A number of projects given a go-ahead for public uplift, prosperity
Amraiz Khan
Punjab Chief Minister Sradar Usman Buzdar on Thursday directed to devise a master plan for all the cities and constituted a committee for this purpose.
He also approved exemption for affordable housing projects in peri-urban areas from PRA’s sales tax.
Chief Minister Sradar Usman Buzdar was presiding over the 44th provincial cabinet meeting at his office here on Thursday.
The cabinet also approved a 25 percent special allowance for more than 7 lakh and 21 thousand provincial employees of grade-1 to 19 with effect from June 1, 2021.
The cabinet also approved Rs.7.10 billion for free medical facilities to the residents of DG Khan and Sahiwal divisions under the first phase of the universal health insurance programme.
The whole population of the province will be given free health coverage, up to Rs7.20 lakh, by December this year, the CM said and directed the health department to expedite the procurement of the corona vaccine.
The cabinet approved an amendment in 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 and CM directed expeditious steps in this regard.
The meeting approved amendments in the 122-year-old stamp act of 1899 to authorise BoR to audit private housing societies. Record of flats and multi-storey buildings will be compiled to collect revenue.
The CM directed to devise a master plan for all the cities and a committee was constituted for this purpose.
In-principle approval was given to exempt affordable housing projects in peri-urban areas from PRA’s sales tax.
Extension in the contract of PFSA’s DG Muhammad Ashraf Tahir was approved and it was also decided to take steps to encourage new talent.
Formal approval of Imran Amin as CEO of Ravi Urban Development Authority on merit along with the nomination of new members was given.
Similarly, an amendment in Punjab Arms Rules, 2017 was given to authorize deputy commissioners the transfer and modification of arms licenses.
Legal amendments for Inspection and Certification of Private Vehicles (Motorcar) were approved as well.
Under Punjab Green Development Programme, private vehicles older than five years will have to get a road fitness certificate while a fine will be imposed on three-wheeler motorcycle rickshaws for traffic laws violations.
The meeting also approved amendments in Punjab Motor Vehicles Rules, 1969 and Punjab Motor Vehicles Transaction License 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 will be available at e-khidmat centres, NADRA and motor dealers to discourage any sort of forgery.
The cabinet approved 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 Punjab Agriculture and Meat Company.
This will ensure redressal of complaints about the imposition of taxes at luxury houses at the grassroots.
The concerned region director will decide complaints while additional DG will hear appeals.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has taken notice of murder of a youth by putting him on fire in Malikabad area of Khanpur and sought a report from RPO Bahawalpur.
He directed to initiate legal action against the accused after arresting them at the earliest.
Meanwhile, Punjab Labour Minister Ansar Majeed Khan Niazi and MPA Asad Khokhar called on Chief Minister Usman Buzdar at his office and discussed different matters.
The CM said the minimum wage of workers has been raised to 20 thousand rupees adding that every step was being taken to protect workers’ rights.
It is satisfying that the general public has also been allowed treatment in social security hospitals, he added.
The public support has frustrated every conspiracy against PTI’s public mandate; he said and made it clear that the opposition’s negative tactics to clog public welfare will not be allowed. The past governments did not pay attention to workers’ welfare, he regretted.
