According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the Directorate of Forensic Science Services, Punjab, previously known as the Forensic Science Laboratory, Punjab, will function under the Department of Home Affairs. As part of the restructuring, Regional Testing Forensic Science Laboratories will be renamed as Regional Forensic Science Laboratories and will operate under the Directorate. Additionally, the Chief Chemical Examiner Laboratory located in Kharar will be integrated into the Directorate as a Special Toxicology Division, further consolidating forensic capabilities.
The Cabinet has also approved a major expansion in forensic capacity with the creation of new technical divisions, including DNA analysis, Ballistics, Cyber Forensics, Document Examination, and Physics and Audio Voice analysis. These divisions will be established at Regional Forensic Science Laboratories in Amritsar, Bathinda, and Ludhiana. To enhance on-ground investigation efficiency, 28 Mobile Forensic Units will be introduced, ensuring that each Police District is equipped with one Mobile Forensic Van operating under the supervision of a Scientific Officer specializing in crime scene analysis.
On the staffing front, the sanctioned posts from the existing Forensic Science Laboratory, Chemical Examiner Laboratory, and ministerial staff will be adjusted within the new Directorate framework. In addition, 266 new technical staff positions and one ministerial post will be created and filled in a phased manner through direct recruitment. The Cabinet has also approved the revival and direct recruitment of Scientific Officers and Scientific Assistants at the Forensic Science Laboratory in SAS Nagar, along with the recruitment of Laboratory Assistants and Laboratory Attendants to support operations.
In another major policy decision, the Punjab Cabinet has given its approval to the Farm Stay Policy 2026, designed to enhance farmer incomes and promote rural tourism across the state. The policy seeks to leverage Punjab’s strong agricultural base, rich rural culture, and hospitality traditions by encouraging farm-based experiential tourism.
The Farm Stay Policy 2026 allows farmers to utilize a limited portion of their agricultural land to provide authentic rural experiences, including farm-based accommodation, traditional cuisine, and cultural activities, without disrupting primary agricultural operations. The initiative introduces a simplified regulatory framework aimed at reducing procedural barriers and promoting ease of doing business. It is expected to encourage rural households, particularly youth, to engage in tourism-driven entrepreneurship alongside farming.
The policy places strong emphasis on sustainability, advocating eco-friendly construction practices, effective waste management, water conservation, and the promotion of organic and natural farming methods. It aims to generate rural employment, increase farmer incomes, reduce agrarian distress, and stimulate economic activity at the village level, while offering visitors an immersive experience of Punjab’s rural lifestyle and traditions.
These twin decisions underline the Punjab government’s strategic focus on modernizing law enforcement infrastructure while simultaneously driving inclusive economic growth through rural innovation, marking a significant step toward strengthening governance and livelihoods in the state.
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