LAHORE: The Punjab Cabinet Committee on Law on Friday approved an increase in the e-challan fine and introduction of penalty points system. It also approved a proposal to amend law to confiscate driving licences on repeated traffic violations and the licences’ restoration.

The committee meeting, chaired by Law Minister Basharat Raja at the Civil Secretariat, accorded approval to the transformation of Lahore Transport Company to Punjab Transport Company so that its jurisdiction could be extended across the province. The committee also approved a proposal regarding inspection of private vehicles and issuance of fitness certificates.

It approved another proposal to transform Punjab Model Bazaar Company to Punjab Sahulat Bazaar Authority.

Also approves driving licence seizure over repeated violations

The cabinet committee approved Finance Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo’s appointment as Bank of Punjab director as well as the nomination of new members for the King Edward Medical College Board of Directors.

The committee accorded approval to empower the deputy commissioners to issue arms licences, an amendment to transfer powers of Appellate Authority for property tax on luxury houses to divisional directors, the department concerned to go for an agreement for the promotion of drip and sprinkler irrigation system based on solar energy and amendments to the Punjab Fisheries Ordinance 1961 to promote fisheries in the province.

The committee allowed the Punjab Social Protection Authority to withdraw the Girls Stipend Fund’s over Rs1.38 billion in advance. It postponed the Punjab Free and Compulsory Education Amendment Bill 2020 for further discussion, sent the manuscript of Punjab Sikh Marriage (Amendment) Act 2021 to its sub-committee and discussed amendments to the Punjab Pension and GP Fund.

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2021