Punjab makes it mandatory for every establishment to have name board in Punjabi language
Decision taken at Cabinet meeting, other languages can also be used, but in addition to Gurmukhi
Chandigarh, February 21: The Punjab Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Tuesday approved an amendment to the Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Rules, 1958, by insertion of new rules 23 and 24, after existing rule 22, to promote Punjabi Language in a big way.
A decision to this effect was taken at a Cabinet meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister here at his office in Punjab Civil Secretariat- I.
A spokesperson for the Chief Minister’s Office said as per the amendment, it would be mandatory for every establishment to display its name on the name board in Punjabi language. However, other languages could also be used to display name on the board in addition to the display in Gurmukhi script.
Those establishments, which have not done so far, would have to do so within six months of coming into force of these rules. Whoever contravenes the new provisions should be punishable with fine not exceeding Rs 1,000 for first offence and Rs 2,000 for every subsequent offence, the spokesperson added.
Now, get CLU within 45 days
The Punjab Cabinet, led by Bhagwant Mann, gave nod to simplify process of issuing CLU within 45 days. Permission of CLU is mandatory to start any construction/activity on any parcel of land in Punjab only after which permission of layout plan/building plan and licence to colony is granted for that activity. This whole process sometimes takes more than six months which cause undue delay in the project. But now permission of CLU, layout plan/building plan and license to colony would be given at a single time, which will reduce the timeline for granting the above said permission to 45-60 days.
Extends reservation to riot and terrorist victims till Dec 31, 2026
The Punjab Cabinet also approved to extend reservation of 5 percent to riots, terrorist victims in allotment of plots and houses by urban estates, improvement trusts, Pepsu Township Development board and others without any financial concession. The policy had expired on December 31, 2021, but with this decision, the policy will be extended for five more years, ie, up to December 31, 2026.
'The Punjab Foodgrains Transportation Policy 2023'
The Punjab Cabinet also approved 'The Punjab Food grains Transportation Policy 2023' for the transportation of foodgrains and 'The Punjab Food grains Labour & Cartage Policy 2023' for the labour and cartage of foodgrains in the state of Punjab. The Government of Punjab through its state procurement agencies and the FCI procures foodgrains from various designated centres/mandis.
During the year 2023, works of foodgrain transportation, labour and cartage of foodgrains will be allotted through a competitive and transparent online tender system. The Punjab Government has sought an upward revision of 25 per cent in wage of labours from the Food Corporation of India. However, the central agency has allowed only 20 per cent due to which the state government has agreed for gap funding of 5 per cent to secure rights of labours for which the state government will spend Rs 7-8 crore.
Filling 1,766 regular posts of patwaris
In wake of administrative requirements, the Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval to increase the salary of patwari on contractual basis from Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000 and to extend the upper age limit from 64 to 67 years wef August 16, 2022. As the Revenue Department is one of the major departments of the state and the major duty of revenue patwaris is to maintain, update and maintain old revenue record. However, due to vacant posts of revenue patwaris, it has became difficult to run the affairs of the Revenue Department in an efficient manner due to.
The Cabinet also gave go ahead to State Directorate of Statistics, Punjab (Group - A) Services Rules, 2023, State Directorate of Statistics, Punjab (Group-B) Services Rules, 2023 and State Directorate of Statistics, Punjab (Group-C) Services Rules, 2023 of the Economic and Statistics Organization, Department of Planning, Punjab (State Directorate of Statistics, Punjab).
Similarly, the Cabinet also gave nod to Department of Planning (Economic Policy and Planning Board) (Group A) Service Rules-2023, Department of Planning (Economic Policy and Planning Board) (Group B) Service Rules-2023 and Department of Planning (Economic Policy and Planning Board) (Group C) Service Rules-2023 of Economic Policy and Planning Board to streamline its functioning and create employment opportunities.