Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had recommended the remission in prison sentences as a goodwill gesture on the occasion of the 70th Independence Day.
The recommendation was approved late tonight by Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore who is vested with powers to grant the same under provisions of Article 161 of the Constitution.
A spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office today said a remission of one year would be granted to prisoners who were awarded imprisonment from 10 to 20 years.
Likewise, a remission of nine months would be given to those with sentences of 7 to 10 years and 6 months to those incarcerated for a term of 5 to 7 years.
These remissions would, however, not be granted to a person convicted of heinous crimes.