Punjab to launch ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ on Aug 14

LAHORE: The Punjab cabinet approved “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” and “Chief Minister Punjab Kissan Card Program” here on Tuesday.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired the four-hour 10th meeting of the provincial cabinet to discuss a heavy agenda of 56 points. The cabinet decided not to extend government house allotment to employees after their retirement. Both the chief minister and the cabinet surrendered their powers to extend the allotment. The cabinet approved the launch of “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” program on August 14, besides appreciating steps taken by Maryam for the welfare of farmers.

The cabinet gave a go-ahead to increase 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 an allowance of Rs7000, 7500 and 8000 for night duty. They will also get petrol allowance @ Rs 1000 per day for being posted in remote areas. The cabinet accorded approval to the Punjab Sikh Anand Karaj Marriage Registrar Rules 2024. Minister for Minorities Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora briefed the cabinet that Punjab became the first province in the world to implement the Sikh Marriage Act. He said: “Even in India, Sikhs have to get their marriages registered under the Hindu Act. In a few months, the Hindu Marriage Act will also be submitted for seeking the cabinet approval.”

The cabinet directed transferring the management of TB Hospital Sargodha, Jubilee Female Hospital Bahawalpur, Mozang Hospital Lahore and Data Darbar Eye Hospital to the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department. The cabinet approved amendments to the Registration Act, 1908 for the provision of transfer of property and other revenue services to overseas Pakistanis living in eight countries. It agreed to gradually switch rickshaws to alternative eco-friendly transport, besides giving approval to get fitness certificate for motorcycles to eliminate smog. The chief minister directed simplifying the procedure for getting a motorcycle fitness certificate.

The cabinet approved the procedure for providing electric bikes to orphan students. Maryam directed completing the process of giving electric bikes to orphan students.

The cabinet approved the first-ever transparent procedures for the appointment of Director of Public Instruction, CEO, DEO and Deputy DEO. It was apprised: “An IT screening test has to be passed for appointment of administrative officers in Higher Education and School Education Department. After a 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 approved granting BS-17 to librarians, BS-16 in all departments on securing a master’s degree. It also gave approval to signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Pakistan Railways for the construction of railway crossings in the Jalalpur Irrigation Project.

The cabinet reviewed measures for the possible above average rainfall during monsoon. 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 the Punjab Animal Health (Identification and Traceability) Regulations 2024. It granted approval to the Vice Chancellors Search Committee for the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore and the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur. It consented to a proposal to introduce more disciplines in the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore. It gave approval to declare the Sadiqgarh Mahal of Bahawalpur a “Protected Ancient Building.”

Five amendments to the Punjab Procurement Rules for e-Procurement were accorded by the cabinet, which allows authorities to negotiate further reductions in price with the lowest bidder. The cabinet approved amendments to the Punjab Drugs Rules, 2007, under which the government would regain powers to inspect pharmacies before issuing licences. The cabinet gave approval to representation of the Planning and Development Board and others in the Board of Directors of PIEDMC and FIEDMC. It agreed to audit FIEDMC, PIEDMC and TEVTA by the Urban Unit.

The chief minister directed reconstituting FIEDMC and PIEDMC boards purely on merit and said no one’s recommendation be accepted in this regard. The cabinet approved establishing the Plug and Play Garment City in Punjab, besides including the Garment City project in the annual development programme. Approval was also given to amend the Provincial Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1965, to regulate mobile app taxi services companies and private vehicles. It approved regulation of the transportation network company for passenger safety.

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

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

Maryam said: “We are starting a nutrition program for children in Rajanpur, Layyah and Bhakkar as a pilot project. Approval was also granted by the cabinet to adopt the Pakistan National Curriculum 2023 (Phase-III) for Class IX to XII and modernized/revised curriculum of religious education for Class I to XII. The cabinet gave approval to constitution of District Sugarcane (Development) Cess Committees 2022-23. It also approved adjustment payment of amount due for imported wheat to PASSCO.

The cabinet approved sending nominations of 39 police officers to the federal government for the grant of Quaid-e-Azam Police Medals and President Police Medals.

The CM paid a surprise Visit to Children’s Library Complex.

“Prepare an immediate plan to ensure regular functioning of the complex,” Maryam directed the authorities concerned. She was angered at seeing wastage of government resources as lights, fans and ACs were on in empty rooms, the library and the auditorium. She sought a report from the authorities in this regard.

She reviewed various areas of the main building of the complex including the library, audio-visual section, auditorium and offices.

She said: “The deserted building of the Children’s Library Complex is a testament to the disdain for knowledge and books in the previous government.” It is worth-mentioning that the Children’s Library Complex was inaugurated by Nawaz Sharif in 1988 as chief minister of Punjab.

Maryam personally inspected the service roads from the Saggian Interchange to Babu Sabu during her visit to the Controlled Access Corridor Bund Road Project. She also inspected the elevated Bund Road. She said: “The problems faced by the public due to service roads along the controlled access road need immediate redressing.” She directed the authorities concerned to complete the project by the stipulated deadline. Earlier, she was briefed about the project by DG LDA Tahir Farooq and Chief Engineer LDA Israr Saeed. They apprised her: “The high-rise area of Package-II is being fully opened for traffic.”