the Cabinet also gave nod for Waiver of Stamp Duty, Registration Fee and other additional Charges for transfer of land to the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) “NICDC Punjab Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited” for Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC) being developed as a part of Amritsar Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC) Project. The project aims to serve as a catalyst for local commerce, business with global competitiveness and creating an environment conducive to investment. The project will generate employment of about 32724 from Industrial and 14880 from Non Industrial support amenities.
GIVES NOD FOR PROVIDING HOUSES TO EWS OVER 1500 ACRE OF LAND
In an endeavor to provide houses to the Economically Weaker Section of the Society, the Cabinet gave nod to a policy for “Optimum utilization of land reserved for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). As per this scattered land pockets falling in various colonies will be monetized and the funds received from such sale will be utilized for the benefit of EWS adding that for this 1500 acre land will be acquired across the state. State Development Authorities will be authorized to plan these scattered land pockets at their level to cater to the needs of the end user in such a way that would generate reasonable revenue for the Department by way of auctioning of these sites. State Development Authorities will also be authorised to identify and acquire separate chunks of land for making either plots or houses for the EWS so that the interest of the Economically Weaker Section of the Society is taken care of by the Government.
GREEN SIGNAL FOR POLICY TO OPTIMALLY UTILIZE THE EDC COLLECTED BY VARIOUS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES
The Cabinet also gave nod to policy to optimally utilize the EDC collected by various development Authorities on behalf of Government from promoters who develop their projects under PAPRA Act. As per this policy 50% of the EDC collected from promoters will be utilized for development of infrastructure within the periphery of the colony or township whereas the remaining 50% will be utilized by the government for development of major projects in the state. The policy will give further impetus to the development of the state in a big way.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR ACID ATTACK VICTIMS ENHANCED FROM RS 8000 TO RS 10,000
In a significant decision the Cabinet also decided to rename the scheme for financial assistance to Acid victims as “The Punjab Financial Assistance to Acid Victims Scheme, 2024” thereby including the males and transgenders victim in the scheme besides increasing the financial assistance of Rs. 8,000/- per month being given to the victim to 10,000/ – per month. Punjab Government had notified “The Punjab Financial Assistance to Acid Victims Scheme, 2017”, vide notification no. 1006029/1, dated 20.06.2017, to provide financial assistance to female acid attack victims. Earlier under this Scheme, only female acid attack victims were covered and provided with a financial assistance of Rs. 8,000/- per month. But making the Scheme gender-neutral, the state government has renamed it as “The Punjab Financial Assistance to Acid Victims Scheme, 2024” and included males and transgenders, who become victims of acid attack in the Scheme. The Financial assistance to the victims has also been increased to Rs 10,000 per month from existing Rs 8000.
TWO DAYS SPECIAL SITTING OF VIDHAN SABHA ON FEBRUARY 24-25
The Cabinet also gave nod for convening a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on February 24-25. Legislative business will be conducted during the two days session.
GO AHEAD TO AMNESTY POLICY FOR THE DEFAULTING LAND ALLOTTEES
In a major relief to the people, the Cabinet also gave go ahead to Amnesty Policy, for the defaulted allottees who were not able to deposit the money against the plot/ land allotted to them by PUDA and other Special Development Authorities. As per this scheme the defaulters can deposit their dues in lump sum along with scheme interest without any penalty. The Non Construction Charges shall be waived by 50% and Extension fee in the case of Institutional Sites/Hospital Sites/Industrial plots allotted in IT City, SAS Nagar or any other Scheme of the Development Authorities at the rate of 2.50% shall be Charged and the allottees shall be allowed 3 years period for fulfillment of all conditions of the allotment letter.
SIX SPECIAL COURTS TO COME UP FOR NRIs
In a major step aimed at facilitating the NRIs across the state, the Cabinet has approved to set up special fast track NRI courts in six districts of the state. As per the decision these courts will be set up at Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Moga and Ludhiana. This will ensure smooth dispensation of justice to the NRI brethren thereby giving a big relief to them.
HONORARIUM OF VILLAGE CHOWKIDARS ENHANCED
In a major decision, the Cabinet also gave nod for enhancing the monthly honorarium of the Rural Chowkidars from existing Rs 1250 to Rs 1500. This initiative will help in smooth discharge of duty by the chowkidars in the rural areas of the state.
OPTIMUM UTILIZATION OF LAND BELONGING TO BATHINDA THERMAL PLANT GIVEN GREEN SIGNAL
The Cabinet also decided to optimally utilize 253 Acres land, of the Thermal power plant Bathinda, with the Bathinda Development Authority for residential/ commercial sites, water treatment plant, Bus stand, ESI Hospital and Schools and returning 1235 acre land to PSPCL. Apart from this, the administrative control of three lakes falling in approximately 173 Acre land of Thermal plant will remain with the Bathinda Development Authority and the ownership rights will remain with the PSPCL. This Area will be developed by the BDA as a tourist spot which will make the city as a tourist Hub and the profit from this will be distributed to PSPCL and Bathinda Development Authority under 80:20 Policy of the Department.
