LAHORE: The Punjab Cabinet has approved monitoring of all the 129 social protection programmes under the single Social Protection Authority (SPA) along with merger of the Zakat & Usher, Social Welfare and Baitul Maal departments to establish a consolidated Department of Social Protection.

The cabinet granted approval of the Punjab Social Protection Policy 2022 too.

Chairing the eighth provincial cabinet meeting at CM’s Secretariat on Thursday, Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi said the strategy for the welfare of the masses would be ensured through the first consolidated Social Protection Policy of Punjab.

The cabinet paid tributes to PTI Chairman Imran Khan for collecting funds for the flood affectees through a telethon. The DG PDMA gave a comprehensive briefing on the assistance programme for the flood affectees.

The cabinet expressed reservations about the federal government not paying the amount of the Universal Health Insurance Programme and demanded it release the dues of Punjab.

Gives nod to filling about 4,000 posts in various depts

It granted approval for the establishment of the Khatamun Nabiyeen (SAW) University in Lahore and allocated Rs1bn funds under the Annual Development Programme for provision of other facilities. It approved the status of tehsil to Mandi Shah Jewena in district Jhang.

It approved Rs3bn funds to construct a multi-storey parking plaza, an overhead bridge and underground passage for Data Darbar.

An approval was granted for filling 580 posts from BPS-5 to BPS-15 in the Special Education Department, 839 new posts of junior and senior special education teachers in the Special Education Department, induction on 632 posts in the labour department, 1,784 posts for the secretaries of union councils in the local government and posts of excise inspectors and 416 posts from BS-5 to BS-15 in the Excise & Taxation department.

The cabinet also approved setting up a film production studio and cinema complex for revival of the film industry under the ADP. It granted approval of Rs250m grant for the Journalists Housing Society on 189 kanal land in Faisalabad and transfer of 189 kanals of land in the name of the Journalists Housing Foundation.

The chief minister directed that the transfer of the Punjab Journalists Housing Foundation from Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) should be completed as soon as possible. Approval was granted to purchase 25 new buses amounting to Rs400m for the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (Tevta).

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2022