Punjab Cabinet decisions 18 June 2021

June 18, 2021 - PatialaPolitics

PUNJAB GOVT DECIDES TO RELAX RULES TO REGULARISE ITS SAFAI KARAMCHARIS/SEWERMEN IN ULBs

CABINET ASKS PERSONNEL DEPT TO EXPEDITE ENACTMENT OF NEW LAW, BUT NOTES THAT OUTSOURCED EMPLOYEES CAN’T BE COVERED

Chandigarh, June 18
The Captain Amarinder Singh led Punjab Government has decided to regularise all safai karamcharis and sewer men of the Urban Local Bodies, working on contract with various municipalities of the state.

These workers will be regularised as per a law proposed to be enacted by the state government. The state cabinet on Friday directed the Department of Personnel to expedite the proposal to enact a new legislation to regularise these contractual employees.

The cabinet also decided to allow hiring, on contract, of more such karamcharis and sewermen, as may be required by the municipalities, thus relaxing its earlier decision of March 18, 2017. Due process should be followed, and preference should be given to those with relevant experience in such hiring, the cabinet decided.

However, the cabinet noted, after careful consideration, that employees provided by the service providers/ contractors through outsourcing arrangement cannot be regularised or hired by the government even through direct contract. It observed that such employees cannot be taken on the pay rolls of the Government, in view of the existing law as laid down by the Apex Court and all other rules appurtenant thereto.

PUNJAB GOVT TO SEEK US$ 210 MILLION LOAN FROM WORLD BANK/AIIB FOR CANAL-BASED
WATER SUPPLY FOR AMRITSAR & LUDHIANA

Chandigarh, June 18:
The Punjab government will seek US$ 210 million loan from World Bank/ Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for the canal based water supply project for Amritsar and Ludhiana under the Punjab Municipal Service Improvement Project (PMSIP).

The decision to seek such loan was taken on Friday by the state cabinet at a virtual meeting chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. The cabinet authorised the Chief Minister to take any decision to meet the objectives of the project and to ensure successful & timely implementation of various activities proposed by the World Bank/AIIB.

The proposed project investment is expected to cost around US$ 300 million, of which International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) will finance 70 percent and Punjab government 30 percent.

The Cabinet was informed that the present water supply system to the residents of Ludhiana and Amritsar towns is through deep bore tubewells installed at different sites. However, with the passage of time, the ground water level is depleting causing the tubewells to need frequent replacement. Also, the discharge in the tubewells gets reduced, as a result of which residents often complain of getting insufficient water for drinking purpose.

To overcome this problem, it has now been decided to shift to canal based water supply in these two towns with the assistance of World Bank/AIIB by seeking a loan of US$M 210. The work for canal based water supply for Amritsar town has already been awarded, whereas request for proposal for Ludhiana town is being floated. The implementation period for this project shall be three years after award of work.

It may be recalled that the State Government, in June 2018, through the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), GoI, requested the World Bank to support Punjab in implementing 24X7 canal based water supply projects in Amritsar and Ludhiana. With Technical Assistance (TA) from the World Bank, the pre-feasibility reports were prepared for both cities in 2015 and updated in 2019, which proposed the need to migrate from rapidly depleting and contaminated decentralised ground water sources to a centralised treated surface water source.

PUNJAB CABINET OKAYS CREATION OF CIVILIAN SUPPORT STAFF POSTS FOR INVESTIGATION BUREAU

RESTRUCTURING OF PEDA & DEPARTMENT OF CHIEF ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR ALSO APPROVED

Chandigarh, June 18: In a bid to improve the efficacy of investigation and overall policing, the Punjab Cabinet on Friday approved the creation of 798 posts of Civilian Support Staff (Specialised Support Staff) in the Punjab Bureau of Investigation.

The posts will be filled in a revenue neutral manner, with no additional financial implication, by abolishing 915 posts of Constables.

The move is aimed at further enhancing the investigation function through its effective separation from law & order, an official spokesperson disclosed after a virtual cabinet meet, chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. The cabinet has authorized the Chief Minister to frame the necessary rules for the restructuring exercise.

