Mobile food testing labs for Quetta, Khuzdar

Cabinet approves women empowerment policy 2020-24

QUETTA:

The Balochistan Food Authority has approved to set up mobile labs for food testing in Quetta and Khuzdar.

This decision was taken during the provincial cabinet meeting chaired by Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal who had urged concerned authorities to keep a strict check on the quality of food being provided to people in accordance with hygiene principals.

The meeting also approved the Women Empowerment Policy 2020-24 to provide equal rights to women in Balochistan, highlight their role at the provincial level and give them equal opportunities including political representation.

It is pertinent to note that the aforementioned policy has been formulated with new amendments in the Women Empowerment Policy of 2013 which aimed to promote gender equality.

On the other hand, the provincial cabinet also approved the draft of the former Provincial Administrator Balochistan Continuation of Laws for Tribal Areas Bill 2020, which would be implemented in the tribal areas of Balochistan. It was decided to keep the existing laws in place.

The meeting also took a principled stand on the promotion of various posts in different departments and issued directions to the law and parliamentary affairs, finance and employment and general administration departments in this regard. CM Kamal directed the formation of a sub-committee to submit suggestions and recommendations.

An increase in the cost for the construction of a bridge over the Dudi River, Khudan, Dasht District Ketch was given approval.

The Housing Facilities Rules 2020 for resident government employees of Balochistan in Islamabad, which aims to provide accommodation facilities to the provincial and federal employees was signed off as well. They will also have to verify the local and domicile certificates of their districts with the concerned authorities.

The cabinet directed the provincial health department to provide professional allowance to the paramedics ranging from 2nd to 14th grade to ensure efficient functioning of the department. Pak-Oman Hospital 2020 Bill was also given approval apart from the release of funds for effective prevention and implementation of precautionary measures against coronavirus, effective strategy for procurement of anti-virus equipment, enhancing quarantine system and testing procedures was given.

The provincial cabinet also approved Journalist Welfare Fund (Revised) Policy (2020) under which financial assistance would be provided to journalists in case of accidents and deaths from the government.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2020.