Chandigarh, June 13: The Punjab Cabinet has given nod for an increase in the women reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies from 33 per cent to 50 per cent. A decision to this effect was taken by the Council of Minister in a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh here at Punjab Bhawan this afternoon.

Chandigarh, June 13: The Punjab Cabinet has given nod for an increase in the women reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies from 33 per cent to 50 per cent. A decision to this effect was taken by the Council of Minister in a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh here at Punjab Bhawan this afternoon.

The enhancement of women reservation quota in PRIs and ULBs is aligned to a key poll promise of the Captain Amarinder Singh government, which is committed to empowerment of women in the state.

The draft Bill to amend the Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911 and the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, will be placed in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha budget session, commencing on Wednesday, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) disclosed after the cabinet meeting.

The Council of Ministers, at its meeting chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, also decided to exempt the Mega Food Parks being set up in the state from the provisions of Section 44(2) of the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act, 1995 (PAPRA).

Meanwhile, the Cabinet also gave the nod for the Khalsa University (Repeal) Ordinance, 2017 to be presented in the House for enactment. The decision has been taken to preserve the glorious heritage and rich legacy of over century old prestigious Khalsa College.