RAWALPINDI, Sept 1: Provincial minister for local governments and law Raja Basharat on Monday said the government was taking steps to ensure standard constructions in the province.

He was speaking at a function organized to distribute cheques among the victims of Bano Arcade tragedy.

The minister said substandard construction would not be allowed in the future. He asked the people to be vigilant and fulfil their responsibilities in preventing low-standard construction.

Later on talking to reporters, he said no construction could be done without proper approval of map and making sure that the materials being used were of the requisite standard. The government is fully alive to its responsibilities in ensuring construction of buildings according to rules and regulations, he said.

Replying to a question, Mr Basharat said the Punjab government was not obstructing implementation of police reforms. “Our government is working speedily on these reforms,” he said.

About the Bano Arcade incident, he said the inquiry was underway, adding that the Tehsil Municipal Corporation (TMA) officers found responsible for the plaza collapse would be taken to task.

The minister distributed cheques amounting to Rs0.1 million among the heirs of the deceased. Similarly, cheques worth Rs20,000were given to those who had sustained injuries in the incident.

The relatives of the Bano Arcade victims encircled the provincial minister and slammed the government for reinstating those TMA employees who had been suspended in connection with the incident. “The government reinstated officers who had been found guilty in the Bano Plaza in cident,” they said. They doubted the fairness of the inquiry.

On this, the minister sought confirmation form the Tehsil Nazim, who replied that the suspension orders of TMA officials were reversed by the Punjab government.