The newly created posts will include 157 posts in the Legal Services (120 Assistant Legal Officers, 28 Legal Officers, 8 Legal Advisors and 1 Chief Legal Advisor), 242 in Forensic Services (150 Assistant Forensics Officer, 60 Forensics Officer, 31 Senior Forensics Supervisor and 1 Chief Forensics Officer), 301 in Information Technology Services (214 Information Technology Assistant Software, 53 Information Technology Officer, 33 Computer/Digital Forensics Officer and 1 Chief Information Technology Officer) and Financial Services comprising 70 posts of Assistant Financial Investigator, 27 posts of Financial Officer and 1 post of Chief Financial Officer.

NOD TO RESTRUCTURING OF PEDA AND DEPARTMENT OF CHIEF ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR
The Cabinet also gave the nod to fill 29 vacant posts as part of the restructuring of Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA). These include 15 posts of Manager, five each of Assistant Manager and Clerk cum Data Entry Operators (To be taken from Central Pool), Two Assistant Manager (Accounts), one each of Programmer and Assistant Manager (Public Relations). All the posts of Group D have been abolished and declared as dying cadre, with further recruitment to be done on outsourcing basis.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet also gave approval to fill 21 vacant posts in the Department of Chief Electrical Inspector against 38 posts surrendered as a part of its restructuring process. The posts to be filled up comprise 6 each of Assistant Electrical Inspector, Line Superintendent and Clerk besides three steno-typists. Besides, all the posts of Group D are abolished and declared as dying cadre with further recruitment to be done on outsourcing basis. The surrendered posts include 15 Line Superintendents, 13 Assistant Electrical Inspector, Three Clerks, Steno-Typists and Executive Engineers (Two each) and Draftsman, Driver and Sweeper (One each).

APPROVES CERTAIN ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Meanwhile, the Cabinet approved the annual administrative reports of the Cooperation department for the year 2018-19, Labour for 2017-18, School Education for 2018-19, along with
Social Security and Women & Child Development and Water Resources for 2019-20

PUNJAB GOVT TO AMEND STONE CRUSHING RULES & GUIDELINES TO FURTHER CHECK ILLEGAL MINING

Chandigarh, June 18
To further curb illegal mining in the state, and to check degradation of environment, the Punjab Cabinet on Friday gave the nod to more stringent guidelines and rules through various amendments.

The Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013 and Policy Guidelines for Registration and Working of Stone Crushers in the State of Punjab, 2015, will be amended to ensure that any kind of minor mineral extracted from the State is properly accounted for, it was decided by the Cabinet a virtual meeting chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. Four key amendments to these rules/guidelines will pave the way for stricter curbs on illegal stone crushing.

The amendments make it mandatory for the registration of a carrier used for transportation of minerals in any form, and the requirement of a mineral transport permit, with carrier to be fitted with GPS for real time tracking. Also, registration of wheel mounted/chain mounted excavators/poclains involved in excavation of minerals in the state, and all such machinery, shall be fitted with GPS to monitor their movement in real time.

The amendments will also empower the Government to levy strict penalty under MMDR Act, 1957 and IPC, in case anyone tries to establish Check-post/Naka for checking of slips or collection of illegal royalty. It will also enable the Water Resources Department to keep a check on the stone-crushers, as their registration has been made mandatory on the online portal developed by the department. Also, the material processed by them will be duly accounted for. Similarly, the rules for issuing transport permits to the vehicles transporting the minerals are also being suitably amended to check illegal transportation.

It may be recalled that the contract of mineral concessions of sand and gravel mines in the Punjab have been awarded through e-auction, to various contractors, under Punjab Sand and Gravel Mining Policy, 2018. As per the orders of the National Green Tribunal in various cases, there is huge gap in the raw material used and the raw material accounted for by the Stone Crushers, from which it could be inferred that the unaccounted raw material was sourced from illegal mining. Therefore, the NGT had issued the directions to adopt a suitable mechanism regarding Stone Crushers within three months, so that illegal raw material can no longer be sourced by the Stone Crushers.

Subsequently, directions were also issued to the Punjab Pollution Control Board to amend the Stone Crusher Policy, so that fresh applications for establishment of Stone Crushers can be entertained after obtaining prior NOC from the Mining Division of Water Resources Department.

CHIEF MINISTER’S OFFICE, PUNJAB
AMID COVID, PUNJAB GOVT EXTENDS SERVICES OF SUPERANNUATING SPECIALIST DOCTORS TILL MARCH 31, 2022

RETIRING GROUP-C EMPLOYEES AT GMCs IN PATIALA & AMRITSAR ALSO GET POST FACTO EXTENSION

Chandigarh, June 18:
To tackle the emergent situation of Covid-19 pandemic, the Punjab Government on Friday decided to allow Specialist Doctors of Medicine, Anesthesia and T.B & Chest to continue their services, after their superannuation on completion of 58 years of age, till March 31, 2022 on clinical posts. The move is aimed at ensuring effective management of Covid isolation facilities in the State.

