Chandigarh, OCT 6: The Punjab Cabinet on Monday gave its approval to the Ranjitgarh Development Authority (RDA) Bill, 2026, establishing a dedicated framework for eco-tourism and planned infrastructure around the Ranjit Sagar Dam and Shahpur Kandi Dam areas. The Council of Ministers meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, cleared the bill alongside key service rule reforms and administrative approvals across state departments.
The proposed statutory body will operate under the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, wielding regulatory, financial, and land management authority. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann will serve as Chairman, supported by the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs as Vice-Chairman and an Executive Committee led by the Chief Secretary to manage daily administrative coordination.
In addition to infrastructure development, the cabinet resolved long-pending administrative and employment matters. The council granted concurrence for regularizing contractual non-teaching staff working under the Punjab Information and Communication Technology Education Society (PICTES) into prescribed pay scales.
“The establishment of the Ranjitgarh Development Authority will ensure integrated, sustainable destination governance and planned infrastructure expansion across northern dam regions,” stated an official spokesperson from the Chief Minister’s Office.
The government also cleared amendments to the Punjab Nursing Education Service Rules (Group B), 2016, enabling qualified regular Staff Nurses with M.Sc. (Nursing) degrees to be promoted as Tutors at Government Colleges of Nursing in Patiala and Amritsar. Further administrative restructurings included creating new Driver positions in the Chief Electoral Officer’s office by surrendering existing redundant peon and moharrir posts.
“These decisions reflect our administration’s commitment to strengthening public services, promoting eligible healthcare personnel, and bringing job security to contractual employees,” affirmed a senior cabinet minister.
