In an endeavor to provide houses to the Economically Weaker Section of the Society, the Cabinet gave nod to a policy for "Optimum utilization of land reserved for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). As per this scattered land pockets falling in various colonies will be monetized and the funds received from such sale will be utilized for the benefit of EWS adding that for this 1500 acre land will be acquired across the state.
State Development Authorities will be authorized to plan these scattered land pockets at their level to cater to the needs of the end user in such a way that would generate reasonable revenue for the Department by way of auctioning of these sites. State Development Authorities will also be authorised to identify and acquire separate chunks of land for making either plots or houses for the EWS so that the interest of the Economically Weaker Section of the Society is taken care of by the Government.
GREEN SIGNAL FOR POLICY TO OPTIMALLY UTILIZE THE EDC COLLECTED BY VARIOUS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES
The Cabinet also gave nod to policy to optimally utilize the EDC collected by various development Authorities on behalf of Government from promoters who develop their projects under PAPRA Act. As per this policy 50% of the EDC collected from promoters will be utilized for development of infrastructure within the periphery of the colony or township whereas the remaining 50% will be utilized by the government for development of major projects in the state. The policy will give further impetus to the development of the state in a big way.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR ACID ATTACK VICTIMS ENHANCED FROM RS 8000 TO RS 10, 000
In a significant decision the Cabinet also decided to rename the scheme for financial assistance to Acid victims as "The Punjab Financial Assistance to Acid Victims Scheme, 2024" thereby including the males and transgenders victim in the scheme besides increasing the financial assistance of Rs. 8, 000/- per month being given to the victim to 10, 000/ - per month. Punjab Government had notified "The Punjab Financial Assistance to Acid Victims Scheme, 2017", vide notification no. 1006029/1, dated 20.06.2017, to provide financial assistance to female acid attack victims. Earlier under this Scheme, only female acid attack victims were covered and provided with a financial assistance of Rs. 8, 000/- per month. But making the Scheme gender-neutral, the state government has renamed it as "The Punjab Financial Assistance to Acid Victims Scheme, 2024" and included males and transgenders, who become victims of acid attack in the Scheme. The Financial assistance to the victims has also been increased to Rs 10, 000 per month from existing Rs 8000.