Punjab Politics & Governance

Punjab challenges High Court direction on DA arrears in Supreme Court

1 September 2026

Punjab filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court challenging a Punjab and Haryana High Court direction on pending dearness allowance and dearness relief arrears for state employees and pensioners. The state argues that paying about ₹14,191 crore within 14 days would require budgetary and legislative steps that cannot be completed in that period.

The government asked to retain its Cabinet-approved plan to pay the arrears in instalments over five financial years. The High Court’s direction also provided for 6% annual simple interest in case of delay.

Key Facts

• The Constitution restricts withdrawals from a state’s Consolidated Fund to constitutionally authorised procedures.

Punjab launches Digi.Punjab portal with services from 12 departments

1 September 2026

Punjab launched Digi.Punjab.gov.in, an integrated portal offering more than 300 services from 12 departments in its first phase. Services include birth and death certificates, marriage registration, police verification, income and residence certificates, social-security pensions and water-connection approvals.

The portal provides application tracking and timelines for processing. The government said it planned to add more than 800 services within two months; this was a future target at launch.

Key Facts

• Digi.Punjab offers citizens a mobile-friendly interface with real-time application tracking.

Punjab allocates ₹598.75 lakh for 2026–27 senior-citizen action plan

1 September 2026

Punjab allocated ₹598.75 lakh for its 2026–27 State Action Plan for Senior Citizens. The plan covers health and eye-care camps, cataract surgery for those in need, geriatric-caregiver training, digital and financial literacy, and awareness of older people’s rights.

The state announced that its ‘Saade Buzurg Saada Maan’ campaign was scheduled to begin on 1 October from Sri Muktsar Sahib, on the International Day of Older Persons . The campaign was intended to promote awareness of senior citizens’ rights, welfare schemes and health services.

Key Facts

• The UN General Assembly established 1 October as the International Day of Older Persons through Resolution 45/106.

Punjab health scheme records 12,467 sepsis treatments

1 September 2026

By 1 September, Punjab’s Chief Minister’s Health Scheme had recorded 12,467 treatments for sepsis and septic shock, with reported expenditure of ₹51.58 crore. Eligible families are covered for cashless treatment up to ₹10 lakh per year.

Key Facts

• Sepsis is a dangerous, dysregulated response to infection that can impair organ function; rapid recognition and treatment are crucial.

PSEB and India Post agree to home-deliver school textbooks

1 September 2026

The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) and India Post’s Punjab Circle signed an agreement to deliver textbooks for Classes I–XII to students’ homes. Students, parents and schools can order books through the PSEB Pustak Portal, with India Post handling delivery through its postal network.

The arrangement replaces collection from designated district offices and is intended to improve access, particularly for students and schools in rural and remote areas. Orders through the portal carry a 15% discount.

Key Facts

• PSEB administers Punjab public-school curricula and examinations, oversees scholarships, and publishes textbooks.
• India Post’s postal network also supports money transfers and small-savings services alongside mail delivery.

Punjab launches Pehchaan portal to identify unclaimed bodies

2 September 2026

Punjab launched the Pehchaan public portal to help identify unidentified and unclaimed people brought to government mortuaries. Photographs and physical identifying details are to be uploaded within 48 hours of post-mortem; families in India or abroad can search the portal and submit an online claim, which notifies the investigating officer.

Key Facts

• Pehchaan builds on Punjab’s MedLEaPR medico-legal system, which connects police, courts, health institutions and forensic laboratories and coordinates missing-person record matching.

Punjab approves JICA-supported horticulture knowledge centre

2 September 2026

Punjab approved a horticulture knowledge centre at Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana, with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The proposed centre is intended to support crop diversification through research, technical knowledge and farmer capacity-building, as part of a reported ₹1,300-crore horticulture project.

Key Facts

• JICA delivers Japan’s development assistance through grants, technical cooperation and concessional loans.
• Horticulture includes fruits, vegetables, spices, aromatic plants, flowers, beekeeping and mushroom cultivation.

Innovation labs opened at five Punjab government polytechnics

3 September 2026

Punjab inaugurated innovation laboratories at five government polytechnics in Khunimajra, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Badbar and Talwara. The ...