LAHORE: The Punjab cabinet on Tuesday approved the largest programme of mass weddings in which 3,000 girls from poor families in the province will be financially supported.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz presided over the 17th meeting of the cabinet in which it approved Rs100,000 “wed money” (Rs0.1 million) for a bride through ATM card. As many as 13 items including furniture, clothes, dinner sets will be gifted.

The CM directed to increase the scope of mass marriage. It also approved allotment of 100,000 acres of land to landless farmers on lease for three and five years for the purpose of temporary cultivation across Punjab.

In the meeting, an e-bus service scheme was approved under which 27 buses will arrive in the first phase. Some 1.2 MW solar panels will be installed in the parking lot of e-buses for charging purposes. Some 680 e-buses will be functional across Punjab by the end of the current year.

Assistance, gifts for 3,000 brides; farmers to get land on lease

The CM sought the ‘electric taxi service plan’ in Lahore. She ordered strict monitoring of flour and chicken prices across the province.

The meeting was informed that 170,000 farmers in Punjab received Kisan cards. Some 1.1m farmers had applied for obtaining Kisan card and 1.2m applications received for the Green Tractor Scheme. Scrutiny of 700,000 applicants for green tractors has been completed. Approval was granted to transfer funds to the housing department to construct 839 houses of New Pakistan Housing Scheme in Raiwind, Chiniot and Sargodha. Age relaxation of five years has been approved for promotion to the posts of inspector, sub-inspector and assistant sub-inspector.

The annual repair of helicopters of the Punjab government was approved. The cabinet approved the transfer of land at Sheikhupura for oil storage and other purposes to Pakistan State Oil.

Agreement between Board of Revenue and Punjab Bank was approved for collection of tax on transfer of immovable property through e-stamping system. The nomination of the agriculture minister and technical member for representation in the federal seed board was approved.

Re-appointment of board of directors of Punjab Health Initiatives Management Company and appointment of new directors on vacant posts was approved. The release of funds of Rs1.7bn was approved for purchasing equipment and furniture for the revamping of tertiary care hospitals.

Development projects in five major hospitals were approved for inclusion in the Annual Development Programme. Reconstitution of board of commissioner of healthcare commission and transfer of share from irrigation department to Punjab Power Development Company Limited was approved.

Legal Framework Draft of Waqf Administration, Trust and Cooperative Societies Act 2023 was approved.

The Punjab Forensic Act 2007 was repealed and the Punjab Forensic Science Act 2024 was approved. The cabinet approved the extension of the staff contract of the management information system of the home department. Nomination of presiding officer for Child Protection Court Lahore was approved. Implementation of sale deed for ‘A’ category property buyer was approved.

The Punjab Local Government Rules 2024 were approved in the meeting and it was decided to establish a Joint Local Government Authority in each district.

It was decided to set up a high-level ministerial committee to amend the Prevention of Child Marriage Act, 1929. A grant of Rs10m was approved for Ajoka International Theatre Festival at Alhamra, Lahore.

The proceedings of the selection board meeting of Livestock and Dairy Development were approved. Nomination of Board of Directors of Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development Board was approved.

Renewal of a helpline agreement between Livestock and Dairy Development and PITB was approved. Extension of family welfare centres and introduction of Community Based Family Worker 2021-24 has been approved for six months extension of employees contract.

Meanwhile, the CM expressed indignation over delay being caused on the Lahore development plan. In a meeting, the CM expressed displeasure over the poor cleanliness condition of the roads, streets, bazaars of the provincial metropolitan and set three-day deadline for improvement.

She also ordered the launch of an anti-encroachment campaign in 18 markets of Lahore.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2024