Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Announces New Agriculture and Education Policies
The Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has approved a new agriculture policy aimed at boosting food production and conserving groundwater. This decision was made during a meeting at the Chief Minister’s official residence.
New Agriculture Policy
The new agriculture policy will involve all major stakeholders to ensure the welfare of farmers and make agriculture a profitable venture. The policy aims to address the plateau in traditional agriculture and promote sustainable practices.
New Education Policy
The Cabinet also introduced a new education policy focusing on skill and technical education. This policy aims to create new job opportunities for the youth, making them integral to Punjab’s socio-economic growth.
OTS III Scheme and VAT Adjustments
The Cabinet expanded the OTS III scheme for pending VAT cases, benefiting many traders and increasing state revenue by Rs 164 crore compared to previous years. VAT rates on diesel and petrol were also increased to enhance government revenue.
Power Subsidy and Vehicle Tax Changes
The state government abolished power subsidies for consumers with loads over 7 KW, expected to increase state revenue by Rs 2400 to Rs 3000 crore. Additionally, the tax payment process for commercial vehicle owners was simplified, allowing lump sum payments annually or discounted multi-year payments for new vehicles.
Doubts Revealed
Punjab CM -: Punjab CM stands for Punjab Chief Minister. The Chief Minister is the head of the government in the state of Punjab.
Bhagwant Mann -: Bhagwant Mann is the current Chief Minister of Punjab. He is a politician from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Agriculture policy -: An agriculture policy is a set of rules and guidelines made by the government to help farmers grow more food and use resources like water wisely.
Groundwater -: Groundwater is the water found under the earth’s surface. It is used for drinking, farming, and other purposes.
Education policy -: An education policy is a plan made by the government to improve schools and learning for students.
Skill and technical education -: Skill and technical education teaches students practical skills and knowledge needed for specific jobs, like mechanics or computer programming.
OTS III scheme -: OTS III scheme is a government program to help people settle their old tax cases. OTS stands for One-Time Settlement.
VAT -: VAT stands for Value Added Tax. It is a type of tax that people pay when they buy goods and services.
Diesel and petrol -: Diesel and petrol are types of fuel used in vehicles like cars, trucks, and buses.
Power subsidies -: Power subsidies are financial help from the government to make electricity cheaper for people.
Commercial vehicle owners -: Commercial vehicle owners are people or companies that own vehicles used for business purposes, like trucks or buses.
