The North News
Chandigarh, January 9
The Punjab government has approved a series of wide-ranging decisions aimed at strengthening healthcare, reforming higher education and offering relief to citizens, following a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Chandigarh on Friday. Among the key decisions was the allocation of more than 19 acres of land at Lehragaga for the establishment of a medical college and hospital, a move the government says will expand access to healthcare and medical education in the state.
The land, located at the Baba Hira Singh Bhattal Technical College campus, will be leased at a nominal rate to a Jain community-run society to set up a minority medical college. Admissions, seat allocation and fee structures will be regulated in line with state government guidelines. The hospital is required to become operational within five years, with a minimum of 220 beds and 50 MBBS seats, and later expand to 400 beds and 100 seats within eight years.
The cabinet also approved the Punjab Private Digital Open Universities Policy, 2026, described by the government as India’s first comprehensive policy to regulate fully digital private universities offering online and open distance learning programmes. The policy aligns with University Grants Commission regulations and sets standards for quality, digital infrastructure, data governance and student protection.
Officials said the move would allow students to pursue legally valid degrees entirely online, reducing costs and improving access for working professionals and those unable to relocate. Each digital university will be required to meet strict infrastructure norms, including dedicated digital studios, IT systems and a minimum corpus fund of ₹20 crore. Separate legislation will be introduced in the state assembly for every approved proposal.
In another decision, the cabinet extended the Amnesty Policy 2025 for plot allottees under housing and urban development schemes, allowing defaulters an additional opportunity to regularise payments until 31 March 2026.
The government also approved a reduction in property prices set by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority, based on assessments by independent valuers. Revised reserve prices will apply to residential, commercial and institutional plots that failed to sell in previous auctions.
To support infrastructure projects, the cabinet cleared the desilting of the Sutlej river by the National Highways Authority of India or its agencies, at a fixed rate until June 2026, to supply earth for highway construction.
The cabinet also approved the adjustment of staff from the Baba Hira Singh Bhattal Institute of Engineering and Technology against vacant posts in government departments, a move aimed at protecting employee interests.
The Punjab government said the decisions reflect its focus on public welfare, infrastructure development and modernising education and healthcare systems across the state.
