In a major decision to regularize the services of theemployees working on contract, adhoc, work charged, daily wages and temporarybasis, the Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday approved the ‘The Punjab Protection andRegularization of Contractual Employees Bill-2021’ to be introduced in theforthcoming session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha for enactment.
This decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting chairedby Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi here at Punjab Bhawan this afternoon.
According to a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’sOffice, with this decision the services of nearly 36,000 aforesaid employeeswith more than 10 years service would be regularized. Likewise, the Cabinetalso gave approval for the extra creation of deemed posts.
The provisions of reservation policy would be followedduring the regularization process of these employees. However, this decision ofregularization would not be a binding on the boards and corporations.
REPEALS PUNJAB CONTRACT FARMING ACT, 2013
Keeping in view the dilemma/fear in the minds of theproducers/farmers of the state due to the strict provisions incorporated in thePunjab Contract Farming Act, 2013 like imprisonment, monetary penalties andother rigorous punishments, the Punjab Cabinet decided to repeal the aforesaidAct in the larger interest of Punjab Farmers.
NOD TO AMEND 'THE PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE MARKETS,ACT 1961'
In a bid to ensure an effective ecosystem and restore theagricultural safeguards besides protecting the interests of farmers, farmlabourers and those engaged in ancillary and incidental activities, the Cabinetalso gave approval to amend Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets, Act 1961 torevoke the anti-farmer provisions.
Notably, the time tested Punjab Agricultural ProduceMarkets Act 1961 (1961 Act) is a legislative measure enacted by PunjabGovernment to facilitate the development of markets/mandis infrastructure, toprovide better facilities and amenities to farmers to sell their agriculturalproduce seamlessly besides to regulate the marketing of agricultural producefor the elimination of malpractices prevalent in the trade.
It may be recalled that over the years, certainamendments to the Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets, Act 1961 have beenundertaken that has introduced several vulnerabilities and distortions to thegrave detriment and prejudice of agriculture and communities associatedtherewith. These amendments have left the rural communities especially thefarmers and those engaged in agriculture are vulnerable, thereby jeopardizingthe sustainable agricultural development and security of livelihood of thepersons engaged in agriculture in the state.
APPROVES AMENDMENT IN PUNJAB FRUIT NURSERIES ACT, 1961
The Cabinet also approved to introduce the ‘PunjabHorticulture Nursery Bill-2021’ in Vidhan Sabha Session by amending ‘PunjabFruit Nurseries Act-1961’.
The amended Act is necessitated in view of drasticchanges in the new technologies like IT, GPS Tagging, Traceability etc. andthese developments are essentially to be made part of this Act. The earlier Actof 1961 covered only the fruit plants, with the new amendments the vegetables'planting material would also be brought under the regulatory ambit with theproposed changes.
Notably, Horticulture crops are emerging as an attractivealternative under Crop Diversification Plan of the State and at presentapproximately 4 lakh hectare areal is under fruits & vegetables in theState and the demand of quality planting material is increasing.
REPEALS PUNJAB (INSTITUTIONS & OTHER BUILDINGS) TAXACT, 2011
The Cabinet also approved 'The Punjab (Institutional andOther Building) Tax Repeal Bill, 2021' to be introduced in the current sessionof Punjab Vidhan Sabha to waive off un-paid dues in all cases. It may berecalled that Punjab (Institutional and Other Building) Tax Act was implementedon the Industrial and other Institutional Buildings, which come outside theMunicipal limit. This decision would give a relief of Rs. 250 crore to thebeneficiaries.
APPROVES MODALITIES FOR AYUSHMAN BHARAT - MUKH MANTRISEHAT BIMA YOJANA
The Cabinet also accorded approval to the universalizationof Ayushman Bharat - Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana, under which the entirepopulation of Punjab would be provided an insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakhs perfamily per year, except for State and Central Govt. employees and pensioners.Nearly 61 lakh families in the state would be benefitted from this decision.The registration of the other left-out families shall be carried out onAadhaar-based authentication, and the enrollment forms shall be available atempanelled hospitals, Common Service Centers (CSCS) and Suvidha Kendras, wherethe facility of e-card issuance is available through BIS portal. Thebeneficiary would be required to carry Aadhaar Card and proof of residence,such as Electricity bill, Water bill, Passport, or any Govt. issued document/ID/certificatecontaining the residence address to get himself/herself registered, e-cardissued and avail cashless treatment under the scheme.
