The Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday approved a direct subsidy of Rs 68.5 per quintal for sugarcane growers, keeping the state’s price among the highest in India. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The subsidy will be paid directly to farmers on behalf of private sugar mills during the 2025–26 crushing season. The State Agreed Price for sugarcane is Rs 416 per quintal, Rs 15 higher than last year. The government said the move will boost farmers’ income and financial stability.
The Cabinet also approved 1,000 new yoga trainer posts under the CM di Yogshala project, with Rs 35 crore earmarked for 2026–27, and transferred several hospitals, including those in Muktsar, Tarn Taran, Jalalabad and Fazilka, to Baba Farid University of Health Sciences to enhance healthcare access.
It cleared a policy for transferring municipal properties for public use, and for sale or exchange of abandoned and active paths within licensed projects, aimed at improving land use and development speed. PAPRA-licensed projects’ validity was extended to December 31, 2026, on payment of Rs 25,000 per acre per year, up to three years.
In urban development, the Cabinet approved the formula for additional Floor Area Ratio charges for 2026 auctions and revised the e-auction policy 2025 for future auctions. Amendments to Punjab Civil Services Rules clarified that the last date for application submission will determine eligibility, unless otherwise specified.
To promote crop diversification, the Cabinet approved collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency to introduce Japanese technology in horticulture, focusing on practices, cold chain systems, water management and skill development to boost Punjab’s horticulture sector.