A meeting of the Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, also approved setting up of 20 fast-track courts for trial of cases of heinous crime against women, an official spokesman said.
The Cabinet also gave its nod for issuing an ordinance to amend the Punjab Lokpal Act, 1996 paving the way for the appointment of one Up-Lokpal (Deputy Lokpal) in the state.
The Cabinet decided to recruit six Deputy Superintendents of Police, 36 Inspectors, 415 Lady Sub-inspectors and 400 Lady Constables in Punjab Police for safety of women.
The creation of 20 additional posts of Superior Judicial Services was aimed at providing immediate justice to women, he said.
To perpetuate the rich cultural heritage of the state, the Cabinet approved to levy one per cent cultural cess on construction of roads, bridges and flyovers.
The Cabinet also gave in-principle approval for creation of a special fund to check the menace of cancer and drug-addiction in the state.
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The Cabinet approved signing of an agreement for providing broadband connectivity to the Panchayats.
This project, which is a joint effort of the Centre and the state government, will connect 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats in the country through optical fibre, the spokesman said.
It also approved doubling of the monthly assistance to veterans/widows of World War II above the age of 65 from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000.