Maryam approves recruitment of 7,354 CTIs

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved major projects including recruitment of 7,354 college teaching interns (CTIs) across Punjab.

Chairing the 16th provincial cabinet meeting on Tuesday, she sought a comprehensive and uniform housing policy for Punjab. The cabinet paid tribute to police personnel on performing duty in Rahim Yar Khan and Katcha areas and approved a special allowance for them.

The chief minister stopped the increase in hostel charges for working women across Punjab. She commended Irrigation Minister Kazim Pirzada and Irrigation Department for no loss of life in recent floods.

The cabinet approved the issuance of Rs50 crore Endowment Fund for Writers Welfare under the auspices of the Information and Culture Department. It appreciated the peaceful conduct of MDCAT examination in Punjab. It was apprised that controversial questions were being raised on the conduct of MDCAT examination in other provinces besides Punjab.

Maryam sought a monthly package plan for the visually impaired persons. The cabinet approved a special court for persons with disabilities under the Punjab Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act. Conditional approval was given to delegate the powers of sub-registrar to Tehsildar and Naib Tehsildar. The CM directed the Board of Revenue to submit a five-year housing policy to the cabinet, which rejected the Working Women’s Hostels Policy for increasing charges by the Women Development Department.

Approval was also granted to include Lahore Knowledge Park (Nawaz Sharif Limited City) Bedian Road in the scope of Punjab Central Business District Development Authority. The cabinet approved the nomination of member Gujranwala Development Authority and vice chairman WASA Gujranwala. Approval was granted to delegate the powers of sub-registrar to the transferee of land of a recognized authority. An amendment to the exchange policy for government land and housing schemes and the reissuance of funds for upgradation and construction as well as rehabilitation of tertiary care hospitals of specialized healthcare and medical education were approved during the meeting.

Under the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961, approval was granted to amend a notification to allow an assistant director Local Government to perform duties as chairman Conciliation Council. A ‘central portal’ would be set up for the transparent recruitment of college teaching interns (CTIs) in government colleges. Approval was granted to amend the Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess Act 2015. The cabinet approved delegating leave and pension powers to CEOs Health and Education in districts. The cabinet approved the appointment of a government analyst, a provincial drug inspector and a caretaker ombudsman for Punjab.

Meanwhile, Maryam directed completing the legal process for the establishment of Punjab Enforcement & Regulatory Authority (Pera) as soon as possible. A briefing was given to her about the progress being made on the Pera establishment. She said: “The establishment of a competent authority is indispensable for the elimination of artificial inflation and hoarding. We are introducing structural reforms in every sector. Encroachments cannot be allowed in streets and markets.” Pera would be established at provincial, divisional, district and tehsil levels. The District Enforcement Regulatory Board will be established in every board.