The Punjab Cabinet, in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday, approved a series of significant decisions including free bus travel for NEET aspirants, recruitment of thousands of teaching and engineering staff, and initiatives for waste management and industrial growth.
Free Bus Travel for NEET Aspirants
Students appearing for the NEET-UG re-examination scheduled for June 21 will be allowed free travel on Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS, and PRTC buses from June 20 to 22. The facility extends to one attendant accompanying each candidate. Beneficiaries must produce their admit cards to avail the service. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated that approximately 28,000 students from Punjab are expected to take the exam. The cost will be borne by the transport department and reimbursed by the finance department.
Recruitment of Lecturers and Junior Engineers
The cabinet approved the filling of 1,013 vacant lecturer cadre posts through the education recruitment directorate. This includes backlog positions and newly created vacancies. A one-time relaxation of five years in the upper age limit for applicants was also sanctioned. Additionally, 156 junior engineers will be recruited in the public works department, comprising 127 civil and 29 electrical posts, through the Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board.
Waste Management and Renewable Energy Projects
To promote scientific waste management and renewable energy, the cabinet approved two wet waste-based compressed biogas (CBG) projects, each with a capacity of 100 tonnes per day, in Patiala and Jalandhar. These projects will be executed by HPCL Renewable and Green Energy Ltd. Punjab generates nearly 4,000 tonnes per day of municipal solid waste across 166 urban local bodies. The initiatives aim to process wet waste scientifically, reduce landfill burden, improve urban sanitation and public health, generate renewable energy and organic manure, reduce methane emissions, and foster a circular economy.
Civil Services Rules Amendment
The cabinet amended the Punjab Civil Services Rules to resolve seniority disputes among candidates with identical merit and date of birth. In such cases, seniority will now be determined based on marks or grading obtained in the minimum educational qualification prescribed for the post.
Industrial Policy Amendments
To strengthen the industrial ecosystem, the cabinet approved amendments to the Industrial & Business Development Policy 2026 and various sectoral policies under the 'Punjab Udyog Kranti' initiative. Key changes include extending fiscal incentives to existing industrial units instead of only existing MSMEs, strengthening provisions for industrial clusters, research and development facilities, and environment-friendly technologies. An incentive of Rs 10 lakh for the first 50 eligible units will now include industries achieving at least Gold Level ZED Certification or higher. Provisions relating to overall incentive caps in sectoral policies will be treated as indicative and non-statutory.
