Amendment to Punjab Local Govt Act 2022 planned

LAHORE: The Punjab government Wednesday decided to amend the Local Government Act 2022 to remove the discrepancies while the proposals would be sought from all the departments concerned for the Amendments.

This was decided in the second meeting of the Cabinet Standing Committee on Legislation and Privatisation presided over by the Provincial Minister for Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman here at Civil Secretariat Durbar Hall. Further, a committee will be formed to review the proposed amendments to the Local Government Act 2022.

Other participants of the meeting included Provincial Minister for Communication and Works Sohaib Ahmed Malik, Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique and Information Minister Azma Bukhari and secretaries of the relevant departments.

The meeting discussed a five-point agenda, including Amendments to the Local Government Act 2022, appointment of administrators, approval for establishment of cement factories, approval of two technical experts for Ravi Urban Development Board and nominations for Vice-Chancellor and Rector at Lahore Garrison University and Imperial College of Business Studies.

The meeting decided that the clearance from all relevant departments, including Irrigation, Local Government, Environment and Industries besides Law, Livestock and Wildlife Life would be ensured to approve the establishment of cement plants. Further, the Higher Education Department instructed to propose amendments to the Universities Act to monitor the affairs of private universities.

Mujtaba said that in view of water shortage, unnecessary expansion of cement plants or establishment of new cement factories cannot be approved without feasibility study. For approval of cement plants, the committee members will personally inspect the sites. The Irrigation Department will take legal action against those who use more than the prescribed amount of water in the approved cement factories.

In view of the effects of cement plants on livestock and the environment, Sohaib Ahmad Malik emphasised the need for clearance from all relevant departments before the establishment of plants and said that the purpose of clearance from relevant departments before the establishment of industries is not meant to ban industrialisation but to ensure the protection of natural environment and livestock.

Addressing the meeting, Information Minister Azma Bukhari said that the promotion of industrialisation is necessary for economic development, but only those will be allowed to establish industries in the province who ensure compliance with all laws.

Provincial Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique observed that the aim of the amendments to the Local Government Act 2022 was to remove the loopholes in the Act and make it effective.

In the meeting, the names of Hilal-i-Imtiaz Major General Khalil Dar for the Vice-Chancellor of Garrison University and Dr Tahira Aziz for the Rector of Imperial College of Business Studies were approved.