The Punjab Cabinet, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, sanctioned a direct subsidy of Rs 68.50 per quintal from the fixed state agreed price (SAP) for sugarcane farmers. This decision, made during a Council of Ministers meeting, also encompassed various approvals related to healthcare, public fitness programs, and urban governance. The subsidy will be paid directly to sugarcane growers on behalf of private sugar mills for the year 2025–26.
The state of Punjab already provides the highest state agreed price for sugarcane in the country at Rs 416 per quintal, marking a Rs 15 increase from the previous year. This move ensures that Punjab’s sugarcane farmers receive the best compensation nationwide, enhancing their income security. Additionally, the Cabinet endorsed the establishment of 1,000 new posts for yoga trainers under the ‘CM di Yogshala’ project with a budgetary allocation of Rs 35 crore for 2026-27 to promote a healthy lifestyle in Punjab.
In a significant healthcare initiative, the Cabinet approved the complete transfer of civil hospitals in various districts to Baba Farid University of Health Sciences in Faridkot. This transfer aims to enhance healthcare services for residents by leveraging the university’s advanced medical infrastructure and expertise. Furthermore, the Cabinet’s approval of directives under the Punjab Management and Transfer Municipal Act, 2020, will facilitate the transfer of municipal properties for public purposes, boosting development projects and preventing misuse of public land.
To expedite development and optimize land resources, the state Cabinet endorsed a policy for the sale or exchange of abandoned and active paths and water courses within government-licensed projects in municipal limits. This policy is designed to unlock development potential and enhance urban planning outcomes in the state.
