Punjab Cabinet Approves Key Policies for Kharif 2024-25, Industrial Development and Dam Rehabilitation

The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday approved The Punjab Custom Milling Policy for Kharif 2024-25, for conversion of paddy procured by State Procurement Agencies (Pungrain, Markfed, Punsup and PSWC) into Custom Milled Rice and its delivery into the Central Pool.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Council of Ministers in its meeting held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister at his official residence.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Kharif Marketing Season 2024-25 will start from October 1, 2024, and the procurement of paddy will be completed up to November 30, 2024. During KMS 2024-25, the paddy so procured will be stored in eligible rice mills situated in the State. The Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Punjab issues Custom Milling Policy every year before the commencement of the Kharif Marketing Season to get the paddy milled which is procured by the State Agencies as per the specifications laid down by the Government of India.

As per the provisions of "The Punjab Custom Milling Policy for Kharif 2024-25", the Rice Mills will be linked online to the mandis in time by the Department. The paddy allocation to Rice Millers under the RO scheme will be automatic through an online portal. The paddy will be stored at the eligible rice mills as per their entitlement and agreement executed between the State agencies and the rice millers. The rice millers shall deliver the due rice of paddy stored up to March 31, 2025, as per policy and agreement.

Environmental Clearance Processing Fee For Industrialists Reduced By Introducing Seven Slabs Fee Structure

In a major initiative aimed at giving further fillip to the industrial development of the state, the Cabinet also gave nod to reduce the environmental clearance processing fee by introducing seven slab-based processing fee structures for granting environmental clearance in the state. The processing fee for granting environmental clearance in the state of Punjab for industrial projects is Rs. 10,000 per crore of total project cost, which includes the cost of land, building, infrastructure and plant and machinery. As per new slab up to the project cost of Rs 5crore, one-time Environmental clearance processing fee will be Rs 25,000, from project cost worth Rs 5-25 crore it will be Rs 1.50 lakh, for project cost worth Rs 25-100 crore it will be Rs 6.25 lakh, for project cost worth Rs 100-250 crore it will be Rs 15 lakh, for project cost worth Rs 250-500 crore it will be Rs 30 lakh, for project cost worth Rs 500-1000 crore it will be Rs 50 lakh and for the project having cost above than Rs 1000 crore it will be Rs 75 lakh. However, Environmental clearance processing fees for the remaining categories of projects (such as Building and Construction, Area Development and Mining) would remain the same as already notified vide Notification No. 10/167/2013-STE(5)/1510178/1 dated 27.06.2019 and Notification No. 10/167/2013-STE (5)/308-313 dated 22.11.2019.

The dam rehabilitation and improvement project was approved at a projected cost of Rs. 281 crore

In a major move aimed at enhancing the security of the dams in the state, the Cabinet also gave consent to Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project Phase II and Phase- IlI at a projected cost of Rs. 281 crore. This ambitious project will be carried out with the support and cooperation of the World Bank and is aimed at strengthening the dams across the state. Out of these Rs 281 crore, Rs 196.7 Crore which is 70% of the project cost will be availed as a loan and 30% of the cost which is around Rs 84.3 Crore will be funded through budgetary support by the state government.

Gives Go Ahead To Punjab Bhondedar, Butemar, Dohlidar, Insar, Miadi, Mukarraridar, Mundhimar, Panahi Qadeem, Saunjidar Or Taraddadkar (Vesting Of Proprietary Rights) Rules, 2023

In another significant decision, the Cabinet also approved the Punjab Bhondedar, Butemar, Dohlidar, Insar, Miadi, Mukarraridar, Mundhimar, Panahi Qadeem, Saunjidar or Taraddadkar (Vesting of Proprietary Rights) Rules, 2023. The measure is part of agrarian reforms to empower tillers of such land, who belong mostly to the economically and socially weaker sections of the society. These tenants have been in occupation of small parcels of land for several years and inherit their rights by succession from generation to generation. However, since they were not recorded as owners, they could neither access financial institutions for crop loans nor get calamity relief.

Gives Consent For Framing A Policy For Removal And/ Or Regularization Of Encroachments On The Public Lands

The Cabinet also accorded its consent for framing a policy for removal and/ or regularization of the encroachments, if any, made on the public lands by the government Educational Institutions, Hospitals, Dispensaries, Police Station and others. This step will help in resolving the disputes of encroachment by Government departments on Municipal/Public Lands.

Approves Filling Of 166 Posts Of Department Of Higher Education And Languages

The Cabinet also gave its consent to the Department of Higher Education and Languages for filing 166 posts through outsourcing by PESCO for the Head Offices, Units and Centers of NCC. This move is aimed at ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the NCC activities for the financial year 2024-25. This will further help in the effective functioning of the NCC units and consequently will result in the increased strength of the NCC cadets in the state.

Gives Consent To Restructuring Of The Stenography Cadre Of Police Department

The Cabinet also approved the restructuring of the Stenography cadre of the Police Department by focusing on the smooth functioning of office work. Pertinently, to cope up with the new emerging challenges, many new wings, battalions, districts as well as posts of senior police officers were created, but the sanctioned strength of the officials of the Stenography Cadre remained the same. To redress the issue, the Cabinet approved to restructure 10 posts of Private Secretary and Personal Assistant by abolishing 10 posts of Senior Scale Stenographers and six posts of Steno Typists from the same cadre. Through this practice, office working will become more effective with no additional burden on the State Exchequer.

Nod To Revise The Educational Qualifications Of Craft Instructor Itis

The Cabinet also gave consent to revise the Educational Qualifications of Craft Instructors in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). This move will help in ensuring that ITIs get qualified instructors which will improve the training being imparted by them to the youth of the state. This will also benefit the youth to get better employment by opening new vistas of jobs for them.