Punjab cabinet accord approval to setting up Ramzan Bazars

Lahore : Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar presided over the 9^th meeting of provincial cabinet at his office here on Wednesday.

Principle approval was given to decrease the length of service from four years to three years for regularizing the contract employees and this decision would be equally implemented on all the departments in the Punjab.

The meeting decided to give a colossal subsidy to the tune of billions of rupees under Ramzan Package, 2019. Agri fair price shops will be set up in 309 Ramzan Bazaars to provide eatable on subsidized rates. Rs. 80 subsidy will be given on the 10-kg flour bag which will be sold at Rs. 290 in Ramzan Bazaars. Similarly, sugar will be sold at Rs. 55 per kg, eggs will be available at a discount of Rs. 5 per dozen, chicken meat will be sold at a discount of Rs.10 from the market and Rs. 15 to Rs. 20 per kg decrease will be made in the price of ghee and oil. Ramzan Bazaars will start at the last week of Sha’ban and two thousand daster khawans will be set up during Ramzan-ul-Mubarak.

The meeting decided to increase the number of 968 price-control magistrates in the province while a price-application has also been prepared for the monitoring of prices. It was also decided that Ramzan Bazaars will function as Eid Bazaars during the last ten days of Ramzan to sell Eid related items.

The Chief Minister directed to ensure strict monitoring of steps taken under Ramzan Package adding that ministers, advisors and secretaries will monitor the Ramzan Bazaars and further said that he will also check such bazaars. He also directed to initiate indiscriminate action against hoarders and illegal profiteers and made it clear that the administration should initiate strict action against those responsible for creating artificial price-hike. Jail is the best place for such elements, he added.

He said that effective measures should be taken to stabilize the sugar prices and line departments should ensure it in collaboration with sugar mills association. He said that government will go to every extent to give substantial relief to the common man and hoarding and price-hike will not be allowed during Ramzan-ul-Mubarak.

The meeting gave approval to granting technical allowance to the engineers of different provincial departments who are registered with Pakistan Engineering Council.

The meeting decided to increase the minimum wage of skilled/unskilled workers along with the approval of Punjab Growth Strategy 2023. Annual audit and performance report for 2015-16 of Punjab Judicial Academy was presented before the meeting and the cabinet decided to table it before the Punjab Assembly.

The meeting gave approval to amendment in Punjab Private Educational Institutions (Promotion and Regulation) Rules 1984 to set up a registration authority. The meeting also gave approval to the draft of amendments in Punjab Health Foundation Act 2018. Under it, scope of PHF will be increased and chairman will be elected from board members to make it a vibrant organization.

The meeting approved to set up workers welfare fund in Punjab along with approval of settlement agreement relating to Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology. The management and administrative plan of the Punjab government with regard to gaining the administrative control of some educational institutions and seminaries on the directions of federal government was given approval. The decision of giving 60 days remission to the prisoners confined in provincial jails was given approval as well. However, this decision will not apply to the prisoners sentenced under heinous crimes, espionage, activities against the State and terrorism.

The Chief Minister directed to early complete the survey of areas affected from rains and hailstorms so as to redress the damages of the farmers and more steps will be taken in the light of the survey report. The accounts reports of Auditor General of Pakistan about the Punjab government for the financial year 2016-17 were also presented before the meeting and the cabinet decided to table these reports before the Punjab Assembly.

Provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants, chief secretary and others attended the meeting.