Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh
The Punjab government approved several significant policy decisions in the cabinet meeting held on Friday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The decisions aim to speed up administrative processes, increase transparency, and encourage employees serving in border districts.
One of the key decisions taken in the meeting was to simplify the purchase procedures of government departments. Now, departments can purchase goods or essential materials up to ₹5 lakh without issuing tenders. The government stated that existing procedures often take considerable time, causing delays in acquiring necessary items or services. With the new limit, departmental work will be expedited, and small-scale purchases will no longer require lengthy procedures.
The government is also preparing to closely monitor institutions that receive grants or any kind of recognition from the state. The cabinet decided that all registered societies and trusts in Punjab will undergo structured audits. For this purpose, a nodal officer or manager will be appointed to oversee everything from financial transactions to organizational activities. The government believes that this step is essential to ensure transparency and prevent misuse of grants or welfare-related funds.
To strengthen healthcare services, the state government is set to bring private specialist doctors into the public system through a new mechanism. These specialists will be empaneled in various government hospitals and will receive incentives based on the services they provide. To address the shortage of doctors and teachers in border areas, the government also announced special incentives for employees willing to serve in these regions. This move is expected to improve service quality in border districts and make postings in these areas more attractive.
After the cabinet meeting, Finance Minister Harpal Cheema announced an additional step to curb illegal mining. Vehicles involved in transporting sand and gravel will now be equipped with GPS tracking. This will make it easier for authorities to monitor vehicle movement and effectively prevent illegal mining and transportation.
With these decisions, the Punjab government has signaled that it is committed to strengthening transparency and efficiency through administrative reforms.