*Under Leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Punjab Cabinet Passes Punjab Regulation of Fee of Un-aided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2026*

*Bhagwant Mann Cabinet Approves Outsourced Personnel Transition Bill, 3 Digital Universities and Key Governance Reforms*

*Cabinet Approves Punjab State Outsourced Personnel Transition to Contractual Engagement Bill, 2026*

*449 Veterinary Pharmacists & 451 Safai Sewaks Get One-Year Extension in 582 Veterinary Hospitals*

*Cabinet Approves Creation of Block Tarsika in Amritsar District*

*Three New Digital Open Universities Approved Under Punjab Private Digital Open Universities Policy, 2026*

*Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 to Be Amended for Creation of Panchayat Development Secretary Cadre*

CHANDIGARH; 5th August 2026:Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday took a series of landmark decisions aimed at strengthening education, improving governance and public service delivery, and promoting inclusive development across the state. The Cabinet passed the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Un-aided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to regulate unnecessary and unreasonable fee hikes by private un-aided educational institutions, besides approving the Punjab State Outsourced Personnel Transition to Contractual Engagement Bill, 2026, establishment of three new Digital Open Universities and several other key policy initiatives.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Council of Ministers in a meeting on Wednesday at Punjab Vidhan Sabha.

Disclosing this, the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Cabinet gave nod to bring the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Un-aided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2026 for regulation of unnecessary and unreasonable increase in fee by Private Un-Aided Educational Institutions.

The Bill has been necessitated as some un-aided Private Educational Institutions were arbitrarily and unreasonably increasing their annual fees, which was imposing unnecessary financial burden on students and their parents. Thus, a need has been felt to amend the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions Act, 2016, the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Un-aided Educational Institutions Amendment Act, 2019 and the Rules framed under the Act to check unjustified fee hikes by Private Un-Aided Schools.

*Approves Punjab State Outsourced Personnel Transition to Contractual Engagement Bill, 2026*

The Cabinet also gave approval to place the Punjab State Outsourced Personnel Transition to Contractual Engagement Bill, 2026 for the transition of eligible outsourced personnel into direct contractual engagement after a qualifying period of five years of continuous service, or three years in the case of personnel deployed in the enumerated Hazardous Categories under Section 2(1). The remuneration of contractual appointees shall be determined by the Department of Finance and shall not be lower than the minimum rate of wages fixed under the Code on Wages, 2019, or any other law relating to minimum wages for the time being in force. The Bill repeals the Punjab Ad Hoc, Contractual, Daily Wage, Temporary, Work Charged and Outsourced Employees’ Welfare Act, 2016 (Punjab Act No. 55 of 2016) from the date of its enactment.

*Extension to Services of 449 Veterinary Pharmacists and 451 Safai Sewaks in 582 Veterinary Hospitals*

In order to provide better health facilities to livestock owners, the Cabinet also approved the extension of the services of 449 Veterinary Pharmacists and 451 Safai Sewaks working in 582 Veterinary Hospitals across the state as service providers for one more year from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

*Approves Creation of Block Tarsika From Block Jandiala Guru in Amritsar*

The Cabinet gives approval to create Block Tarsika from Block Jandiala Guru in Amritsar district in the larger public interest. Block Tarsika will be created in Amritsar district by taking out 64 Gram Panchayats from Block Jandiala Guru. This new Tarsika Block will include 64 out of 121 village panchayats from the Jandiala Guru Block. With the formation of this Tarsika Block, the development activities of these 64 villages will get a boost.

*Gives Nod to Set Up Three New Digital Open Universities in the State*

To attract best quality Educational Institutions of national and international repute to the State of Punjab, the Government of Punjab has prepared the Punjab Private Digital Open Universities Policy, 2026. As per the policy, the Cabinet also gave nod to Cloud University at Bohan, Hoshiarpur, MS Digital University at Fatehpur and Physicswallah Digital University at Nandpur Kesho in Patiala. The setting up of these universities is expected to bring quality education to the city and will help in the overall development of the area.

*Gives Approval to Fill 19 Posts of Draftsman (Civil) in PWD*

The Cabinet also gave approval to fill 19 posts of Draftsman (Civil) through direct recruitment in the Public Works Department, Punjab with the objective of strengthening the functioning of the Department and ensuring the timely execution of developmental projects. A significant number of posts in the Draftsman cadre have remained vacant for a considerable period, which has adversely affected project monitoring, quality assurance, technical scrutiny and other essential departmental functions. The induction of qualified technical personnel will significantly enhance the Department’s technical capacity, improve supervision and quality monitoring of developmental works, and facilitate the efficient implementation of infrastructure projects throughout the state.

*Approves Punjab Protection of Trees Bill, 2026*

The Cabinet also gave consent to the Punjab Protection of Trees Bill, 2026 to maintain green cover for ensuring ecological balance, prevent pollution of the environment, provide an institutional mechanism to compensate for the environmental loss caused by the felling of trees and conserve the soil in the state of Punjab. It is worth mentioning that Punjab is an agrarian state, with about 83 percent of its area under agriculture. The total area under forest and tree cover of Punjab is about 5.92 percent and the Punjab Government has set a target to enhance it to 7.5 percent by 2030.

