CHANDIGARH: Notwithstanding protersts by PSPCL employees, the Punjab Cabinet which met today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has given go ahead to re-distribution of 253 Acre of land Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant, Bathinda transferred to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Now 10 acre of land will be used for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) installation (Transfer to PSPCL), 10 Acres (For New Bus Stand) shall be retained by BDA and be given to Transport Department who will transfer cost of land to BDA at price fixed by Deputy Commissioner Bathinda. Remaining 20 Acres land shall be retained by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for residential/Commercial purposes.
The Cabinet also gave its concurrence to amend Rule 3 and 16 (1) of the Punjab Management and Transfer of Municipal Properties Rules, 2021 for modification of payment schedule for high-value properties, defined herein as "Chunk Sites, " to be sold or transferred by the Municipalities and Urban Local Bodies. This will enhance investments competitive bidding and attract significant investments in urban and development Further, it shall increase Market Competition by significantly increasing the pool of eligible bidders and intensify competition during the bidding process.
The Cabinet also gave nod to convene special session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha on December 30, 2025 for discussing the amendments being proposed by the Union government on MGNREGA.
The Cabinet opined that the amendments are not only aimed at renaming the scheme but for killing the basic spirit of the scheme.