NEW DELHI: In a landmark meeting chaired virtually from Fortis Hospital by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Cabinet approved a series of historic, pro-people decisions aimed at providing relief to flood-hit families, strengthening governance, and modernising state policies.
Farmers Empowered: “Jisda Khet, Usda Ret” Policy
The Cabinet gave approval to the one-time policy “Jehda Khet, Ohdi Ret”, allowing farmers to remove and sell sand and silt deposited by floods on their fields without permits until December 31, 2025. This move ensures that clearing flood-damaged fields will not be treated as mining. District administrations will facilitate the process.
Highest Crop Loss Compensation in India
The government announced ₹20,000 per acre compensation for crop loss — the highest in the country — as a major relief measure for flood-affected farmers.
Urban Development Boost
The Cabinet amended the Punjab Town Improvement Act, 1922 to allow funds from Improvement Trusts to be channelled into the Municipal Development Fund for critical infrastructure projects.
Green Signal to Key Policies
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Custom Milling Policy (KMS 2025-26): Paddy procurement will begin September 16 and conclude by November 30, with millers linked online to mandis.
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Punjab State Minor Mineral Policy 2023 Amendments: New rules for auctions, mining rights, concessions, royalty rates, and environment clearance responsibilities to streamline mineral management.
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Formation of Punjab State Mineral Exploration Trust (SMET): To oversee mineral exploration, R&D, and monitoring.
Strengthening Education Sector
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SSA Staff Regularisation: Services of 1,007 non-teaching staff under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan regularised.
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Amendment to Punjab Education Service Rules 2018: Opened promotion avenues for PTI (Elementary), Pre-Primary Teachers, Special Educators, and Vocational Masters, benefiting around 1,500 teachers.
Health & Community Service
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Pay Protection for Rural Medical Officers: RMOs transferred from Zila Parishads to the Health Department will get pay protection.
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Policy to Honour Government Doctors: A recognition framework will soon be implemented.
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Punjab Community Service Guidelines 2025: To bring uniformity in community service sentencing across Punjab, Haryana, and UT Chandigarh under new criminal laws.
Strengthening Law Enforcement
To boost investigations, especially in NDPS and organised crime cases, the Cabinet approved creation of 1,600 new NGO posts (150 Inspectors, 450 SIs, and 1,000 ASIs) in Punjab Police, alongside resultant constable vacancies.
Legal and Governance Decisions
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Prosecution Sanction Against Bikram Majithia: Approval granted under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, pending Governor’s formal order.
A Cabinet of Action
The wide-ranging decisions—from flood relief and farmers’ empowerment to education reforms, health upgrades, and police strengthening—highlight the Mann government’s resolve to combine compassion with governance efficiency, even as the Chief Minister chaired the meeting while under medical care.