*Approves Amendment to Punjab Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026:*

The Cabinet also gave approval to amend the Punjab Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to promote voluntary compliance, reduce litigation and streamline GST procedures, thereby benefiting trade and industry across the state. The amendment will allow exclusion of post-sale discounts from the value of supply through issuance of a credit note without the requirement of a prior agreement. Further, it will allow issuance of credit notes for post-sale discounts for any commercial reason, thereby simplifying trade discount adjustments and reducing compliance burden. Likewise, it also aims to extend the benefit of 90 percent provisional refund of ITC in cases of inverted duty structure and allow refund of IGST paid on exports of goods even where the refund amount is below ₹1,000, thereby improving liquidity and facilitating exports.

*Approves Amendment to Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994*

The Cabinet also gave concurrence to amend the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 to streamline the functioning of the Rural Development Department and merge the cadres of Panchayat Secretaries and Gram Sewaks to create a new cadre of Panchayat Development Secretary. The existing Panchayat Secretaries, upon submission of a self-declaration, shall be placed at the tail of the existing seniority list of Gram Sewaks (VDOs). The existing Panchayat Secretaries who fail to submit the required self-declaration within one month from the date of issue of the notification shall continue to remain in the cadre of Panchayat Secretaries, which has been declared as a dying cadre.

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*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Reaffirms Commitment to Fast-Track Development of Kandi & Border Areas*

*Punjab to Promote Kandi Region as Major Tourism Destination: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Our Govt Focused on Infrastructure, Tourism and Economic Growth in Kandi & Border Regions: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

CHANDIGARH; 5th August 2026:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday reiterated the firm commitment of his government to ensure the holistic development of the Kandi and Border areas of the state. Chairing a meeting of the Border and Kandi Area Development Board, the Chief Minister directed officers to make concerted efforts to promote tourism in the Kandi region and accelerate the overall development of these areas.

Calling for focused efforts to promote tourism in the Kandi region, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Kandi area has immense potential to emerge as an ideal tourist destination, attracting visitors from across the globe. The state government is making all-out efforts to further develop this region and harness its vast tourism potential.”

Highlighting the region’s untapped strengths, the Chief Minister said, “Due to the negligence of successive state governments, the Kandi region lagged behind in the pace of development. However, our government has made strenuous efforts to unlock its immense tourism potential and attract visitors to its natural beauty. This region is blessed with abundant natural resources that can draw tourists from across the world.”

Emphasising the government’s development agenda, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The state government is laying major thrust on promoting economic activity in the region to transform the lives of the people. The day is not far when, after upgrading the infrastructure, this region will emerge as a major tourist hub of the country. No stone is being left unturned to develop the region and modernise its infrastructure.”

He said, “The state government is making strenuous efforts for the development of the border districts as well. The residents of these districts are brave people who have always safeguarded the unity and sovereignty of the country. This land has been blessed by the great Gurus and is inhabited by hardworking and courageous people.”

Underscoring the government’s commitment to border residents, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Despite producing great patriots and nationalists, this region did not witness the development it deserved during previous regimes. Our government has made every effort to give a major fillip to its development. We remain fully committed to the welfare of the people living in the border areas, who are true patriots and have always stood by the nation and its people.”

Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.

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*Bhagwant Mann Govt Waives Power Bills for All Gau Shalas Across Punjab*

*Decision Will Benefit 152 More Gau Shalas, Taking Total Number Receiving Free Power to 518: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Our Govt Committed to Strengthening Gau Shalas & Addressing Stray Cattle Issue: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

CHANDIGARH; 5th August 2026:In a major pro-people initiative, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday gave approval for waiving electricity bills of all Gau Shalas across the state. The decision will extend the benefit of free power to 152 additional Gau Shalas, taking the total number of Gau Shalas receiving free electricity from the Punjab Government to 518.

Chairing a meeting here today, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Gau Shalas play a key role in addressing the issue of stray cattle across the state. At present, 366 Gau Shalas are receiving free electricity and now 152 more Gau Shalas will be brought under this facility. All these Gau Shalas will receive free power from the Punjab Government and not even a single penny will be charged for the electricity supplied to them.”

Emphasising the importance of strengthening these institutions, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It is the need of the hour to ensure proper management of Gau Shalas so that Gau Dhan is looked after properly. My doors are always open for the Gau Shalas, which are rendering a great service to humanity by managing stray cattle that would otherwise be roaming on the roads. The management committees deserve appreciation for dedicating their lives to serving Gau Mata, and Gau Sewa is the ultimate form of worship.”

Appreciating the efforts of the Gau Shala management committees, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The various Gau Shalas are efficiently taking care of and maintaining Gau Dhan, which otherwise could pose a serious threat to human lives by roaming on the roads.”

The Chief Minister affirmed, “The Punjab Government is fully sensitive to the concerns of every section of society and is committed to taking pro-people decisions. There is also a need to transform Gau Shalas on modern lines for efficient management and to effectively tackle the issue of stray animals. The state government will extend every possible support and cooperation for this cause.”

Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Secretary Power and Secretary Animal Husbandry were also present on the occasion.