Punjab Cabinet Introduces The Seeds (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2025

On Friday, the Punjab Cabinet convened under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, approving a crucial legislative proposal aimed at combating the sale of spurious seeds within the state. The Seeds (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2025 is a landmark initiative designed to protect farmers by making the distribution and sale of counterfeit seeds a non-bailable offence.

This significant decision arises from the recognition that the existing legislation, specifically Section 19 of the Seeds Act, 1966, lacked the necessary amendments to impose effective deterrents for such illegal activities. The Cabinet noted that the original fines imposed under the Act had remained unchanged for decades, failing to deter malpractices that threaten the agricultural landscape of Punjab.

Enhanced Penalties for Spurious Seeds

The proposed Bill introduces stringent penalties that are set to drastically increase the cost of engaging in the sale of substandard seeds. For companies found guilty of first-time offences, the Bill stipulates a prison term ranging from one to two years, coupled with fines ranging between Rs 5 to 10 lakh. Repeat offenders face even harsher consequences, with potential imprisonment of two to three years and fines escalating to between Rs 10 to 50 lakh.

For individual dealers or persons implicated in these offences, the measures are equally rigorous. Initial infractions will attract jail terms of six months to one year and fines from Rs 1 to 5 lakh, while subsequent breaches could lead to longer sentences of one to two years and fines up to Rs 10 lakh. This sharp rise from the earlier nominal penalties, Rs 500 for first offences and Rs 1,000 for repeat offenders, along with a maximum of six months’ imprisonment, demonstrates the Cabinet’s commitment to safeguarding Punjab’s agricultural integrity.

Broader Efforts to Enhance Industrial Growth

In a demonstration of its commitment to fostering industry, the Punjab Cabinet also approved several measures aimed at bolstering economic development across the state. A key initiative includes the creation of a bi-annual digital land pool to simplify the leasing or sale of land parcels for industrial development. The move aims to facilitate significant investments, especially projects exceeding Rs 200 crore, and uses an e‑auction procedure to enhance transparency.

Additionally, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Punjab State (Group D) Service Rules, 1963, increasing the upper age limit for Group D recruitment from 35 years to 37 years. This adjustment will expand job opportunities for youth and reflect the state government’s proactive stance on employment and career development amid pressing economic conditions.

Loan Waiver Scheme for Industrial Support

The Cabinet also implemented a one-time settlement (OTS) scheme designed to address and resolve outstanding loans under various industrial support programs. Significantly, this scheme offers complete waivers for loans governed by the Punjab State Aid to Industries Act, 1935, and the Integrated Rural Development Programme. Eligible units are required to comply with this scheme and settle their dues within six months following its announcement in newspapers. This initiative underscores the state’s ongoing commitment to fortifying its industrial framework and supporting businesses in overcoming financial hurdles.

Key Policies for Foodgrain Transportation

The Cabinet endorsed the Punjab Foodgrains Transportation Policy 2025 and the Punjab Labour and Cartage Policy 2025 to streamline operations and ensure the state procures and distributes essential food products efficiently. These policies require the government to award transportation contracts via a competitive, transparent online tendering process, boosting supply‑chain efficiency.

Vision for Semiconductor Ecosystem Development

In a forward-looking move, Chief Minister Mann has also outlined the state government’s ambitious plan to cultivate a vibrant semiconductor ecosystem in Punjab. In a meeting with representatives of the semiconductor industry, Mann pledged full support and cooperation for developing a dedicated semiconductor park around Mohali. This endeavor hinges on the state’s robust industrial environment, skilled workforce, and available resources, positioning Punjab as an attractive destination for semiconductor investments.

Mann emphasized the critical role of semiconductor chips in modern technology, highlighting their presence in a wide range of electronic devices, from basic computing systems to advanced technological innovations. He expressed optimism about the potential for significant employment generation and industrial growth stemming from a thriving semiconductor sector, which is currently witnessing impressive annual growth rates globally.

