Punjab Cabinet Greenlights Economic Boost with Rs 14,000 Crore Employee Arrears Release

The Punjab Cabinet has approved the disbursement of Rs 14,000 crore in pending arrears to benefit government employees and pensioners. Housing policies for EWS, job creation measures, and renewable energy projects were also discussed. Additional initiatives include setting up NRI courts and solar pump projects to boost economic and environmental development.

In a major economic relief move, the Punjab Cabinet, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has sanctioned Rs 14,000 crore for the disbursement of pending arrears to government employees and pensioners. This decision, impacting three lakh employees and pensioners, seeks to address financial backlogs from 2016 to 2024, according to an official statement released post-Cabinet meeting.

Apart from financial measures, the Cabinet has also rolled out a comprehensive housing policy aimed at providing homes for the economically weaker sections (EWS) by utilizing 1,500 acres of acquired land. The move intends to monetize scattered land pockets to benefit EWS, enhancing revenue generation through auctions and authorized planning by state development authorities.

The Cabinet's initiatives include tax department restructuring, legal services enhancement via 22 new Lok Adalats, and setting up special NRI courts in six districts. Renewable energy projects like solar pump installations for agriculture and urban development plans, including bio methanation projects and industrial corridors for job creation, underline a robust agenda for statewide progress.