Punjab Cabinet, in a sweeping display of governance aimed at women empowerment, social welfare, and asserting state autonomy, on Wednesday approved a series of impactful decisions. Leading the charge was the announcement to send 1,500 best-performing women sarpanches and panches on a government-sponsored pilgrimage and training tour to Nanded Sahib — celebrating their contribution to village governance. The Cabinet also gave its nod to the landmark Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, offering cashless medical treatment worth Rs 10 lakh to every resident, making Punjab the first state in the country to roll out such a universal healthcare initiative. In a bold assertion of state rights, the Government further decided to move a resolution in the Vidhan Sabha seeking the withdrawal of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) deployment from Punjabs dams, reinforcing faith in the states own police force. Punjab Government has decided to send 1,500 women sarpanches and panches, recognized for exemplary governance, to Hazur Sahib Gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra. The initiative is being rolled out to mark the 350th martyrdom year of Sikhs ninth master Guru Teg Bahadur. The state will bear all expenses for the five-day spiritual and educational tour, including travel via special trains, lodging, food, and a training module in Maharashtra. These women are symbols of Punjabs rural strength and democratic empowerment, said CM Mann, adding that the initiative is designed not just to pay homage but also to build leadership and administrative capacity among elected women representatives. This is a step towards honouring their service and commitment. We believe they will return spiritually enriched and administratively stronger, Mann said, noting that Nanded Sahib holds deep emotional and religious significance for Sikhs. Resolution To Withdraw CISF Today Taking a clear stand on dams security, the Chief Minister announced that a resolution will be introduced in the Vidhan Sabha on Friday to cancel the previous Congress Governments decision to deploy CISF personnel at states dams. The Congress Government not only allowed CISF deployment but also agreed to pay for it. Why should we pay the Centre to guard our own resources? asked Mann, asserting, If Punjabis can defend the countrys borders, they can certainly protect their own dams. He emphasized that Punjab Police is capable, dedicated, and trained to handle such responsibilities and that state policing cannot be outsourced at the cost of state exchequer and pride. Rs 10L Cashless Treatment for All Residents Marking a national first, the Punjab Cabinet approved the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, which guarantees cashless healthcare up to Rs 10 lakh for every family in the state, including government employees and pensioners — regardless of income level. The scheme will officially roll out on October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. With this initiative, Punjab becomes the only state in India to offer such a comprehensive, universal health insurance scheme. Previously, only select families had access to Rs five lakh coverage under income-based criteria. Now, all 3 three crore residents are eligible. So far, 552 private hospitals have been empaneled, besides all the government health facilities, with the government aiming to bring the number up to 1,000. Beneficiaries can register using their Aadhaar or Voter ID via Seva Kendras or online, and access services at both government and empaneled private hospitals. Relief in Development Charges Responding to industry concerns, the Cabinet decided to modify the effective date of collecting development charges like CLU, EDC, and LF from real estate projects. While the earlier notification dated April 1, 2025, caused uncertainty, the Cabinet clarified that projects submitted up to June 4, 2025, will continue under the old rates. The new rates will apply only to submissions post-June 4, offering relief and clarity to investors under Punjabs Mega Project Policy. CMs Political Salvos Using the post-Cabinet press briefing to full effect, CM Mann launched a broadside against opposition leaders, particularly Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, accusing them of duplicity, opportunism, and political irrelevance. Jakhar should focus on saving his party, and in fact, his chair, Mann said, taking a dig at BJPs third-place finish in the Ludhiana West bypoll. Mann also accused the Akali Dal of shielding drug mafias, stating that the kingpin of the chitta trade is behind bars in Nabha jail and justice will be served. They ran the state like a fiefdom of narcotics, he charged. On SKM (Samyukt Kisan Morcha) protests, Mann was dismissive, alleging that many so-called farm leaders have lost touch with ground realities. Ask them when they last went to their fields, he quipped, accusing them of misleading farmers over land pooling policies. That was not all Mann also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modis frequent foreign trips, questioning the value of honours received from microstates like Ghana. Youre celebrating awards from nations with 10,000 people while ignoring 140 crore Indians, Mann said. Drawing a local analogy, he added wryly, In Punjab, 10,000 people gather to watch a JCB

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