Chandigarh, July 8 -- Days after the Centre decided to post the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the Bhakra Dam project in the state, the Punjab cabinet on Monday decided to withdraw the consent granted by the previous Congress government for deployment of personnel of the central force. A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of the state cabinet held here under the chairmanship of chief minister Bhagwant Mann here. The deployment of CISF personnel at the Bhakra dam project has been a bone of contention between the Centre and the AAP government amid the water-sharing dispute between Punjab and Haryana. A few weeks ago, Punjab government had deployed additional police force at the dam following the Bhakra Beas Management Board's decision to release additional 4,500 cusecs of water for Haryana following a request from the state. BBMB has been seeking CISF deployment at the dam. Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who briefed the media after the meeting, said the cabinet bemoaned that the Congress government had arbitrarily given the nod to deploy CISF at Bhakra dam through its decision on July 23, 2021. "This anti-state stance was humiliation for the state as the Punjab Police was fully capable of guarding the dams," he claimed. He said the cabinet withdrew this decision in the larger interests of the state, adding that a resolution against the move to deploy CISF at Bhakra Dam would be brought in the ensuing session of the state assembly. Opposing the decision to deploy the "outsourced" CISF at the dam, the cabinet decided that the state government would not pay a single penny for its deployment. It also opined that the previous Congress government had "jeopardised" the interests of the state by giving this consent to deploy the force whereas Punjab Police has a glorious legacy of safeguarding the border state. "When the well-equipped Punjab Police is capable of maintaining law and order in the state, where was the need to allow CISF to secure the dams," Cheema said. The cabinet also gave green signal to the draft Punjab Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Act 2025 and the Punjab Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Conduct of Bullock Cart Race) Rules, 2025. Bullock cart racing was an integral part of the rural sport events throughout the state but it faced numerous hurdles due to one or other reasons. A spokesperson of the chief minister's office stated that to regulate the animal sports events in the state, The Punjab Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Conduct of Kila Raipur Rural Sports Event and Fair) Rules-2025 have been approved. The main objectives of these rules are safety measures for animals taking part in sports with adequate animal veterinary supervision, safety standards, registration/ documentation and penalty for violations. This will also help saving indigenous cattle breeds of Punjab besides promoting the traditional sports in the villages. Another important decision was the nod granted for creation of 3,600 posts of special educator teachers at primary and secondary level. As per decision, 1,650 posts of special educator teacher (master cadre) and 1,950 posts of special educator teacher (primary cadre) have been approved. The spokesperson said that this decision would benefit 47,979 Children with Special Needs studying in government schools across Punjab. "These posts are being converted from vocational teacher, art and craft teachers and ETT posts and will be filled in a phased manner over three years," the spokesperson said. The cabinet, while reviewing the decision taken by the council of ministers on 05.12.2016, provided security of tenure to 22 individuals who are working against the 37 permanent posts created for the Rural Institute for Vocational Training, Badal. It also gave consent to amend the Punjab State Development Act-2018 by defining the term salary in the Act. The move will widen the tax base and ensure the comprehensive coverage of taxpayers across the state. Against the monthly tax liability of Rs 200 of the taxpayer, he will be given one more option to opt for lump sum payment of tax Rs 2,200 for the full financial year by April 30th of the new financial year. The spokesperson claimed that this will simplify tax compliance and improve the collections and efficiency. The consent was also given to make an OTS settlement mechanism in the Act by inserting new sections and provisions were proposed to address the tax liability in cases of death, company, amalgamation or liquidation. The cabinet also gave approval for setting up two private self-financed universities - "CGC University Mohali" at Jhanjeri, and "Rayat Bahara Professional University" in Hoshiarpur district under the Punjab Private Universities Policy 2010....