Punjab Politics & Governance

Punjab Assembly passes resolution for 15% minimum-wage increase

1 May 2026

During a special Labour Day session on 1 May, the Punjab Assembly passed a resolution for a 15% increase in minimum wages for registered workers in the government and private sectors. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the increase, described as the first revision of the minimum-wage base rate in about 13 years; revised wage amounts and an effective date were not given in the supplied reports.

Punjab Assembly passes confidence motion with 88 votes in favour

1 May 2026

The Punjab Assembly passed a confidence motion in the state government during its special session on 1 May. One report recorded 88 votes in favour, while Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the motion was brought amid speculation about the government’s stability.

Key Facts

• Punjab’s Vidhan Sabha is a unicameral state legislature.

Punjab approves forensic directorate and farm-stay policy; Assembly passes society-law amendment

1 May 2026

Punjab’s Cabinet approved a Forensic Science Laboratory Directorate and 190 posts, and cleared a farm-stay tourism policy allowing one acre of a 10-acre plot to be used for tourism. Separately, the Assembly passed the Societies Registration (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2026, which the government said was intended to strengthen transparency and oversight of registered societies.

Key Facts

• Forensic science supports criminal investigations by collecting, preserving and scientifically analysing evidence.

Punjab Chief Secretary completes Census 2027 self-enumeration

1 May 2026

Punjab Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha completed his Census 2027 self-enumeration online at his residence and urged residents to participate. He said reliable census data supports planning for public services and development.

Punjab’s self-enumeration phase was scheduled for 30 April to 14 May 2026, followed by house-listing from 15 May to 13 June.

Key Facts

• Census self-enumeration lets residents submit household socioeconomic details online, supporting wider participation and more representative population data.

Punjab schedules second-phase Mawan Dhian Satkar Yojana camps

5 May 2026

Punjab scheduled the second phase of registration camps for the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satkar Yojana to begin on 5 May at Anganwadi centres in 40 constituencies across 18 districts. The camps were intended to register eligible applicants and verify or update existing beneficiary records.

The reported monthly assistance is ₹1,000 for eligible women and ₹1,500 for women from Scheduled Castes.

Key Facts

• Anganwadi centres are village-level child-care and basic-health service centres, making them an established local access point for scheme-registration camps.

Ludhiana inaugurates integrated command and control centre

5 May 2026

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav inaugurated an Integrated Command and Control Centre in Ludhiana, bringing traffic, police control-room, Safe City and wireless units under one centre. The system includes about 1,700 high-resolution cameras at 259 locations across the city.

Key Facts

• An Integrated Command and Control Centre brings traffic, police control-room, Safe City and wireless operations together to improve coordination and response.

Punjab inaugurates 250 rural sports grounds

5 May 2026

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann inaugurated 250 rural sports grounds across the state. The government’s stated plan was to develop 3,100 grounds in total and dedicate them in phases by 15 July; training, coaching and sports equipment were also described as planned support.

Key Facts

• The proposed rural grounds include lighting, running and walking tracks, and dedicated courts for volleyball, football and hockey.
• The plan pairs rural sports infrastructure with free athlete training, coaching and equipment.

Explosions near security installations investigated in Jalandhar and Amritsar

5 May 2026

Explosions were reported on 5 May near the BSF headquarters in Jalandhar and the Army camp at Khasa in Amritsar. Police said the Amritsar blast caused minor damage to an outer wall and tin shed, with no casualties reported; Jalandhar police said preliminary findings indicated that explosive material had been used. Police, Army and forensic teams investigated, and NIA teams were expected to assist.

Key Facts

• The NIA is India’s principal counterterrorism investigative agency, with nationwide jurisdiction over offences listed in its governing Act.

PSPCL sets enforcement process for electricity use above approved load

7 May 2026

Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) outlined enforcement under its amended Supply Code-2024 for consumers whose demand exceeds their approved load by more than 10%. The process provides for a written notice within seven ...