In a bid to ensure effective formulation and implementation of Scheduled Castes Sub Plan, the Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday approved the outline of the proposed Punjab State Welfare and Development of Scheduled Castes (Planning, Earmarking and Utilization of Financial Resources) Sub-Allocation Ordinance, 2022.A decision to this effect was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi here at Punjab Bhawan this evening.The new law will be instrumental in ensuring transparency and accountability at all levels in the implementation of Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and there will also be a provision of incentives for commendable performance. Moreover, the departments implementing the SCSP will become liable to implement SCSP in true spirit to the benefit of all stakeholders i.e. the entire SC population of the State.The Cabinet also authorized the Chief Minister to approve the draft ordinance as prepare and vetted by Legal Remembrancer (LR) without having to place it again before the Council of Ministers.
Notably, the percentage of Scheduled Caste Population in the State is 31.94%, which is the highest in the country. The state Government is committed for the Socio-Economic and Educational Development of the Scheduled Castes in the State. For the Development of Scheduled Castes, various schemes under Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) are being implemented by the different departments.According to a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office, to ensure effective implementation of these schemes, the State Government has decided to enact a law on the Scheduled Castes Sub Plan. In this regard, an Ordinance would be presented to the Punjab Governor for approval. Under the Act, funds at least equal to the percentage of SC population will be allocated for the welfare and development of Scheduled Castes. The usefulness of the Act will be the systematic and exhaustive procedure in all aspects with respect to the formulation and implementation of SCSP in the State.
GIVES GO AHEAD FOR DISBURSEMENT OF RS.3000 PER LIVE REGISTERED CONSTRUCTION WORKER REGISTERED WITH BOCW AS INTERIM FINANCIAL RELIEF
The Cabinet approved the release and disbursement of Rs.3000 per live registered construction worker registered with the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board (BOCW) as an interim financial relief.In view of the challenging situation due to COVID-19, the progress of ongoing construction projects at several places has either stopped or has temporarily slowed down which has badly affected the day to day activities of construction works across the State. Resultantly, it has also affected the livelihood of many construction workers. The construction workers are still facing financial hardships. Moreover, fresh guidelines have also been issued keeping in view the likely threat of third wave.Notably, the prevalent situation has exacerbated the already strained working environment and has reduced opportunities for the marginalized sections of the society leading to severe financial constraints, specifically for the registered construction workers.
APPROVES CREATION OF 2000 POSTS OF PHYSICAL TRAINING INSTRUCTORS
With a view to provide employment avenues to the unemployed youth of the State besides ensuring robust health of the students of Government schools, Cabinet approved creation of 2000 posts of Physical Training Instructor (PTI) by the Directorate of Recruitment of the Department of School Education in the pay matrix of Rs. 29200 per month.
The process for filling up these newly created posts would be started in a phased manner. Further, there will be financial burden to the tune of Rs. 70.08 crore annum for creation of aforesaid posts. As these fresh appointees are to be provided minimum pay of the applicable pay matrix during their probation period of three years, there shall be financial implications to the tune of Rs. 210.24 crore for the first three years.
Cabinet approves rs.1000 as one time grant per beneficiary in addition to monthly pension/financial assistance of rs.1500 to old/widow, destitute women, dependent children and disabled persons
move aimed at mitigating their hardships amid covid-19 pandemic
The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Wednesday has decided to grant Rs.1000 as one time grant per beneficiary over and above the monthly pension/financial assistance of Rs.1500 being given to old/widow, destitute women, dependent children and disabled persons in order to mitigate their hardships amid Covid-19 pandemic. This financial assistance would be credited directly into their bank accounts of beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and help them to meet their domestic needs. This one time grant would cost the state exchequer to the tune of Rs. 277.13 crore thus benefitting 27.71 lakh beneficiaries.ACCORDS APPROVAL FOR RELEASE OF RS. 25 CRORE TO ‘GURU RAVIDASS BANI ADHAYAYN CENTRE COMMITTEE, DERA SACHKHAND BALLAN’The Cabinet also gave approval to release Rs. 25 crore to ‘Guru Ravidass Bani Adhayayn Centre Committee, Dera Sachkhand Ballan’, already allocated by the Planning department under Punjab Nirman Programme on December 31, 2021 to Jalandhar district after relaxing the guidelines of the Planning department dated August 25, 2021 by treating it as a special case on one time basis.It may be recalled that the Chief Minister has announced this grant to be given to the ‘Guru Ravidass Bani Adhayayn Centre Committee, Dera Sachkhand Ballan’, which has recently been constituted on December 28, 2021 under chairmanship of Revered 108 Sant Niranjan Dass Ji (Baba Ballan Wale).
GIVES GO AHEAD TO PUNJAB TRANSPARENCY IN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT RULES, 2022
The Cabinet gave a go ahead to the Punjab Transparency in Public Procurement Rules, 2022. These rules envisage to ensure timely delivery of intended outcomes with efficiency, economy, integrity and accountability, transparency, fair and equitable treatment of bidders, public confidence regarding good governance in the process and for the matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Punjab cm hands over cheques worth rs. 23 crore to 457 registered gaushalas of state
announces power bill waiver to the tune of rs. 19 crore for gaushalas
With a view to ensure proper upkeep of Gaushalas and care of precious 'Gaudhan', the Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Wednesday handed over cheques of Rs. 5 lakh each (Total Rs. 23 crore) to 457 registered Gaushalas in the State besides announcing waiver of Rs. 19 crore towards power bills of these gaushalas. The Chief Minister also divulged that notification towards the same has already been issued.Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister urged to make judicious use of the financial assistance so as to ensure management of only those numbers of Gaudhan as could be properly managed.Reiterating that his doors are always open for the gaushalas, the Chief Minister emphasized that the gaushalas should always be kept clean. "There must not be any stray gaudhan on the roads which if any should be brought under the care of gaushalas", said Channi adding the move would lead to reduced number of accidents.
He also lauded the Punjab Gau Sewa Commission as well as the various gaushala management committees for devoting their life to serve the 'gaumata'.In his address, the PWD Minister Vijay Inder Singla said that gausewa is the ultimate form of worship and appreciated the various gaushala managements for efficiently taking care of and maintaining the gaudhan. He also advocated use of solar panels in the gaushalas for reducing the power bills.The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu said that only Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has shown concern for effectively managing the gaushalas and has immense respect for the 'gaudhan'.The Chairman, Punjab Gau Sewa Commission Sachin Sharma apprised that the commission has so far organized 150 'Gau Bhalai' camps to ensure proper health and hygiene for gaumata and is leaving no stone unturned to efficacious maintenance of gaushalas.Among others present on the occasion included Special Chief Secretary Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Ravneet Kaur and Special Principal Secretary to CM Ravi Bhagat.