Chandigarh, March 7
In a series of key policy decisions aimed at boosting higher education, industrial growth and governance reforms, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday approved the establishment of a world-class university in the name of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur at Sri Anandpur Sahib. The Punjab Cabinet also cleared the Industrial & Business Development Policy–2026 and approved recruitment of 1,158 Assistant Professors and Librarians in government colleges at a meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by the Chief Minister.
Sharing details, the Chief Minister’s Office stated, “The cabinet has given nod for setting up the university and approved the draft Bill for the ‘Sri Guru Teg Bahadur World Class University,’ which will be presented in the Assembly. The Cabinet also authorised the Chief Minister to take all necessary decisions for the timely establishment of the university.”
The Cabinet also approved a policy to streamline reservation for sportspersons in government jobs and admissions in educational institutions. It lays down objective and easily understandable criteria for assigning marks to certificates of achievement in sports. As per the policy, 75 per cent weightage will be given to achievements in sports while 25 per cent weightage will be based on performance in the entrance test.
The Cabinet also approved an amendment in the Punjab Health and Family Welfare Technical (Group-C) Service Rules, 2016 to include Diploma in Pharmacy as an additional educational qualification for recruitment of pharmacists. This will enable diploma holders to apply for the post of pharmacist and help strengthen the delivery of quality healthcare services to the people of Punjab.
In a humanitarian gesture, the Cabinet approved an ex-gratia grant of ₹1 crore to the family of Martyr Punjab Home Guards Volunteer Ashok Kumar as a special case. Ashok Kumar had recently laid down his life while performing duty at Gurdaspur. Recognising his immense contribution towards safeguarding the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country, the Cabinet took this decision.
The Cabinet also gave consent to introduce “The Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units, and Stockist and Retailers (Amendment) Bill, 2026” in the current session of the Assembly. The move aims to convert “The Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units, and Stockists and Retailers (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026” into an Act.
In another major decision, the Cabinet gave concurrence to initiate a fresh recruitment process for 1,158 posts in Government Colleges across the state, including 1,091 Assistant Professors and 67 Librarians. The recruitment will be conducted strictly in accordance with UGC Regulations, 2018 through the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC). The government will withdraw the earlier requisition of 612 Assistant Professor posts pending with the PPSC and submit a fresh consolidated requisition for all posts.
To provide a fair opportunity to all candidates, including those who had applied under the October 19, 2021 advertisement, a one-time relaxation in the upper age limit will be granted. Reserved category candidates will receive additional age relaxation as per existing government policy.
The Cabinet approved a world class MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) project and a multi-purpose structure for organising commercial, scientific, educational and governmental events. Investors were facing difficulties due to lack of clarity regarding charges for MICE projects in the state. To address this, the government has included MICE projects as a separate category by amending the notification dated June 4, 2025 and fixed the applicable charges at 50 per cent of the commercial charges.
The Cabinet approved amendments in the Medicity Policy-2014 to allow certain sites to be disposed of through the existing policy and others through e-auction. The authority to decide which sites will go for e-auction has been delegated to the Minister, Housing and Urban Development Department. The price of e-auction sites will be determined as per the Price Fixation Policy for e-auction plots, while sites allotted under the policy will be offered at the prevailing rates at the time of advertisement. Although eligibility conditions for participation in e-auction have been relaxed, land use will remain restricted to hospital purposes.
The Cabinet also approved the Policy for Allotment of Education Plots for Establishment of K-12/Senior Secondary Schools by GMADA. The policy has been formulated on the recommendations of Boston Consulting Group (India) to improve the e-auction process for sites under Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA)’s jurisdiction. It introduces technical eligibility criteria to ensure that only genuine and capable educational institutions acquire land for school development in the Greater Mohali region, including SAS Nagar (Mohali), New Chandigarh and Aerocity.
The Cabinet also approved the rationalisation of property prices of Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) based on valuation reports submitted by independent valuers and observations of GLADA. The revised rates will serve as base reserve prices for e-auctions, with allotment to be made to the highest bidder in accordance with the prevailing E-Auction Policy. These rates will remain valid for one calendar year and will thereafter be revised as per existing departmental policy.
The Bhagwant Mann-led Cabinet also approved enactment of the Punjab Prisons and Correctional Services Bill, 2026, which will replace the Prisons Act, 1894 currently in force in the state. The move aims to modernise prison administration and further strengthen jail security through the installation of advanced technology, gadgets and equipment, ensuring a more robust and foolproof security mechanism.
