Continuing to press the gas pedal, the Congress-led Punjab Government on Wednesday zoomed towards reforms in the education, mining and other sectors by taking significant decisions during its second cabinet meeting.
The Cabinet, which held its meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, took a slew of major policy measures expected to have sweeping impact on the State.
From repealing the previous SAD-BJP Government’s decision to turn Khalsa College into University via an Act, to curbing loot by private schools capping annual increase at eight per cent, from introducing progressive e-bidding auctions for State’s sand mines to passing on historic Saragarhi Memorial’s management to its Trust — the Capt Amarinder Government live up to its image of a go-getter.
Putting an end to rumours regarding closure of Bathinda’s Maharaja Ranjit Singh Technical University, the Cabinet has decided to appoint an eminent person, of national eminence with no political connections, as its Vice-Chancellor. Similar appointment would also be made at IK Gujral Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar.
In another major decision, the Cabinet has also fixed the remuneration of the team of advisors of the Chief Minister having status of Cabinet Minister or the Minister of State at Rs 35,000 and Rs 30,000 per month, respectively, along with telephone allowance of Rs 3500.
The Cabinet also discussed matters related to the farm loan waiver and the Satluj Yamuna link (SYl) canal. A crucial meeting on the contentious issue has been scheduled at New Delhi with the representatives from Haryana and the Central Governments.
SAND MINING APPROVED THROUGH PROGRESSIVE E-BIDDING AUCTIONS
Expected to boost earnings to Rs 300 crore besides destroying sand mafia in Punjab, the Cabinet on Wednesday approved fresh mine auctions through progressive e-bidding.
The decision will bring to an end the earlier practice of granting contracts of mines through reverse bidding process, coupled with a boost to the State revenue and bringing greater transparency into the mining sector, said an official spokesperson.
Spokesperson said that the decision is expected to increase Government revenue receipt to around Rs 300 crore. It will also ensure uninterrupted supply of sand and gravel (bajri) to the consumers at fair price, he added.
Besides, the state government would soon implement the Integrated Mines and Minerals Management System (i3MS) to bring greater transparency into the system. “The i3MS is approved by the Government of India and has been successfully tried and tested in the State of Odisha,” the Cabinet noted.
The Cabinet has also decided to hike the compensation to land owners from Rs 50 to Rs 60 per tonne.
Notably, the State Government is already working on a new mining policy, which is expected to be formulated by the end of the month. Capt Amarinder had, on April 1, reviewed the mining operations in the state, issuing strict instructions to the departments concerned to curb illegal mining.
Spokesperson said that the crackdown launched on illegal mining by the Congress Government had led to a spike in the prices of sand and gravel, which will get reversed with more legal mines becoming operational following the cabinet decision.
Besides increasing the number of legal mines, the Government is also mulling deployment of modern digging techniques, and stringent enforcement of rules to ensure that illegal mining becomes unviable, said the spokesperson.
“The new mining policy is expected to incorporate these and several other measures to free the State of the mining cartel and make the mining operations viable and lucrative for the State exchequer,” he said.
As per the data shared by the departments concerned, as many as 59 mines are ready for auction and production can commence in these by May 20, with another 58 pending environmental clearance and expected to become operational by mid-August.
FEE REGUlATION: SETS 8% ANNUAl CAP ON FEE HIKE IN PRIVATE SCHOOlS
Reining in the private schools managements across the State and providing a major relief to the parents, the Punjab Government on Wednesday decided to cap the annual fee hike by the private schools at eight percent of the previous year’s fee.
Paving way for the rationalisation of fees in private schools, the Cabinet has given its nod to the Punjab State Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions Rules, 2017, aiming at curbing the excessive fees in private schools across the State.
“Under the new rules, annual fee hike by private schools will be capped at eight percent of the previous year’s fee…All other funds charged by the schools will also be covered by these rules,” said the State Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal.
Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions Act, 2016, had already been enacted in compliance with directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
HANDS OVER SARAGARHI MEMORIAl MANAGEMENT TO TRUST
To ensure better upkeep of the historic Saragarhi Memorial or Gurudwara site, Punjab cabinet on Wednesday decided to hand over its management to the administration of Saragarhi Memorial Management Trust, Ferozepur.
The Trust comprises serving army men and ex-servicemen as its trustees, whom the Cabinet found best equipped to take on the task of protecting and maintaining the site at Ferozepur Cantt.
At the same time, the Cabinet cancelled the orders by the previous SAD-BJP Government of entrusting the management of the Gurdwara to Baba Nand Singh Gurdwara Nanaksar Kaleran, Jagraon, for 30 years.
Notably, the previous Government had issued orders after Chief Organiser Baba lakha Singh, Gurdwara Nanaksar Kalera, Jagraon, submitted an application seeking handing over of the services of maintenance of the Saragarhi gurdwara to them.
Capt Amarinder had announced his Government’s intent to transfer the upkeep of the gurdwara to the Trust at the event to launch his book on the historic Saragarhi battle of September 12, 1897.
On this date, under the command of Havildar Ishar Singh, 21 jawans, and one NCO, attained martyrdom after killing hundreds of tribesman who had attacked the Saragarhi outpost.
The day is celebrated on September 12 every year in Gurdwara Saragarhi Sahib to commemorate the sacrifices of these men. In addition, Gurupurbs and Kirtan Darbars are organised at Saragarhi Gurdwara from time to time.
Captain Amarinder, himself an ex-Army man, made it clear that the various memorials of martyrs in Punjab would not be allowed to deteriorate under his regime, as happened under the previous Government.
These memorials of our brave soldiers would be provided the kind of maintenance and upkeep they deserve, the Chief Minister reiterated at the cabinet meeting.
TO APPOINT EMINENT EDUCATIONAlISTS IN TECH VARSITIES
Cabinet has also decided to appoint a person of national eminence in the field of industry, technology or technical education as chairman of the Board of Governors of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda.
The move is aimed at streamlining the education system in the State and raising the standards of education at par with global benchmarks of quality.
It was also decided to similarly appoint the chairman of the Board of Governors of IK Gujral Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, from among persons of national repute in the aforesaid fields.
Infusion of professional blood in the management of these universities would contribute significantly to raising their quality bar and better equip the students to take on global competition.