In a bid to provide employment opportunities to the youth of Punjab on one hand and bring in efficiency in the administration and provide better public services to the citizens of the State, Punjab Cabinet on Thursday gave the nod for launching a major recruitment drive to fill 1,13,766 vacant posts in various departments.
A decision to this effect was taken in the Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here. Addressing media after the cabinet meet, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said that process of recruitment will be started shortly and government will try to complete the process with a year.
The major departments in which these posts would be filled are 30,000 in school education, 39821 in power sector, 5301 in Health department, 3500 in agriculture, 4566 in cooperation department, 2198 in higher education, 2072 in irrigation, 2852 in PWD (B&R), 2628 in Revenue, 3952 in Transport and 1584 in Water Supply and sanitation departments.
A Cabinet Minister later told that all the appointments will be made as per the early policy under which the new recruits would be serving on a fixed pay for a period of three years and thereafter their services will be regularised at the regular pay scales.
life imprisonment for cases of sacrilege
Taking cognisance of recent incidents of the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib, the Cabinet gave green signal to introduce a new amendment in Section 295 AA of the Indian Penal Code 1860, which would provide punishment of life imprisonment for offenders committing heinous acts of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib. This step would act as a deterrent to prevent the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents in future. This amendment was necessitated as the existing provisions though dealt with these matters but do not provide deterrent punishment for such unfortunate incidents related to sacrilege.
Old age, widow and orphanage pension doubled
The Cabinet has given its assent to enhance old age pension, pensions for widow destitute women, orphan children and disabled persons from Rs250 to Rs500 per month. This initiative would provide far more social security to nearly 16.50 lac beneficiaries including elderly people, widows, dependent children and disabled persons and this decision would involve an additional financial liability of Rs495 crore annually. Pensions henceforth would be disbursed through Panchayats. The new rates of pensions would be effective from January 1, 2016.
Punjab to sponsor free pilgrimages
The Cabinet also approved a novel scheme ‘Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme’ for providing free pilgrimage to sacred cities of Sri Nanded Sahib, Varanasi, Katra (Mata Vaishno Devi) and Ajmer Sharif. The state government would organise free trains to these cities for people from Punjab and also provide other logistic facilities to pilgrims. Under this ambitious scheme, 1050 people from each assembly constituency would be offered this facility of free travel to these pilgrimages. This scheme would be implemented from January 1, 2016 and the pilgrims would be served food during the travel without any charge. The beneficiaries for the scheme would be identified by the respective Deputy Commissioners in the State and the said scheme would entail an expenditure of Rs186.82 crore. A Cabinet Sub committee comprising of Tourism Minister, Education Minister and Transport Minister would monitor this scheme.
Sugarcane industry to get Rs50 per quintal subsidy, subsidy to go directly to farmers
The Cabinet has decided that the State Government would ensure payment of sugarcane price at Rs295 per quintal by the mills under all circumstances, while reviewing the hardships being faced by the sugarcane growers and sugar mills in view of the depressed sugar market. Sugar mills would pay Rs245 per quintal, whereas the Government would pay a subsidy of Rs50 per quintal for the current crushing season i.e. 2015-16. The amount of subsidy will be paid to farmers directly.
Rehabilitation for suicide victims’ families
In a major relief to the family members of the farmers and farm labours who committed suicides, the Cabinet approved the policy guidelines for relief and rehabilitation of these affected families. Among other aspects, the policy provides for enhancement of financial assistance of Rs2 lakh to Rs3 lakh to families of farmers and farm labourers affected by suicides. The policy also envisages priority assistance and grants to these families under various schemes of the Department of Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry.
Dry Fruit and lED lights to be cheaper with VAT reduction
In another significant move, the Cabinet decided to slash rates of VAT on Dry Fruits, Khal & Binola and lED lights. The VAT rates have been reduced from 5.5% to 4.5% on dry fruits, from 5.5% to 2% on Khal and Binola, from 13% to 5.5% on lED lights, 10% surcharge as levied earlier would continue as such. The Central Sales Tax (CST) has been reduced from 2% to 1%. In another significant decision, the VAT levied on construction material etc. used for new Gaushalas have been capped at Rs5 lakh per year. The VAT on consumables in Gaushalas have also been capped at Rs3 lakh per year.