LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting of the provincial cabinet on Friday which reviewed the second phase of provision of financial assistance to the flood affected people.

The cabinet approved the extension policy of lease of commercial properties of local government as well as approved amendments in the Punjab Criminal Prosecution Service Act of 2006 and the PHA Act of 2012, says a handout.

The Labour Policy of 2014 and the Punjab Sanitation Policy, after consideration by the cabinet committee, will be presented in the next provincial cabinet meeting for approval. The cabinet expressed satisfaction over the initial progress on the project of exploring mineral reserves and paid tributes to the dynamic leadership of Mr Sharif and congratulated him.

Mr Sharif said a good news had been received about the progress in the project of exploring mineral reserves in Chiniot and the Chinese company has declared the samples of natural reserves obtained through drilling encouraging. He said the reserves in the soil were not less than oil or gas for us and added these reserves would prove a guarantee for the development and prosperity of the country and the nation. He said that worst criminal negligence was committed with regard to mineral reserves of Chiniot during dictatorship and this important project of national importance was delayed due to policy of favoritism. He directed the ministers to make a cabinet committee to bring to light all facts with regard to exploring mineral reserves. He said that besides provincial ministers, government officials and experts would be included in the committee to evolve a strategy to further it.

He said Rs9.75 billion had been given to 275,000 flood-hit people as financial assistance in the second phase which would be completed in the next few days. He said the Punjab government had ensured rehabilitation of flood-hit people in days instead of months. He said that international institutions had also declared the distribution of financial assistance system foolproof and transparent. He warned no injustice or excess would be tolerated in the distribution of financial assistance among flood affected people.

Earlier, the senior Board of Revenue member and the PDMA director general briefed the meeting with regard to provision of financial assistance to the flood affected people under Khadim-e-Punjab Imdadi Package in the second phase.

The participants offered Fateha for the departed soul of sister of Provincial Minister for Excise and Taxation Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman.

Published in Dawn, November 22th, 2014