Chandigarh, October 10
The Punjab Cabinet of ministers today approved the setting up of 1800 MW Talwandi Sabo thermal power plant in Mansa district. The Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) has established a wholly owned company titled as ‘Talwandi Sabo power limited’ to complete all processes for bidding of the project.

It has also initiated the process for international competitive tariff-based bidding to set up the plant on build-own-operate basis. The power finance corporation will facilitate the bidding process.

In a significant decision, the Cabinet also approved to enact a law for prevention of private printing, publication and distribution of Guru Granth Sahib through a promulgation of Ordinance. This decision comes in the wake of representations received by the government from various Sikh organisations as well as the SGPC that unauthorised private printing, publication, storage and distribution of Guru Granth Sahib was hurting the feelings of the Sikh masses.

The Cabinet also okayed the setting up of a Guru Granth Sahib World University at Fatehgarh Sahib. This will be sponsored by the SGPC. The university would house the faculties of the emerging technologies, basic sciences, management, social sciences, arts, languages, engineering, architecture, law and social justice.

An ‘NRIs facilitation bureau’ would be set up at the Punjab Bhavan in Delhi. This will provide information on business opportunities, education and career opportunities besides information about organisations that verify the credentials of persons seeking matrimonial alliances. The bureau would also undertake registration of grievances, particularly on fake marriages and coordinate with the marriage settlement tribunal set up to deal with NRIs and other involved in fake marriages.

Meanwhile, an ordinance will be promulgated to establish educational tribunals covering all aided and un-aided educational institutions in Punjab. The Cabinet also approved the restructuring of the Punjab state tubewell corporation as the Punjab water resources management and development corporation.

The Cabinet also approved the scheme for optimum utilisation of vacant government land (OUVGL) through commercial exploitation by PIDB. It was also approved that the committee headed by the Chief Secretary will take all decisions pertaining to implementation of the OUVGL.

The police reforms act was not tabled at today’s meeting. The much-talked about issue of forming of a media corporation was not discussed.

The Cabinet also gave nod for restoration, conservation, upkeep, maintenance and reuse of Quila Nabha through public- private participation.

Earlier, the Cabinet led by Parkash Singh Badal mourned the tragic and untimely demise of Balraj Singh, son of former minister and general secretary of the SAD Balwinder Singh Bhundar. A two-minute silence was observed in memory of the deceased.