The 34th meeting of Punjab Cabinet, under the chair of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, on Thursday approved amendments to Rules of Business, 2011 for the establishment of Southern Punjab Secretariat, paving the way for fulfilling the long standing demand of the residents of the region.
With these amendments, the secretaries of 16 different provincial departments will perform duties in at Southern Punjab Secretariat, which will be administratively empowered. The residents of southern Punjab will not have to travel to Lahore for the resolution of their problems and all matters will be completed paperless at the new secretariat.
Meanwhile, the cabinet rejected the proposal of tabulation of valuation table relating to new categorizing of property tax and further decided to extend the date of online registration of charities up to October 15. It also approved amendments to Punjab E-Stamp Rules, 2016 for a refund of e-stamp papers. The cabinet also approved authorization to commissioners for a refund of stamp papers up to Rs0.5 million. Amendments to Punjab Sugar Factory (Control) Act, 1950 was given. The mills failing to start crushing, from the notified date of the crushing season, can be fined by the government and mills will also be bound to write down the weight of sugarcane purchased by them along with price and date on the valid receipt. The farmers will be paid according to the notified rate with the obligation of payment through the bank. Due to these amendments, the crushing season will be started in time along with protecting the interest of the farmer.
The cabinet approved the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency to start housing schemes across the province under PM Naya Pakistan Housing Programme. Approval was granted to give powers to motor vehicles officers under section 120 of Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1965 and amendment was also approved in Motor Vehicles Rules, 1969 to include loader rickshaws in it. The cabinet also approved the first Special Education Policy, 2019. This policy will cover the medical model to the social model. The government is credited to implement the first special education policy after a gap of 17 years.
The cabinet gave approval to the establishment of South Punjab Institute of Science and Technology DG Khan and giving the status of the University of Jhang to Lahore College for Women University Jhang Sub-Campus. The meeting constituted a ministerial committee to review the nomination of member legal of Punjab Environment Tribunal. The meeting decided to rationalize matters of Anti-Terrorism Courts having fewer cases and in the light of directions of the honourable Judge of Supreme Court, approval was granted to close six ATCs with fewer cases. The constitution of the executive committee of Punjab Heritage Foundation was approved along with the approval of amendments in Punjab Government Advertisement Policy, 2020.
AGP’s report about the forest department’s expenditures for 2019-20 and appropriation of forest department’s accounts for 2018-19 was approved along with the approval of an audit of special study of stock of stone of irrigation department for 2017-18. Meanwhile, audit reports of C&W, Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering, Irrigation, Local Government and Community Development, Energy and Infrastructure Development Authority Punjab for 2019-20 were approved. The proceedings of 32nd and 33rd meetings of the Punjab cabinet were endorsed along with the endorsement of decisions made in the 35th and 36th meetings of the standing cabinet committee for finance and development.
Addressing the meeting, the CM maintained that another promise has been fulfilled. “Secretaries of 16 departments will perform duties at the southern Punjab secretariat. This is an important step towards the establishment of southern Punjab province,” he pointed out. The CM said that the people of southern Punjab had been befooled through hollow slogans in the past, but now people of the region will be given their rights under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan. We have come to give relief to the masses and the cabinet has given genuine relief by rejecting an increase in property tax. No hurdle will be tolerated in the journey of public service, the CM concluded.
The meeting was also briefed about the supply and prices of sugar and flour in the markets.
MESSAGE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY
Punjab CM Sardar Usman Buzdar congratulated the nation on the eve of Independence Day and has remarked that Pakistan is a gift and blessing bestowed upon us by Allah Almighty. Usman Buzdar complimented that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah has done a great favour on the Muslims of the sub-continent by giving them a separate homeland. He praised that there is no splendid country across the globe like Pakistan. He emphasized that we will have to recognize the importance and value of having an independent country. CM in his message on the eve of Independence Day maintained that Pakistan and Kashmir are part and parcel of each other and cannot be parted away. He underscored that the liberation of Indian Held Kashmir from the illegal occupation of India will complement the existence of Pakistan. CM deplored that India by revoking the special status of Occupied Kashmir has given proof of its traditional indelible cunningness. He illustrated that every conscientious person has outrightly rejected the controversial and condemnable action of India. He highlighted that the people of Occupied Kashmir have lit the candle of freedom by shedding their precious blood. CM commended that Prime Minister Imran Khan by incorporating Jammu and Kashmir in its political map being illegally occupied has taken an audacious step. He maintained that he salutes the exemplary sacrifices being laid down by the people of IHK by embracing martyrdom in their struggle of freedom movement. CM reiterated that today we also have to remember the great sacrifices of the martyrs for laying down their precious lives for the sake of peace and freedom. Usman Buzdar emphasized that the attainment of a separate homeland has been achieved by dint of hard work done by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah day in and day out and also materializes the dream of Allama Iqbal. CM urged that every citizen of the country will have to perform his duties with honesty and devotion for elevating the stature of Pakistan. He vowed that by the grace of Allah Almighty Pakistani nation will come out of every challenge victoriously. CM exhorted that every Pakistani citizen should make vigorous endeavours for attaining the progress and prosperity of our dear homeland. CM pledged that he would continue to strive the whole of his life to elevate the position of dear homeland.
REPORT SOUGHT FROM RPO
CM Sardar Usman Buzdar sought a report from RPO Sheikhupura about an incident of torturing an elderly person in Ferozewala. While directing to take legal action against the accused, the CM has directed to apprehend them early and justice be provided to the sufferer.
Cabinet amends rules for S Punjab Secretariat CM says step paves way for prosperity of people of this region
