LAHORE, July 03: The 19th cabinet meeting, chaired by the caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi, was held at his office on Monday.
The meeting lauded the exceptional cleanliness arrangements implemented by provincial ministers, commissioners, deputy commissioners, and solid-waste companies during Eid al-Adha. Their diligent efforts were commended, and the officials responsible for maintaining cleanliness throughout the province were acknowledged for their outstanding performance.
During the meeting, several decisions were made. The construction of a new Government Officers’ Residence (GOR) for homeless provincial government employees was approved, and the chief minister directed timely steps for the development of a new residential colony.
Furthermore, the cabinet approved the inclusion of the SL-3 project of Lahore Ring Road and the elevated project from Niazi Chowk to Babu Sabu in the annual development program. Additionally, the expansion project of Data Darbar was approved, which will feature a state-of-the-art almonry and enhanced facilities for visitors. The chief minister instructed that the owners of the land acquired for the expansion project be compensated at the market rate.
Moreover, the cabinet authorized the signing of an agreement between the Local Government Department and the Punjab Information Technology Board for the “Your Municipality, Helpline 1198” project. Amendments to the Punjab Government Rules of Business, 2011 were approved to facilitate the training of public prosecutors at the Center for Professional Development of Public Prosecutors. Financial assistance was also approved for the affected children and families of deceased children in Ahmadpur East tehsil of Bahawalpur.
In a significant decision, the cabinet granted financial autonomy to the medical superintendents of all government hospitals in Punjab, enabling them to manage their finances up to 10 million rupees. The cabinet also approved the delegation of financial powers to the medical superintendents.
Furthermore, the establishment of the Nishtar Institute of Ophthalmology & Allied Vision Sciences (IOAVS) in Multan and the revised procedure for the appointment of principals in government colleges were reviewed. The audit report for the fiscal year 2022-23 was also approved for the accounts of the Punjab government.
Additionally, approval was given for a draft agreement between the Excise & Taxation Department and the Punjab Information Technology Board regarding the scanning of motor vehicle registration documents/files. The Okara Arts Council was transferred back to the Punjab Arts Council from the Lahore Arts Council.
The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, advisors, the chief secretary, the IG police, and others.
