Punjab Vidhan Sabha session, which was earlier scheduled to be held from September 5 to 9, will now be held from September 8 to 14. The decision was taken by the State Cabinet during its meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, on Monday.
“The Vidhan Sabha session would commence on September 8 afternoon at 2 pm with obituary references, and adjourned sine die on September 14,” said a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office.
The change of dates were made as Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal is on private trip abroad, and being State Home Minister, his presence in the session is vital considering this to be possibly the last session before State Assembly polls next year.
In another decision aimed at boosting the technical education and skill training in the State, the Cabinet also gave nod to regularise services of 198 Service Providing Trainers, employed under Centre of Excellence Scheme of Technical Education and Industrial Training Department (Industrial Training Wing), as craft instructors.
To propel sports activities across the State, the Cabinet also gave green signal to give three years relaxation in the upper age limit of those sportspersons, who have got medals in international events, desirous of joining the Punjab Police.
Currently, the upper age limit of joining Police as Deputy Superintendent of Police was 28 years and for Sub-Inspector and Constable it was 25 years.
likewise, the Cabinet also decided to consider the players, who have participated in tournaments prior to 2012 Olympics, eligible for recruitment in the Punjab Police.
The Cabinet also gave approval to fill backlog of 14 posts in Punjab Home Guards and Civil Defence Department in consonance with the policy to give 13 percent reservation to the Ex-servicemen in the government jobs.
The decision would entail a financial liability of Rs 17.19 lakh annually of which state would contribute 75 percent share and rest by the Central Government. It would also bring far more efficiency in the functioning of the department with the induction of experienced and disciplined Ex-servicemen besides providing an employment opportunity to them.
Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval to disburse development grants to every village Panchayat in the state, received from the 14th Finance Commission, so as to enable them to undertake their infrastructure works in accordance with the recommendations of fourth Punjab Finance Commission.
Considering the inconvenience faced by general public of Jandiala Guru area, the Cabinet also decided to accord status of sub-tehsil to Jandiala Guru. At present, Jandiala Guru falls in Amritsar district and its residents have to visit sub-division or tehsil office situated at Amritsar-I for their revenue related works.