OKAYS OTS OF NON-COMPOUNDABLE VIOLATIONS IN THE BUILDINGSCONSTRUCTED IN VIOLATION OF THE BUILDING BYELAWS IN MUNICIPAL AREAS
The Cabinet also gave nod to promulgate 'The PunjabOne-Time Voluntary Disclosure and Settlement of Violations of the BuildingsBill, 2021' for all unauthorized constructions, which have come up tillSeptember 30, 2021. The move is aimed at providing one time opportunity to theviolators within the Municipal areas who have made non-compoundable violationsin the buildings for regularization without compromising on publicsafety/security and convenience. However, the compounding fee has also beenreduced by 25 percent.
Notably, there are large number of unauthorized buildingswhere the buildings plans have not been approved. Most of the violations arenon-compoundable and therefore such buildings cannot be regularized under theexisting provisions. These unauthorized constructions have been coming up forthe last many years and at this stage it is not possible to demolish suchbuildings nor it is desirable to demolish. State Government therefore, feelsthat the best course of action to deal with such buildings is to regularisethem provided these buildings meet fire and safety standards and do notcompromise on public safety/security and convenience & also to stop futureunauthorized constructions.
ENHANCES MINIMUM WAGES OF SKILLED WORKERS TO RS 9192.72
The Cabinet also approved the enhancement of MinimumWages with effect from March 1, 2020 and September 1, 2020 as per theprovisions of 'The Minimum Wages Act, 1948' and revision of wages from March 1,2020 and September 1, 2020 after the decision of the Punjab Minimum WagesAdvisory Board constituted under the provisions of the said Act. Increase inlabour wages/rates will lead to increase in purchasing power oflabourers/workers and in turn will boost economic activity in the state. Itwill also result in better job satisfaction to the worker which willsubsequently result in better productivity and harmonious relations with theemployer. The Minimum wages based on CPI was due on March 1, 2020 with a raiseof Rs 415.89. Resultantly, the Minimum Wage has now been revised from Rs.8776.83 to Rs. 9192.72. Similarly, with the hike in Minimum Wages, the workerwould also be entitled to get arrears of Rs. 8251 from March 1, 2020 up toOctober, 2021.
AMENDS SECTION 4, IN SUB-SECTION (2), FOR CLAUSE (A) OFPUNJAB FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT ACT, 2003
To avail the benefit of Normal Net Borrowing Ceiling of4% of the projected GSDP in the Financial Year 2021-22, allowed by theGovernment of India, the Cabinet also approved amendment in Section 4, inSub-Section (2), for Clause (a) of the Punjab Fiscal Responsibility and BudgetManagement Act, 2003.
Out of this Normal Net Borrowing Ceiling of 4% of theprojected GSDP, the States will be allowed borrowing permission based on 3.50%of GSDP in the beginning of the financial year 2021-22. The remaining borrowingceiling of 0.50 per cent (half per cent) of GSDP will be allowed to the Stateson the basis of capital expenditure incurred by the States during the year2021-22 against the prescribed target.
Notably, the Department of Expenditure, Ministry ofFinance, Government of India determines the Net Borrowing Ceiling of States foreach financial year on the basis of projected Gross State Domestic Product(GSDP) of the States. In line with the recommendations of the Fifteenth FinanceCommission (FC-XV), Government of India has decided to fix the normal NetBorrowing Ceiling for the States for the financial year 2021-22 at 4.0 per cent(four per cent) of the projected GSDP, which was 3.0 per cent (three per cent)of the GSDP for the financial year 2020-21.
APPROVES PUNJAB ENERGY SECURITY, TERMINATION OF PPAs ANDREDETERMINATION OF POWER TARIFF BILL, 2021
The Cabinet also accorded approval to the Punjab EnergySecurity, Termination of PPAs and Redetermination of Power Tariff Bill, 2021 tobe placed in the current session of Vidhan Sabha. With the passing of this Billby Vidhan Sabha, Power Purchase Agreements with M/s Nabha Power Limited & TalwandiSabo Power Limited shall stand referred to PSERC for re-determination oftariff.
OKAYS PUNJAB RENEWABLE ENERGY SECURITY, REFORM,TERMINATION AND RE-DETERMINATION OF POWER TARIFF BILL, 2021
In order to enable the state government to evolvestatutory measures for sustained development of electricity sector in the stateand to make available the electricity to the consumers at an economical,affordable and sustained basis, the Cabinet also gave a go ahead to the PunjabRenewable Energy Security, Reform, Termination and Re-determination of PowerTariff Bill, 2021 to be placed in the ongoing session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha.