Punjab Cabinet, led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, clears landmark ‘Punjab Govt Food Programme’ to provide wheat, sugar, oil & salt to 40 lakh NFSA families
- Bhagwant Mann Govt targets ₹12,800 crore excise revenue in 2026-27, projects doubling in five years; Major boost for public welfare schemes
- Flood-hit farmers cultivating Govt land to receive one-time compensation on humanitarian grounds
- Cabinet extends OTS Scheme till June 30, 2026 for Govt Departments and PSUs
- Transparent Reward Policy approved to strengthen crackdown on wanted criminals
- Budget Session of 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha from March 6-16, Budget on March 8
- 361 Staff Nurse posts to be revived; Covid volunteers to get age relaxation and additional marks in recruitment
CHANDIGARH, 23rd February 2026 (WISHAVWARTA);- In a sweeping set of decisions that blend welfare expansion with fiscal assertiveness, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday cleared the landmark ‘Punjab Government Food Programme’ to provide wheat, sugar, oil and salt to 40 lakh families covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), marking one of the most extensive food security interventions in the Punjab’s history. The Council of Ministers, chaired by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, also set an ambitious target of ₹12,800 crore in excise revenue for 2026-27 with projections to double collections over the next five years to significantly bolster public welfare schemes.
Alongside the food programme, the Cabinet approved one-time humanitarian compensation for flood-hit farmers cultivating government land, extended the OTS Scheme for government departments and PSUs till June 30, 2026, and cleared a transparent Reward Policy to intensify action against wanted criminals.
The government also announced that the Budget Session of the 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha will be held from March 6 to 16, with the Budget to be presented on March 8. In a boost to the health sector, 361 Staff Nurse posts will be revived, with Covid volunteers receiving age relaxation and additional marks in recruitment, signalling a calibrated push toward welfare delivery, financial consolidation and administrative reform under the Bhagwant Singh Mann government.
Disclosing this here today, the Chief Minister’s Office stated that this path-breaking initiative stipulates that the government will distribute wheat along with sugar, mustard oil, and salt to the registered beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 in the state. This will provide significant relief to the people of the state, especially the weaker and underprivileged sections of society, including 40 lakh NFSA card holders, enabling them to provide nutritious food to their children. The move will immensely benefit the common man by ensuring the supply of quality food material through a robust Public Distribution System from the month of April.
Bhagwant Mann Govt targets ₹12,800 crore excise revenue in 2026-27, projects doubling in five years
The Cabinet also approved the Excise Policy of the state for the financial year 2026-27, targeting excise revenue collection of ₹12,800 crore for the financial year 2026-27. This reflects an increase of ₹1,600 crore (12.5%) over the revised target of ₹11,200 crore set for the previous financial year by the Finance Department. Excise revenue, which stood at approximately ₹6,200 crore at the beginning of the present government’s tenure, is projected to double over a five-year period.
Flood-hit farmers cultivating Govt land to receive one-time compensation on humanitarian grounds
The Bhagwant Mann Cabinet also approved payment of compensation to farmers who have been cultivating government lands for crop damage caused by floods during Monsoon 2025.
As per the decision, farmers whose crop damage was assessed during the special girdawari of 2025 but who were not granted compensation because their girdawari had been changed in favour of the government pursuant to directions dated 15.09.2015 of the Hon’ble High Court and the State Government letter dated 25.09.2015 will now be given compensation. This will be implemented as a one-time measure on humanitarian grounds and will not confer proprietary rights in any manner.
Accordingly, wherever the person recorded in the khasra girdawari prior to 25.09.2015 is still cultivating the land, or his legal heirs are cultivating it, compensation will be disbursed to that person or the legal heirs, as the case may be. In cases where there is a change in possession not in consonance with the revenue records of the year 2015, no compensation shall be granted. A committee comprising the Sarpanch, Nambardar, and Patwari will verify the status and submit a report for disbursement of compensation to eligible farmers.
Cabinet extends OTS scheme till June 30, 2026 for Govt departments and PSUs
The Cabinet also approved the extension of the validity of the OTS Scheme notified on 13.03.2025 from 31.12.2025 to 30.06.2026. This extension shall apply only to plots allotted to Government Departments/PSUs and to allottees who had submitted appeals for restoration of plots under the policy dated 07.05.2025 and were eligible to settle their dues under the OTS Scheme, and whose plots have been restored by the Board of Directors of PSIEC. They shall be permitted to settle their dues under the OTS Scheme dated 13.03.2025 up to 30.06.2026 along with interest.
Transparent reward policy approved to strengthen crackdown on wanted criminals
The Cabinet also approved the Reward Policy of the State of Punjab for the arrest of wanted criminals. This move aims to institutionalize a transparent and systematic mechanism for granting rewards, thereby motivating informers and recognizing the efforts of law enforcement personnel in apprehending wanted criminals.
Sanctioning powers under various slabs have been vested with SSPs, CPs, the DGP, and other competent officers.
The Cabinet also approved the creation of two additional posts of Vice-Chairpersons in the Economic Policy and Planning Board. Consequently, the number of Vice-Chairpersons in the Board will increase from the existing three to five. This will enable sector-specific focus, improved monitoring of schemes, better coordination with departments and District Planning Committees, and faster decision-making.
Budget session of 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha from March 6-16, Budget on March 8
The Cabinet also approved the summoning of the 12th session (Budget Session) of the 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha from March 6 to March 16. The Governor’s Address will take place on March 6, and the Finance Minister will present the Budget for 2026-27 on March 8.
Covid volunteers to get age relaxation and additional marks in recruitment
The Cabinet also approved granting the benefit of additional marks and special relaxation in the upper age limit to Covid volunteers who worked during the pandemic in the Department of Health and Family Welfare, as well as to employees working on a contractual/outsource basis under the department, against vacant posts of Group-C and Group-D. This benefit will be applicable in direct recruitment during the current year up to 31.12.2026, treating the services rendered during the COVID pandemic as relevant experience.
Green Signal to revive & fill 361 staff nurse posts
The Cabinet also approved the revival and filling of 361 vacant posts of Staff Nurses (Group-C) in the Department of Health and Family Welfare. These include 224 posts that have been lying vacant for more than one year and 137 posts that have been vacant for less than one year. These posts will be filled through Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, by taking them out of the purview of the Punjab Subordinate Staff Selection Board.
