Province to purchase one million sacks of wheat
Cabinet announces internship programme for unemployed engineers
Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal chairs the provincial cabinet meeting in Quetta. PHOTO: EXPRESS
QUETTA:
Balochistan cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani, on Tuesday approved province’s first wheat purchasing policy for year 2020-21, according to which the provincial government will purchase one million wheat sacks.
The provincial finance department, in this regard, will provide zero-interest loans to the food department which will be liable to return the money after the sale of wheat.
The cabinet directed authorities to establish wheat sale centres in Naseerabad division by the first week of April this year to ensure timely purchase, storage and distribution of wheat to flour mills.
The cabinet unanimously approved amendments with regard to rent lease, exploration license, mining license and prospecting license in the mining sector. The cabinet corroborated to ban mining in 5km demarcation of coastal sea area, directing fisheries department to work for new legislation regarding environmental protection.
Only the Balochistan government has the right to initiate mining near provincial sea and can sign mining contracts with companies under public-private partnership, the cabinet members said.
Further, the provincial government announced an internship programme for unemployed engineers in provincial agriculture, energy, PHE and irrigation departments.
Following the six months internship programme, the engineers will receive scholarships by the government.
Addressing the cabinet meeting, Kamal said the provincial government is keenly working to utilise provincial resources to expedite development in Balochistan.
“We have been working on policies to use our assets as sources of income for the growth of the provincial economy,” Kamal said.
The government also announced to establish Balochistan Parks and Horticulture Authority in the province that would be headed by the local government and also approved up grading the post of chief officer in the LG department from grade 16 to grade 17.
While reviewing the infrastructure development in the province, the cabinet unanimously approved 7.5 kilometer highway from Spin Karez to Murdar mining area of Quetta district.
Secretary Communication and Works Noorul Amin Mengal informed the cabinet members that the C&W department has been working on 681 development schemes across the province.
Kamal, during the meeting, vowed to introduce new schemes for infrastructure development in Balochistan to boost economic activities.
“The federal government has imparted 50% funds to Punjab Government fordevelopment of Dargai-Shabozai-Tonsa Highway and has also pledged to provide 40% funds to Balochistan,” Kamal said, suggesting that he would speak to the Prime Minister in a bid to fetch full funding for the project.
CM expresses solidarity
Kamal on Monday visited a protest camp outside the Balochistan Assembly and expressed solidarity with the media workers who were protesting against forced dismissals by media organizations.
“Balochistan has already been plagued with the curse of unemployment. Shutting down news channels in the province would increase unemployment in the province,” Kamal said.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 26th, 2020.
Balochistan cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani, on Tuesday approved province’s first wheat purchasing policy for year 2020-21, according to which the provincial government will purchase one million wheat sacks.
The provincial finance department, in this regard, will provide zero-interest loans to the food department which will be liable to return the money after the sale of wheat.
The cabinet directed authorities to establish wheat sale centres in Naseerabad division by the first week of April this year to ensure timely purchase, storage and distribution of wheat to flour mills.
The cabinet unanimously approved amendments with regard to rent lease, exploration license, mining license and prospecting license in the mining sector. The cabinet corroborated to ban mining in 5km demarcation of coastal sea area, directing fisheries department to work for new legislation regarding environmental protection.
Only the Balochistan government has the right to initiate mining near provincial sea and can sign mining contracts with companies under public-private partnership, the cabinet members said.
Further, the provincial government announced an internship programme for unemployed engineers in provincial agriculture, energy, PHE and irrigation departments.
Following the six months internship programme, the engineers will receive scholarships by the government.
Addressing the cabinet meeting, Kamal said the provincial government is keenly working to utilise provincial resources to expedite development in Balochistan.
“We have been working on policies to use our assets as sources of income for the growth of the provincial economy,” Kamal said.
The government also announced to establish Balochistan Parks and Horticulture Authority in the province that would be headed by the local government and also approved up grading the post of chief officer in the LG department from grade 16 to grade 17.
While reviewing the infrastructure development in the province, the cabinet unanimously approved 7.5 kilometer highway from Spin Karez to Murdar mining area of Quetta district.
Secretary Communication and Works Noorul Amin Mengal informed the cabinet members that the C&W department has been working on 681 development schemes across the province.
Kamal, during the meeting, vowed to introduce new schemes for infrastructure development in Balochistan to boost economic activities.
“The federal government has imparted 50% funds to Punjab Government fordevelopment of Dargai-Shabozai-Tonsa Highway and has also pledged to provide 40% funds to Balochistan,” Kamal said, suggesting that he would speak to the Prime Minister in a bid to fetch full funding for the project.
CM expresses solidarity
Kamal on Monday visited a protest camp outside the Balochistan Assembly and expressed solidarity with the media workers who were protesting against forced dismissals by media organizations.
“Balochistan has already been plagued with the curse of unemployment. Shutting down news channels in the province would increase unemployment in the province,” Kamal said.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 26th, 2020.