The North News
New Delhi, March 13
The Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has approved the summoning of the Budget Session of the 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha from March 21 to March 28. The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting at the Chief Minister’s official residence on Thursday. A spokesperson from the Chief Minister’s Office confirmed that the Cabinet has recommended the session dates to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, who holds the authority to summon the State Legislature under Article 174(1) of the Constitution of India. The Governor’s address is scheduled for March 25, followed by discussions. The Finance Minister will present the budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 on March 26, with a general discussion to follow.
The Cabinet also approved an exemption under Section 63(1) of The Punjab Transparency in Public Procurement Act, 2019, for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the state’s Education Department and British Council Education India Private Limited (BCEIPL). The initiative, aimed at enhancing English communication skills for improved employability, will now continue for the next two financial years, 2025-26 and 2026-27.
The exemption, to be tabled in the upcoming assembly session, will ensure the smooth execution of the ‘English for Work’ programme, which benefits around 5,000 students in government colleges annually.
In an effort to boost technical education and employment opportunities, the Cabinet sanctioned the establishment of 40 Hunar Sikhiya Schools (Schools of Applied Learning) across Punjab. With a total budget of approximately Rs 32 crore, these institutions will provide training in various trades, including Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, Digital Design and Development, Beauty and Wellness, and Healthcare Sciences and Services.
Additionally, foundational courses in Functional English, Career Foundations (professionalism, CV creation, soft skills, and professional development), and Technology in Everyday Life (email writing, work planning, and digital tools) will also be introduced.
The Cabinet also gave its consent to the annual administrative reports of the Defence Services Welfare Department for the financial years 2022-23 and 2023-24.
