The Balochistan government has approved the Wheat Procurement Plan 2021 and decided to purchase 0.1m tonnes of wheat this year in a bid to provide relief to the masses.
A meeting of the provincial cabinet chaired by Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal on Monday was presented the wheat procurement plan by the provincial food department. The meeting agreed to provide a subsidy on wheat besides fixing the price at Rs2,000 per 40kg which has been increased from Rs1,650.
The Wheat Procurement Plan 2021 has been divided into 31 centres in different zones. The food department has decided to form a Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by the Provincial Minister for Food to procure wheat at the provincial level.
Allotment of 600,000 bags for the food department was also given approval by the provincial chief executive.
Separately, the cabinet approved the draft of Balochistan Occupational Safety and Health Act and the National Commission for Minorities Act, 2020.
During the meeting, the chief minister approved an amendment to the Office of the Ombudsman Balochistan Government Rules of Business 2020 to protect women in the workplace.
The Balochistan Trust Act 2021 Amendment Bill of the Department of Religious Affairs was also given approval. With reference to the aforementioned Act, the cabinet was informed that amendments have been proposed in the context of the Financial Action Task Force.
The framework of Balochistan Levies Force Service Rules 2020 to the Home and Tribal Affairs Department was approved after a detailed briefing from the authorities concerned.
In a bid to tackle crime related incidents, the provincial cabinet also approved land acquisition for setting up of five police stations and 11 police posts in Quetta.
Further on in the meeting, the Balochistan Public Management Act 2020 was given a nod along with the proposed amendments and recommendations. The authorities in this regard were directed to re-present it in the cabinet.
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While deliberating on the plan to promote tourism in the largest province of Pakistan, CM Kamal gave approval to the amendment in the cost for the Ziarat Tourism Valley Development Plan. The revised PC-1 of the Quetta Safe City project was also approved.
The contract period of the staff working in the Performance Management System from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 was extended. The chief minister directed authorities concerned to prepare an audit report in this regard as well.
The Cabinet also approved a change in the proposed schemes of the Irrigation Department, additional funds for PSDP Scheme to the Higher Education Department and the implementation of 185 PSDP Plus schemes.
The chief minister decided to increase funds for the construction of Rakhni to Bekar road, Nushki Bypass, Kalat Bazar road, Kharan Namak Pass Road, Sendak Bypass, Pishin City Bypass and Nawan Kali Bypass after receiving a thorough briefing on the projects.
Transfer of PTDC properties to the province was also signed off apart from setting up a Cabinet Sub-Committee on PTDC Human Resource Affairs.
Addressing the meeting, CM Kamal said that the government was improving the performance of affairs under a comprehensive system by making the system more integrated and efficient.
He added that the next budget of the government would also be comprehensive and people-friendly. “All necessary details will be included in the preparation of concept papers and PC-1 before approval of all development schemes.”
The chief minister highlighted how better governance and timely decisions benefit the people as they enjoy the fruits of initiatives taken by the government.
CM Kamal emphasised that all the necessary aspects should be taken into consideration while enacting legislations and laws that should be framed in the wider interest of the province by amending the existing ones as per the requirements of the day.
Before concluding the meeting, he directed the Department of Labor and Manpower to formulate special programmes for the support and care of orphans.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2021.
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