Punjab Cabinet under CM Bhagwant Mann clears major decisions: Medical College at Lehragaga, Digital Open University Policy, Amnesty relief

Chandigarh | January 9, 2026
Punjab Sarokar News

The Punjab Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, on Friday approved a series of far-reaching decisions aimed at strengthening public healthcare, transforming higher education, accelerating infrastructure projects, rationalising property prices, and providing direct relief to citizens.

The decisions were taken during a meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by the Chief Minister and reflect the government’s focus on healthcare expansion, education reform, infrastructure development, employee welfare, and people-centric governance.

🔹 Key Cabinet Decisions – Pointwise Details

🏥 1. Medical College and Hospital Approved at Lehragaga

• Over 19 acres of land at Baba Hira Singh Bhattal Technical College, Lehragaga, allotted on nominal lease.

• A minority medical college to be established by a Jain community trust.

• Initial phase:

  • 220-bed hospital

  • 50 MBBS seats

• Expansion plan:

  • 400-bed hospital

  • 100 MBBS seats within eight years of MoU execution.

• Admissions and fee structure will be strictly regulated as per Punjab Government norms.

• Hospital operations must begin within five years of MoU.

• Aim: Improve healthcare access and position Punjab as a hub of medical education.

🎓 2. Historic Punjab Private Digital Open Universities Policy, 2026 Approved

• Punjab becomes the first state in India to introduce a comprehensive policy for private digital open universities.

• Policy regulates online and Open Distance Learning (ODL) programs.

• Aligned with UGC Regulations, 2020.

• Key requirements for digital universities:

  • Minimum 2.5 acres of land

  • Digital content studios, server rooms, LMS operations centres

  • Digital examination control rooms

  • 24×7 student support systems

  • Minimum ₹20 crore corpus fund

• Degrees to be legally valid and compliant with UGC/AICTE standards.

• Enables students to complete degrees:

  • From home

  • Without relocating

  • Without leaving jobs

• Policy modeled on global digital universities such as:

  • Western Governors University (USA)

  • University of Phoenix (USA)

  • Open University Malaysia

• Expected benefits:

  • Lower education costs

  • Wider access

  • Skill-focused, job-oriented learning

  • Promotion of lifelong learning in AI, IT, healthcare, business, and data science.

🏘️ 3. Amnesty Policy 2025 Extended for Plot Allottees

• Cabinet approved extension of Amnesty Policy 2025 till March 31, 2026.

• Provides defaulting plot allottees a fresh opportunity to regularise dues.

• Applicable to plots under Housing and Urban Development Department.

• Eligible allottees can:

  • Apply before March 31, 2026

  • Deposit required amount within three months of approval.

🏗️ 4. GMADA Property Prices to Be Rationalised

• Cabinet approved rationalisation of GMADA property prices.

• Prices to be determined through independent valuation.

• Development authorities to appoint three independent valuers empanelled with nationalised banks or Income Tax Department.

• For properties unsold in two or more auctions:

  • Average of valuers’ rates to be used as reserve price.

• Rates to remain valid for one calendar year, with flexibility for need-based revisions.

🚧 5. Approval for Desilting of River Sutlej

• Cabinet approved desilting of River Sutlej by NHAI or its agencies.

• Fixed rate: ₹3 per cubic feet, same as Siswan Dam project.

• Desilted earth to be used for Ludhiana–Ropar road project.

• Rate valid till June 30, 2026.

• Exemption granted from Section 63 of Punjab Transparency in Public Procurement Act, 2019.

👨‍🏫 6. Adjustment of Baba Hira Singh Bhattal Institute Staff

• Cabinet approved adjustment of staff of:

  • Baba Hira Singh Bhattal Institute of Engineering and Technology

• Staff to be accommodated against vacant posts in:

  • Department of Technical Education & Industrial Training

  • Autonomous institutions

• Decision taken to protect employee interests and ensure continuity.

🧠 Editorial Note

The Cabinet’s decisions underline the Punjab Government’s emphasis on long-term structural reforms, especially in healthcare and education, while simultaneously addressing immediate citizen concerns such as housing relief, infrastructure acceleration, and employee security.