Punjab cabinet approves Rs 68.5 per quintal sugarcane subsidy, 1,000s to be affaected

Chandigarh: The Punjab cabinet on Tuesday approved a Rs 68.5-per-quintal direct subsidy out of the fixed state agreed price (SAP) for sugarcane growers, claiming the state was offering the highest sugarcane price in the country. The council of ministers also gave its nod to hiring 1,000 yoga trainers for ‘CM Di Yogshala' and organising the theatrical play ‘Humare Ram'.An official said the subsidy of Rs 68.5 per quintal will be paid directly to sugarcane farmers on behalf of private sugar mills for the crushing season 2025–26. A total budget allocation of Rs 321.95 crore will be required. "Punjab already offers the highest state agreed price for sugarcane in the country at Rs 416 per quintal, reflecting an increase of Rs 15 from the previous year. This ensures Punjab's cane growers remain the best compensated in the country," he said.In Punjab, for the cooperative sugar mills, the state govt pays the full SAP, but for private mills, the state intervenes with this specific subsidy to bridge the gap and ensure farmers are not affected by mill liquidity issues. The subsidy will be paid directly into the bank accounts of farmers via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) on behalf of private sugar mills. The move is designed to ensure farmers receive their dues promptly and to reduce the financial burden on private sugar mills while guaranteeing high returns for the growers.For optimal utilisation of land resources, the cabinet approved a policy for transfer by sale or exchange of abandoned and active paths (rastas) or water courses (khals) located within all govt-licensed projects inside municipal limits.The Cabinet further approved amendments to the Punjab Civil Services (General and Common Conditions of Service) Rules, 1994, by inserting Rule 6A. The amendment stipulates that the cut-off date for determining eligibility criteria, including minimum educational and other qualifications, will be the last date for submission of application forms.*THEATRICAL PLAY ‘HUMARE RAM'*The cabinet gave its nod to organising a theatrical play, ‘Humare Ram', in various districts of the state. Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the play will be organised in 40 key cities of the state. ‘Humare Ram' first premiered in 2024, and it blends traditional storytelling with high-tech VFX, LED backdrops, and aerial acts. *TRANSFER OF CIVIL HOSPITALS*The cabinet also approved the proposal for complete transfer of civil hospitals in Badal village in Muktsar district, Khadoor Sahib in Tarn Taran district, community health centre in Jalalabad, and the tertiary care centre in Fazilka district to Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), Faridkot. "The transfer will enable residents of these areas to access improved treatment and diagnostic service," said the spokesperson.*TRANSFER OF MUNICIPAL PROPERTIES*The cabinet also accorded approval for formulation of directives under Section 4 of the Punjab Management and Transfer Municipal Act, 2020, to facilitate the transfer of municipal properties belonging to Punjab govt departments, boards, corporations, and other public sector undertakings for public purposes. This Prjects in realty delals get moreThe cabinet also approved extension of the time period for PAPRA (Punjab Affordable Property Registration Act) licensed projects by one year, from Jan 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026. The extension will be granted at an extension fee of Rs 25,000 per acre per year, for a maximum period of up to three years, and will be allowed by the concerned authorities village on the same terms and conditions applicable earlier.*FAR CHARGES*The cabinet approved the formula used for calculation of charges for additional floor area Ratio for properties It also approved amendments to Para 10.2 of the E-Auction Policy 2025, notified on Febr 20, 2025, making the revised provisions applicable to all categories of properties to be auctioned by development authorities in future. The cabinet gave its ex-post facto approval of the formula used for calculation of charges of additional FAR for properties put up for auction in January 2026.MSID:: 126801066 413 |