CM Mann led Cabinet gives nod to amend Rule 12 of The Punjab Panchayat Election Rules 1994

Chandigarh, August 29, 2024: In a significant move aimed at ensuring holistic development of villages, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday gave nod to amend Rule 12 of the Punjab Panchayat Election Rules 1994 thereby debarring the candidates to contest elections of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) on party symbols. 

A decision to this effect was taken in the meeting of the council of ministers held here at the Chief Minister’s Office in Punjab Civil Secretariat I.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Cabinet observed that contesting elections on party symbols leads to many unwanted incidents. Further, Political groupism in Panchayats stalls the utilization of funds and grants leaving huge amounts of unused money, which can be duly used to promote development in rural areas. Political groupism also causes disunity in the working of Panchayats which leads to their incomplete quorum thereby leading to non-utilization of grants. Political affiliations of Panchayat Members create instances of violent clashes during and after elections among various party groups at village level which deteriorates the law and order situation and also adversely affects the social fabric of rural society.

NOD TO ENHANCE CADRE STRENGTH OF PCS OFFICERS AFTER EIGHT YEARS

In order to provide more employment opportunities for the youth and to enhance the administrative efficiency of state government in larger public interest, the Cabinet also gave approval to enhance the strength of Punjab Civil Services (Executive Branch) cadres from existing 310 posts to 369 posts. This decision has been taken in view of the administrative requirements and increase in the number of Sub Divisions and creation of a new district. Pertinently, this review has been done after a period of more than eight years and will pave way for enhancing the posts at level of Joint Secretary in Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chief Minister’s Field Officers (Earlier AC Grievances), Sub Divisional Magistrates, EM Cum Protocol Officers, ADC (UD), Directors, Mission Director in Field and others.

GIVES CONSENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF PONDS ALONG RIVER GHAGGAR TO RECHARGE THE GROUNDWATER

The Cabinet also gave nod for Construction of Ponds along
River Ghaggar in village Chandu to recharge the groundwater. The ponds can be filled up with the river Ghaggar during the flood times and through the canals during the normal times so as to utilize the water of the Punjab share
judiciously. This will help to recharge the groundwater table and at the same
time, the farmers in the adjoining areas can utilize this water for irrigation purpose
also.

GIVES GO AHEAD FOR CREATION OF 36 NEW POSTS IN SESSIONS DIVISION MALERKOTLA

The Cabinet also gave go ahead for creation of Sessions Division, Malerkotla thereby creating 36 new posts including the post of District and Sessions Judge for Sessions Division, Malerkotla. This will ensure dispensation of justice to the residents of Malerkotla district in their own district. This will save the precious time, money and energy of the common man as they will not need to travel to other districts for this purpose.

GREEN SIGNAL TO JOB ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS FOR WIFE OF DSP KILLED ON DUTY

In a humanitarian gesture, the Cabinet also gave the green signal to give a government job to the wife of a DSP who had died while performing the duty. As per decision Rupinder Kaur wife of late DSP Sandeep Singh will be appointed as Naib Tehsildar on compassionate grounds. It may be recalled that a PPS officer Sandeep Singh had died in a road accident on the midnight of April 5-6, 2024 while on duty during elections.

NOD TO AMEND PUNJAB GOOD AND SERVICES TAX ACT, 2017

In order to facilitate taxpayers and to ensure tax compliance by the taxpayers, the Cabinet also gave consent for amending Punjab Good and Services Tax Act, 2017 to define Input Service Distributors and manner of distribution of credit by them, to take Extra Neutral Alcohol used in manufacture of alcoholic liquor for human consumption out of purview of State GST, to allow an authorized representative for appearing on behalf of the summoned person before the proper authority and to limit period for issuing demand notices and orders by reducing it to 42 months in respect of demands from the Financial Year 2024-25 onwards. It also aims to reduce the maximum amount of pre-deposit for filing appeal before the Appellate Authority from rupees twenty five crores to rupees twenty crores, to provide for a conditional waiver of interest and penalty in respect of demand notices issued under section 73 of the Act for the Financial Years 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 and to give retrospective effect to section 168A of the PGST Act from March 31, 2020.

GREEN SIGNAL TO PREMATURE RELEASE OF THREE PRISONERS

The Cabinet also gave its consent for sending the case of three prisoners seeking the premature release of life convicts confined in the jails of the state.  After the nod of the Cabinet under Article 163 of the Constitution of India, this special premature release case will be submitted to the Punjab Governor under Article 161 of the Indian Constitution for consideration.

APPROVAL TO EXTEND THE POLICY OF ENGAGING HOUSE SURGEONS/ HOUSE PHYSICIANS FOR ANOTHER YEAR

The Cabinet also gave approval to extend the policy of the Health and Family Welfare department related to engagement of House Surgeons/ House Physicians for another year. The motive of this decision is to ensure unhindered and quality health care services to the residents of the state.

NOD TO PLACE REPORTS ON THE TABLE OF THE PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA

The Cabinet also gave nod to place Audit Reports of Comptroller and Auditor General of India on the table of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha after recommendation of Governor in the ensuing session of state assembly.