OKAYS AMENDMENT IN E-AUCTION POLICY OF HOUSING DEPARTMENT
The Cabinet also gave approval for amending e-auction Policy of the housing and urban development department. On the basis of feedback received after e-auction conducted in September 2024/October 2024 and after examining e-auction policies of other Development Authorities like Noida, Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority, HSVP and Jaipur Development Authority, certain changes have been introduced in the policy with an aim to generate maximum revenue. The eligibility fees for all types of properties except chunk sites has been increased and a formula for the reduction in the reserve price of unsold properties after two consecutive auctions has been devised.
As per the amendment if the plot/site is not sold in two Consecutive Auctions, Reserve Price shall be reduced by 7.5% at the level of Chief Administrator of the concerned Authority. If the same plot/site is not sold in the next two Consecutive Auctions, Reserve Price shall further be reduced by 7.50% of the originally fixed reserve price for the first Auction (total reduction 15% of the originally fixed reserve price for the first Auction) at the level of Chief Administrator of the concerned Authority. If the same plot/site is not sold in the next two Consecutive Auctions, Reserve Price shall further be reduced by 7.50% of the originally fixed reserve price for the first Auction (total reduction 22.50% of the originally fixed reserve price for the first Auction) at the level of Principal Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development. Even if after reduction of 22.50% of the reserve price as defined above, the same plot/site is not sold in the next two Consecutive auctions and the Authority is of the view that reduction of more than 22.50% is required in the reserve price, the Authority may submit an agenda before the Finance and Accounts committee/Budget and Scrutiny Committee as the case may be, for such reduction along with justification.
OKAYS AMENDMENT IN RENTAL HOUSING ACCOMMODATION POLICY 2018
The Cabinet also gave a go ahead in rental housing accommodation policy 2018 thereby making it more rational. The amendment stipulates that rental housing accommodation projects shall also be permissible in institutional zones of Master Plans (except Master Plan of SAS Nagar Chandigarh) and New Chandigarh. Within the master plan (except Master Plans of SAS Nagar and New Chandigarh) minimum width of existing revenue rasta/road shall not be less than 22′-0″ widen to 60′-0″ or as per master plan whichever is more. Similarly outside master plan minimum width of existing revenue rasta/road shall not be less than 22′-0* widened to 40′-0. For Students/ Senior Citizens, ECS for Two-wheelers per three persons will be allowed. Further the accommodations will be allowed construction to house 1000 students instead of the existing limit in 500 over one acre of land.
PILOT PROJECT TO BE STARTED FOR INSTALLING 200 SOLAR PUMPS
In order to promote renewable sources of energy for agriculture purposes, the Cabinet also gave go ahead for launching a pilot project to install 200 solar pumps for agriculture purposes. The Cabinet, while reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to give free power to farmers, said that 90% funding for this project will be done by the Punjab government. This pilot project is aimed at transforming the destiny of farmers by supplementing their income in a big way.
GREEN SIGNAL FOR INSTALLING BIO METHANATION PLANT AT LUDHIANA TO CHECK POLLUTION IN BUDDHA NULLAH
In order to check the pollution caused due to cow dung in the Buddha Nullah of Ludhiana, the Cabinet also gave nod for setting up an ultra modern bio methanation plant in the industrial city. The plant will be spread over 2.5 acre of land and will have a capacity of 300 ton daily.
ALLOWS EXTENSION OF TIME PERIOD FOR PAPRA LICENSED PROJECTS
The Cabinet also accorded approval to allow extension of time period for PAPRA licensed projects for two years w.e.f January 1, 2024 upto December 31, 2025 at an extension fee of Rs. 25,000 per acre per year. Simlarly extension of one year upto December 31, 2025 for MEGA projects at an extension fee of Rs.25,000/- per acre. This will provide relief to the developers/promoters to complete their projects and alleviate the hardships being faced by the allottees of the projects
SUBSIDY FOR PADDY STRAW BASED BOILERS
In order to ensure optimum management of the paddy straw, the Cabinet also gave consent to give Rs 1 crore Capital subsidy on setting up of new Paddy straw Based Boilers and Rs 50 lakh for upgrading the existing plant. This move is aimed at ensuring proper use of the paddy straw thereby carving out a clean, green and pollution free Punjab. This will also help in supplementing the income of the farmers of the state by proper disposal of the paddy straw.
SUB DIVISIONS OF VARIOUS VILLAGES CHANGED
In a citizen centric decision, the Cabinet gave consent to include villages Mahru, Tiwana and Tasalpur in Sub Tehsil Ghanaur, Tehsil Rajpura district Patiala from Sub Division/ Tehsil Dudhan Saadhan district Patiala. Likewise, it was also decided to include village Namol in Sub Division Sunam Udham Singh Wala district Sangrur from Sub Division Cheema. This will facilitate the people in getting their routine administrative works done in a smooth and hassle free manner.
UGC SCALES OKAYED FOR MAHARAJA BHUPINDER SINGH PUNJAB SPORTS UNIVERSITY, PATIALA
The Cabinet also gave green signal to provide UGC scales to the teaching faculty in the Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University, Patiala.
