In a major initiative to check the depletion of ground water in the state, the Council of Ministers on Wednesday approved the creation of the Punjab Water Regulation and  Development Authority, which will be empowered to issue directions on water extraction...

To boost revenue, the Punjab Government has decided to revise charges for the use of river/canal water for purposes other than agriculture.The decision was taken on  Wednesday at the meeting of the State Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder.The...

Too boost efficiency in the functioning of the Revenue Department, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday gave the nod to recruit 1090  Patwaris against vacant posts.Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of...

To further boost ease of doing business, and to promote small scale units in the state, the Punjab Council of Ministers on Wednesday approved several amendments to the  Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.The amendments relate to Sections 2A, 25K, 25N and...

Accepting a major demand of various state government employee unions, the Punjab Government on Monday decided to increase its share in the New Pension Scheme, in line with the decision of the Government of India, w.e.f April 1, 2019.The Punjab Cabinet, led by...

The Punjab Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Act, 2017 is all set to be suitably amended, in line with the Central GST Act, to further promote ease of business in the state.The State Cabinet, at its meeting chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh,...

The Punjab Cabinet led by Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday gave in-principle approval to amend the Punjab Village Common Land (Regulation) Rules, 1964, to create land banks in rural areas to boost industrial development in the state.It was, however, decided...

To further strengthen the state’s investment climate and boost employment generation, the Punjab Cabinet led by the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday approved various amendments to the Factories Act, 1948, Industrial Disputes Act 1947 and...

The Punjab Cabinet led by Captain Amarinder Singh has decided to amend the Punjab State Legislature (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1952, to add Advisors to Chief Minister for Planning and Political matters category to office of profit for the purpose...

In a bid to streamline various CSR activities and to create a neutral platform involving all the stakeholders, the Punjab Cabinet on Friday approved the constitution of Punjab Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Advisory Board under the Chairmanship of...

The Punjab Cabinet on Friday approved the modalities of the Special Session of the 15th Punjab Vidhan Sabha, to be presided over by the Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu, on November 6, to commemorate the 550th Prakash Purb celebrations of Sri Guru...

The Council of Ministers on Thursday decided to summon a Special Session of the 15th Punjab Vidhan Sabha for one day, on November 6, 2019, for commemoration of the historic 550th Prakash Purb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.The Cabinet, at a meeting here chaired...

The way has been cleared for appointments to be made to the State Police Complaints Authority and Divisional Police Complaints Authorities under ‘The Punjab Police Act, 2007’, with the state Cabinet on Thursday approving the Punjab Police (Appointment of...

As part of the state government’s commemoration of the 550th Prakash Purb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, the Punjab Cabinet on Thursday okayed the establishment of the “Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University” at Patiala.Disclosing this here today,...

The Punjab Government has hiked its monthly matching contribution for employees under the New Pension Scheme from 10% to 14% of Basic Pay + Dearness Allowance (DA), in line with the decision of the Government of India.The decision has been taken by the Punjab...

In pursuance of the recommendations of a Cabinet Sub-Committee constituted in June this year, the Punjab Government has decided to regulate the fee in Private Health Sciences Universities to check the undue burden caused on students as a result of exorbitant...

The Punjab Cabinet on Thursday gave in-principle approval for a Four-Year Strategic Action Plan (4SAP)–2019 to 2023, to set Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the departments of Social Security and Child Development and Women Welfare, Transport, Industry...

The Punjab Cabinet has approved extradition from United Kingdom of Kuljinder Kaur Thandi, wanted under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), thus setting the stage for the formalities of her extradition to be completed soon.Kuljinder, w/o Raj...

The Council of Ministers led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday decided to bring an Ordinance to exclude Advisor (Political) to Chief Minister and Advisor (Planning) to Chief Minister from the ambit of the “The Punjab State Legislature...

The Punjab Cabinet Thursday approved the modalities for distribution of smart mobile phones to the state’s youth, to pave the way for the implementation of the scheme from December this year.This decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief...

