State land to be allotted for cultivation

Punjab cabinet approves scheme for 50,000 beneficiaries

LAHORE:

The Punjab cabinet has approved an 'Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar' programme, under which state-owned agricultural land will be allotted for cultivation.

Chairing a cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered immediate measures to allocate government land to 50,000 people, saying public agricultural land would no longer serve elite interests but be used to generate livelihood for the poor.

The cabinet also approved procurement of 1,000 green electric buses to launch e-bus services at the tehsil level, extending the network beyond districts. It also decided to introduce a cashless payment system from March 25 for public transport, including T-Cash and bank cards, with higher fares applicable on cash payments.

The provincial cabinet approved recruitment of 216 constables in excise, taxation and narcotics control, 1,000 personnel in the Crime Control Department (CCD) and 980 in the tourism police, along with filling vacancies in several other departments. Restrictions on recruitment in tourism, archaeology, museums and allied departments were eased.

The cabinet ordered that horse and cattle shows be organised in all districts and instructed authorities to identify and develop new tourist destinations in addition to Murree.

The cabinet was informed that 141 dacoits had surrendered in riverine areas, while hostages abducted from Sindh were rescued using thermal drones and surveillance cameras.

The cabinet also approved amendments to the School Management Council policy, establishment of the University of Punjab's campus in Gujar Khan, and doubling the travelling allowance for para-veterinary field staff. Approval was also granted for payment of honorarium to prayer leaders.

Chairing another meeting, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz approved the launch of interest-free loans for house expansion under the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar project, extending the facility to families living in joint households.

Under the decision, residents of joint family homes will also be eligible to obtain interest-free loans for expanding their houses. The chief minister set a target of constructing 160,000 houses by June.

Basant celebration

In another meeting, the Punjab chief minister approved the plan for three-day Basant celebrations to be organised on February 6, 7 and 8, marking the first government-sponsored and fully organised celebration of the traditional spring festival in the province.

Pledging to restore joy and cultural celebration to the people of Punjab, she said the province's rich traditions had been pushed aside for years.

She said Basant is an 800-year-old cultural heritage of Punjab and the world recognises the province's vibrant culture.

CM Maryam Nawaz said Punjab belongs to everyone and all communities have the right to celebrate their festivals freely, including Eid, Holi, Christmas and Ramazan. The chief minister said a comprehensive Basant safety plan had been finalised to prevent accidents historically associated with kite flying.