The decision was taken at a Punjab Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, who said the services of these doctors were required to ensure timely and proper treatment to the patients. The state government also could not afford to take any risk in view of the continuing spread of the pandemic, leading to heavy burden on Government hospitals and dispensaries, he added, as the cabinet took note of the fact that the recruitment ads had not received encouraging response and it was necessary to take urgent steps to prepare for a possible third wave.

The Cabinet also granted post facto approval for extending the services of nine Group-C employees (para-medical staff) who are retiring in May 2021 and June 2021 in Government Medical Colleges at Patiala and Amritsar.

184 POSTS UNDER ‘POSHAN ABHIYAN’ EXTENDED TILL JUNE 30
To provide nutrition to children in 0-6 years age group, pregnant women and lactating mothers across the state, the Cabinet gave approval to extension of 184 posts, approved under ‘POSHAN ABHIYAAN’ (National Nutrition Mission), till June 30, 2021. The Cabinet authorised the Minister-in-charge of Social Security and Women & Child Development department to grant any further extension as per the instructions of the Government of India.

The GoI had launched the ‘POSHAN ABHIYAAN’ (National Nutrition Mission) in March 2018 to combat malnutrition in the country. In line with the objective, the POSHAN ABHIYAAN was initially implemented in four districts of Punjab viz. Faridkot, Ludhiana, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Mansa during the year 2017-18. The programme was rolled out in the remaining 15 districts of the State w.e.f. January 1, 2019.

PUNJAB CABINET OKAYS POLICY FOR COMPENSATORY AFFORESTATION IN PROJECTS AFFECTING UP TO 1 HECTATE FOREST AREA

Chandigarh, June 18: The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday approved a comprehensive policy for compensatory afforestation in the projects affecting forest area upto one hectare, under the jurisdiction of the State Government.

The policy, which incorporates the elements of required balancing of economy and environment, is in line with General Approval issued by the Government of India to the Forest and Wildlife Preservation department under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

The Cabinet also authorized the Chief Minister to approve any future amendments in the said policy.

A spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that as per the policy, user agencies requiring land for their bonafide use would submit undertakings, either to provide equivalent non-forest land or the cost of land in lieu of forest land, as per the collector rate + 30%. The offered non-forest land must be free from all encumbrances and must have clear and undisputed ownership and possession.

If the user agency opts for providing cost of land, the collected amount will be deposited in bank account opened for this purpose with Punjab State Forest Development Corporation (PSFDC) and amount thus deposited would be utilised for the purpose of procurement of non-forest land. The PSFDC shall ensure that during a particular financial year, it shall purchase land for Compensatory Afforestation to the extent of using 80% of the funds that existed as opening balance of 1st April of that financial year. In addition, the PSFDC would also purchase outright the available panchayat’s lands on priority basis at collector rate +30%. This will be reviewed by a tripartite committee.

Outlining the benefits of the policy, the spokesperson said that it provides for creation of significant chunk of additional land bank, which can be utilized by the User Agency. Therefore, the forest clearance for important development projects of the State would not be delayed, as the land for Compensatory Afforestation would be made available to the sponsoring Department by PSFDC. Besides, the Policy would also enable the User Agencies to provide either equivalent non-forest land or the cost of affected forest land as per the prevailing collector rate +30% as per their convenience. The suitable Panchayat lands would be brought under Compensatory Afforestation to enhance the green cover in the country side of the State.

As per Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the forest areas are being diverted for all site specific projects of the State causing loss of area under forest leading to grave ecological imbalances. The Compensatory Afforestation on Non-forest land will appropriately compensate the said loss and would mitigate the overall negative impact of diversion of forest area on environment.

Till date, approximately more than 28,000 acres of forest area has been diverted for multiple private and public projects with the permission of Government of India/State Government for non-forestry purposes under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. In addition, approximately 1,34,500 acres of land under the Punjab Land Protection Act (PLPA), 1900 has been conditionally removed from the list of forests by the State after the approval of Government of India.

