LAHORE: The board of directors of the Parks and Horticulture Authority has decided to incorporate punishment of imprisonment in the existing amended version of the PHA Act for those cutting trees unlawfully.

According to officials, since the prevailing laws suggest imposition of fine alone, the incorporation of punishment of imprisonment along with fine will be helpful in penalising the suspects. In this regard, the PHA Act (Amended)-2012 will again be amended by involving the law department and others concerned.

The proposal was floated in a BoD meeting held here at the PHA head office.

“For this purpose, the proposal will be shared with the Punjab government through the law officers. And before this, it will be discussed in detail in next BoD meeting during which the participants will decide about the period of imprisonment. After consensus, the laws will be amended,” a PHA spokesman told Dawn.

He said the participants approved amendments in the PHA service rules and kept the matter of Bagh-i-Jinnah service rules pending till next meeting for further discussion.

The BoD also approved a proposal to add any member of the board in the departmental promotion committee. A proposal seeking Eid allowance of Rs2,000 for each employee (grade-1 to 10) and the same for non-Muslim staffers on the occasion of their festivals (Easter, Christmas etc) was also approved by the participants. The BoD rejected an application from Choueifat School in Johar Town for construction of a boundary wall on the greenbelt.

The participants also gave the go-ahead to the PHA to develop a nursery at a piece of land measuring five acres in the botanical garden of the Jallo Park.

The meeting decided to fill vacant posts of grade 10 to 17 through National Testing Service. It also sought proceedings (notes and minutes) of all PHA meetings in Urdu as per verdict of the Supreme Court, the spokesman said.

TRANSFERS: The LDA administration on Monday transferred its six deputy directors.

According to a spokesman, Wajahat Ali, deputy director (recovery), was transferred and posted in the directorate of land development-I. Mudassar Majeed, deputy director land development-III, was transferred and posted in the directorate of recovery. Muhammad Khaleequr Rehman, deputy director Estate Management (QAT), was transferred and posted in the directorate of land development-III. Rehan Athar, deputy director (procurement), was transferred and posted in the directorate of land development-I.

Muhammad Tayyab Khan, deputy director land development-I, was transferred and posted in the directorate of administration. Ms. Rabail Butt, deputy director admin III, was transferred and posted in the directorate of coordination and implementation.

RAIDS: A CDGL squad on Monday seized a huge quantity of Gutka (40,000 packets) while it was being transported in a van to various wholesale outlets near railway station.

The team also had suspects Imran, Zahid and Waseem arrested.

MILK RATES: The city administration on Monday issued new rates of the milk and yogurt.

According to new rates, the milk and yogurt will be sold for Rs70 and Rs85 per kilo, respectively, in the city.

A notification has been issued by the DCO, said a spokesman in a statement.

POLIO DRIVE: The district health department under the supervision of the city administration will hold another round of a three-day polio drive in 74 sensitive union councils of the metropolis from Wednesday (tomorrow).

ETPB: The Evacuee Trust Property Board will hold a meeting on Tuesday (today) to finalise arrangements regarding the upcoming birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak and arrival of hundreds of Sikhs in Lahore from India.

Published in Dawn, October 13th , 2015

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