SALE OF SPURIOUS SEEDS TO BE NON-BAILABLE OFFENCE: PUNJAB CM LED CABINET GIVES NOD

Chandigarh, July 25 (WISHAVWARTA):- In a historic decision, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday gave its consent to introduce The Seeds (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2025 to make sale of spurious seeds a non bailable offence.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Council of Ministers in its meeting held here under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister today.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Cabinet gave its consent to introduce The Seeds (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2025 to ensure supply of high quality seeds to the farmers of Punjab. There has been no amendment in Section 19 of the Seeds Act 1966 since inception due to which the fines and penalties have no deterrence. So the Cabinet gave the nod to enact a Bill to amend the Seeds act and insert Section 19A for contravention of Section 7 of Seeds Act (Regulation of sales of seeds of notified kinds or varieties), enhancing the fine and penalty, making it cognizable and non-bailable.

As per the provision, the first offence by the company will invite punishment of one to two years and fine of Rs 5 to 10 lakh whereas punishment of two to three years and fine of Rs 10 to 50 lakh for repeated offence. Similar misdeed by Dealer/ Person will invite punishment of 6 months to one year and fine of Rs 1 to 5 lakh for first offence and a term of 1 to 2 yrs and fine of Rs 5 to 10 lakh for repeated offence. Pertinently, earlier, fine was Rs 500 for first offence and for repeated offence fine was Rs 1000 and term upto 6 months.

MAJOR RELIEF TO INDUSTRIALISTS FOR EVOLVING A MECHANISM TO PROVIDE LAND PARCELS

The Cabinet also gave concurrence for evolving a mechanism to provide land parcels (on sale or lease basis) for promoting industrial/business investment in the State. The move is aimed at further giving impetus to the investment in the state. Pertinently, there was a lack of formalized, time bound mechanism for identifying and provisioning land parcels for investors seeking land. So, a comprehensive mechanism has been given nod with features like bi-Annual digital land pool, Investor Facilitation for investment above Rs 200 crore, feasibility check, reserve price fixation, e-Auction process, Lease option, Auction timelines and others.

UPPER AGE FOR GROUP D RECRUITMENT ENHANCED TO 37 YEARS FROM 35 YEARS

In a major relief to the aspirants of the group D posts, the Cabinet also gave approval to Amendment in rules 5 (b) and 5 (d) of the Punjab State (Group D) Service Rules, 1963 thereby enhancing the upper age limit of existing 35 years to 37 years. The age limit for appointment in Group ‘D’ services in Punjab was 16 to 35 years, while for Group A, B and C posts, as per PCS Rules 1994 was 18 to 37 years. For uniformity, the Punjab State Group-D Service Rules Rule 5(b) has been amended to keep the date on age of appointment between 18 to 37 years. Educational qualification under Rule 5(d) has been modified from ‘Middle’ to ‘Matriculation’.

GIVES NOD TO INTRODUCE OTS FOR INDUSTRIALISTS

The Cabinet also gave nod for introducing a One-Time Settlement Scheme (OTS) scheme for the settlement of loans under interest-free loans, seed margin money, Punjab State AID to Industries Act, 1935, and the integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP). As per this there will be a complete waiver of principal and interest for loans under IRDP and Punjab State Aid to Industries Act, 1935 (PSAIA). The eligible units will be required to avail of the scheme and to clear their dues within 180 days of publication of notice in the newspaper.

EX-POST FACTO APPROVAL IN TIME FRAME TO INVITE BIDS IN RE- TENDER FLOATED

The Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval of relaxation in time frame to invite bids in re- tender floated for purchase of 46000 LDPE Black Polythene Covers for RMS 2025-26. For ensuring safe storage, maintenance and preservation of wheat worth Rs 30,000 crores during Rabi Marketing Season 2025-26, ex-post facto approval is sought for relaxing the period of tender from T+21 days to T+14 days for procurement of LDPE covers. It was necessitated to ensure fumigation before onset of monsoons and to safeguard open stocks from vagaries of nature.

PUNJAB DISTRICT MINERAL FOUNDATION RULES REVISED

The Cabinet also gave approval to revise Punjab District Mineral Foundation (DMF) rules as per revised GOI guidelines under PMKKKY, 2024. These revisions will ensure transparency in implementation of projects, powers, duties and responsibilities such as five year perspective planning, high priority sectors for utilization of DMF funds, restriction on fund transfer from DMF. These guidelines aim to make the functioning of DMFs more transparent and efficient.

NOD TO AMENDMENTS IN ADVISORY MANAGING COMMITTEE OF SHRI KALI DEVI JI/SHRI RAJ RAJESHWARI JI TEMPLE, PATIALA

The Cabinet gave its consent for amendments in the Advisory Managing Committee of Shri Kali Devi Ji/Shri Raj Rajeshwari Ji Temple, Patiala thereby authorizing the Chief Minister to nominate the Chairman and Members of the Advisory Managing Committee. Likewise, the go ahead was given for changes in Financial powers of the Chairman, Secretary, Members and Management Committee.

NOD TO AMENDMENT IN THE PUNJAB VALUE ADDED TAX RULES, 2005

The Cabinet also gave its concurrence for Amendment in the Punjab Value added Tax Rules, 2005 thereby stipulating that that Chairman and other members of Punjab VAT Tribunal will be entitled to HRA and DA at such rates which are applicable to officers of Punjab.

GIVES NOD TO “THE PUNJAB FOOD GRAINS TRANSPORTATION POLICY 2025”

The Cabinet also gave nod to the “The Punjab Food grains Transportation Policy 2025” and ‘The Punjab Labour & Cartage Policy, 2025” for the smooth and hassle free transportation of Food grains in the state of Punjab. Pertinently the Government of Punjab through its State Procurement Agencies and FCI procures food grains from various designated centres/ mandis. As per the policy during the year 2025, food grain transportation works will be allotted through a competitive and transparent online tender system.

EXTENSION TO SERVICES OF 479 VETERINARY PHARMACISTS AND 472 SAFAI SEWAKS IN 582 VETERINARY HOSPITALS

In order to provide better health facilities to Livestock owners, the Cabinet also gave nod to extend the services of 479 Veterinary Pharmacists and 472 Safai Sewaks working in 582 Veterinary hospitals across the state as service providers from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.