The Punjab Government will soon have a special IT Cadre for effective implementation of its ambitious e-Governance initiatives as part of the `Digital Punjab’ mission.The decision to create such a cadre was taken on Monday by the Council of Ministers at...

In a bid to revive sick rice units, the Punjab Council of Ministers on Monday approved a Dues Recovery & Settlement Scheme 2019-20 for the state’s defaulting rice millers, paving the way for the recovery of a significant portion of the Rs 2041.51 crore...

In a move expected to generate around Rs 50 crore, the Punjab Government has decided to disinvest 90,90,000 shares of Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation (PSIDC) in M/s Punjab Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (PACL).The amount realised from the...

The Punjab Cabinet led by Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday approved the Punjab Custom Milling Policy for Paddy (Kharif 2019-20), with more security provisions, including criminal penalty for diversion of rice.The scheme, aimed at ensuring seamless milling...

The Council of Ministers on Monday approved raising of the age limit for Chairperson of Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes Act, 2004, from 70 to 72 years.An Ordinance will be brought to amend Section 4 (1) of the Punjab State Commission for Scheduled...

The Punjab Government on Tuesday took a series of decision with respect to housing allotment, including restriction of flats for allotment of land under ECGHS scheme to 40 per acre and 3% reservation of residential plots for government employees under PUDA...

As a special case, the Punjab Council of Ministers on Tuesday gave ex-post facto approval to disbursement of financial benefits to the tune of nearly Rs. 31 lakh to the legal heirs of late Neha Shoree, Zonal Licensing Drug Authority, Mohali, who was shot...

In a significant decision aimed at encouraging industries to shift to the eco-friendly gas, the Punjab Council of Ministers on Tuesday decided to cut down VAT on Natural Gas, in Gaseous State other than Compressed Natural Gas, from 14.3% to 3.3%.Chairing...

To facilitate increased efficiency and prompt dispensation of justice by the state’s judicial system, the Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday gave approval for the creation of 24 posts of Court Manager Grade-II in Sub-Ordinate Courts across the state.The move comes...

Upholding the basic tenets of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's philosophy with respect to protection of natural resources, the Punjab council of Ministers on Tuesday resolved to take all necessary administrative and legal steps to effectively check the fast depleting ground...

The Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday decided to set up a sub-committee to examine all aspects of the proposed Punjab Land Leasing and Tenancy Bill, 2019, and authorised Chief  Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to set up the panel and decide on its terms and...

The Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday decided to revert to the earlier system of depositing the revenue collected from sale of entry tickets and other sources in all zoos of the state into  the Punjab Zoos Development Society (PZDS) account.The decision, which...

Given the various implications of the matter, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday decided to hand over the draft Punjab Farmers Policy to a cabinet sub- committee for a detailed study.The draft, prepared by the Farmers Commission in consultation...

The Punjab Cabinet, under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, on Tuesday approved The Punjab Forest Produce Transit Rules, 2018, and the ‘The  Punjab Regulation of Wood Based Industries Rules, 2019’, to boost agro forestry activities...

The Punjab Cabinet led by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday stamped its approval on new Bills relating to procurement, amendment to state civil  services rules and postings in veterinary hospitals in the state, as well as the...

The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday approved tabling of the Punjab Sports University legislation in the monsoon session.Overruling the  Chief Minister’s objections, the Cabinet also decided to name the university...

The Punjab Council of Ministers, led by Captain Amarinder Singh, on Wednesday decided to waive off the setting up of private market yard for availing exemption from payment of  2% over and above the MSP.The decision is in line with the government’s...

The Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday approved amendment to the service rules to cut down on the experience requirement for promotion across various cadres. The amendment,  in line with the announcement by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh in Vidhan...

The Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday gave in-principle approval for a Four-Year Strategic Action Plan (4SAP) – 2019 to 2023, to set Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the  departments of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Water Supply and Sanitation, PWD...

