The budget session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha will be held from March 21 to March 28, as approved by the cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Chandigarh: The cabinet is led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. It approved the Punjab budget session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. The authorities have scheduled the session from March 21 to March 28.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema made an announcement. He will unveil the state budget for 2025-26 in the Vidhan Sabha on March 26. The session will commence on March 21 with a speech by the Governor of Punjab.
Cheema also stated that the Business Advisory Board will decide on the session’s schedule. The Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha heads it.
Punjab Cabinet Approves Budget Session Schedule
The Cabinet took a decision to this effect during the meeting. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann chaired the meeting at his official residence.
A spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office provided the details. The Cabinet gave nod for recommending the same to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. He is authorized to officially summon the State Legislature as per Article 174(1) of the Constitution of India. The Governor address will take place on March 25 followed by discussion on the address. The Finance Minister will present the budget for the year 2025-26 on March 26. A general discussion on the Budget will take place thereafter.
Punjab budget : *Green signal for implementation of “English for Work” course for college students*
The Cabinet also gave nod to exempt the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Education department with British Council Education India Private Limited
(BCEIPL) to improve English Communication skills for better employability in the future from Section 63(1) of The Punjab Transparency in Public Procurement Act. 2019. This waiver will be placed before the upcoming session of the Legislative Assembly. The goal is to continue the “English for Work” course for the next two financial years, 2025-26 and 2026-27. This continuation is in accordance with the terms and conditions of the MoU. This initiative benefits approximately five thousand students across various Government Colleges in the state every year. The exemption will ensure the smooth running of the scheme without any obstacles and allow students to benefit from it.
Approval for opening of 40 Hunar Sikhiya Schools across state to impart technical training to students*
In order to impart technical education to the students, the Cabinet also gave nod to start Hunar Sikhiya Schools (School of Applied learning) across the state thereby opening new vistas of employment for youth. The state government will open 40 schools at a cost of nearly Rs 32 crore to provide training in Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, Digital Design and Development, Beauty and Wellness, and Healthcare Sciences and Services. Additionally, it will introduce three foundational courses in Functional English, Career Foundations (professionalism, CV creation, soft skills, and professional development), and Technology in Everyday Life (writing emails, creating work plans, and using digital tools).
*Accords consent to annual administrative reports of Defence Services Welfare Department*
The Cabinet also accorded consent to the annual administrative reports of the Defence Services Welfare Department for the year 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.
