Legislation: AJK bans child labour in brick kilns

Increases punishment for ‘creating hurdles in govt matters’ to seven years

MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) cabinet on Friday banned child labour on brick kilns and increased the punishment for creating hurdles in the way of government related matters from two to seven years.

The cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Farooq Haider also approved the Azad Jammu and Kashmir of Wages Act 2016, fixing the minimum month salary of unskilled workers at Rs14,000.

The meeting agreed to the formation of the Power Development Organisation (PDO) board of governors to generate more hydroelectric power.

The PDO board of governors would be headed by AJK Premier Haider as chairman, while chief secretary and four members, two from public and two from private sectors, would also be the part of board.

All ministers and government secretaries were present in the cabinet meeting. The cabinet approved the Prohibition of Child Labour at Brick Kilns to discourage child labour in the region.

The cabinet also approved the endowment fund for the Indian aggression victims on the Line of Control (LoC) and martyrs of the ongoing liberation struggle of Kashmiris.

Prime Minister Haider told the cabinet members to concentrate on public welfare and ensure the implementation of merit in all departments without any pressure.

The cabinet also endorsed the amended Public Service Commission (PSC) ordinance issued for the dissolution of the old and for the appointment of the new PSC members and chairman.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2016.