In a significant move ahead of the Monsoon Session, the Punjab Cabinet on Friday gave its approval to introduce the Seeds (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2025, aiming to curb the sale of spurious seeds by making such offences cognisable and non-bailable.
The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. According to a spokesperson from the Chief Minister’s Office, Section 19 of the Seeds Act, 1966 had not been amended since the law was enacted, leading to weak penalties that failed to deter wrongdoers. To address this, the Cabinet has cleared the insertion of Section 19A, which proposes stricter penalties for violating Section 7 of the Act.
As per the proposed amendments:
- For companies, the first offence will attract imprisonment of 1–2 years and a fine of ₹5–10 lakh. A repeat offence will lead to 2–3 years of jail and a fine between ₹10–50 lakh.
- For dealers, the first offence will carry 6 months to 1 year imprisonment and a fine of ₹1–5 lakh. A repeat offence will invite 1–2 years of imprisonment and a fine of ₹5–10 lakh.
Previously, the penalties were limited to a ₹500 fine for the first offence and ₹1,000 for repeated violations, along with up to six months in jail. The Haryana government has already adopted similar amendments.
Other Key Approvals:
- Land for Industry & Investment:
The Cabinet approved a formal, time-bound mechanism for identifying and offering land parcels (on sale or lease) to potential investors. This is aimed at promoting industrial and business investment in the state, addressing a long-pending gap in land allotment processes. - Changes in Group D Recruitment Rules:
The government also amended the Punjab State (Group D) Service Rules, 1963, raising the upper age limit for applicants from 35 to 37 years. The minimum educational qualification has also been updated from Middle pass to Matriculation for uniformity across recruitment. - One-Time Settlement for Industrialists:
A One-Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme was cleared for industrial units, aimed at resolving pending financial disputes and encouraging smoother business operations. - Amendment in DMF Rules:
The Cabinet also approved changes to the Punjab District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Rules, aligning them with revised Central Government guidelines. - Punjab Foodgrains Transportation Policy 2025:
The new policy aims to streamline procurement logistics, ensuring efficient transportation and distribution of foodgrains across the state.