After a hiatus of five months due to the Lok Sabha polls, the Punjab Cabinet convened on Wednesday, rolled out a series of decisions aimed at streamlining governance and enhancing public welfare. In a move set to simplify property transactions, the Cabinet granted in-principle approval to eliminate the requirement for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for land and property registration — marking a significant shift towards ease of doing business.

Additionally, the introduction of ‘The Punjab Fire Safety and Emergency Services Bill, 2024’ promises considerable relief for property owners, extending the validity of fire safety certificates from one to three years. Furthering its commitment to accessible justice, the Cabinet sanctioned the creation of 49 posts for seven Gram Nyayalayas, ensuring that legal recourse is within reach for every citizen. Among other key decisions, the reduction of motor vehicle tax on registered tourist vehicles aims to boost tourism in the State.

By approving the elimination of the requirement of NOC for land and property registration, the Cabinet aimed to protect the public from unscrupulous colonizers who sell unapproved properties, leaving buyers to struggle for basic amenities. The State Government is committed to safeguarding the interests of the common man by simplifying the property registration process.

In another major decision, the Cabinet approved the ‘Punjab Fire Safety and Emergency Services Bill, 2024’, which updates the outdated 2012 Act. The new legislation extends the validity of fire safety certificates from one to three years, categorized by building risk levels — low, medium, or high. This reform not only eases the compliance burden on property owners but also ensures better fire and emergency services across Punjab, both in urban and rural areas. The Bill also introduces mandatory insurance provisions against fire risks, aiming to increase efficiency in the Fire Department's operations.

Furthering its commitment to accessible justice, the Cabinet sanctioned the creation of 49 posts for seven new Gram Nyayalayas in various districts, including Patiala, Barnala, and Gurdaspur. These grassroots-level courts are intended to provide affordable and timely justice, reducing the backlog of cases in higher courts.

Additionally, the Cabinet reduced Motor Vehicle Tax on registered tourist vehicles to make Punjab more competitive with neighbouring states. This reduction is expected to boost vehicle registration in the state, thereby increasing revenue. The Cabinet also approved a new category of additional road tax for luxury vehicles, projected to generate Rs 87.03 crore, and introduced a Green Tax on older vehicles to combat environmental pollution.

Making other crucial decisions to provide timely relief and enhance state welfare, the Cabinet approved the designation of the State Executive Committee as the competent authority to release compensation to the farmers for crop loss due to natural calamities. The decision allows for immediate disbursement of funds exceeding Rs one crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the State Budget. By combining these resources, the state aimed to ensure swift and comprehensive relief to farmers, simplifying a process that previously required separate allocations.

In a landmark decision, the Cabinet also greenlit the Punjab State Education Policy for Children with Disabilities, aligning with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The policy focuses on inclusive education and holistic development of children with disabilities, empowering them to participate fully in social, economic, and self-development activities.

The Cabinet, in another significant move, approved the disbursement of cash awards to gallantry award winners as a lump sum, eliminating the need for annual submission of life certificates. This streamlined process also ensures that after the awardee's death, the annuity for their spouse will be automatically processed, providing a major relief to the families of these national heroes.

Additionally, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Punjab Educational (Teaching Cadre) Group-'C' Service Rules, 2018, and Punjab Educational (Teaching Cadre) Border Area Group-'C' Service Rules, 2018. The amendments divide the 20 percent promotion quota for Master/Mistress cadre among ETT/JBT, HT, and CHT cadres in a 15:4:1 ratio. This change is expected to reduce litigation and open new promotion avenues within these teaching cadres, fostering career growth and stability for educators in Punjab.

Youth and Sports

To bolster the state's youth and sports sectors, the cabinet decisions also focused on nurturing young talent and providing robust support to athletes. In a major move, the Cabinet approved the Youth Services Policy 2024, a comprehensive strategy designed by the Department of Youth Services to uplift the state's youth. The policy aims to divert young people from the grip of drugs, channeling their boundless energy into constructive avenues such as sports, cultural programs, and social welfare activities. By enhancing their skills and encouraging participation in community development, the policy seeks to build a healthier, more engaged, and empowered youth population.

Environmental Conservation

Taking steps towards environmental conservation and sustainable development, the Cabinet approved two key initiatives. The Cabinet greenlit the Tree Preservation Policy for Non-Forest Government and Public Lands-2024, aiming to increase the state's forest and tree cover from the current 5.92 percent to 7.5 percent by 2030.

The policy mandates the creation of an inventory of trees on non-forest lands owned by state departments, institutions, and local bodies, with protection measures documented through an online portal. The policy will also establish committees at various levels to oversee the cutting and replanting of trees, ensuring the preservation of green cover, particularly in urban areas.

In a parallel move, the Cabinet approved a project to promote agroforestry and biodiversity conservation in Punjab, with a budget of Rs 792.88 crore, in collaboration with Japan. The project is designed to increase tree cover through agroforestry, conserve groundwater, boost farmers' incomes, and reduce air pollution caused by straw burning.

Additionally, it will focus on integrated watershed management in the Shivalik region, promotion of ecotourism, biodiversity conservation, and wetland improvement. The project, set to be implemented over five years starting from 2025-26, will be developed in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Punjab Forest Department.

BOX:  Three-Day Monsoon Session from Sept 2

Punjab Cabinet has sanctioned a three-day assembly session set to commence on September 2. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann presided over the meeting where the decision to hold Punjab Vidhan Sabha’s monsoon session from September 2 to 4 was taken.  The session will serve as a platform for the government to seek the assembly's approval on various important legislations passed earlier.  The state Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, during a press briefing, said that the session will begin with an official commemoration of obituaries, while detailed matters will be sorted out by the business advisory committee soon.