Punjab Cabinet Approves 2025-26 Budget Estimates and Pioneering Education Reform
Chandigarh, March 21
Under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Cabinet on Thursday approved the Budget estimates for the fiscal year 2025-26, paving the way for its presentation in the upcoming session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. This decision emerged from a Council of Ministers meeting held at the Chief Minister’s official residence, signaling a robust economic plan for the state’s future.
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A spokesperson from the Chief Minister’s Office revealed that Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema will table the budget on the floor of the house on March 26. Alongside this, the Cabinet also greenlit the presentation of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India’s report for the year 2023-24, underscoring its commitment to transparency in governance.
A Game-Changing Step for Education: EWS Students Gain Access to Private Schools
In a transformative move to ensure equitable education, the Cabinet approved an amendment to the Punjab Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2011, by removing clause 7 (01). This landmark decision dismantles previous restrictions, enabling students from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) to secure direct admissions in private schools across Punjab.
This initiative aligns with the Right to Education Act, which mandates a 25% reservation of seats in private schools for EWS students. Prior rules under earlier administrations had barred these students from fully accessing this entitlement. Now, with these barriers lifted, the state government is ushering in an education revolution, opening the doors of quality education in private institutions to underprivileged children. This progressive step complements the ongoing efforts to elevate standards in government schools, ensuring that every child in Punjab has the opportunity to thrive.
This dual focus—on economic planning through the budget and social upliftment through education reform—marks a significant stride toward a more inclusive and prosperous Punjab.
