On December 29, 2025, the Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, convened to approve a suite of administrative and governance reforms. These decisions are designed to streamline public service delivery, modernize legal frameworks, and provide relief to government employees.
- Administrative Expansion: New Tehsil and Sub-Tehsil
To bring the government closer to the people and reduce travel time for routine official work, the Cabinet approved significant upgrades to administrative units:
- **Banur (SAS Nagar): Formerly a sub-tehsil, Banur has been elevated to a full-fledged tehsil. This upgrade will include two kanungo circles, 14 patwar circles, and cover approximately 40 villages.
- **Hariana (Hoshiarpur): A new sub-tehsil has been created in Hariana to cater to the Doaba region, comprising 12 patwar circles, two kanungo circles, and nearly 50 villages.
- Modernizing Land Governance
The Cabinet approved vital amendments to the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887, marking a shift toward a paperless and more transparent administration:
- Legal Sanctity for Digital Records: For the first time, digital land records and digital signatures will hold full legal validity.
- Streamlining Appeals: The amendments aim to simplify the appeals process, reducing unnecessary litigation and preventing the harassment of non-litigants.
- E-Services Expansion: This builds on the state’s e-services portal, allowing citizens to apply online for family partition (Khangi Taqseem), land demarcation, and obtaining Jamabandi copies without visiting government offices.
- Support for Special Teacher Educators
In a move toward inclusive education, the Cabinet granted a one-time age relaxation in the upper age limit for contractual Special Teacher Educators working under the Samagra Shiksha scheme.
- Goal: This relaxation paves the way for their regularization into the Department of School Education.
- Financial Impact: The government noted that this decision will ensure continuity for children with special needs without placing an additional financial burden on the state exchequer.
- Digital Transparency and Property Rights
The meeting also focused on accelerating the “Mera Ghar, Mera Naam” scheme. The Cabinet approved modifications to the scheme to ensure faster issuance of property cards and titles, particularly in rural areas, utilizing drone mapping and digital record-keeping to minimize property disputes.
Summary of Key Decision Outcomes
| Category | Decision | Primary Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Local Admin | Banur (Tehsil) & Hariana (Sub-Tehsil) | Shorter travel distances for citizens |
| Land Laws | Digital Signatures Legalized | Reduced corruption and paperless records |
| Education | Age relaxation for Special Teachers | Job security and better inclusive education |
| Litigation | Reform of Appeals Process | Faster |