The Punjab cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, on Friday approved the Farm Stay Policy 2026, aiming to transform agricultural land into tourism hubs and diversify rural incomes. The policy seeks to promote farm-based experiential tourism while creating sustainable supplementary income opportunities for farmers across the state.
Key Features of Farm Stay Policy 2026
The new policy leverages Punjab's strong agrarian base, rich rural culture, and hospitality traditions. It positions farm stays as a key pillar of inclusive and responsible tourism development. The farmer-centric approach allows agriculturalists to use a small portion of their land to offer authentic rural experiences, including farm-based accommodation, local cuisine, and cultural activities, without disrupting primary agricultural practices.
The policy provides an "enabling and simplified" regulatory framework to reduce procedural hurdles and promote ease of doing business. It encourages rural households, especially youth, to participate in tourism-linked entrepreneurship alongside farming. Sustainability is emphasized through eco-friendly construction, waste management, water conservation, and promotion of organic and natural farming practices.
The initiative aims to generate rural employment, enhance farmer incomes, reduce agrarian distress, and create vibrant village-level economic activity. Visitors will enjoy an immersive experience of Punjab's countryside, traditions, and way of life.
Establishment of Directorate of Forensic Science Services
In another decision, the cabinet approved the creation of the Directorate of Forensic Science Services in Punjab. This move aims to ensure public safety through faster crime investigations by efficient evidence processing. The Directorate of Forensic Services (DFS), Punjab, formerly the Forensic Science Laboratory, Punjab, will now operate under the Department of Home Affairs.
Regional Testing Forensic Science Laboratories will be renamed as Regional Forensic Science Laboratories under the DFS. The Chief Chemical Examiner Laboratory in Kharar will be integrated into the DFS as a special toxicology division.
Forensic capacity will be strengthened by creating new technical divisions, including DNA, ballistics, cyber forensics, documents, and physics/audio voice, at regional science laboratories in Amritsar, Bathinda, and Ludhiana. Twenty-eight mobile forensic units will be established, with one mobile forensic van in each police district supervised by a scientific officer (crime scene).
Sanctioned posts of the forensic science laboratory, chemical examiner laboratory, and ministerial staff will be adjusted within the DFS. An additional 266 technical posts and one ministerial post will be created and filled in phases through direct recruitment. Approval has been given for revival and direct recruitment of scientific officers, scientific assistants, laboratory assistants, and laboratory attendants at the Forensic Science Laboratory in SAS Nagar.
