Chandigarh: The Punjab Cabinet has approved the establishment of two private universities in the state, including CGC University Jhanjheri and Rayat Bahra University Hoshiarpur. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema shared the decisions after a cabinet meeting, where Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian were also present.
Cheema said the government will soon bring an act in the assembly session to resume bullock cart races, which were banned earlier following a Supreme Court order. He said that after conducting a detailed study, the government decided to restore these races, which are part of Punjab’s cultural heritage and were once the highlight of Kila Raipur’s ‘Mini Olympics’.
In another key decision, the cabinet approved the recruitment of 3,600 teachers for the education of children with special needs across Punjab. Cheema said there are around 47,000 such children in the state, and the move will strengthen the education system. He added that the cases of contractual and temporary teachers would also be considered during the process.
The cabinet also withdrew the previous government’s consent to deploy CISF personnel at the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). Cheema said the government will bring a bill in the upcoming assembly session to ensure that security arrangements on BBMB are managed in line with the state’s position, asserting that CISF deployment will not be allowed in Punjab.