NOD TO AMEND GUIDELINES FOR UTILISATION ‘PUNJAB NIRMAN PROGRAMME’ FUNDS

In another decision, the Punjab Cabinet gave approval to amend the guidelines for proper utilisation of funds under ‘PM-10-State level initiatives-Punjab Nirman Programme’. This will help improve the living conditions of the people in both rural and urban areas, besides addressing their felt developmental needs, thus ensuring no hurdle in its implementation.

According to amended guidelines, all works under the Punjab Nirman Programme, launched in 2006, would be proposed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development)/Additional Deputy Commissioner (Urban Development), before a District Level Committee under the Chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner. Besides, the committee would include all Commissioners of Municipal Corporation in the district, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development), Additional Deputy Commissioner (Urban Development), District Development and Panchayat Officer as its Members, while the Deputy Economic & Statistical Adviser would be its Member Secretary.

Further, the works to be undertaken under the programme would be implemented through Government Body/PRIs/ULBs, or as may be deemed appropriate by the Deputy Commissioner, and as per the guidelines of respective departments. The allocation of funds to the districts would be made under provisions of the ‘Punjab Nirman Programme’.

 

IN MASSIVE BONANZA FOR GOVT EMPLOYEES, PUNJAB CABINET ACCEPTS 6TH PAY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS W.E.F JANUARY 1, 2016

FROM JULY 1, EMPLOYEES TO GET MINIMUM PAY HIKE FROM RS. 6950 TO RS. 18000 PER MONTH

ARREARS TO BE PAID IN 2 EQUAL INSTALMENTS, IN OCTOBER 2021 & JANUARY 2022

Chandigarh, June 18:
In a move that will benefit the over 5.4 lakh serving and retired state government employees in the state, the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, has decided to accept majority of the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission, and decided to implement them from July 1, 2021, with retrospective effect from January 1, 2016.

With this decision, taken today at the state cabinet meeting, the Captain Amarinder government has fulfilled another major promise to the people, despite the precarious financial health of the state.

As a result of the decision, the minimum pay for a government employee would increase from Rs.6,950 per month to Rs.18,000 per month. The implementation will entail 2.59 times increase in salaries and pensions over the previous pay commission recommendations, with an annual increment rate of 3%, resulting in pay scales of all existing employees continuing to be higher than in neighbouring Haryana.

With the implementation of the 6th Pay Commission, minimum pension will go up from Rs.3,500 to Rs.9,000 per month, and the minimum Family Pension would increase to Rs. 9,000 per month under the revised structure, an official spokesperson said after a Cabinet meeting that gave the approval for implementation of the 6th Punjab Pay Commission (PPC) recommendations. Under the new structure, divorce/widowed daughter shall be eligible for family pension, and the eligibility criteria of income for family pension has been enhanced from Rs. 3,500+DA to Rs. 9000+DA per month.

The expected amount of Net Arrears from January 1, 2016 to June 30, 2021 is Rs.13,800 crore (approx). Notably, the Punjab government employees have already been getting 5% interim enhancement since 2017. The Net Arrear Amount of employees and pensioners for the year 2016, estimated at Rs. 2,572 crore, shall be paid in two equal installments in October 2021 and January 2022.

The Government has also accepted restoration of Commutation of Pension to 40% w.e.f. July 1, 2021. Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity (DCRG) has been enhanced from Rs.10 lakh to Rs.20 lakh and the existing rates of Ex-Gratia Grant have been doubled. Both the DCRG and Ex Gratia have been extended to employees covered under New Pension Scheme.

An official spokesperson said after the cabinet meeting that the implementation of the Pay Commission’s major recommendations will lead to an annual additional burden of Rs. 8,637 crore to the state exchequer, with prospective additional net annual burden expected per annum to beRs. 4,700 crore (approx.).

It may be recalled that the 6th PPC report had submitted the first part of its report to the Punjab government on April 30, 2021, broadly comprising the recommendations on revision of pay scales, allowances and pension & retirement benefits.

It has been decided that the date of implementation of the new allowances/revised allowances would be from 01.07.2021. Percentage based allowances, like House Rent Allowance, NPA etc. have been rationalised under the new structure, while Design Allowance, Special Allowance to Chowkidars and Special Allowance to Drivers, has been doubled.

A new allowance – Higher Education Allowance, in the form of a lump sum incentive to all employees who attain higher educational qualification during the course of employment and in the field directly relevant to an employee’s job, is being introduced by the Government.

