LAHORE: The Punjab cabinet on Tuesday approved amendments to the Provincial Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1965 to increase fine for vehicles that emit smoke.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz presided over the 18th meeting of the provincial cabinet to decide on important agenda items, including measures for environmental improvement.

The meeting was briefed that a vehicle operating without a Vehicle Fitness Certificate would be fined and impounded after one-time notice.

The cabinet also approved introduction of single-use plastic culture in Punjab. It also gave approval to set up District Plastic Management Committees to address enforcement issues.

Deputy commissioners (DCs) and district police officers (DPOs) will be chairpersons of these committees, while traders and other relevant authorities will be their members.

The committees will have the power to impose fines to ensure implementation of plastic elimination campaign. They will also have the power to seal factories manufacturing non-standard and environmentally non-friendly plastic bags, besides lowering the registration and renewal fee of a quality and environment-friendly plastic bag manufacturing factory.

The cabinet also gave approval to recruit 310 environment inspectors, besides approving the purchase of 250 e-bikes and a standard uniform for them.

The cabinet approved the establishment of Punjab Examination, Curriculum, Training and Assessment Authority (PECTAA), besides approving Punjab Chief Minister’s Laptop Scheme.

The CM directed the authorities concerned to give laptops to students as soon as possible.

The provincial cabinet gave approval to Khelta Punjab Games 2024 (Under 16 Talent Hunt Programme). It was briefed that more than 150,000 players had been registered for Khelta Punjab Games, and 6,000 youths would be given internship in sports department at Rs25,000 per month.

It was also apprised that private universities would provide 50 young athletes with free education, along with sports facilities.

The cabinet approved Chief Minister Punjab Livestock Card for Small Farmers, and set a target of producing 200,000 animals per year, besides extending the scheme to big farmers too.

It approved an Act 2024 for the establishment of three new authorities in Punjab -- Punjab Development Authority, Punjab Water & Sanitation Authority and Punjab Horticulture Authority.

The CM also ordered issuance of festival card for Hindu and Sikh communities in Punjab, under which Rs10,000 would be given to 2,200 families on the occasion of Guru Nanak’s birthday and Diwali.

The cabinet also approved opening of technical universities in Punjab, besides approving recruitment against grades 1-15 vacancies in the Wildlife Park Joharabad.

Published in Dawn, October 23th, 2024