The Punjab cabinet met on Monday and decided to fix a quota for special persons in government’s housing schemes. It also approved the establishment of Nawaz Sharif University of Engineering and Technology in Multan and several draft laws. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over the meeting.
The cabinet also decided to undertake legislation for deterrent punishment to those involved in the sale of hazardous and prohibited animals’ meals.
Livestock
The chief minister said that the Management and Disposal of Land and Properties producer would be made highly transparent. He said considering that a large portion of Punjab’s population was associated with livestock sector making, Pakistan most of the largest producers of dairy products in the world.
He said the livestock sector should also earn foreign exchange. He said that a comprehensive plan would be prepared for livestock and dairy development.
Ordering strict action against sale of hazardous and forbidden animal meat, Sharif said those involved in such businesses deserved no leniency.
He said a law would be presented in this regard in the assembly. Under the proposed law, he said, non-bailable arrest warrants would be issued for those selling such meat. He directed the cabinet committee to formulate final recommendations for awarding stringent punishments in this regard.
Energy generation
Referring to energy projects, the chief minister said that projects for generation of electricity from traditional as well as alternative resources were being completed expeditiously. He said that government was focused on completing low-cost electricity and coal-based power generation projects in the Punjab.
He said the government would establish two 660 megawatt each coal power projects in Sahiwal. Work on the Nandipur power project was also near completion.
He said the Nandipur power project has been executed with a national spirit and its grid station had been completed in a record period.
He said the government was also establishing a 100 megawatt solar project at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park in Cholistan. He said link roads and bridges to the solar park had been completed, while its contract would be awarded by March 23. Electricity production in the first phase would start in June, he added.
He said that planning had been made for generation of 1,000 megawatt electricity from Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park. Companies setting up projects in the park would be given special incentives, he said.
New acts
The meeting also granted approval to the Management and Disposal of Land and Properties by-Development Authorities Act, 2014; Punjab Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of non-Smokers Health Amendment Act 2012; Punjab Mental Health Amendment Act 2012; Punjab Industrial Relations Act; Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act 2006; Punjab Livestock Breeding Bill 2013; and amendments in Punjab Civil Servants Act 1974.
The Lahore Development Authority director general and the health, labour, regulation wing, livestock and higher education secretaries gave briefing on the draft laws.
Provincial ministers, special assistants, advisers, chief secretary and secretaries of the departments concerned were also present.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2014.