Sindh cabinet approves Rs232m for IBA Sukkur to conduct fresh MDCAT

The Sindh cabinet on Wednesday approved Rs6.63 billion for the construction of six damaged roads in the province and Rs232.14 million for the Sukkur Institute of Business Administration (IBA Sukkur) to re-conduct the Medical & Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT).

The cabinet also approved the establishment of the Sindh Job Portal, directed the provincial IT department to implement an e-stamping system within six months and extended the contract period for teaching faculty members of the Khairpur Medical College.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presided over the cabinet meeting that was held at the CM House. Provincial ministers, advisers, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah and other secretaries attended the meeting.

At the outset, the cabinet approved the decisions of a cabinet sub-committee headed by Energy Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah. A grant of Rs81.9 million was approved for the payment of salaries and other liabilities of the employees of the defunct Larkana Development Authority who have already been sent to the surplus pool.

The cabinet approved Rs 68.043 million for the Jamshoro Electrification Programme, and Rs4 million for holding of a literary conference at the Frere Hall. The CM approved Rs6.63 billion to reconstruct eight roads damaged by the recent floods and heavy rains. He allowed the signing of contracts for these projects on an emergency basis.

The roads to be reconstructed include the one connecting Johi with Chhini, and over-three-kilometre-long Sujawal City Carriageway.

MDCAT

The cabinet approved Rs232.14 million to again conduct the MDCAT (Medical and Dental College Admission Test) in Sindh through the IBA Sukkur. It was decided that the new test would be held within next six weeks.

The CM directed the health department to establish vigilance committees in collaboration with the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council for re-conduct of the MDACT. Additionally, he instructed the universities and boards secretary to ensure that the examination boards announced results at least one month before the MDCAT in the future, as mandated by the court.

The CM said that in accordance with the court order, the test would be based on the syllabus that had already been taught in the province.

Job Portal

The cabinet also approved a proposal developed by the IT department in collaboration with the IBA Sukkur to establish the Sindh Job Portal (SJP) —a centralised online platform designed for the Sindh government’s recruitment across the province, addressing inefficiencies in the current manual process.

The SJP would provide a secure and user-friendly system for managing applications for positions ranging from grade 1 to 15. The portal would feature automated application submissions, tracking capabilities, and real-time data analytics. It would also integrate seamlessly for applicants who had passed the Sindh Testing Service (STS) exams.

Environmental council

The cabinet approved establishment of the Sindh Environmental Protection Council under the Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014. The body would consist of official and non-official members, totalling no more than 25, who would be appointed by the government for a term of three years.

The CM would serve as the chairperson of the council or appoint another individual in this role, while the minister in charge of the environment protection department would act as the vice-chairperson.

The CM noted that the Sindh government had implemented the Sindh Climate Change Policy 2022 and prepared an implementation framework. He added that the climate change department was in the process of upgrading its Directorate General of Climate Change by recruiting additional staff.

E-Stamping

The cabinet was told that a service-level agreement between the Sindh Board of Revenue and Punjab Information Technology Board had been executed for the implementation, operation and maintenance of the e-stamping system.

The agreement was in effect for three years from October 4, 2021 till to October 3, 2024, at an annual service charge of Rs48 million. The cabinet decided to extend the service period of the agreement for an additional six months, during which the provincial IT department would build its capacity to operate the e-stamping system.

Health services

The cabinet approved Rs425.713 million for salary expenses, non-salary expenditures and other liabilities for the integrated health services (IHS) facilities that the health department had taken over from private partners.

The CM instructed the health department to form a committee to verify the claimed amounts. The cabinet was also told that 15 faculty members in Basic and Clinical Medical Sciences at the Khairpur Medical College (KMC) were currently working on a contractual basis with their contracts set to expire in the ongoing month.

The CM approved a six-month extension for these contracts and directed the health department to recruit additional faculty members through the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) within the next six months.