Punjab Cabinet hikes ex-gratia for soldiers

The Punjab Cabinet today approved an upward revision in ex-gratia for soldiers either martyred or disabled during operations within the geographical limits of the country.
The family of soldiers who die during counter-insurgency operations will now be given an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh instead of Rs 2 lakh, the state Cabinet decided at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
Soldiers with above 75 per cent disability would now get Rs 4 lakh instead of Rs 2 lakh, those with 51 per cent to 75 per cent disability would get Rs two lakh instead of Rs one lakh, and those with 25 per cent to 50 per cent disability Rs one lakh instead of Rs 50,000, an official spokesperson said.

The Cabinet gave its nod to extend city bus service in the cities not covered so far.
The service already exists within the municipal limits of Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar. The buses would operate within the municipal limits of these cities as well as up to 10 km adjoining area.
In a decision to curb pollution due to excessive use of plastic carry bags, the Cabinet approved the Punjab Plastic Carry Bags (Manufacture, Usage and Disposal), Control (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

An Ordinance issued on February 18, 2016, the state government had prohibited the manufacture, sale and use of plastic carry bags in all Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayats from April 1, 2016.

Subsequently, the State Rural Development and Panchayats Department has also issued standing orders in this regard.
The Cabinet also approved the proposal of Department of Food & Civil Supplies for setting up 'Integrated Foodgrain Management Project' at Seron village in Tarn Taran.
Procurement agencies would no longer need to send paddy
for shelling to distant places rather it would be done locally which would help save crore of rupees state agencies have to spend yearly in transportation.
This would also result in employment generation, the spokesman said.
The Cabinet also approved a proposal for appointment of three members of the Food Commission, constituted in light of National Food Security Act, 2013.

In order to streamline the functioning of the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) and to accelerate the infrastructure development, the Cabinet approved conversion of the Punjab Infrastructure (Development and Regulation) (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2015, into a bill.
For effective implementation of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Act 2006, the Cabinet approved framing new Service Rules for up-gradation/promotion of 33 posts and creation of 44 new posts, he said.
The Cabinet accorded approval for operation of a train under 'Mukhya Mantri Teerath Darshan Yatra Scheme' for Christian Community from Punjab to Chennai between March 8 and 13.