In a significant move to boost medical education and healthcare infrastructure, the Punjab Cabinet has given its nod for the allotment of land to establish a new minority medical college and hospital. The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday, January 10, 2026.
Land Allotment for Healthcare Expansion
The cabinet approved the leasing of over 19 acres of land located at the Baba Hira Singh Bhattal Technical College in Lehragaga. This land will be provided on a nominal rent to the Janhit Society, a trust representing the Jain community, for establishing the medical college. The official statement clarified that the admission process and seat allocation will be strictly regulated as per the guidelines issued by the Punjab government. Similarly, the fee structure for all categories of seats will be fixed according to state norms.
Project Timeline and Infrastructure Details
The cabinet has set clear and ambitious targets for the project. The trust must commence the hospital's operations at the earliest and ensure it is functional within five years from the date of the MoU's execution. Initially, the medical college will be established with an attached hospital having a capacity of at least 220 beds and an intake of 50 MBBS students.
Furthermore, the project has a defined expansion plan. Within eight years, the facility must be scaled up to a hospital with a minimum of 400 beds and an annual intake of 100 MBBS seats. This phased approach aims to gradually address the region's healthcare and medical education needs.
Other Key Decisions from the Cabinet Meeting
Alongside the medical college approval, the Punjab Cabinet made several other important announcements:
Staff Adjustment: The cabinet approved the adjustment of staff members from the Baba Hira Singh Bhattal Institute of Engineering and Technology against vacant posts in the Department of Technical Education & Industrial Training and its autonomous institutions, on a deputation basis.
Amnesty Extension for Plot Allottees: Providing relief to defaulters, the cabinet extended the Amnesty Policy 2025 for plot allottees under various Housing and Urban Development Department schemes. Defaulting allottees of the Special Development Authority can now apply under this policy until the new deadline of March 31, 2026, and deposit the required amount within three months of approval.
GMADA Property Price Reduction: In a move likely to benefit buyers, the cabinet approved a reduction in prices for various properties of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA). This follows recommendations from independent evaluators. The government has amended e-auction guidelines, now mandating that three independent valuers empanelled by nationalized banks or the Income Tax Department will assess reserve prices for plots. For sites unsold in two or more auctions, the average of these valuations will set the new reserve price.
Desilting of Sutlej River: The cabinet granted permission to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) or its agencies to carry out desilting work in the Sutlej river. The work will be done at sites allotted by the Water Resources Department at a rate of Rs 3 per cubic foot. This rate is valid only until June 30, 2026, for providing earth for the Ludhiana to Ropar highway project. The approval also includes an exemption from certain provisions of the Punjab Transparency in Public Procurement Act, 2019.
