Punjab Cabinet Approves Major Relief Measures and Policy Reforms
The Punjab cabinet, in a significant meeting held on Monday, greenlit a comprehensive package of decisions aimed at providing relief to farmers, extending financial schemes, and enhancing law enforcement. The approvals include a one-time humanitarian compensation for flood-affected farmers cultivating government land, an extension of the One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for government departments and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) until June 30, 2026, and a revised reward policy to intensify action against wanted criminals. Additionally, the cabinet revived 361 staff nurse posts and granted special benefits to COVID-19 volunteers in recruitment processes.
Humanitarian Compensation for Flood-Hit Farmers on Government Land
In a move driven by compassion, the cabinet approved the payment of compensation to farmers who have been cultivating government lands and suffered crop damage due to floods during the monsoon of 2025. This decision specifically targets farmers whose crop damage was assessed in the special girdawari of 2025 but who were previously denied compensation because their girdawari records were altered in favor of the government following directives from the high court and a state government letter dated September 25, 2015. The compensation will be implemented as a one-time measure on humanitarian grounds and does not confer any proprietary rights to the land.
Eligibility for this compensation is strictly defined: it will be disbursed to the person recorded in the khasra girdawari prior to September 25, 2015, who is still cultivating the land, or to their legal heirs if they are the current cultivators. In cases where there has been a change in possession that does not align with the revenue records from 2015, no compensation will be granted. To ensure transparency and accuracy, a verification committee comprising the sarpanch, nambardar, and patwari will assess the status and submit reports to facilitate the disbursement of funds to eligible farmers.
Revised Reward Policy to Apprehend Wanted Criminals
To bolster efforts in combating crime, the cabinet approved a revised reward policy for the arrest of wanted criminals. This initiative aims to institutionalize a transparent and systematic mechanism for granting rewards, thereby motivating informers and recognizing the diligent efforts of law enforcement personnel in apprehending dangerous criminals. According to a spokesperson, sanctioning powers under various reward slabs have been delegated to Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), Commissioners of Police (CPs), the Director General of Police (DGP), and other competent officers, streamlining the process and encouraging proactive policing.
Extension of OTS Scheme for Government Departments and PSUs
The cabinet also approved the extension of the validity of the OTS scheme, which was originally notified on March 13, 2025, until June 30, 2026. This extension applies exclusively to plots allotted to government departments and PSUs, as well as to allottees who submitted appeals for the restoration of plots under the policy and were eligible to settle their dues under the OTS scheme. Importantly, this benefit is contingent upon the plots having been restored by the board of directors of the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC), ensuring that only compliant cases are considered.
Benefits for COVID Volunteers and Revival of Staff Nurse Posts
In recognition of their invaluable service during the pandemic, the cabinet approved granting additional marks and special relaxation in the upper age limit to COVID-19 volunteers who worked in the Department of Health and Family Welfare. This benefit also extends to employees working on a contractual or outsourced basis under the department, applicable against vacant posts in Group-C and Group-D categories. The benefit will be valid in direct recruitment processes during the current year up to December 31, 2026, with services rendered during the COVID pandemic treated as relevant experience.
Furthermore, the cabinet approved the revival and filling of 361 vacant posts of staff nurses (Group-C) in the Department of Health and Family Welfare. This includes 224 posts that have been vacant for over a year and 137 posts vacant for less than a year. These positions will be filled through Baba Farid University of Health Sciences in Faridkot, bypassing the Punjab Subordinate Staff Selection Board to expedite the recruitment process and address staffing shortages in the healthcare sector.
Expansion of Economic Policy and Planning Board
Additionally, the cabinet approved the creation of two new posts of vice-chairpersons in the Economic Policy and Planning Board. This increase from the existing three to five vice-chairpersons is designed to enable sector-specific focus, improve monitoring of schemes, enhance coordination with departments and district planning committees, and facilitate faster decision-making, as highlighted by the spokesperson.
