Punjab govt withdraws nod for CISF security deployment at Bhakra, Nangal dams

Punjab’s Aam Aadmi Party government today withdrew the consent given by the previous Congress government to the Centre for allowing CISF to secure the Bhakra and Nangal dams.

The decision to withdraw the consent was taken in the meeting of Punjab Cabinet held here this evening. The consent had been given on October 21, 2021, when Charanjit Singh Channi was the Chief Minister of the state.

Finance Minister Harpal Cheema said that Punjab Police is a valiant force and capable of securing the dam, thus the consent is being withdrawn.

Other than this, the Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has also decided to bring in a Bill in the upcoming Special Session of Vidhan Sabha that will allow bullock cart races in the Kila Raipur games, also referred to as the Rural Olympics. The ban on bullock cart races had been in place since 2014.

The Council of Ministers gave its nod to two private universities — CGC Jhanjheri and Rayat Bahra — to open two new campuses. The Cabinet has also allowed filling for 3,600 posts of special educators to teach 37,000 students with special needs, studying in government schools.