New employees will, however, be paid as per the central government pay scales, which now apply to all new recruits.

TO FURTHER BOOST EASE OF DOING BUSINESS, PUNJAB GOVT DECIDES TO SET UP DISTRICT LEVEL BUREAUS

Chandigarh, June 18: The Captain Amarinder Singh led government in Punjab will set up a District Bureau of Industry & Investment Promotion (DBIIP) in each district to further promote ease of doing business in the state.

A decision to this effect was taken on Friday, during a state Cabinet meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh through video conferencing

The decision has been taken in the light of the announcement made by the Finance Minister in his budget speech, and fulfilling the demand of the State industry to establish a facilitation office for investors at the district level. The move will facilitate new/expansion unit investments, and expedite speedy approval/clearances required for grounding of the projects. The Finance Department has also approved capital expenditure of Rs.2 lakh (one time) and operational expenditure of Rs.2 lakh per month for DBIIP office in each district.

Initially, in Phase I, the DBIIP offices would be established in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, SAS Nagar, Patiala & Bathinda districts, as proposed by the Investment Promotion department. The department has been authorised to set up DBIIP offices in the remaining districts as and when the need arises. These offices would be set up in the already established District Bureau of Employment and Enterprise of Employment Generation & Training department.

Listing the objectives of DBIIP, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that it will operate as a dedicated Single Window Office in each district, to facilitate investments, promote ease of doing business at district level, provide necessary guidance/consultation to investors, expedite timely statutory clearances/approvals required for the grounding of the project, and establish a regular review mechanism at district level for timely disposal of business queries & grievances.

The DBIIP will be tasked with supervision and monitoring of the performance of Nodal Officers appointed in Bureau from the Line Departments/Authorities. The facilitation office would also expedite timely grant/issuance of clearances/approvals/NOCs applied through the Invest Punjab Business First portal by the investor.

The DBIIP office shall deal with matters related to investment proposal with Fixed Capital Investment (FCI) upto Rs.25 crore applied through Invest Punjab Business First portal. Above the mark of Rs. 25 crore (FCI) investment proposal, the Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion (PBIP) would continue to expedite clearances/approvals in the state.

The dedicated DBIIP office would be headed by the concerned Deputy Commissioner, who shall also be the CEO of DBIIP. Nodal officers from the departments of Housing & Urban Development, Local Government, Labour (Factories), Punjab Pollution Control Board, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited, Forest & Wildlife, PWD (B&R), Taxation, Industries & Commerce (Boiler, Society Registration) and Punjab Small Industries & Export Corporation shall be appointed in DBIIP to receive, process and grant statutory clearances/approvals/NOCs required to an industrial unit through an existing Invest Punjab Business First portal.

The DBIIP shall be assisted by General Manager, District Industry Centre, who shall be its Convenor-cum-Member Secretary. The services of a full time professional (MBA) shall be availed to assist the DBIIP in its day-to-day working. For the appointment of consultant/consultants, criteria of eligibility like qualification, work experience etc. shall be the same as defined by the Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion. The recruitment of these consultants shall be done at central/headquarter level, through either campus interviews or open advertisement as per procedure approved for PBIP.

 

PUNJAB CABINET OKAYS CREATION OF 653 POSTS FOR 25 GOVT ITIs

Chandigarh, June 18: The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday okayed the creation of 653 posts for 5 existing and 20 newly set-up Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the state.

With this decision, nearly 6000 youth of the state would be gainfully employed by imparting them with skill training in various vocational courses. Admission to these institutes will begin from August 2021.

The upcoming ITIs, at Cheema Khudi (Sri Hargobindpur), Tripuri (Kharar), Rasulpur (Morinda), Dabur (Kiratpur Sahib), Bhagwanpura (Amloh), Bhagrana (Khera), Mehraj (Bathinda), Lohian Khas (Jalandhar), Bassian Kothi (Raikot), Dhaipai (Bhikhi), Tibbi Kalan (Mamdot), Dodwan (Dinanagar), Ramtirth (Amritsar), Tanda Kushal Singh (Machhiwara), Sahiba (Balachaur), Mananke (Gandiwind), Ghanour (Patiala), Bakraha (Patran), Ladowal (Ludhiana), Swadi Kalan (Ludhiana), Malaud (Ludhiana), Singhpur (Rupnagar), Manakpur Sarif (S.A.S. Nagar), Adampur (Jalandhar) and Niari (Pathankot), will offer a healthy platform to develop a skilled manpower for the industrial sector.

