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Punjab Cabinet clears key decisions on sacrilege law, solar lights, and hockey event
Indiatimes | April 12, 2026 7:40 PM CST

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann chaired a cabinet meeting where several key decisions related to law, infrastructure, and sports were approved. The announcements reflect a mix of legislative intent, rural development initiatives, and preparations for an international sporting event. One of the major decisions includes approval to introduce an amendment bill in a special assembly session scheduled for April 13. The proposed legislation seeks to provide stricter punishment, including life imprisonment, for cases involving sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib. The move is expected to be discussed further during the session before any final enactment.

In another development, the cabinet approved a large-scale plan to install solar-powered street lights across rural areas. According to the proposal, around 300,000 solar street lights will be installed in approximately 11,500 villages. The cost-sharing model outlines that 70 percent of the expenditure will be borne by the state government, while the remaining 30 percent will be contributed by local panchayats. The initiative is aimed at improving rural infrastructure and promoting renewable energy usage. The cabinet also cleared preparations for hosting the Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2026 in Punjab.

As part of this plan, stadiums in Jalandhar and Mohali will be upgraded to meet international standards. Officials indicated that infrastructure improvements will be undertaken to accommodate the requirements of the tournament and participating teams. The decisions taken during the meeting highlight a combination of legislative priorities, rural electrification efforts, and sports infrastructure development. Further details regarding implementation timelines and execution strategies are expected to be outlined in subsequent official communications.


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