A meeting of the provincial cabinet on Wednesday approved the Balochistan agriculture policy under which production of high-value crops and farm-water productivity would increase.
According to the policy, the agriculture business would be modernised.
The provincial cabinet also approved draft of Balochistan Fertilizer Control Act 2021.
The cabinet members decided to frame rules for the Agriculture Department while considering the contents of the policy to bring institutional reforms. This would ensure sales, delivery and quality of fertilisers as per standards, while the rules would also clarify distribution process and registration to get agri items.
The meeting was told that the government would soon issue farmer cards to facilitate them.
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During the moot, the provincial cabinet approved increase in the estimated cost of modern slaughterhouses and meat processing and packaging units in Zhob district and directed that steps be taken to run the units on public-private partnership mode.
Meanwhile, the provincial cabinet reviewed a road sector scheme for Naseerabad District.
It also approved recommendations of the members of cabinet regarding the raw water supply project. Giving a briefing on the project, an official said that phase one of the project has been completed under which more than a thousand people will be provided potable drinking water.
The cabinet members also decided to conduct a study of drinking water from Pat Feeder, Khirthar and Kachi canals and performed laboratory tests to make the drinking water clean and potable.
To achieve the target, it decided to set up a committee comprising secretaries of health and officials from the Public Health Engineering, environment and irrigation departments.
The provincial cabinet also approved amendments to the Balochistan Government Rules of Business 2021 related to the Forest and Wildlife Department.
It was also decided to change the name of the Balochistan Special Children Programme which was run under the Social Welfare Department. The members were directed to present a formal plan for skill development of special persons, establish rehabilitation centres and present the scheme in the next cabinet meeting.
The cabinet also took important decisions regarding the procurement of wheat and directed that all possible steps be taken to maintain the supply chain of wheat.
It was directed that the Balochistan Local Government Act would be amended and reformed.
The officials of Local Government also gave a detailed briefing to the cabinet on the upgradation of the union councils and its financial implications. Also, the members decided to form a committee to formulate further recommendations and suggestions in this regard.
Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Jam Kamal said the financial discipline and comprehensive mechanisms were essential for good governance which would enable timely completion of development schemes and benefit people.
The cabinet members also offered Fateha for the martyrs who were the victims of unfortunate incidents in the province during the last few days.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 15th, 2021.
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