At present, 117 ITIs across the state are imparting training under Craftsman Training Scheme in various courses prescribed by the Director General of Training, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India. After receiving training under this scheme, the students would be given certificate under the National Council for Vocational Education and Training, which is nationally/internationally recognised.

TEACHING & NON-TEACHING POSTS OKAYED FOR 16 NEW GOVT. COLLEGES
With a view to enhancing accessibility of Higher Education to youth, including weaker sections across the state, the Cabinet accorded approval for the creation of Teaching and Non-Teaching posts in 16 newly opened Government Colleges, besides Non-Teaching staff in Government College of Education, Malerkotla. This initiative is aimed at achieving the target of 50% GER by the year 2035, in line with the National Education Policy-2020. The approval has been given for 16 posts of Principals, 160 posts of Assistant Professors, 17 Librarians, 17 Senior Assistants and 34 clerks, to enable commencement of classes from Academic Session 2021-22.

The new colleges for which posts have been created are: Government College, Roshanwala, Bhawanigarh (Sangrur), Government College, Jamalpur, Ludhiana East (Ludhiana), Government College, Danewala Malout (Sri Muktsar Sahib), Government College, Shehbajpur Khadur Sahib (Tarn Taran), Government College, Shahkot (Jalandhar), Government College, Husnar, Gidderbaha (Sri Muktsar Sahib), Government College, Village Burj Hari Singh Raikot (Ludhiana), Government College, Dholbaha (Hoshiarpur), Government College, Sidhpur (Gurdaspur), Government College, Jadla (Nawanshahr), Government College, Fatehgarh Korotana, Dharamkot (Moga), Government College, Abohar (Fazilka), Government College, Mehain, Sri Anandpur Sahib (Rupnagar), Government College (G) Malerkotla, Government College, Chhabewal (Hoshiarpur) and Government College, Village Sukhchain, Balluana (Fazilka).

GURU GOBIND SINGH GOVT COLLEGE, JALANDHAR, TO BE HANDED OVER TO GNDU, AMRITSAR
To impart quality higher education to students of the region, the Cabinet also accorded approval handing over of the Guru Gobind Singh Government College, Jandiala (Jalandhar) to Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, as a Constituent College. It also okayed provision of a recurring grant of Rs.1.50 crore per annum to GNDU from the year 2021-22, in lieu of salaries of the staff and maintenance of the college.

76 POSTS TO BE CREATED AT MBSPSU, PATIALA
The Cabinet gave the go-ahead to create 76 posts (35 for Administrative Staff and 41 for teaching faculty) to operationalise Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University (MBSPSU), Patiala. Of these newly created posts, 59 would be immediately filled.

 

PUNJAB CABINET OKAYS AMENDMENTS IN SERVICE RULES OF 5 DEPTS TO FAST-TRACK RECRUITMENT

Chandigarh, June 18:
To fast-track the process of recruitment to government departments, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday gave approval for amendments in service rules of the departments of Technical Education & Industrial Training, School Education, Water Supply & Sanitation, Police, and Rural Development & Panchayats.

The move will accelerate the government’s State Employment Plan 2020-22, to fill vacant jobs in government departments, boards, corporations and agencies in a phased, time-bound manner. The restructuring entailed in the process will help rationalize manpower to make the functioning of the state administration more efficient.

According to a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office, the Cabinet gave approval for amendment in the Service Rules of Crafts Instructors of Technical Education & Industrial Training department, in line with norms of Government of India.

The Cabinet also decided to amend the Punjab Educational (Teaching Cadre) Group-C Service Rules and the Punjab State Elementary Education (Teaching Cadre) Group-C Service Rules, 2018 with change of qualification for the post of Art & Craft Teacher and ETT Teacher respectively. Resultantly, the candidates who have passed Graduation at least with 55% marks, a B.Ed. degree and two years Diploma in Art and Craft Teachers from a recognised university, Board or institution as per guidelines of the University Grants Commission, have also been now held eligible for the post of Art & Craft Teacher. Also, the candidates who have passed Graduation with minimum 55% marks for General Category & 50% marks in the case of SC/ST/OBC/BC & PH Category and two years Teacher Training course or two years Diploma in Elementary Education from a recognized university or institution, are eligible for the post of ETT Teachers.

