Cash subsidy for small wheat growers under study

Punjab CM vows not to let middlemen exploit farmers

LAHORE:

The Punjab cabinet on Tuesday approved in principle the launch of the Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Farmer Card and reviewed a proposal to provide direct cash subsidy to small wheat growers.

Presiding over a cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif stated, "All resources of Punjab are available for farmers. Middlemen and 'aarthi' cannot be allowed to exploit farmers. I intend to make bread cheaper for the people."

The CM also ordered strict implementation of the one-dish restriction on wedding events across the province.

The cabinet approved the provision of free medicines for cancer patients and decided to include more patients in the free cancer medication project.

It was agreed to link the approval of water supply and sanitation projects to the permission of the local government department.

A consensus was reached to release Rs10 billion in seed money to the CBD Authority for the Nawaz Sharif IT City. The CEO of CBD was praised for convincing Chinese companies to establish campuses in the IT city in Lahore.

The cabinet was informed that the Saudi Academy Riyadh is ready to open a campus in the IT city, in which 10 towers will be built, with twin towers being built immediately. The launch of the IT city will take place in the coming month.

The CM ordered the chief secretary to devise a pool of competent professionals from various fields, adding that the programme for the provision of free medicines at the doorstep will start in May.

The cabinet approved empowering deputy commissioners to enforce Section 144.

Permission was granted to hand over the charge to ADC instead of ADCR in local bodies till the elections of public representatives.

An agreement was reached to set the fee for platinum category number plates for vehicles at Rs1 million and the officer's appointment was approved for the design of personalised number plates.

It was agreed to conduct a performance audit of every ministry. Funds were approved for financial assistance to those affected by the landslide in Pherinah village in Muree where Rs1 million per house will be provided.

Contractual appointments of allied health professionals were approved for the specialized healthcare and medical education department, teaching hospitals and field offices.

Approval was given under the Punjab Medical and Health Institutions Act, 2003 for the formation of the BoM of Gujranwala Medical College and Punjab Institute of Neurosciences. Approval was also given to extend the contract of employees of the IRMNCH, nutrition programme and the directorate of monitoring and evaluation. The approval was also granted to extend the contract of 14 employees of the energy department's consultancy cell.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the advocate general to amend the contract policy, stating that no extension in any contract would be made without the approval of the cabinet.

Approval was given for direct foreign investment of $350 million in a cement plant project in Choa Saidan Shah. In-principle approval of NOC was granted for setting up three new cement plants and expansion of four others.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2024.