Conclusion

The Punjab Cabinet’s recent decisions reflect a multifaceted approach to bolstering the state’s agricultural and industrial sectors. By introducing stringent penalties for the sale of spurious seeds, launching policies to enhance food grain transportation, and fostering an environment conducive to semiconductor investments, the government aims to address immediate challenges while paving the way for sustainable economic development. As these initiatives unfold, they are likely to have profound implications for Punjab’s farmers, businesses, and the broader economy.

Government

The National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research, or NITTTR, comes under the Ministry of Education. The institution provides education and training programs to the faculty and staff of the IT sector. NITTR Chandigarh provides the best training expertise to the staff of technical education. Let’s learn more about the institution.

About NITTTR Chandigarh

The institution is established to fulfill the need for a quality training center. With a better teaching staff, the students will be able to meet the rising standards amidst the rapid industrialization of India. The institution falls under the Ministry of Human Resource Development. 

NITTTR Chandigarh is one of the four Institutes in India. The other three are in Bhopal, Chennai, and Kolkata. All four were established in the year of 1967. NITTTR Chandigarh was a collaboration with the Royal Netherlands Government until 1974. 

Additionally, the institute covers the requirement of education in polytechnic for the entire northern region. The institute covers 8 states which include:

•  Himachal Pradesh,
•  Haryana,
•  Punjab,
•  J&K, 
• Rajasthan,
•  Uttar Pradesh, 
• Uttarakhand
• Delhi

The institute was built to provide training programs for teachers of polytechnic while promoting curriculum development for these states. 

Various Education and Training Programmes

All the programs focus on technical education and enhancing the teaching skills of technical teachers. Moreover, the institute also focuses on programmes related to Entrepreneurship Development, and Digital Instructional Material Development. Besides, the institution also focuses on emerging areas like Robotics, 3D Printing, Smart Grid Technologies, 5G Communications, Cyber Security, Data Science, and many more. 

Furthermore, the institute also includes various courses initiated by the government of India:

1. NEP 2020
2. Unnat Bharat Abhiyan
3. Atmanirbhar Bharat
4. PMKVY

NITTTR Chandigarh offers various long-term and short-term training programmes that aim at providing the best training to recruits while also enhancing teaching methodologies. The teachers learn to improve their skills and become industry ready.  If you ever get the chance, you should visit Pushpa Gujral Science City: Ticket Prices, Timings, and More, and observe how technology meets science.

Long-Term Training Programmes (M.E. Programme)

These long-term programmes or courses provide an in-depth study of the advancing technicality of India. The need for professional engineers, technicians, and skilled workers is very important for the rapidly changing IT sector of India. Therefore, the institution provides a master’s degree for various courses. All the courses for a master’s degree are affiliated with Panjab University for 2 years.

Specialized Courses   

Regular/Modular Courses

After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in various disciplines, the Institute, under the guidance of the All-India Council for Technical Education, New Delhi, and Panjab University introduced programmes for master’s degrees in 2005. 

Admission Criteria 

The graduates are admitted based on their GATE score. The applicant can download the form from here. The details regarding the admission process will be mentioned on the site. 60% of the seats for Regular programmes are allotted through CCMT-2020.

Short-Term Training Courses

These courses are different every week so you should visit the website for further details.

Fee Structure of NITTTR Chandigarh

NITTTR Chandigarh is a government institution and thanks to that the fee is less than that of private institutions. Let’s talk about the fee structure of the courses in the institution.

For further details about the fee structure, visit https://www.nitttrchd.ac.in/core/FeeDetails.pdf

FDP Login (Applying for STC)

Faculty Development Programmes are the same as short-term programmes. You can apply for these short-term courses by the following steps:

1. Create your account through one-time registration from the official website. 
2. Verify your contact number through OTP.
3. After login, you have to click on Apply for STC in the left panel.
4. Fill in the specific details to search for the course.
5. Apply for the course you want. 
6. Download the application form. Take out a copy and get it signed by the authority.
7. Upload the form under the Upload Sponsorship Menu.
8. A confirmation will be sent to you.
9. Join the online/offline courses.
10. You will receive a certificate after completing the course.

