Cabinet approves amendment to pension rules

LAHORE: The 16th cabinet meeting, held under the chair of the caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi at his office on Friday, approved measures for the welfare of the employees and general public in the province. It approved an amendment to the Punjab Civil Service Pension Rules, ensuring the immediate payment of 65 percent pension to employees after retirement and this 65 percent pension will continue to be paid until the complete pension documents are not prepared. 

The cabinet decided to introduce an axle load management regime to prevent overloading and accidents on roads in Punjab. Heavy trailers exiting factories will be subject to regular weight checks, and those exceeding the prescribed limits will not be allowed on the roads.

 The Motor Vehicle Rules of 1969 were also amended by the cabinet to ensure the effective implementation of the decision. The responsibility for its execution was entrusted to the Minister for Industries SM Tanveer by the chief minister who also instructed all departments to expedite the resolution of promotion cases for government employees, emphasising that no deserving government employee should be deprived of career advancement. ‘I am personally monitoring promotion cases of government employees,’ he stated.

 The establishment of Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centres was approved in the session, special centres will be established in Multan, Taunsa, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Wah, to provide rehabilitation services for paralysed patients. Necessary medical equipment will also be provided to paraplegic patients.

 To combat smog, Mohsin Naqvi demanded a comprehensive plan from the secretary environment protection department for presentation in the next cabinet meeting. The cabinet also approved a grant-in-aid for the flyover project at Akbar Chowk Lahore. Additionally, the Punjab Environmental Protection (single-use plastic product) Regulations, 2023 were also approved during the

session.

The meeting approved the de-notification of the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department's Administrator General and Official Trustees in Punjab. The revenue mobilisation strategy plan for the fiscal years 2023-24 to 2025-26 was approved in the session. The decisions of the 4th meeting of the cabinet standing committee on finance and development and the 5th and 6th meetings of the cabinet standing committee on law and order were also confirmed. The session was attended by provincial ministers, advisers, the chief secretary, IG police, relevant secretaries, and senior officials. Provincial Minister SM Tanveer participated via a video link.

Seeks plan from secretary for improving healthcare facilities in hospitals

Caretaker chief minister has sought a plan from the health secretary, within seven days, for improving healthcare facilities in major hospitals. The plan will encompass comprehensive measures for providing essential facilities, as well as addressing repair and maintenance requirements to improve healthcare services.

Additionally, the relocation of hospitals from older buildings to newer constructions is considered to further enhance the quality of service delivery. Bio-medical machinery, medical equipment, and other facilities will be provided in major hospitals. The meeting also agreed to propose the establishment of health councils for major hospitals.

The meeting, held under the chair of CM Mohsin Naqvi, was attended by the chairman P&D, secretary finance, health secretary, secretary C&W, PITB chairman,CEO Infrastructure Development Authority Punjab and others. Minister for Specialised Healthcare & Medical Education Dr Javed Akram participated through a video link.

The participants were told that 60 standard medicines would be provided in the seven major teaching hospitals while 25 essential medicines would also be supplied to all cardiology hospitals.