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LAHORE, Dec 11: The Punjab government will give Rs10 million to every MPA for development activities in his constituency.
This grant will be ‘all-inclusive’ and no separate fundswould be given for electrification, roads, schools or dispensaries, PML-Q sources said on Wednesday.
The prime minister has already announced a similar grant for all MNAs.
Meanwhile, Punjab chief minister Pervaiz Elahi told the MNAs and MPAs from Sargodha and Faisalabad divisions that 3,800 and 2,500 vacancies in the education and health departments would be filled on the recommendation of the legislators.
At a meeting with them, he said the system of Baitul Maal, Zakat and Ushr committees would be reviewed.
MODEL CITY: A package is being prepared to improve infrastructure of the provincial metropolis, Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a reception in his honour, he said he was thinking of making Lahore a model city as far as the working of the police was concerned. Their salaries would be doubled, other facilities improved while they would be required to work only eight hours a day.
Traders and industrialists from various parts of the country were also present at the reception.
The chief minister said he wanted the police to work on the pattern of motorway police where officials were more cultured and efficient.
About the policies he would follow while in power, the chief minister said industrialization would be given top priority as this was the most effective way of overcoming unemployment.
He assured the private sector that they would be provided all possible cooperation for the establishment of industries. Small and medium industries would receive utmost attention as they had the potential to absorb more people.
All government departments, he said, would hold regular meetings with representatives of traders and industrialists at the Chief Minister’s House and solve their problems.
The chief minister said a task force would be set up to provide incentives to farming community. In the past, he said, it was regrettable that farmers and industrialists had been alternately suffering losses as a result of which the economy affected adversely.
The new Punjab government would make sure that farmers and industrialists worked hand-in-hand and flourished concurrently, he said.
Mr Elahi said realizing that in the past no government had survived more than three years, he had directed the authorities concerned to plan such projects which could be completed in two years.
He said there was a dire need for cooperation between the ruling party and the opposition so that the people’s problems could be solved.
He assured the hosts that a cargo village and an expo centre would be set up in Lahore.
He said the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority would stay intact. The system of social security would be improved, he added.
Highlighting the importance of economy, he said there was a need for cooperation among parties of all shades of opinion to continue good policies, no matter which government had devised them.
He said the democratic system should also be strengthened as it was better than any other system. Political people, he pointed out, were more tolerant in their attitude and had the courage to face criticism, no matter how strong.
Earlier, Bashir Jan Muhammad, Yawar Irfan, Ilyas Bilour and Iftikhar Ali Malik came up with suggestions to improve the state of trade and industry.
APP ADDS: Expressing his dismay over the performance of police, Mr Elahi hinted that the government would review the Police Ordinance, 2001, to make it more effective and come up to the expectation of the people.
Referring to the demands by the early speakers to control law and order situation, the chief minister said such laws that did not redress the grievances of the people would be reviewed.
He was of the view that the new Police Act has increased the powers of police but has not led to the control of crime.
The chief minister said every step would be taken to make Lahore police a truly model force.
CABINET: Chief Minister Elahi said the provincial cabinet would be formed in due course of time.
“I am not in a hurry to announce my cabinet,” he added.
Since neither the NWFP nor Balochistan chief ministers have named their cabinets, so he would also take time to name his council of ministers.
Referring to the issue relating to party chief Mian Azhar, he expressed the hope that the matter would be resolved amicably and in good spirit.
