Forest department sources noted that the policy had faced hurdles due to the Periphery Act, the proposed Sukhna eco-sensitive zone, and Supreme Court guidelines governing land use in areas removed from PLPA protection. The Eco-Tourism Development Committee reportedly rejected around 90 regularisation applications, stating that the existing structures violated guidelines. Forest officials maintain that Supreme Court directions must be upheld to protect forest and wildlife norms.Other decisionsThe Cabinet also approved a policy, modelled on that of the Department of Industry and Commerce, for fragmentation or subdivision of industrial plots under the Housing and Urban Development Department. This aims to bring parity between the two departments. Subdivision of industrial plots into two or more units will be permitted, provided no sub-plot measures less than 500 square yards.Approval was also given to launch the Navi Dishaa scheme to address menstrual hygiene and provide free sanitary napkins to adolescent girls and vulnerable women. The initiative will emphasise awareness, education, behavioural change, and distribution of free sanitary napkins to women aged 15–44, especially school dropouts, BPL households, slum dwellers, itinerant communities, and homeless women.The Cabinet further granted approval to summon the 10th (Special) Session of the 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha at Anandpur Sahib on 24 November, as part of events commemorating the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur. The session will be held at Bhai Jaita Ji.In another significant decision, the Cabinet enhanced the retirement age for administrative posts filled through promotion from the Medical Teaching Faculty in the Department of Medical Education and Research (MER) from 62 to 65 years. The move aligns Punjab with Haryana, Chandigarh (UT), and Union Government institutions, and is expected to improve faculty retention and institutional stability amid expanding medical colleges.
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17-day-old infant killed in alleged human sacrifice in Jodhpur; four women detained
JAIPUR: A horrifying case of the alleged human sacrifice of a 17-day-old infant has emerged from Jodhpur, where…
