LAHORE: The Punjab cabinet has expressed its concern over the irresponsible behaviour of the Sindh government for, what it sees, the sake of point-scoring on water issue.

“We negate such an approach towards federating units. Punjab has always acted as an elder brother but it will not allow anyone to make a dacoity on its rights,” said Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan while briefing the media about the Punjab cabinet’s 44th meeting’s proceedings here on Thursday.

The cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, approved increase in government employees’ salaries, adding that more than 721,000 provincial government employees serving in BS-1 to BS-19 would be given 25 per cent special allowance from June 1 this year.

The cabinet approved Rs7.1 billion for free medical facilities to the residents of Dera Ghazi Khan and Sahiwal divisions under the Universal Health Insurance Programme.

The chief minister directed the health department to ensure free health coverage of the whole population of Punjab by December this year. Each family will be given free health coverage up to Rs720,000.

Approves salary raise for public employees

The cabinet approved an amendment to the Punjab Board of Revenue Act 1957 to early decide revenue cases by withdrawing the right of second review appeal in revenue cases.

It approved in principle to provide financial assistance to the rain-hit Hafizabad, Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan and other districts for compensation of death and financial losses.

The chief minister stressed that this job should be done at the earliest and in an effective manner.

The meeting approved amendments to the 122-year-old stamp act of 1899 to authorise the BoR to audit private housing societies. Record of flats and multi-storey buildings would be compiled to collect revenue.

The chief minister ordered a master plan for all cities. Approval was given to exempt affordable housing projectsin peri-urban areas from PRA’s sales tax. Extension to the contract of PFSA Director General Muhammad Ashraf Tahir was also approved.

The cabinet approved Imran Amin as the CEO of Ravi Urban Development Authority and the nomination of new members. Similarly, an amendment to the Punjab Arms Rules, 2017, was allowed to authorise deputy commissioners transfer and modify arms licences. Legal amendments for Inspection and Certification of Private Vehicles (Motorcar) were approved as well.

Under the Punjab Green Development Programme, private vehicles, older than five years, would have to get a road fitness certificate. A fine would be imposed on three-wheeler motorcycle-rickshaws for traffic laws violations.

The meeting also approved amendments to the Punjab Motor Vehicles Rules, 1969, and Punjab Motor Vehicles Transaction Licence Rules, 2015. Biometric verification and an urgent fee processing system will be introduced to make vehicles’ registration and sale and purchase system fully transparent.

The biometric verification facility would be available at e-khidmat centres, Nadra and motor dealers to discourage any sort of forgery.

The cabinet approved the Punjab Letters of Administration and Succession Certificates Rules, 2021, to expedite the issuance of inheritance certificates from Nadra. Approval was granted to amend the Punjab Finance Act 2014 and nomination of BoDs members of the Punjab Agriculture and Meat Company.

It approved the MoU draft between distribution companies and the energy department for net metering of solar power. It allowed taking steps for the regularisation of 222 employees of the social welfare department along with a change in rules and regulations for the post of Punjab Zakat and Ushr Council chairman.

The meeting approved promotion of assistant librarians of the education department; the exchange of Auqaf land with state land and Punjab Workers Welfare Fund Housing Allotment Policy, 2021; presenting the performance audit reports of one window cell of the LDA, Housing Urban Development and Punjab Health Engineering for 2016-17 before the Punjab Assembly; and tabling AGP reports about the accounts of districts governments and Punjab government for 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 in the assembly.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2021