Punjab Cabinet Meeting Yields Key Decisions, Reductions in Grants for CM & Ministers
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Cabinet convened for a consequential meeting today, resulting in a series of pivotal decisions. One of the notable outcomes includes a reduction in the grants allocated to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other cabinet ministers. The annual grant for Chief Minister Mann has been curtailed from Rs 50 crore to Rs 37 crore. Similarly, the grant assigned to cabinet ministers, originally set at one and a half crore rupees, has been trimmed to 1 crore rupees. Finance Minister Harpal Cheema addressed the media in a press conference following the Cabinet meeting to disseminate this information.
Among the significant resolutions, the Cabinet approved the annual report of the irrigation department for the year 2021-22. The Cabinet also sanctioned applications for the early release of four prisoners, while rejecting the release of one inmate. An approval was granted for the introduction of visiting faculty in schools up to class 12. Additionally, the Cabinet endorsed the recruitment of 20 positions within the Administrative Reforms Department. In a move aimed at bolstering healthcare services, 484 posts are set to be filled for the Mohali unit of the Health Department, with an estimated expenditure of Rs 60 crore.
Cabinet Minister Aman Arora highlighted the enthusiastic efforts to foster a thriving sports environment in Punjab. He announced that the ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ games are set to commence tomorrow, August 29, in which Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will actively participate. Arora likened these games to a “Mahakumbh” of Punjab, signifying their cultural significance and anticipated impact.
Notably, In response to a query regarding the drug issue, Finance Minister Cheema acknowledged the gravity of the situation, noting that drug-related problems escalated during the tenure of the Akali-BJP government. He underscored the administration’s commitment to tackling this concern with utmost seriousness.
