Punjab Politics & Governance

Flight cancellations disrupt Gulf connections at Amritsar airport

1 March 2026

Around 10 international flights to and from Gulf destinations, including Dubai, Sharjah, Doha and Muscat, were reported cancelled at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar, amid regional tensions. The cancellations disrupted travel plans and left passengers uncertain about onward or return connections.

Airport management indicated that flights would resume when conditions became normal and advised passengers to contact their airlines.

Key Facts

• Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport serves Amritsar and provides the region’s international air gateway.

Punjab distributes Khed Pitara learning kits to primary schools

1 March 2026

Punjab was distributing Khed Pitara play-based learning kits to government primary schools for children from nursery to Class II. The kits include puzzles, story and flash cards, puppets and activity books to support learning through play and classroom activities.

The reported plan covered 12,856 schools and about 7.5 lakh children, with delivery targeted by 1 April. The article put the planned investment at approximately ₹9.3 crore; distribution was still under way.

Key Facts

• Khed Pitara supports foundational learning through play, stories and interaction rather than rote memorisation.

Punjab sets up helpline and coordination system for residents stranded in the Middle East

5 March 2026

Punjab appointed senior officers to coordinate assistance for residents stranded in the Middle East and established a 24-hour helpline. ADGP R.K. Jaiswal was named overall in-charge, while Home Department Secretary Vimal Setia was appointed nodal officer to liaise with the Union Ministry of External Affairs and monitor cases.

People seeking assistance can call 0172-2260042 or 0172-2260043, or message +91 94787 79112 on WhatsApp. Punjab also requested special flights and other assistance from the Union government; these were requests, not completed evacuations.

Key Facts

• The nodal officer coordinates with the Union Ministry of External Affairs, connecting Punjab’s case monitoring with national evacuation efforts.

Punjab Police announces constable recruitment

6 March 2026

Punjab Police announced recruitment for constables in its District and Armed Police cadres, with online applications scheduled from 10 to 30 March 2026. The supplied reports differ by one in the total number of posts, so no total is stated. The selection process includes a computer-based test, physical screening and measurement tests, and document verification.

Punjab announces electricity tariff reductions

6 March 2026

Punjab announced electricity tariff reductions for domestic, commercial and industrial consumers. Reported reductions were up to ₹1.50 per unit for households, 79 paise for commercial users and 74 paise for industry; the tariff for EV charging stations was set at ₹5 per unit.

Key Facts

• PSPCL is Punjab’s state-owned electricity generator and distributor.

Punjab Cabinet approves 2026–27 budget estimates

6 March 2026

The Punjab Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, approved supplementary demands for grants for 2025–26 and the 2026–27 budget estimates for presentation in the Assembly. It also approved placing the Comptroller and Auditor General’s 2024–25 audit reports and the Punjab Government’s financial and appropriation accounts before the legislature.

Key Facts

• CAG reports are laid before legislatures and examined by Public Accounts and Public Undertakings committees.

Punjab announces Hoshiarpur medical college and hospital project

6 March 2026

Punjab announced the Shaheed Udham Singh State Institute of Medical Sciences in Hoshiarpur, with administrative approval of ₹274.75 crore. The proposed institute will include a 300-bed hospital and a medical college with 100 MBBS seats; construction was scheduled to begin on 20 March 2026, with completion targeted for March 2028.

Punjab Cabinet approves industrial policy, university proposal and college recruitment

7 March 2026

The Punjab Cabinet approved the Industrial and Trade Development Policy 2026, intended to promote investment, employment, regional development and emerging industries. It also approved a proposal and draft Bill for a university named after Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur at Sri Anandpur Sahib, and authorised recruitment for 1,158 government-college posts: 1,091 assistant professors and 67 librarians. Recruitment was to proceed through the Punjab Public Service Commission under UGC rules.

Key Facts

• Punjab’s approved Industrial and Trade Development Policy 2026 uses incentives and infrastructure support to promote jobs, regional development and emerging industries.
• The approved college recruitment is to proceed through the Punjab Public Service Commission under UGC Regulations 2018.

Punjab reports Ashirwad assistance for ...