Punjab cabinet approves Nawaz Kisan Card

LAHORE: The Punjab cabinet on Tuesday approved in principle the issuance of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Kisan Card for the welfare of small farmers across Punjab.

Chairing the 6th meeting of the provincial cabinet here on Tuesday, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities concerned to strictly implement one dish in wedding ceremonies across Punjab to facilitate poor people.

She said all resources of Punjab are available for farmers. Arhati and middlemen cannot be allowed to exploit farmers. The cabinet reviewed a proposal to give direct cash subsidy to small wheat farmers. It approved restoring supply of free medicines to cancer patients besides including more patients in the free cancer medicine project. The chief minister apprised the cabinet that home delivery of free medicines to patients would be launched in May.

The cabinet appreciated CEO CBD Imran Amin for his efforts in persuading Chinese companies to set up businesses in the Nawaz Sharif IT City Lahore and agreed to give Rs10 billion as seed money to the Central Business District Authority for the construction of twin towers in the IT City.

The cabinet was told that the Saudi Academy from Riyadh was ready to open a campus in the IT City. The CEO Central Business District (CBD) apprised the cabinet that in total, 10 towers would be built in the IT City, while two towers would be built immediately. Work on the IT City would be launched in May.

The cabinet approved the delegation of powers of imposing Section 144 to deputy commissioners. It agreed to fix the platinum category number plate fee for vehicle at Rs10 lakh. It agreed to a proposal of conducting performance audit of every department in Punjab. It approved Rs10 lakh funds per house in financial assistance to people affected by a landslide in the Parina village in the suburbs of Murree.

The cabinet approved foreign direct investment of $350 million in a cement plant project in the Chua Saidan Shah area of Chakwal district. It gave in-principle approval to issue NOC for the establishment of three new cement plants and expansion of four existing cement plants.

The approval of setting up a high level committee to tackle smog was also given by the cabinet. It approved the annual calendar of the first parliamentary year of the Punjab Assembly. It gave approval to the establishment of a search committee for the appointment of vice chancellors in universities, after raising the shortlisting criteria for interviews from 75% to 80%. The cabinet decided to immediately remove the CEO FIEDMC and take legal action against him.

Maryam Nawaz met various parliamentarians who congratulated her on the PMLN success in by-elections in the province. The CM told the parliamentarians that free Wi-Fi service was started in 50 areas of Lahore and 519 Kanals of state land in six cities had been earmarked for Apna Chhat Apna Ghar project.

Members of National Assembly Riazul Haque Judge, Members of Punjab Assembly Akhtar Ali Khan, Qaiser Iqbal Sindhu, Muhammad Nawaz were present in the meeting.