UNDER LEADERSHIP OF CM, CABINET APPROVES AMENDMENT IN PUNJAB SHOPS AND COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS RULES, 1958

– MOVE AIMED AT PROMOTING PUNJABI LANGUAGE IN A BIG WAY

Chandigarh, 21 February 2023 : Punjab Cabinet under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday approved an amendment in Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Rules, 1958 by insertion of new rules 23 and 24, after existing rule 22, to promote the Punjabi Language the mother tongue of Punjab in a big way.

A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of Cabinet held under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister here at his office in Punjab Civil Secretariat- I.

Divulging the details a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that as per the amendment it will be mandatory for every establishment to display its name on the Name Board in Gurmukhi script in Punjabi. However, other languages can also be used to display name on the board in addition to the display in Gurmukhi script in Punjabi.

Those establishments, who have not done so far, will have to do so within six months of coming into force of these rules. Whoever contravenes the new provisions shall be punishable with fine not exceeding rupees one thousand for first offence and rupees two thousand for every subsequent offence.

SIMPLIFIES PROCESS TO ENSURE CLU WITH 45 DAYS

In order to give boost to economic activity in the state by encouraging real estate sector, the Cabinet also gave nod to simplify the process of issuing Change of Land Use (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 license to colony is granted for that activity.

This whole process sometimes takes more than 6 months which cause undue delay in the project. But now permission of CLU, Layout Plan/Building Plan and license to colony will be given at a single time which will reduce the time-line for granting the above said permission to 45-60 days.

EXTENDS RESERVATION TO RIOT/ TERRORIST VICTIMS TILL DECEMBER 31, 2026

The Cabinet also gave a go ahead to extend reservation of 5% to Riots/ Terrorist Victims in allotment of plots/ 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, i.e., upto December 31, 2026.

NOD TO “THE PUNJAB FOOD GRAINS TRANSPORTATION POLICY 2023” AND “THE PUNJAB FOOD GRAINS LABOUR & CARTAGE POLICY 2023”

The Punjab Cabinet also approved “The Punjab Food grains Transportation Policy 2023” for the transportation of Food grains and “The Punjab Food grains Labour & Cartage Policy 2023” for the Labour & Cartage of Food grains in the state of Punjab. Government of Punjab through its State Procurement Agencies and FCI procures food grains from various designated centres/mandis.

During the year 2023, works of food grain transportation, Labour and Cartage of food grains will be allotted through a competitive and transparent online tender system. Punjab government has sought an upward revision of 25% in wage of labours from the Food Corporation of India. However, the central agency has allowed only 20% due to which the state government has agreed for gap funding of 5% to secure rights of labours for which state government will spend Rs 7-8 crore.

EX-POST FACTO APPROVAL TO INCREASE THE SALARY OF PATWARI ON CONTRACTUAL BASIS AND FILLING 1766 REGULAR POSTS OF PATWARIS FROM RETIRED PATWAIS/ KANUNGOS ON CONTRACTUAL BASIS

In wake of administrative requirements, the Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval to increase the salary of Patwari on contractual basis from Rs. 25000/- to Rs. 35000/- and to extend the upper age limit from 64 to 67 years w.e.f. August 16, 2022. As 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.

Though, the process of filling 1090 posts of revenue patwaris is in process, but these patwaris will be available to the Department, after completion of training for a period one and half years. So to run the Revenue Department smoothly till regular revenue patwaris will be available, it has been decided to fill 1766 regular posts of patwaris from retired Patwais/ Kanungos on contractual basis.

GO AHEAD TO NEW SERVICE RULES OF ECONOMIC AND STATISTICS ORGANIZATION, DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ECONOMIC POLICY AND PLANNING BOARD

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). This will help in enhancing the efficiency of the department and create ample opportunities in recruitment and promotion.

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.