Punjab Assembly passes nine bills on education, jobs, tax and environment

The Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday passed nine bills covering education, infrastructure, taxation, employment, rural development and environmental protection.

The legislation is aimed at strengthening the state’s regulatory framework and introducing changes across several areas of public administration.

The Punjab Common Infrastructure (Regulation and Maintenance) Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced by Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, was passed by majority vote.

The House unanimously approved the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Un-aided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2026, moved by Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains.

Three bills relating to universities were also passed by majority. They are the Cloud University, Hoshiarpur Bill, 2026; the MS Digital University, Patiala Bill, 2026; and the Physicswallah Digital University, Patiala Bill, 2026. All three were introduced by Bains.Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema’s Punjab Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was also passed by majority.

The Punjab State Outsourced Personnel (Transition to Contractual Engagement) Bill, 2026, introduced by Cheema, was passed unanimously. It provides for eligible outsourced workers to move to direct contractual engagement with the state government.

The Punjab Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, moved by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond, was passed by majority.

The House also approved the Punjab Protection of Trees Bill, 2026, introduced by Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, by majority vote.

The government said the bills would support reforms in education and administration, protect employee interests, strengthen rural institutions and improve environmental protection across Punjab.