The Cabinet also gave the nod to amend the Punjab Department of Public Works (Public Health Branch) Draftsman and Tracers (Class-III) Service Rules, 1988 (first amendment-2021) to fill the posts of newly designated Junior Draftsman through direct appointment from amongst those candidates who are matriculates with two year National Trade Certificate in Draftsman (Civil) from Industrial Training Institute as prescribed by Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Govt. of India/Govt. of Punjab from time to time, or three year diploma in Civil Engineering or its higher qualification from a University or Institution recognised by UGC/AICTE/MHRD.

In another decision, the Cabinet gave approval for creation of service rules in nine categories of Water Supply & Sanitation department viz. Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Engineering Wing (Group-A) Service Rules, 2021, Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Ministerial Staff Head Office (Group-A) Service Rules, 2021, Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Ministerial Staff Field Office (Group-A) Service Rules, 2021, Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Ministerial Staff (Group B-Head Office) Service Rules, 2021, Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Ministerial Staff (Group B-Field Office) Service Rules, 2021, Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Ministerial Staff (Group C-Head Office) Service Rules, 2021, Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Ministerial Staff (Group C-Field Office) Service Rules, 2021, Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Junior Engineer (Group ? Service Rules, 2021 and Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Draftsman (Group ? Service Rules, 2021.

The Cabinet also approved “Punjab Police Technical and Support Services Cadre Group-C Service Rules 2021” to govern the recruitment/appointment/promotion and the conditions of service of the Subordinate Ranks (Constables to Sub Inspectors) of the Punjab Police Technical and Support Services Cadre. The Cabinet also gave the nod for amendment in the qualifications required for direct appointment to the post of Sub-Inspector and Constables in Intelligence Cadre of Punjab Police of Punjab Intelligence Cadre (Group C) Service Rules, 2015. It also okayed amendment in the Punjab Police Investigation Cadre (Subordinate Ranks) Services Rules, 2020, to regulate the recruitment and conditions of service of the officials of Investigation Cadre of Punjab Police.

The Cabinet also gave approval to ‘The Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats (Group-A) Technical Service (First Amendment) Rules, 2021’, ‘The Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats (Technical Wing) Group ‘B’ Technical Service Rules, 2021’ and ‘The Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats (Technical Wing) Group ‘C’ Draftsmen Service Rules, 2021’.

AMENDMENT TO PUNJAB CIVIL SECRETARIAT (STATE SERVICE CLASS III) RULES OKAYED
Meanwhile, the Cabinet has approved amendment to the Punjab Civil Secretariat (State Service Class III) Rules, 1976 for filling up the newly created post of Senior Technical Assistant by way of promotion from amongst the Technical Assistants. Resultantly, the post of Senior Technical Assistant would be now included in the Punjab Civil Secretariat (State Service Class III) Rules, 1976. Besides this, an amendment regarding appointment to the post of Technical Assistant has been made in the Punjab Civil Secretariat (State Service Class III) Rules, 1976.

 

PUNJAB GOVT TO PAY 40% ARREARS OF PVT INSTITUTIONS UNDER SC POST MATRIC SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME

Chandigarh, June 18:
The Punjab government will pay 40% of the Rs 200 crore arrears of private educational institutions, against the post matric scholarship scheme for SC students, for the period 2017-18 to 2019-20.

This was decided by the state cabinet at a virtual meeting chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

The meeting decided that the Chief Minister will take up the issue of the balance 60% pending arrears with the Prime Minister.

The Cabinet, while approving the report submitted by the Group of Ministers (GoM), constituted to look into the difficulties faced in the implementation of the Post Matric Scholarship scheme for Scheduled Castes for the said period, decided that the government will give these arrears to the private institutions in 3 equal quarterly installments during the year 2021-22.

The GoM, comprising Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, Social Justice, Empowerment & Minorities Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Higher Education Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Technical Education Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, was constituted on January 14, 2021.

The Post Matric Scholarship Scheme to SC students is being implemented through Central assistance but no funds have been released against the demand for the years 2017-18 to 2019-20. Keeping in view the hardships faced by SC students, the GoM was constituted to examine and resolve this issue to secure the future of SC students.

The GoM had also recommended that private educational institutions would not retain the roll numbers, certificates and degrees of SC students, would make no claims nor approach court against Punjab Government for claiming pending fees for the session of 2017-18 to 2019-2020. Further, they will withdraw cases pending in Court in this matter, the Group had suggested.

