Punjab to regularise services of 36,000 contractual employees; accepts APS Deol's resignation as AG
Ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections in 2022, the Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday announced some important decisions. In a major relief to contractual staff, the Punjab Cabinet announced to regularise the services of 36,000 employees. A legislation in this regard will be tabled during the Vidhan Sabha session, said Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.
Further, apparently bowing down to "pressure" from Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, the Punjab Cabinet has accepted the resignation of Advocate General APS Deol. Charanjit Singh Channi said the post left vacant by him would be filled by November 10.
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Channi said the minimum wages of unskilled workers will be increased with effect from March 2020.
The Punjab Chief Minister said the rate of sand had been reduced from Rs 9 per sq ft to Rs 5.50 per sq ft. Brick-kilns would also be taken out from the purview of the mining policy.
These decisions hold significance as the Punjab Assembly elections are due in 2022.
Other key decisions taken by the Punjab Cabinet are as below.
The Punjab Cabinet has approved ‘The Punjab Protection and Regularization of Contractual Employees Bill-2021’ to be introduced in the forthcoming session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha for enactment. With this decision the services of nearly 36,000 aforesaid employees with more than 10 years service would be regularised. Likewise, the Cabinet also gave approval for the creation of deemed posts.
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Repeals Punjab Contract Farming Act, 2013
Keeping in view the dilemma/fear in the minds of the producers/farmers of the state due to the strict provisions incorporated in the Punjab Contract Farming Act, 2013 like imprisonment, monetary penalties and other rigorous punishments, the Punjab Cabinet decided to repeal the aforesaid Act in the larger interest of Punjab Farmers.
Nod to amend 'The Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets, Act 1961'
To ensure an effective ecosystem and restore the agricultural safeguards, besides protecting the interests of farmers, farm labourers and those engaged in ancillary and incidental activities, the Cabinet also gave approval to amend the Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets, Act 1961 to revoke the anti-farmer provisions.
Okays amendment to Punjab Fruit Nurseries Act, 1961
The Cabinet also approved to introduce the ‘Punjab Horticulture Nursery Bill-2021’ in Vidhan Sabha Session by amending ‘Punjab Fruit Nurseries Act-1961’. The amended Act is necessitated in view of drastic changes in the new technologies like IT, GPS tagging, traceability etc.
Repeals PUNJAB (INSTITUTIONS & OTHER BUILDINGS) TAX ACT, 2011
The Cabinet also approved 'The Punjab (Institutional and Other Building) Tax Repeal Bill, 2021' to be introduced in the current session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha to waive unpaid dues in all cases.
Approves modalities for Ayushman Bharat-Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana
The Cabinet also accorded approval to the universalisation of the Ayushman Bharat - Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana, under which the entire population of Punjab would be provided an insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year, except for state and central govt employees and pensioners. Nearly 61 lakh families in the state would be benefitted from this decision.
The Cabinet also gave nod to promulgate 'The Punjab One-Time Voluntary Disclosure and Settlement of Violations of the Buildings Bill, 2021' for all unauthorised constructions, which have come up till September 30, 2021.
-PTC News
