In a series of impactful decisions, the Punjab government, during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has approved several key initiatives. Notably, six sniffer dogs will be acquired from the Border Security Force or Central Reserve Police Force to bolster jail security and combat drug trafficking within prison premises. This move is aimed at preventing illicit activities and enhancing the overall safety of correctional facilities.
Furthermore, the cabinet has revised the compensation rates for farmers and residents impacted by natural calamities, increasing the relief to up to ₹20,000 per acre. Specifically, farmers experiencing crop loss between 26% and 75% will now receive ₹10,000 per acre, while those facing a loss of 76% to 100% will be compensated with ₹20,000 per acre. Compensation for partially damaged houses has also seen a substantial hike, rising to ₹40,000 per unit from the previous ₹6,500. The state government will bear the additional cost of this enhanced relief.
In other significant approvals, amendments to the Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013, were cleared. These amendments will allow the state to impose a fee on vehicles transporting minor minerals into Punjab, a move intended to cover the operational expenses of interstate checkposts and improve their efficiency. Additionally, the e-auction policy has been amended to simplify the process of determining reserve prices for development authority sites, with reserve prices now set by independent valuers and remaining valid for a calendar year.
The cabinet also endorsed a policy for allotting land to cooperative societies for constructing multi-storey flats under the Group Housing Scheme – 2025, aiming to promote affordable and planned urban housing. Finally, a one-time extension of up to five years has been granted to promoters for the completion of approved mega housing projects, subject to an annual fee of ₹25,000 per acre. Ex-post facto approval was also given for forming a sub-committee to oversee the transition of rolling mills in Mandi Gobindgarh and Khanna from coal to piped natural gas.