The Punjab Cabinet on Friday gave its nod to introduce the Punjab Abadi Deh (Record of Right) Bill-2021, and Anti Red-Tape Bill, in the ongoing budget session of Vidhan Sabha, besides other significant decisions.
The Abadi Deh bill is aimed at helping the State Government compile Record of Rights of properties within the Lal Lakir in the villages for the purpose of implementing Mission Lal Lakir (with the cooperation of the Central Government under its SVAMITVA Scheme) and also to deal with the issues arising out of the rights accruing out of these properties.
Besides, this legislation would also facilitate villagers or owners to monetize property rights and avail various benefits provided by Government departments/institutions and banks.
It may be recalled that at the time of settlement and consolidation of agricultural land in the State, the abadi in the village was placed within the Lal Lakir. No Record of Rights was prepared or created for the area within the Lal Lakir. Possession has been considered as the ruling point for the ownership of any land within the Lal Lakir. In certain cases, some registered sale deeds have taken place on the basis of Chulha Tax etc. However, in most of the places, the ownership of the area within the Lal Lakir is usually passed on through an informal agreement etc, and the possession is the basis of ownership.
ANTI-RED TAPE BILL OKAYED FOR TABLING IN BUDGET SESSION To eliminate Red Tapism and promote effective administration of public affairs, the Cabinet also okayed the Punjab Anti Red Tape Bill to be tabled in the ongoing budget session of Vidhan Sabha for enactment. Part of the government’s reforms agenda for improving delivery of services to the public and ease of doing business to industry, the Bill contains provision to reduce the cost and burden of compliances on the citizens and businesses, through simplified, trust-based procedures that would expedite processes and make governance efficient. The Bill would be instrumental in improving the Governance Systems to help citizens and businesses by removing inefficiencies and Red Tape in the system. It would also provide various measures for simplification of government processes, re-engineering government systems, reduction of compliance burden and removal of external intermediaries to bring a system which would promise to serve its citizens and business.
HEALTH, MEDICAL EDU COMMON CADRE BIFURCATION GETS GO-AHEAD
The Cabinet also approved the bifurcation of common cadre of the Departments of Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education and Research — aimed at prompt resolution of disputes arising out of establishment matters between the two departments through separation of controlling authority and rules of both the departments. Also, in line with the consensus emerged in Officers’ Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary on January 13, 2021, the Cabinet also gave approval to remove the posts of common cadre (Ministerial, Nursing and Para-Medical) of Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education and Research Departments from the purview of prevailing rules and allot these to the Medical Education and Research Department.
TWO ENGINEERING COLLEGES UPGRADED TO STATE UNIVERSITY STATUS
Cabinet on Friday approved the upgradation of Shaheed Bhagat Singh State University and Sardar Beant Singh State University to the state-level universities. The relevant Bills will be tabled in the current Budget Session of the Vidhan Sabha, an official spokesperson said after a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. With the enactment of the Bills, Shaheed Bhagat Singh State Technical Campus, Ferozepur, and Beant College of Engineering and Technology, Gurdaspur, would be upgraded as Shaheed Bhagat Singh State University, Ferozepur and Sardar Beant Singh State University, Gurdaspur respectively.
The up-gradation of these engineering colleges as State Universities would enable both these institutes to start multidisciplinary courses with its existing infrastructure, as per the needs of surrounding areas besides improving their financial position.
PAFC TO GET Rs 36.70 CR FOR RMS 2019-20 WORK
Punjab Cabinet on Friday gave approval to release payment of Rs 36.70 crore to the Punjab Agro Foodgrains Corporation (PAFC) on account of administrative charges for the work done by it during Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2019-20. Spokesperson said that the payment would be released, subject to the conditions of the Finance Department, by deducting or recovering the same from the accounts of Pungrain, Punjab State Warehousing Corporation (PSWC) and Markfed, as per the PAFC share in procurement transfer to them from the administrative charges receivable by other procuring agencies for Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2019-20.