Punjab Government on Thursday took a decisive leap towards grassroots transformation as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led Cabinet approved the ambitious ‘Rangla Punjab Vikas Yojana’, earmarking Rs 585 crore for critical district-level development projects in the 2025-26 financial year. Under this, each of the state’s 117 MLAs will receive Rs five crore annually for grassroots development projects.
In another major move, the Cabinet cleared the formation of an ‘appellate authority’ to address grievances related to the cancelled industrial plots by PSIEC — providing long-pending relief to entrepreneurs. The government also approved third-party clearances for factory building plans, aimed at streamlining industrial development, and gave the nod to merge eight villages of Patiala into Mohali, paving the way for planned urban expansion.
In a major step to catalyse constituency-level development, the Cabinet gave nod to the scheme, announced by the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema in this year’s budget. The scheme, with a total allocation of Rs 585 crore for the current fiscal, aimed at addressing the day-to-day infrastructural and civic needs of the people, ensuring equitable and need-based progress across all Vidhan Sabha constituencies. The Cabinet gave its nod to the guidelines of the scheme, which were finalized during a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister at his official residence.
A spokesperson from the Chief Minister’s Office said that funds under the scheme will be administered by the Deputy Commissioners, who will act upon recommendations made by MLAs, community organizations, citizen groups, and public-spirited individuals. These proposals will be vetted and approved by a District Level Committee, headed by the Deputy Commissioner and including the Minister in-charge for the district, as appointed by the Chief Minister.
The Deputy Commissioner will also hold powers to grant both administrative and financial sanctions, ensuring seamless execution and timely completion of development works. Describing the scheme as a “landmark initiative”, Chief Minister said that it reflected the government’s commitment to “transform Punjab into a vibrant, inclusive, and developed state, from the grassroots up”.
Fast-Track Building Approvals with Self-Certification Model
To cut red tape and expedite the factory setup process, the Cabinet gave a green signal to the introduction of third-party certification and self-certification for approval of factory building plans. Under the new model, approved architects can now certify building plans in line with existing building byelaws, after which the Labour Department will conduct a re-verification based on defined parameters such as land use compliance, ground coverage, setbacks, building height, road width, and parking provisions. This reform, applicable to factories located outside municipal limits, will significantly reduce the plan approval time from 45 days to just 30 days. Until now, the process, governed under the Factories Act, 1948, involved complex and time-consuming inspections that often deterred investors due to delays and procedural bottlenecks. The new framework is expected to eliminate unnecessary delays, reduce costs, and encourage faster project execution—key factors for attracting industrial investments. Spokesperson highlighted that this progressive move would also conserve administrative resources, while reinforcing the Government’s commitment to a transparent and business-friendly environment in Punjab.
Appellate Authority for Cancelled PSIEC Plots to Address Investor Grievances
In another major relief for the state’s industrialists, the Cabinet approved the formation of an appellate authority to address grievances related to cancelled plots by the Punjab State Industrial Export Corporation (PSIEC). The authority will provide a formal mechanism for affected allottees to appeal cancellations that occurred due to various reasons. The decision addresses long-standing demands from industry associations and will also help de-escalate litigations between the government, PSIEC, and plot holders. The new appellate mechanism ensures due process, upholding legal principles such as Audi Alteram Partem (right to be heard), thereby promoting transparency and stakeholder trust.
As per the new policy, appeals against previously cancelled plots can be filed by September 30, 2025, while future cancellations will have a six-month appeal window from the date of cancellation. The appeals can be submitted in a prescribed format either physically or via email. In exceptional cases, delays may be condoned by the PSIEC Board of Directors, provided valid reasons are furnished. Only those plots which have not been re-allotted or resumed will be eligible under this scheme. The move is expected to unclog the dispute resolution system, provide relief to genuine stakeholders, and unlock industrial potential trapped in procedural complexities.
Cabinet Pays Tribute to Martyrs of Pahalgam Terror Attack
In a deeply emotional and solemn gesture, the Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Thursday began its meeting by paying heartfelt tributes to the martyrs of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The Council of Minsters observed a two-minute silence to honour those who laid down their lives in the barbaric assault.
Describing the attack as a “wound on the collective conscience of the nation”, the Ministers expressed deep anguish over the loss of innocent lives and called the incident an unprovoked and inhuman act of terror. Calling terrorism an enemy of humanity, the Cabinet unanimously condemned the violence, stating that no faith or ideology justifies such brutality. “Terrorists have no religion. Their only motive is to instill fear and cause irreparable loss,” the Cabinet noted, emphasizing that this cowardly act must be denounced unequivocally by all.
Reaffirming solidarity with the victims and their families, the Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers expressed their commitment to peace and unity, urging the nation to stand strong in the face of such heinous acts that seek to disrupt harmony and human values.
