The Punjab Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has taken a series of decisions covering waste management, employment, road infrastructure, revenue administration, anti-drug measures and agricultural markets.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, during a live briefing alongside Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal, outlined the decisions, saying the government was working to address public concerns, create employment opportunities and accelerate development across the state.
Among the major announcements were the proposed biogas plant at Samgauli, the commencement of the process to fill 2,452 posts under Punjab’s quota in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), an increase in the road development budget and approval for 35 additional NDPS courts.
Samgauli Biogas Plant to Address Waste Management Concerns
The Cabinet approved the allotment of 49 acres of land near Samgauli to HPCL Renewable and Green Energy Limited for a biogas project aimed at addressing waste management challenges in the surrounding area.
Cheema said the initiative would help tackle the problem of wet and municipal waste while promoting cleaner energy and environmentally sustainable waste disposal.
The project is expected to provide a more organised mechanism for processing waste generated in the region, while supporting the state’s broader efforts to improve environmental management.
The Samgauli project is part of a wider push towards converting municipal waste into useful energy resources. A compressed biogas project involving HPCL Renewable and Green Energy Limited had previously been proposed for the Mohali cluster
Recruitment Process for 2,452 BBMB Posts to Begin
The Cabinet also addressed the long-pending issue of vacant posts under Punjab’s quota in the Bhakra Beas Management Board.
Cheema said the government had taken a decision around two to three months earlier to fill the vacancies, but the recruitment process had been delayed because the necessary service rules had not been finalised.
The latest Cabinet meeting reviewed the pending rules, allowing the process to move forward.
According to Cheema, the process to fill 2,452 posts has now begun, a move expected to provide employment opportunities to the youth of Punjab and strengthen staffing at the important water and power management organisation.
The vacancies have been a long-standing issue. Earlier reports had highlighted that the recruitment process was held up while the special cadre rules were being framed.
Road Development Budget Increased to ₹1,333 Crore
The Cabinet also approved an increase in the road development budget from ₹1,095 crore to ₹1,333 crore.
Cheema said rising prices of bitumen and other road-construction materials had affected the cost of infrastructure projects. Contractors had sought an increase in the project costs due to the escalation in material prices.
The revised allocation is intended to ensure that ongoing road development work in Punjab does not come to a halt.
Cheema also referred to the government’s plan to undertake a large number of new road projects across the state, saying that rising material costs had affected the pace of work.
The enhanced allocation is expected to support the continuation of road construction and maintenance projects and help address infrastructure requirements across Punjab.
Patwari Cadre to Be Restored at District Level
The Cabinet approved the restoration of the Patwari cadre from the state level to the district level, addressing a long-standing demand of revenue department employees.
Cheema said Patwaris had been seeking the change, which is expected to simplify administrative matters relating to seniority, promotions and service management.
The decision follows earlier discussions between the Punjab government and the Revenue Patwar Union. The government had previously indicated that the district-level cadre would be restored to remove administrative hurdles
The move is expected to streamline the functioning of the Revenue Department and improve the management of field-level officials.
35 New NDPS Courts Approved to Speed Up Drug Cases
The Cabinet also approved the establishment of 35 additional courts to deal with cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Cheema said the move was aimed at reducing the backlog of drug-related cases and ensuring that proceedings are completed more efficiently.
The government’s anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nashean Virudh, has focused on enforcement against drug trafficking, investigations and securing convictions in court.
Cheema said the objective was to ensure that people involved in illegal drug activities face appropriate legal consequences and that cases do not remain pending for prolonged periods.
Punjab Police has reported a rising conviction rate in NDPS cases, with published figures indicating that the rate reached around 89–90% in 2026.
The approval of additional courts is intended to strengthen the judicial process and help ensure that drug-related cases are decided in a timely manner.
New Grain Market Approved in Lehragaga
The Cabinet also approved the development of a new foodgrain market at Khandewal village in the Lehragaga area.
According to Cheema, 217 kanal and 14 marla of land has been approved for the proposed market.
The facility is expected to benefit farmers and commission agents by providing improved infrastructure for agricultural produce procurement and trading.
The decision is aimed at strengthening the agricultural marketing network and improving facilities for farmers in the region.
Cabinet Decisions Focus on Employment and Development
The latest Cabinet decisions cover a range of issues, from environmental management and employment to infrastructure and agricultural facilities.
The proposed Samgauli biogas plant is intended to address waste management concerns, while the BBMB recruitment process is expected to create employment opportunities. The road budget increase is aimed at keeping infrastructure projects moving despite rising construction costs.
The approval for the district-level Patwari cadre and additional NDPS courts is expected to address administrative and judicial challenges.
The new grain market in Lehragaga is aimed at strengthening agricultural infrastructure and providing better facilities to farmers.
The announcements, as outlined by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, reflect the Punjab government’s stated focus on addressing public concerns and accelerating development across the state.
