In a historic decision, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday gave nod for enhancing the compensation for crop loss to farmers upto Rs 20,000 per acre.
A decision to this effect was taken in the meeting of the Council of Ministers held here under the Chief Minister.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that in order to provide adequate relief to the affected persons for crop loss and house damage caused by natural calamities, the Cabinet also gave nod to ex-post facto approval regarding revision of rates of relief amount to be paid from the State Budget for crop loss and house damage. As the state has faced severe floods so the relief amount was increased to Rs. 10,000 per acre for crop loss of 26-75%, Rs. 20,000 per acre for crop loss of 76-100%, and Rs. 40,000 per unit for partially damaged houses from existing Rs 6500. Since the amount given from the SDRF (State Disaster Response Fund) by the Government of India will not be increased, this additional compensation will be provided by the State Government from its own treasury.
NOD TO AMEND PUNJAB MINOR MINERAL RULES, 2013
In order to support the functioning of interstate checkposts, the Cabinet gave a go ahead to amend Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013, to levy a fee on vehicles carrying processed or unprocessed minor minerals, entering the state. This will help to cater to the operational cost being incurred by the department on interstate check posts. This will also help in making the system of these check posts more robust and efficient thereby helping in their maintenance and upkeep.
GIVES NOD TO AMEND POLICY TO FIX RESERVE PRICE OF PLOTS
In order to simplify and ease the process of determining the reserve price of the various sites of development authorities, the Cabinet also gave its consent to Amend policy to fix reserve price of plots. As per the amendment in the prevalent E-auction policy the reserve price of the site will be fixed in accordance with the valuation of the three independent valuers empaneled in Nationalized Banks. The reserve price once fixed for an auction will remain valid for calendar year.
APPROVES POLICY FOR ALLOTMENT OF SITES TO COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES
The Cabinet also gave approval to a policy for allotment of sites to cooperative societies for the construction of multi-storey flats under Group Housing Scheme – 2025. This policy aims to boost the supply of affordable and planned housing in urban areas of Punjab by facilitating cooperative housing societies. It provides a transparent, fair, and structured framework for the allotment of land, ensuring timely construction and development in line with the state’s urban planning goals.
GIVES APPROVAL TO POLICY FOR COMPLETION OF MEGA HOUSING PROJECTS
In view of the difficulties faced by the promoters and to give relief to the general public, the Cabinet also gave its nod to policy for completion of Mega Housing projects falling under jurisdiction of various Development Authorities. Only one Time extension in implementation period for development and to complete the already approved projects shall be permitted from 31.12.2025 for the period of maximum upto 5 years on the request of the promoter @ Rs.25,000/- per acres per year. The
payment shall be deposited upfront for extension of implementation
period so granted and no extension in the implementation period shall be permissible thereafter.
NOD TO ENHANCE THE FIXED REMUNERATION PAYABLE TO OSDs (LITIGATION) WORKING IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS
The Cabinet also gave its consent to enhance the fixed remuneration payable to OSDs (Litigation) working in various departments. As many as 13 temporary posts of OSD (Litigation) have been created in various departments and their retainership fees were increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 in 2020. Now the fixed salary/ retainership fees of OSDs (Litigation) have been increased to the extent of Rs 10,000.
EX-POST FACTO APPROVAL TO CONSTITUTE CABINET SUB COMMITTEE
The Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval to constitute a Cabinet Sub-committee for shifting of rolling mills of Mandi Gobindgarh and Khanna area from coal to PNG.
NOD TO IMPLEMENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS RULES 2024
The Cabinet also gave nod to Implement the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024 in the State of Punjab.
APPROVES DECISION TO ENHANCE VIGIL IN JAILS
In order to curb criminal activities, prevent drug trafficking, increase the level of search of visitors and strengthen the overall security arrangements of prisons, the Cabinet gave exemption under Section 63(1) of the Punjab Transparency in Procurement Act, 2019 for purchasing sniffer dogs. Six Sniffer Dogs from BSF/ CRPF will be purchased for the security needs of the jails to prevent criminal activities from inside the jails. This move will help in enhancing the security of jails and checking the criminal activities in the prisons.
