Punjab LG draft act wins cabinet nod

Anti-Encroachment Ordinance also given green light

LAHORE:

Provincial cabinet has approved Punjab Local Government (draft) Act 2021 which empowers local bodies to solve public problems at local level.

The 49th session of the Punjab cabinet was held here under the chair of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Tuesday. Following unanimous approval of the Local Government Act 2021, the chief minister said that the Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was committed to empowering the local bodies by transferring powers to the grassroots level.

The new local government system would help improve governance and solve public problems at their doorsteps, he added.

The provincial cabinet has also approved the Immovable Public Properties (Anti-Encroachment) Ordinance 2021 which will empower authorities to curb the menace of encroachment from the society.

The new ordinance empowers authorities to recover fine as per market rate on daily basis from illegal occupants of the state land.

The cabinet meeting has also decided to send matters related to amendment to the Land Revenue Act to the cabinet standing committee on legal affairs.

In order to facilitate and avoid much criticism from trading community, the cabinet has nullified the increase in the rate of commercial property tax.

It has decided to give adjustment to taxpayers who have already deposited their taxes in next year’s liability.

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The provincial cabinet has also given the green signal for recruitment on vacant posts in the School Education Department and directed the authorities concerned to appoint new human resource as per rules.

The meeting has also approved appointment of 1,142 educators on vacant posts in Dera Ghazi Khan.

With the aim to create new jobs in the province, the cabinet has also given formal approval to six new cement plants in the province.

It has also approved amendment to the Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965 for registration of electric vehicles. It has also given in principle approval for agreement between Punjab Excise Department and National Transport Research Centre (NRTC) for installation of radio frequency identification device (vehicle passport) in vehicles and directed to constitute a ministerial committee to formulate terms of the agreement.

The Punjab cabinet has also approved issuance of grant worth Rs85 million under social safeguard policy for the victims of the Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Investment Program (Phase-1) from Sahiwal and Sialkot.

The meeting has also approved financial management procedures of the Irrigation Department for development project of Rs5 billion.

In light of the Council of Common Interests, the cabinet has approved agreement draft and its related matters for transfer of control of the lower area of the Chashma Right Bank Canal from WAPDA, after which Punjab Irrigation Department will be responsible for maintenance of this section.

The cabinet has also approved relief package for farmers of Hasilpur Tehsil for their crop loss during 2020 hailstorm.

It has also given ex-post facto approval to police checkpoints, police stations and police circles established during past two years.

The cabinet has also approved amendment in Appointment and Conditions of Services Rules 2013 for inspectors and sub-inspectors schedule.

It has also approved service rules for technical cadre and special branch posts. Establishment of border military police station in Koh Suleman area of Dera Ghazi Khan.

The cabinet also approved rules for appointment of chairman and chief executive officer of the Punjab Aab-e-Pak Authority.

It has also approved Punjab Development Authorities Private Housing Scheme Rules 2021 under the Punjab Development of Cities Act 1976 after which Lahore Development Authority’s (LDA) rules will be applicable on development authorities in the province.

The provincial cabinet also approved transfer of Sargodha Medical College and Medical College Gujjrat to the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department.

The meeting also approved revised rules for Punjab Ombudsman Nabila Khan.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2021.