Punjab Cabinet approves revised policy on distribution of atta, wheat at doorsteps

“It will be a more dignified way of receiving packaged ‘atta’ as the beneficiary shall not be required to stand in long queues, especially in inclement weather conditions,” a government statement said.

Last year, the AAP government’s plans of starting home delivery of ‘atta’ was put on hold after the fair price shop owners moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court as they were against the scheme to be implemented through newly appointed distribution delivery agencies.

The government said all mandatory requirements of biometric verification, handing over of printed weight slip to the beneficiaries and others will be ensured while delivering the ration.

The home delivery service will introduce the concept of model fair price shops which will be run by ‘The Punjab State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Ltd’, being the apex cooperative and preference provided under the National Food Security Act to cooperatives.

The Punjab State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Ltd run model fair price shops shall also engage smart transport services for supplying packaged wheat or packaged ‘atta’ at the doorstep of beneficiaries, it said.

Crusher policy 2023

In another decision, the cabinet gave go ahead to the Punjab Crusher Policy 2023.

As per the policy, there will be two main classes of crusher units –commercial crusher units (CCU) and public crusher units (PCU) adding that screening-cum-washing plants will also fall under the category of crushers units.

The government shall, from time to time, notify a price, called the “Crusher Sale Price” (CSP), beyond which no mineral shall be sold by any unit. The CSP shall include the cost of mineral, transportation from mining site to the crusher unit, processing charges and profit and loading of mineral onto any permitted class of transportation vehicles.

Aid to farm labourers

The cabinet also gave consent to a policy for providing relief to farm labourers due to loss of crops in case of natural calamity.

As an amount is released to deputy commissioners for the crop damage, an additional 10 percent of the above amount will be provided to them out of the state budget to compensate farm labourers.

This policy will be effective from May 1, 2023 and all the farm labourers’ families who have no land (except residential plot) or those who have less than one acre of leased/ rented/ cultivated land will be eligible for it.

Building and other construction workers rules 2018

The Cabinet also gave green signal to amend certificate from employer and contractor in form number XXVII annexed with rule 260 (3) and insertion of new form number XXXIV in rule 261 of the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Rules 2008. As per rule 260(3) the construction worker is required to give a self-certification of 90 days for his work as a construction worker during the preceding year (from the date of application). But now in the amended form, the work details of the labourer are recorded in the matrix format with columns like: starting date of work, ending date of work, total days of work, nature of work, name of employer/contractor, mobile number of employer/ contractor and signature of employer /contractor. Further to ensure ease of registration, fee deposition in the form of cash will now be possible for which a new cash receipt has been added in a form number XXXIV in rule 261, a government statement said.

Other key decisions

• The cabinet also approved amendments in the Punjab Minor Minerals Rules 2013 to curb the menace of illegal mining and to increase the supply of minor minerals in the state.
• In order to carve out a healthy and progressive Punjab by creating a mass movement of Yoga in the state, the Cabinet also gave green signal to recruit additional 14 supervisors (Yoga) and 200 trainers (Yoga) for CM’s Yogashala Project.
• The cabinet also gave consent to enhance the monthly maintenance grant of ‘dharmi faujis’ (Sikh soldiers who had left their barracks in revolt after the Operation Bluestar in 1984) from Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000. The decision has been taken in wake of the escalating market inflation, current scenario and increase in daily needs of these Dharmi Faujis.
• The cabinet also approved the adjustment of pending electricity bills worth Rs 8.50 crore related to 366 registered ‘gaushalas’ (cow shelters) including 20 government cattle ponds in Punjab from October 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
• The cabinet also gave nod to revive 39 posts of teaching faculty including five professors, 10 associate professors and 24 assistant professors of direct recruitment in nine departments of Government Dental College and Hospital, Amritsar and Patiala.
• It approved the revival of 11 posts including three Readers, four Junior Scale Stenographers and four Ahlmeds in the Punjab Legal Services Authority. Apart from this, two posts of peons will be filled up through outsourcing.
• The Cabinet also gave approval for structure/ amendment of the Group A departmental rules after the restructuring of the labour department.