In case you have further issues or queries you can mail at [email protected] for any details. 

How to Enroll for Ph.D. Programmes?

The institution also provides Ph.D. programmes under the following categories:

•  The QIP Scheme of AICTE
•  Direct Admission Category 
•  Industry Sponsored fellowship 

The scholars can enroll in these programmes under the following universities as approved:

Panjab University

IK Gujral Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar 

JC Bose University of Science and Technology, Faridabad

Location of NITTTR Chandigarh

NITTTR Chandigarh is located in Sector 26, Chandigarh. For any query, you can either visit the institution or contact them on the following number and email.

Director Office

Phone number- 91-172-2792369, 91-172-5061563

Email- [email protected], [email protected] 

Website: www.nitttrchd.ac.in 

Final Note

NITTTR Chandigarh is a well-established institute for training in technical education. A growing India requires the best teachers to teach the youth about the technical aspects and engineering. The institution aims to become a leading institute to promote the vision of excellence in the technical sector. It has provided excellent education and training programs to the faculty. 

Image by: Gurjeet Singh
PGIMER or Pgi Chandigarh is the most reputed medical institution in Northern India. It is a public medical university with the status of Institute of National Importance in Chandigarh, India.

This medical institution is the leading medical institution treating patients from the states of J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh, & Bihar. Other than treatments, this medical institute is also a topmost choice for medical students to complete their post-graduate and doctoral degrees. From MS, MD to Doctor of Philosophy, the institute offers opportunities to study for higher education.

This post will guide you all about the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research. From history, location, open hours, admissions, and treatments, you will find almost all the important details related to this medical institution.

History of The Institute

Pgi Chandigarh came into existence in 1962. When it was inaugurated by Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru in 1963, it was named “Nehru Hospital.” It was also given the status ‘Institute of National Importance’ from April 1, 1967 onwards. Furthermore, it also became an autonomous body functioning under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, under the Act of Parliament in 1967.

The institute was founded by Prof. Santokh Singh Anand, Prof. Tulsi Das, Prof. BN Aikat, Prof. PN Chuttani, Prof. Bala Krishna, and Prof. Sant Ram Dhall. 

The PGIMER institutes come into existence with the aim of providing high-quality patient care, education facilities, and training of the medical staff and personnel, covering every branch of the health sector. It also aims to focus on basic research and to meet the country’s requirements for highly qualified medical teachers in the field.

Admissions

Image by Sandeep Kumar

The admission process of this institute is conducted twice a year. The institute offers programs for graduate and postgraduate students. Applicants from all over the country apply for a seat at this prestigious medical institution. 

You will find notifications in the months of September or October and March or April. Then, there will be an entrance exam that is usually held in the months of December and June.

Here is the list of the courses that have been offered by this renowned institution in Chandigarh.

Overall, there are more than 20,000 medical graduates competing to get admission to this institute, out of which only around 2% of the candidates are selected.

The competitive exam for PGI admission is one of the toughest exams in the country. 

For MD or MS programs, there will be an entrance test consisting of 250 MCQs, including the subjects from the MBBS course. The detailed information related to the admission process can be found @here. 

For admission advertisements, you can search for the official notice @here.

Recruitment

PGIMER Chandigarh is not only a center of excellence in medical education and patient care, but also a significant employer in the region. 

The institute regularly advertises vacancies for medical, administrative, and support staff. Recruitment is transparent, merit-based, and follows reservation policies as per the Government of India norms. 

Interested candidates can find job notifications on the institute’s official website and leading newspapers. The selection process typically involves written tests and interviews, depending on the nature of the job.

For current job openings, you can check out the official recruitment portal of PGI Chandigarh @here.

