Chandigarh, February 23
After condemning the brutal beheading of two Sikhs by Taliban in Pakistan, the Punjab Cabinet today approved the new excise policy besides deciding to summon the 9th Session (Budget) of the 13th Vidhan Sabha from March 4 to 26. The Budget will be presented on March 16.

The Cabinet also approved levying of entertainment duty on DTH services in the state.

The meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, also decided to transfer 70 acres of land in the Sector 81 Knowledge City for setting up of an Indian School of Business on the lines of a similar institute in Hyderabad.

Chief Minister’s media adviser Harcharan Bains said there was unanimity in strongest condemnation of the attacks on Sikhs in Pakistan and all ministers wanted the matter to be taken up at the highest level for an early end to atrocities being committed upon Sikhs in Pakistan.

The new excise policy that also got the nod of the Cabinet aims to increase the revenue by another 25 per cent.

It was decided to hold the Budget session from March 4. Motion of thanks and discussions on the address will be held from March 8 to 10. Obituary references will be on March 5 and budget estimates for the year 2010-11 will be presented on March 16. Debate on budget estimates will be held on March 18, 19 and 22.

The Cabinet gave ex-post facto approval for mutation and transfer of 1078.16 acres of land acquired for the Rajpura Thermal Power Project in the name of Nabha Power Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Punjab State Electricity Board. The RTPP will be developed on BOO (Build, Own & Operate) basis.

For the Mohali School of Business, the Cabinet also decided to include additional founder supporters’ - Hero Honda and Bharti Airtel - in addition to initial four partners - Max India, Bharti Enterprises, Hero Corporate Services and Punj Lloyd.

The Cabinet approved revival of sugar mills under the cooperative sector. It was observed that due to high investments involved in the revival of five sugar mills - Faridkot, Tarn Taran, Zira, Jagroan and Patiala - and three distilleries - Gurdaspur, Nawanshahr and Nakodar - it was decided to invite expression of interest from the private sector for running them on build, own, operate & transfer (BOOT) basis.

It was also resolved to hand over the premises of Abohar Cooperative Spinning Mills to PUDA for development and its subsequent sale through open auction. PUDA will pay the sale proceeds to the liquidator, Spinfed, after deducting the expenses incurred on development. Framing of remission policy for prisoners of Punjab jails in compliance with the orders of the Punjab & Haryana High Court also got clearance of the Cabinet.