The Cabinet on Thursday approved the Power Generation Policy, 2010 to transform the state from power deficit to power surplus state besides ensuring quality supply of power to all consumers at affordable prices. A decision to this effect was taken here at a meeting of the cabinet chaired by Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.
Disclosing this here on Thursday a spokesman of the Punjab government said the new Power Generation Policy would also strive to bring down the cost of power, to encourage setting up of power stations by private developers besides to promote and support ancillary industry related to power plants. The policy would be applicable to new power projects to be located in the state and also to pit head, coastal thermal power plants with an installed capacity of 250 mw or more at single location. Captive power and co-generation power plants would not be covered under the scope of this policy. Likewise, the policy would not be applicable to the power projects which were covered under NRSE policy being implemented by Punjab Energy Development Agency and power projects set up in Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the state.
In another significant decision, the Cabinet also gave approval for concessions in external development charges, permission and license fee, change of land use (CLU) charges and relief to promoters or developers in the state.
To cope up with the situation arising out of acute shortage of specialist doctors in the department of health & family welfare, the cabinet gave a nod to the department to re-employ retired specialist doctors against clinical posts. The vacant posts of specialist doctors in the department would be advertised/ placed on website every month.
The Cabinet approved to grant exemption on VAT on sale of goods and liquor to the serving BSF personnel directly on purchases made from within Punjab by BSF canteen, Jalandhar. The Cabinet also approved to Increase VAT from 12.5% to 20% on cigarette and cigar.
