Punjab Cabinet approves fee regulation, outsourced staff bill, 3 digital universities
Chandigarh, August 5, 2026: The Punjab Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, on Wednesday approved several key decisions aimed at improving education, governance, and public service delivery in the state. The meeting was held at the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
The Cabinet gave its nod to bring the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Un-aided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2026. This Bill seeks to regulate arbitrary and unreasonable fee hikes by private un-aided educational institutions. According to the Chief Minister's Office, the amendment was necessitated because some private institutions were increasing annual fees without justification, placing a heavy financial burden on students and parents. The new law will amend the existing Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions Act, 2016, the 2019 Amendment Act, and the rules framed under them to check such practices.
In another significant move, the Cabinet approved the Punjab State Outsourced Personnel Transition to Contractual Engagement Bill, 2026. This Bill provides for the transition of eligible outsourced personnel to direct contractual engagement after five years of continuous service. For those deployed in hazardous categories, the qualifying period will be three years. The remuneration of such contractual appointees will be decided by the Department of Finance and will not be lower than the minimum rate of wages fixed under the Code on Wages, 2019 or any other applicable law. The Bill also repeals the Punjab Ad Hoc, Contractual, Daily Wage, Temporary, Work Charged and Outsourced Employees’ Welfare Act, 2016 from the date of its enactment.
The Cabinet also approved the extension of services for 449 Veterinary Pharmacists and 451 Safai Sewaks working in 582 veterinary hospitals across the state. Their services will be extended for one more year, from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. This decision is expected to improve healthcare facilities for livestock owners.
In a move aimed at better administrative reach, the Cabinet approved the creation of a new block, Tarsika, from the existing Block Jandiala Guru in Amritsar district. This new block will comprise 64 gram panchayats taken out of the 121 village panchayats currently under Jandiala Guru. Officials said this will boost development activities in these 64 villages.
To attract quality higher education institutions to Punjab, the Cabinet approved the Punjab Private Digital Open Universities Policy, 2026. Under this policy, three new digital open universities will be established: Cloud University at Bohan in Hoshiarpur, MS Digital University at Fatehpur, and Physicswallah Digital University at Nandpur Kesho in Patiala. The government said these universities are expected to bring quality educational opportunities to the state.
The decisions were described by the Chief Minister's Office as part of the government's broader effort to strengthen education, governance, and inclusive development. Further details on the implementation of the Bills and policies are expected in the coming weeks.
