Staff Reporter
LAHORE: Punjab Cabinet, which met here Tuesday with the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in the chair, accorded approval for reduction in tariffs of Quaid-e-Azam Thermal Power Private Limited and Punjab Thermal Power Private Limited.The Chief Minister also announced to reduce power tariffs in order to reduce electricity bills so as to provide maximum relief to the people.The Chief Minister approved to reduce the tariffs of Punjab’s power companies. On the direction of Chief Minister, the tariffs may be reduced by 30 to 40 percent. Punjab became the first province to voluntarily reduce electricity tariffs.The Chief Minister said that people repose their complete trust in the leadership and government of PML-N. The provincial cabinet extended congratulations to the CM on party’s win in the by-election at Sambrial. It was apprised that the victory gained with a huge majority in 80 percent rural provincial constituencies is a manifestation of farmers’ complete confidence in the policies of Chief Minister Punjab. A large number of youth and women cast their votes in the Sambrial by-election.The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of Provincial Minister Zeeshan Rafique and Special Assistant Zeeshan Malik.Minister Zeeshan Rafique informed the cabinet that the people voted in large numbers due to public welfare initiatives and projects of Chief Minister Punjab. Special Assistant Zeeshan Malik said that people came out of their homes in a large number and voted for PML-N.The Chief Minister congratulated the Minister for Health, Minister for Communications and relevant secretaries for ensuring improvements in the conditions of hospital and roads in Layyah. She directed to take necessary steps for the establishment of a medical college in Layyah.The cabinet approved a grant-in-aid of Rs 400 million to the Punjab Journalist Housing Foundation. The PJHF will pay RUDA for the land of Lahore Press Club Housing Scheme Phase II.The CM said that a huge package is going to be given to the wheat farmers. It was informed in the meeting that the payment of Rs 5,000 per acre subsidy has been completed to 514,000 wheat farmers in Punjab. The payment will be made after the verification process of another 500,000 wheat farmers is completed. An amount of Rs. 63 billion was provided in the second phase through Kisan Card and farmers have purchased fertilizer worth Rs 18 billion.The cabinet approved the Chief Minister Wheat Program 2025. The establishment of Punjab’s first “Air Punjab Private Limited Company” was also approved. The CM set a target of starting ‘Air Punjab’ within one year. She directed to take immediate steps for closing vaping centres in the province. She directed to ensure “safety gear” for labourers and workers and assigned the Labour Department a target of implementing safety SOPs for workers within a month.The provincial cabinet approved ration cards for workers and miners registered with the Labour Department. The meeting also approved the provision of electric buses in nine divisions of Punjab. The CM directed to establish charging stations in all major cities as soon as possible.
