Chandigarh, July 7, 2025 — In a key decision reflecting its assertion over state jurisdiction, the Punjab Cabinet on Monday withdrew the consent previously granted to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for securing the Bhakra and Nangal dams, saying the task would now be handled by the Punjab Police.
The decision was made at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in the evening. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, briefing the media, said, “Punjab Police is a valiant and competent force. It is fully capable of securing strategic infrastructure like the Bhakra and Nangal dams. Hence, the previous government’s consent is being withdrawn.”
The consent had been given on October 21, 2021, during the tenure of then Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi of the Congress government, which had approved CISF deployment for the central installations.
In another notable move, the Cabinet approved plans to introduce a Bill during the upcoming Special Session of the Vidhan Sabha to lift the decade-long ban on bullock cart races, reviving a major attraction of the Kila Raipur Sports Festival, popularly known as Rural Olympics. The sport had been prohibited since 2014 following a Supreme Court order on animal cruelty.
The Mann government also cleared multiple educational initiatives. Approval was granted to two private universities — CGC Jhanjheri and Rayat Bahra — to open new campuses in the state.
In a major boost to inclusive education, the Cabinet also greenlit the recruitment of 3,600 special educators. These teachers will cater to over 37,000 students with special needs currently studying in government schools across Punjab.
The decisions are part of the Aam Aadmi Party’s broader policy to decentralize control, bolster state institutions, and address long-standing rural and educational gaps. The Cabinet’s move to reclaim local responsibility for dam security is expected to invite a response from the Centre, given the strategic significance of Bhakra and Nangal dams as shared national assets.
