Punjab govt to cancel 56 mining permits

Caretaker cabinet okays amended rock salt policy

The caretaker Punjab cabinet has decided to cancel salt mining licences issued to 56 companies by the previous government allegedly in violation of the rules and regulations.

In a meeting presided over by Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the cabinet approved the initiation of proceedings in order to cancel the licences in accordance with the rules and regulations.

The caretaker cabinet members were informed during a briefing that a loss worth billions of rupees had been caused to the national exchequer by issuing the licences while disregarding the relevant regulations.

It was alleged that companies had been issued licences without following the bidding and open auction procedure.

Of the companies, 32 were being issued licences, while the issuance of the permits to 24 firms was at the offer stage.

The caretaker provincial cabinet agreed to make the salt mining licence issuance procedure transparent through open auction. It approved an amended Rock Salt Policy of Punjab.

The caretaker cabinet also decided to allow free travel to students in uniform on the Metro Bus and Orange Line Train services.

Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi issued directives for steps to implement Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's Energy Conservation Policy. Directing the energy department to implement the policy, he issued instructions to reduce electricity consumption by government departments.

He sought a report from the provincial secretaries about the use of electricity. Mohsin Naqvi ordered the civil secretariat and other departments to formulate a comprehensive plan to make their functions paperless.

He called for disposal of departmental summaries in short time.

Approval was granted during the meeting to extend the service under the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department’s Performance Management System of contract employees of the Information and Communication Technology Cell.

Extension of the contract period of the employees of the Policy and Strategic Planning Unit of Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department was also approved.

Conditional approval was granted to appoint vice chancellors, pro-VCs, controllers and registrars on the vacant posts of government universities in the province with the permission of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

The caretaker cabinet approved the acceptance of the resignation of Ab Pak Authority Chief Executive Officer Syed Zahid Aziz.

Approval was also granted for the issuance of a supplementary grant for the repair and construction of river and streams infrastructure damaged due to flood during the current financial year.

The caretaker cabinet approved the appointment of specialist private members in the provincial and district quality control boards.

A proposal to designate seven national parks under the Punjab Protected Areas Act 2020 was approved Approval was granted for the reissuance of funds left unutilised in 2021-22 for the Emine Erdogan Danish Care Girls School in Baseera, Muzaffargarh.

Meanwhile, presiding over a meeting of all divisional commissioners and regional police officers of Punjab, caretaker CM Mohsin Naqvi directed them to oversee the provision of subsidised flour to the citizens during Ramazan.

He called for an effective mechanism to bring stability in the prices of essential edibles during Ramazan. Indiscriminate action should be taken against profiteers and hoarders during then month, he added.

He directed the local administration and police officials to visit every small and big store and check their price lists, taking strict action against shopkeepers indulging in overcharging.

He also cautioned that many complaints were being received with regard to non-implementation of onedish and time restriction on marriage ceremonies in many cities, including Lahore.

He directed the commissioners and RPOs to ensure implementation of the restrictions. The caretaker CM directed the government officers to observe office timing restrictions across Punjab.