Chandigarh: In a push to turn farms into tourism hubs and diversify rural incomes, the Punjab cabinet on Friday approved the Farm Stay Policy 2026, while also clearing the setting up of a Directorate of Forensic Science Services in the state.The new policy aims to promote farm-based experiential tourism while creating sustainable and supplementary income opportunities for farmers across Punjab. It seeks to leverage state’s strong agrarian base, rich rural culture and hospitality traditions, positioning farm stays as an important pillar of inclusive and responsible tourism development. The farmer-centric policy enables agriculturalists to utilise a small portion of their agricultural land to offer authentic rural experiences, farm-based accommodation, local cuisine and cultural activities without disturbing primary agricultural practices.By providing an “enabling and simplified” regulatory framework, the policy reduces procedural hurdles, promotes ease of doing business, and encourages rural households, particularly youth, to participate in tourism-linked entrepreneurship alongside farming. The policy emphasises sustainability through eco-friendly construction, waste management, water conservation, and promotion of organic and natural farming practices.It further aims to generate rural employment, enhance farmer incomes, reduce agrarian distress, and create vibrant village-level economic activity, while offering visitors an immersive experience of Punjab’s countryside, traditions and way of life.In another decision, the cabinet, led by chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, also gave nod for the establishment of Directorate of Forensic Science Services in Punjab. The decision aims at ensuring public safety through speedy investigations of crime through efficient evidence processingThe Directorate of Forensic Services (DFS), Punjab, earlier known as Forensic Science Laboratory, Punjab, will now be under the control of the department of home affairs. The nomenclature of Regional Testing Forensic Science Laboratories will now be Regional Forensic Science Laboratories working under the DFS, while the Chief Chemical Examiner Laboratory, Kharar, will be integrated into the DFS as a special toxicology division, said a spokesperson.The forensic capacity will be strengthened through creation of new technical divisions, including DNA, ballistics, cyber forensics, documents, and physics/audio voice, at regional science laboratories in Amritsar, Bathinda and Ludhiana. Twenty-eight mobile forensic units will be established, with one mobile forensic van operating in each police district under the supervision of a scientific officer (crime scene). The sanctioned posts of forensic science laboratory, chemical examiner laboratory and ministerial staff will be adjusted in DFS, while an additional 266 posts of technical staff and one post of ministerial staff will be created and filled in a phased manner through direct recruitment. Approval has been given for revival and direct recruitment of scientific officers and scientific assistants at Forensic Science Laboratory, Punjab, SAS Nagar, along with recruitment of laboratory assistants and laboratory attendants. MSID:: 130683459 413 |