Patient Care Services

Image by Lalit Kumar Malodia

If we talk about the patient care services offered by PGIMER Chandigarh, there are different types of facilities provided. From OPD and emergency checkups to online pre-registration services, this medical institute is always looking forward to providing timely treatments to patients.

Let’s have a detailed look at patient care services and the departments running under this hospital.

1. OPD
2. In Patient Services
3. Emergency
4. Lab Reports
5. Online Pre Registration
6. Teleconsultations Services
7. Donate For Poor Patient

Now, let’s have a quick look at the departments under PGIMER Chandigarh.

1. Anesthesia
2. Anatomy
3. Biochemistry
4. Biophysics
5. Biostatistics
6. Cardiology
7. Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery
8. Clinical Hematology and Medical Oncology
9. Community Medicine and School of Public Health
10. Cytology & Gynaecological Pathology
11. Dermatology Venereology Leprology
12. Dietitics
13. Endocrinology
14. Experimental Medicine & Biotechnology
15. Forensic Medicine
16. Gastroenterology
17. General Surgery
18. GI Surgery, HPB, and Liver Transplantation
19. Hematology
20. Hepatology
21. Histopathology
22. Hospital Administration
23. Immunopathology
24. Internal Medicine
25. Medical Microbiology
26. Medical Parasitology
27. National Institute of Nursing Education
28. Nephrology
29. Neurology
30. Neurosurgery
31. Nuclear Medicine
32. OBS & Gynecology
33. Ophthalmology
34. Oral Health Sciences (Dental)
35. Orthopaedics
36. Otolaryngology (ENT)
37. Paediatric Medicine
38. Paediatric Surgery
39. Pharmacology
40. Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
41. Plastic Surgery
42. Psychiatry
43. Pulmonary Medicine
44. Radio Diagnosis and Imaging
45. Radiotherapy and Oncology
46. Renal Transplant Surgery
47. Telemedicine
48. Transfusion Medicine (Blood Bank)
49. Translational and Regenerative Medicine
50. Urology
51. Virology

Other than these departments, PGI Chandigarh has all the facilities that allow the doctors to treat their patients well.  You can easily get informed about the different departments and the hospital charges for several tests and services on the official portal of PGIMER @here.

Open Hours

The hospital consists of a multitude of departments and every section has different timings. For emergency cases, the institute is open 24 hours. 

For other departments, you can easily find out on the official website of the institute @here. 

How To Reach?

PGIMER Chandigarh is easily accessible from various parts of the city and neighboring states. It is well connected by road, and the nearest airport is Chandigarh Airport, approximately 14 km away. 

For those traveling by train, Chandigarh Railway Station is about 10 km from the institute. Regular bus services and taxis are available from these points to PGIMER. 

For local residents, auto-rickshaws and app-based cab services provide convenient options for commuting.

Stays Near PGI Chandigarh

As a government-owned institute, the PGIMER also faces rush hours and sometimes the number of days to provide proper treatments to the patients. For those, who are critical or referred to the hospital from other cities, they sometimes need some personal rooms or lounge area, where they can stay for a long time.

There are some hostels and resthouses in the PGI, where you can get a room based on your stay and the treatment plan for the patient. The information about these resthouses is not available online and one can get to know about that by physically having a word with the authorities.

Apart from the stays inside the PGI Chandigarh, you can also look out for some private Dharamshala, or BNBs near the hospital at a reasonable price. 

Ending Note

PGIMER in Chandigarh consists of one of the best medical professionals in the country, who are continuously striving to contribute to the world of medicine. The staff here focuses on patient care and provides them with all the facilities that are necessary to complete the treatment.

From being a hub of study for medical professionals to providing cures to seriously ill patients, PGI Chandigarh has served the patients with dedication and care.

There is no doubt that this medical institute is not only the best in Chandigarh but also in the northern part of India for treatment as well as gaining proficiency in the field of medicine.