Punjab Politics & Governance

Punjab Reduces Experience Requirement for Election Tehsildar Promotions

1 June 2026

Punjab’s Cabinet approved an amendment reducing the experience required for promotion from Election Kanungo to Election Tehsildar from 15 years to 12. The change is intended to help fill seven vacant Election Tehsildar posts and strengthen election administration, including work on the special revision of electoral rolls.

Key Facts

• A Special Intensive Revision is a process for reorganising electoral voter rolls.

Punjab Announces Solar Projects for Heritage Sites and Public Buildings

1 June 2026

Punjab announced 2 MW of solar projects at Virasat-e-Khalsa in Sri Anandpur Sahib, Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal in Amritsar and the National Institute of Bioscience and Entrepreneurship in Kapurthala, with completion targeted for mid-August 2026. Work orders had been issued for 18.6 MW of rooftop solar across 661 government buildings; 1.413 MW was reported installed at 34 buildings. The state renewable-energy agency was directed to install three lakh solar street lights within six months.

Key Facts

• The state described solar projects as a way to reduce electricity bills and pollution while supporting reliable power.

HPCL Announces Expansion of Biofuel and Biogas Projects in Punjab

1 June 2026

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) announced plans to expand its Punjab operations in refinery, biofuel and biogas sectors. HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited was expanding 2G technology-based projects in Bathinda, using agricultural residue to produce biofuel. The company was establishing 10 biogas plants across Punjab, five of which were reported operational.

Key Facts

• HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited is a joint venture between HPCL and Mittal Energy Investments.

Punjab Establishes Sports Welfare Board

1 June 2026

Punjab established a Sports Welfare Board and appointed a chairperson and nine members. The board is intended to support sports development, athlete welfare and sports infrastructure in the state.

Punjab Announces Revised Kisan Credit Card Limits

2 June 2026

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced revised crop credit limits under the Kisan Credit Card system, including ₹30,000 per acre for wheat and ₹1 lakh per acre for sugarcane. The changes also include a separate ₹2,000-per-acre credit limit for crop-residue management; one report said the revised wheat limit would apply from the coming season.

Key Facts

• Kisan Credit Card provides farmers with agricultural credit; its coverage includes crop needs and, since 2019, fisheries and animal husbandry.
• Punjab’s announced KCC changes include separate credit for crop-residue management, intended to fund related handling costs.

Pathankot–Baijnath Narrow-Gauge Train Service Resumes

2 June 2026

Narrow-gauge train services resumed on the Pathankot–Baijnath section after reconstruction of the railway bridge over the Chakki River. The section had been closed since 2022 after the bridge was damaged, and three trains were scheduled to run in each direction.

Key Facts

• The Pathankot–Baijnath service is part of the 762 mm narrow-gauge Kangra Valley Railway linking Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

Punjab Government Schools Report 59 JEE Advanced Qualifiers

2 June 2026

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said 59 students from government schools qualified for JEE Advanced 2026, compared with 44 in 2025. Patiala had the highest district tally, with 11 qualifiers, followed by Sangrur with seven; Bains attributed the results to the Punjab Education Revolution initiative and its coaching and academic support.

Key Facts

• JEE Advanced is the second stage of India’s Joint Entrance Examination and is the main assessment for entry to IITs.
• Punjab Education Revolution supports government-school students preparing for JEE and NEET through free coaching, improved infrastructure and guidance.

Punjab Reports Distribution of 4.5 Lakh Meri Rasoi Food Kits

2 June 2026

Punjab Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said 4.5 lakh food kits had been distributed under the Meri Rasoi scheme. The monthly kits are provided to eligible National Food Security Act beneficiaries in addition to wheat, and each contains pulses, sugar, salt, turmeric powder and mustard oil.

Key Facts

• The National Food Security Act, 2013 creates statutory entitlements to subsidised food grains for eligible households.
• Meri Rasoi kits supplement eligible National Food Security Act beneficiaries’ existing wheat entitlement.

RTI Records Cancer Relief Fund Registrations in Punjab

2 June 2026

An RTI response from Punjab’s Health and Family Welfare Department recorded 23,711 patients registered under the Chief Minister Punjab Cancer Relief Fund scheme across ...