LAHORE: The Punjab cabinet on Tuesday approved the ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’, Kisan Card and Sikh Marriage Act.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz presided over the provincial cabinet meeting.

The ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ programme will be launched on Aug 14.

It accorded approval to Punjab Sikh Anand Karaj Marriage Registrar Rules 2024, and Punjab Sikh Anand Karaj Marriage Rules 2024. Minister for Minorities Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora briefed the cabinet that Punjab had become the first province in the world to implement Sikh Marriage Act.

“Even in India, Sikhs have to get their marriages registered under Hindu Act,” he said and added in a few months, the Hindu Marriage Act would also be placed before the cabinet’s approval. Mr Arora said Sikhs from other provinces and countries could come to Punjab for registration of their marriage.

Punjab takes lead in enacting law on Sikh marriages; no extension in govt house allotment after retirement

The cabinet gave a go-ahead to increase in doctors’ allowance at basic health units, rural health centres and some tehsil headquarters hospitals to incentivise their appointment in remote areas on a temporary basis.

The cabinet was briefed that doctors would get a night allowance of Rs7,000, Rs7,500 and Rs8,000 for night duty. They will also get a petrol allowance of Rs1,000 per day for posting in remote areas.

The cabinet directed to transfer management of TB Hospital Sargodha, Jubilee Female Hospital Bahawalpur, Mozang Hospital Lahore, and that of Data Darbar Eye Hospital to the primary and secondary healthcare department.

It also approved amendments to Registration Act, 1908 for the provision of transfer of property and other revenue services to overseas Pakistanis living in eight countries of the world. It also agreed to gradually switch rickshaws to alternative eco-friendly transport, besides giving approval to get fitness certificate for motorcycles to eliminate smog.

The cabinet also approved procedure for providing electric bikes to orphan students. It decided not to extend government house allotment to employees after their retirement.

The cabinet approved the first-ever transparent procedures for the appointment of director of public instruction, CEO, DEO and deputy DEO. It was apprised that the IT screening test had to be passed for appointment of administrative officers in higher education and school education departments. After the written test and interview, the candidate will also have to pass a psychological test.

Moreover, after the selection, the education management officers will get a hands-on training from Lums.

The cabinet in its meeting approved to grant BS-17 to librarians (BS-16) of all departments in Punjab on securing a master’s degree. It also gave approval to signing a memorandum of understanding with Pakistan Railways for the construction of railway crossings in Jalalpur irrigation project.

It also granted approval to the import of exotic embryos to increase meat and milk production, besides the inclusion of local production of embryos in co-breeding services.

The cabinet approved Punjab Animal Health (Identification and Traceability) Regulations 2024. It granted approval to vice chancellors search committee for University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Lahore and Bahawalpur.

Approval of five amendments to Punjab procurement rules for e-procurement was also accorded by the cabinet, which allowed the authorities to negotiate further reductions in price with the lowest bidder.

The cabinet approved amendments to Punjab Drugs Rules, 2007, under which the government would regain powers to inspect pharmacies before issuing licences. The cabinet approved to establish Plug and Play Garment City in Punjab, besides an approval to include the Garment City project in the annual development programme.

It also gave approval to the extension of contract period for operations of Speedo buses from Bahawalpur to Lodhran. One-year extension in service contract of chief executive officer of Ravi Urban Development Authority (Ruda) was also given by the cabinet.

The cabinet approved the passage of Saaf Pani Authority Act 2024 to ensure management of all water filtration plants by a single authority. It also approved Public School Reorganisation Programme (PSRP) to provide quality education, and modernise public schools.

Approval was also granted by the cabinet to adopt Pakistan National Curriculum 2023 (Phase-III) for Class IX to XII and modernized/revised curriculum of religious education for Class I to XII.

It approved to send nominations of 39 police officers to federal government for the grant of Quaid-i-Azam police medals and president police medals.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2024