Punjab Cabinet on Thursday approved the summoning of 12th session of the 14th Punjab Vidhan Sabha from March 8 for passing the 2016-2017 annual budget. A decision to this effect was taken by the Cabinet in its meeting chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here.
A spokesperson of the Chief Minister s Office said that the budget session would commence on March 8 with Governor s address. The session would be adjourned sine die on March 22.
The Cabinet also gave nod to the Governor's address to be delivered by the Punjab Governor in the assembly during the Budget session. This will be the last budget session of the present SAD-BJP alliance Government as the State is slated to go for assembly polls early next year. Affordable Housing for lower Middle Income Group
To provide affordable housing facility to lower Middle Income group, the Punjab Cabinet approved “Affordable Housing Policy 2015” under which incentives in the form of reduced Change of land Use (ClU), External Development Charges (EDC) and license Fee would be given to promoters undertaking construction of affordable houses for economically backward strata of society.
Maximum area under the affordable housing scheme would not exceed 10 per cent of total gross area and minimum area proposed was five acre contiguous and compact chunk of land. All such projects would be necessarily required to be completed within five years from date of issue of license to avail these benefits. It would be mandatory on the part of promoter to provide the facility of one built up community hall not less than 3000 square feet for every five acre of land, besides one nursery school cum crèche of not less than 3000 square feet in the prescribed area of the scheme. Super area of the flats would range from 750 square feet to 900 square feet.
1947 Partition Museum at Amritsar
To reconnect the future generation with the partition of India, the Cabinet also gave green signal to the proposal of Punjab Heritage Tourist Promotion Board regarding the re-use plan of Town Hall, Amritsar for constructing 1947 partition museum, city museum, cottage emporium of other states, Coffee shop, light and sound show/ laser show/ virtual reality and others activities on Public Private Partnership (PPP) Mode.
Steel silos for storage of food grains
The Cabinet also gave approval to accept the recommendations of Cabinet Sub Committee to form a uniform policy for creation of steel silos for storage of food grains in the state. As per the recommendations of the sub-committee, the Food and Civil Supplies department would make all the decisions regarding construction of Silos, PUNGRAIN would be the nodal agency and the Goverment land available with the Food and Civil Supplies department would be utilised for the construction of Silos. If needed, land available with other departments like Cooperation, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj and Punjab Mandi Board would also be taken on lease by PUNGRAIN with mutual consent, for this purpose.
Checking illegal mining
To further check illegal mining in the state, the Cabinet also gave approval to amend Punjab Minor Mineral Rules 2013 for constituting District Mineral Foundation and State Mineral Foundation. Now it would be the responsibility of land owner to inform the District Mining officer of any illegal mining taking place from his land. The Cabinet also decided to impose a tax on export of minor minerals from the state @Rs4000 per a trolley, Rs7000 per truck and Rs10000 per large truck carrying minor minerals outside the state. This has been decided to bring down the rates of minor minerals within the state. CCTV cameras would be installed at all exit points.
Other Decisions
o To ensure far more improvement in its operational and financial efficiency in the Punjab State Power Corporation limited, the Cabinet gave green signal to implement Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojna (UDAY) scheme, which has been notified by the Government of India (GoI) for financial turnaround of power distribution Companies (DISCOMS).
o Nod for Amending Punjab Jails Department State Service (Class-III Executive), Rules 1963 thereby increasing the minimum qualification for post of Warden from 8th to 10+2 and fixing their age limit from 18 to 25 to ensure that only deserving and qualified candidates with proper physique and fitness were selected for these posts.
o Concurrence to the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIl) for raising funds to the tune of Rs92.25 crore as state share for constructing 17 Railway Over Bridges (ROBs)/ Railway Under Bridges (RUBs) to prevent any unsafe conditions and detention of the road users along with the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor alignment by making it free of level crossings. The loan would be reimbursed/ repaid in instalments over a period of ten years along with interest thereof, including three years moratorium on repayments.
o Green signal for filling 200 posts of Medical Officers (MBBS) out of vacant 316 posts of Medical Officers (Specialists). These 200 posts would be adjusted against the posts of MBBS doctors who would be retiring in future or posts falling vacant due to any other reason.
o Filling all the posts of Doctors and Teachers lying vacant in the Goverment hospitals and schools to bring efficiency in the functioning of Health and Educational institutions.
o Hire the services of an agency for conducting impact assessment study of the various schemes and programs of the state Goverment. The agency would conduct an assessment study from April to December 2016 by randomly reaching out to 4.5 lakh people personally and contacting 15 lakh people.
o Approval to hire 100 video vans for creating awareness amongst the people regarding the policies and schemes of the state Goverment besides informing them about the rich historical and cultural legacy of the state.
o To ensure holistic development of the villages across the state, policy of purchasing land required for economic and social development in the villages, where the land was not available, approved.
o Approval to establish Satellite Centre of PGIMER, Chandigarh at Ferozepur. The centre would provide the advanced treatment and health care facilities to the people in the region. This centre would be set up over an area of 21 acre two kanals land given free of cost by the state Goverment.
o Approval to extend the date of depositing Property Tax for the year 2015-16 without penalty upto March 31, 2016 instead on December 31, 2015.