The Punjab Cabinet today approved the launching of a post-matric scholarship scheme under which Rs 30,000 per annum would be provided to meritorious students, among a slew of decisions taken by it.

A decision to this effect was taken in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here, an official spokesperson said.

He said the Dr Hargobind Khurana post-matric scholarship scheme to be launched on August 15 would be applicable to all those Government and Adarsh schools run by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB).

Students who have secured 80 per cent or more would be entitled to this scholarship up to senior secondary level and their appreciation letters would be sent soon.

Among other decisions taken by the Cabinet, it gave green signals to include the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (Nawanshahr) district from Jalandhar to newly created Rupnagar division.

The Cabinet also approved honouring three students from Punjab who had recently successfully scaled Mount Everest with a cash award of Rs 3 lakh each.

It also gave its nod to constitute a committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary with the Financial Commissioner Revenue, Principal Secretary Finance, Principal Secretary Transport, Financial Commissioner Excise and Taxation and Taxation Commissioner Punjab as members to recommend rationalisation of rates of VAT on petroleum products and automobiles.

In a bid to promote tourism in the State and benefit the general public, the Cabinet also approved relaxing conditions for setting up new hospitals, hotels and multimedia centres.

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