The Panjab Cabinet has approved two One-Time Settlement (OTS) schemes that allow industrialists to clear long-standing dues related to enhanced land costs and principal payments on industrial plots, providing a major relief for approximately 1,145 businesses. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government will waive compounding and penal interest and charge only 8% simple interest until 31 Dec 2025, enabling firms to stabilize operations and safeguard thousands of jobs. Meanwhile, the state has also announced an upcoming e-auction of land worth USD 228M in thirteen towns, including Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, New Chandigarh, and Amritsar. Beginning 12 Mar, the Punjab Urban Development Authority and other agencies will offer residential, commercial, and institutional sites, collecting only 10% of the final bid price upfront and transferring possession upon a 25%. In another development, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Panjab govt. to file a fresh affidavit addressing the high dropout rate among girl students. A bench led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu noted that previous replies focused on co-education schools without explaining the scarcity of higher secondary institutions specifically for girls between Patiala and Rajpura. The court had taken suo motu notice in July 2024 following a report on girls compelled to discontinue education due to the absence of nearby schools. Amid these educational concerns, Panjab has introduced psychometric testing for Class 10 girls, allocating USD 748K through its State Council of Educational Research and Training. Education minister Harjot Singh Bains says the initiative will benefit nearly 93,819 girls in govt. schools by 31 Mar 2025, helping them better understand their aptitudes and choose appropriate streams for Class 11. District Education Officers will oversee the program, with the goal of matching students’ strengths to future career paths and bridging the gap between private and govt. school resources (earlier coverage).
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