Further, it has said in its report that if 60% amount is not received from the Government of India (GoI), then the educational institutions could not claim their fee from Punjab Government.

 

PUNJAB CABINET OKAYS EASING OF RULES FOR PERMIT RENEWAL FOR STAGE CARRIAGE BUS OPERATORS

Chandigarh, June 18:
To ease the hardships faced by the mini bus operators in renewing their permits due to up-gradation of link roads as other direct roads, major district roads, the Punjab Cabinet on Friday gave the go-ahead for easing of rules for the same.

The cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, decided to grant exemption from clause 3(E) of the Punjab Transport Scheme-2018, to operators who were issued permit for stage carriage buses as per Chapter V of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, prior to the implementation of the scheme.

The Transport Scheme, 2018 stipulates that all permits which were issued before 2018 and are due for renewal should adhere to the terms and conditions of the scheme. Condition 3(E) stipulates that operators running buses on rural link roads cannot run more than 12 kms on Other District Roads, Major District Roads, State Highways and National Highways.

However, due to upgradation of link roads, the mini bus operators were facing problems for renewal of their permits, which are otherwise valid as per Motor Vehicle Act and Punjab Transport Scheme-2018.

OKAYS APPOINTMENT OF ARJUN BAJWA AS INSPECTOR, BHISHAM PANDEY AS NAIB TEHSILDAR
As a special case, the Cabinet gave approval to appoint Arjun Pratap Singh Bajwa as Inspector (Group ? in Punjab Police. The applicant is the grandson of ex-Punjab Minister Satnam Singh Bajwa, who laid his life in 1987 for the sake of peace and harmony in the State. He has been given appointment by allowing one-time waiver/relaxation in the relevant rules without making it a precedent.

In another decision, the Cabinet also gave the nod to the appointment of Bhisham Pandey, the grandson of Joginder Pal Pandey who was gunned down by terrorists in 1987, as Naib Tehsildar (Group-B) in Revenue department. His appointment is also treated as a special case, by giving one time relaxation in the policy of compassionate appointments, 2002. However, it will not be treated as a precedent.

Noting the sacrifice of their families, the Chief Minister said children/grandchildren of such people would continue to be considered by his government for compensatory appointment on case to case basis.

 

CHIEF MINISTER’S OFFICE, PUNJAB
AMID COVID, PUNJAB GOVT EXTENDS SERVICES OF SUPERANNUATING SPECIALIST DOCTORS TILL MARCH 31, 2022

RETIRING GROUP-C EMPLOYEES AT GMCs IN PATIALA & AMRITSAR ALSO GET POST FACTO EXTENSION

Chandigarh, June 18:
To tackle the emergent situation of Covid-19 pandemic, the Punjab Government on Friday decided to allow Specialist Doctors of Medicine, Anesthesia and T.B & Chest to continue their services, after their superannuation on completion of 58 years of age, till March 31, 2022 on clinical posts. The move is aimed at ensuring effective management of Covid isolation facilities in the State.

The decision was taken at a Punjab Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, who said the services of these doctors were required to ensure timely and proper treatment to the patients. The state government also could not afford to take any risk in view of the continuing spread of the pandemic, leading to heavy burden on Government hospitals and dispensaries, he added, as the cabinet took note of the fact that the recruitment ads had not received encouraging response and it was necessary to take urgent steps to prepare for a possible third wave.

The Cabinet also granted post facto approval for extending the services of nine Group-C employees (para-medical staff) who are retiring in May 2021 and June 2021 in Government Medical Colleges at Patiala and Amritsar.

184 POSTS UNDER ‘POSHAN ABHIYAN’ EXTENDED TILL JUNE 30
To provide nutrition to children in 0-6 years age group, pregnant women and lactating mothers across the state, the Cabinet gave approval to extension of 184 posts, approved under ‘POSHAN ABHIYAAN’ (National Nutrition Mission), till June 30, 2021. The Cabinet authorised the Minister-in-charge of Social Security and Women & Child Development department to grant any further extension as per the instructions of the Government of India.

The GoI had launched the ‘POSHAN ABHIYAAN’ (National Nutrition Mission) in March 2018 to combat malnutrition in the country. In line with the objective, the POSHAN ABHIYAAN was initially implemented in four districts of Punjab viz. Faridkot, Ludhiana, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Mansa during the year 2017-18. The programme was rolled out in the remaining 15 districts of the State w.e.f. January 1, 2019.