In a bid to ensure precise planning, designing, estimation besides transparent and accountable implementation of public works, the Punjab Cabinet on Saturday approved setting up of Design, Quality Control Monitoring and Evaluation Wing in the Soil and Water Conservation Department.A decision to this effect was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi here at Punjab Bhawan this evening.According to a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office, the dedicated Designing, Monitoring, Quality Control and Evaluation wing is being set up at headquarters of Soil and Water Conservation Department. The creation of this wing would not entail any additional government expenditure but help in saving public money due to implementation of proper planning, designing and estimation besides enhancing accountability among departmental officers/officials.
It would also help farmer community especially small and marginal farmers which are often devoid of government benefits as due to copybook planning and designing no farmer would feel left out of government projects.Notably, the Soil and Water Conservation department is implementing various government programmes for laying of underground pipelines, drip and sprinkler systems for increasing irrigation water use efficiency besides construction of water harvesting structures, roof top rain water harvesting structures, check dams etc. for augmenting ground water recharge. All these works require proper designing, estimation so that government funds are expended in an efficient manner and benefit of these projects are achieved in a optimal manner. Department at present does not have a dedicated design and quality control wing unlike other state and central government departments implementing public works.
APPROVES SETTING UP OF MI-SPV FOR INTELLIGENT IRRIGATION SYSTEM IN SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT
Towards a dedicated and focused approach, the Cabinet also gave a go ahead to set up a Micro Irrigation (MI)-Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in the Soil and Water Conservation Department for promotion of intelligent irrigation systems in the state.
To achieve this objective in the larger public interest, the spokesperson said the process requires organizational changes within the department and a person having requisite qualifications and experience in the micro irrigation field shall be deputed by way of nomination/additional charge in the Soil and Water Conservation Department, who shall head this SPV and set up the requisite organizational structure of this dedicated wing for implementation of micro irrigation programme in the state.Pertinently, Punjab has been implementing Micro Irrigation programme for the past over 15 years and despite providing 80-90% subsidy to the farmers for these systems, adoption of these systems have been far from satisfactory, as only about 1.2% area has been covered under these irrigation systems.
It may be recalled that Punjab Vidhan Sabha Committee on Augmentation of Ground Water Level has recommended constitution of Special Purpose Vehicle under the Soil and Water Conservation Department for promotion of Intelligent Irrigation Systems such as Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation systems in the state. Several other states of the country have seen quantum jump in adoption of micro irrigation systems by the farmers due to constitution of this dedicated approach for implementation of Micro Irrigation in these states.
GAVE GO AHEAD FOR UP-GRADATION OF SUB-TEHSILS TANDA AND ADAMPUR AS TEHSILS/SUB-DIVISIONS
In order to provide citizen centric services to the residents in the vicinity of their residence in a seamless manner, the Cabinet also approved up-gradation of Sub-Tehsil Tanda in Hoshiarpur district and Adampur in Jalandhar district as Tehsils/Sub-Divisions.The newly upgraded Tehsil/Sub-Division Tanda would comprise of five Kanungo Circle, 47 Patwar Circles and 133 villages whereas Adampur would consist of six Kanungo Circles, 60 Patwar circles and 161 villages.
ALSO APPROVES PUNJAB DENTAL EDUCATION (GROUP-A) SERVICE (AMENDMENT) RULES, 2021
In order to bring uniformity, the Cabinet also approved Punjab Dental Education (Group-A) Service (Amendment) Rules, 2021 according to the norms of Dental Council of India, New Delhi. This decision would be instrumental in filling the vacant post of medical faculty in Government Dental Colleges across the state for imparting quality education to the students besides providing the best dental treatment to the patients.
EXTENDS SERVICES OF MANPOWER ENGAGED IN GOVERNMENT MEDICAL COLLEGES OF PATIALA AND AMRITSAR ON OUTSOURCE BASIS TILL MARCH 31, 2022
Keeping in view the possibility of third wave of Covid-19, the Cabinet also decided to retain and extend the services of manpower already engaged on outsource basis in Government Medical Colleges of Patiala and Amritsar till March 31, 2022. With this decision, the Cabinet approved extension to the 789 posts of Isolation Ward and 7 VRDL from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. However, this move would help the state government to tackle emergent situation arising out of any eventuality and lessen the burden on the healthcare facilities.
Cabinet okays special incentives to new mega/ultra mega projects under industrial & business development policy, 2017
pro-investor decision to boost state’s economy and propel employment generation
In a bid to boost state’s economy and catapult employment generation, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Saturday approved the special package of incentives for new Mega and Ultra Mega Projects to attract huge investment in these projects across the State.According to a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office, the project with fixed capital investment of Rs. 1500 to Rs. 2500 Crore with minimum contract demand of 20 MVA shall be treated as Mega Projects and projects with fixed capital investment of above Rs. 2500 crore and minimum contract demand of 30 MVA shall be treated as Ultra Mega Projects.Under the special package, the projects shall be provided special power tariff for 4 years to Mega Projects and 5 years to new Ultra Mega Projects from the date of release of permanent power connection.
Similarly, the incentive of Net GST Reimbursement shall be available at the rate of 100% of Net GST with a cap of 200% of FCI to be availed over a maximum period of 17 years for Mega Projects and 20 years for Ultra Mega Projects. This special package of incentive shall be available to only those units which shall file their Common Application Form (CAF) before October 17, 2022 and shall attain commercial production within 3 years (Mega Projects) and 4 years (Ultra Mega Projects) from date of submission of CAF.With the aforesaid special package of incentive, the State would be in a better position to attract the Mega and Ultra Mega projects which would be helpful in creating an industrial ecosystem in the State thereby promoting the development of many ancillary industries and will boost the industrial environment and economy of the State at the same time providing numerous employment opportunities.
GIVES NOD TO WAIVE OFF ALL PENDING ARREARS OF ELECTRICITY BILLS OF GAUSALAS
In another significant decision, the Cabinet also gave nod to waive off pending arrears of electricity bills of all Gausalas in Punjab.