To ensure uninterrupted supply of potable water in the villages, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday approved a one-time settlement (OTS) for clearing pending arrears of the Rural Water Supply Schemes (RWS) in the...

The museums at the Gobindgarh Fort, Amritsar, will now have fixed rate entry tickets to meet their operational, maintenance and upkeep expenses. Children under five will, however, be exempted from the tickets.The decision was taken here on Wednesday at a...

The Punjab Cabinet on Thursday approved the creation of 994 posts of teaching faculty, para-medical staff & MTW (Multi Task Workers) for the upcoming Government Medical College at Mohali, with an intake capacity of 100 MBBS seats.The Cabinet, which met...

Setting a deadline for the completion of his government’s flagship programmes within the next six months, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday directed his cabinet colleagues to expedite the execution of the various schemes and ordered the...

With a view to enhancing employability of youth in the state, the Punjab Cabinet has approved restructuring of the Department of Employment Generation & Training by merging the Punjab Skill Development Mission (PSDM) in it. The new merged entity would...

The Punjab Cabinet led by the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday gave in-principle approval for a Four Year Strategic Action Plan (4SAP) – 2019-23 and Annual Action Plan 2019-20 to set Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the state.The...

The Punjab Cabinet on Thursday approved the ‘Punjab Sports University Ordinance 2019’, paving the way for the establishment of the university in Patiala.A Cabinet Memorandum to this effect was presented by the Sports and Youth Services department for the...

The Punjab Cabinet led by Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday set up a three-member committee to study the problems and fee structure of private medical institutions and suggest ways to rationalize the same.The committee consists of Health Minister Brahm...

Hours after the first State Cabinet meeting following the Lok Sabha elections, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday evening re-jigged the portfolios of most of the ministers, to make some vital changes in the key ministries.Barring four...

In order to check air pollution in non-attainment cities and towns across the state, the Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday approved a draft action plan for conversion of natural draft brick kilns to induced draft brick kilns with rectangular shape and zigzag...

In another significant move to boost industrial development in the state, the Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday approved an amendment to the GST incentives notified under the Industrial and Business Development Policy 2017, to enable industrial units to choose...

Meeting a long-pending demand of the teaching community, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has approved regularization of the services of 5178 teachers recruited by the Education Department, with full pay scales to be implemented...

To provide much-needed relief to sugarcane growers and private sugar mills, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday gave ex-post facto approval to disburse Rs. 25 per quintal directly in the accounts of sugarcane growers...

The Punjab Cabinet led by the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday approved "The Punjab Labour and Cartage Policy 2019-20" for labour work and cartage of food grains from mandis to the storage points at minimum rates through competitive tenders...

The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday gave approval to grant financial assistance of Rs.12000/- per month to the state’s journalists who are accredited to the Department of Information and Public Relations.With this...

The Punjab Cabinet led by Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday gave in-principle approval to a debt relief scheme for farm labourers and landless farming members of PACS, to provide a major relief to 2.85 lakh people, of which around 70% are Dalits.The scheme...

To mark the commemoration of the 550th Parkash Purb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the Punjab Cabinet has approved upgradation of the historic towns of Batala, Kapurthala and Abohar as Municipal Corporations, thus fulfilling a long-pending demand of the residents...

Carrying its pro-trade and pro-retail thrust forward, the Punjab government has come out with its Excise Policy for 2019-20, with focus on breaking the monopolistic trends in the liquor trade and allotment of liquor vends in small groups, in line with the approach...

Giving preferential treatment to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs) in matters of reservation in Government jobs, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday decided to go in for a constitutional amendment for the same,The...

The Punjab Council of Ministers has okayed Rs. 10000 per month pension for the bereaved parents of CRPF Pulwama martyr Constable Kulwinder Singh, whom Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had met at their village in Anandpur Sahib last month and promised...

The Punjab Cabinet on Sunday gave its nod to "The Punjab Food Grains Transportation Policy 2019-20" for transportation of food grains from mandis to its storage points at minimum rates through competitive tenders from various transporters.The decision, taken...