LAHORE, June 16: The Punjab government has earmarked Rs320 million under Access to Justice Programme (AJP), which is Rs80 million less than the current fiscal’s allocation of Rs400 million.

The government attributed the cut to compensation for the overspending of Rs531 million by the previous government under the AJP during 2007-08.

The PML-Q government had allocated Rs400 million under AJP but spent Rs931 million on various development schemes under the programme.

The programme includes the design and operationalisation of Punjab local justice programme, capacity building of Punjab police, developing model systems for four police stations, creation of citizen councils, social audit of police stations, establishment of a judicial academy in Lahore, construction of regional and district offices of public prosecution department, construction of 11 consumer protection courts in Punjab, establishment of a directorate and training institute for private security personnel, re-organisation and strengthening of civil defence, prisons management information system, capacity building of parole and probation services, establishment of rehabilitation facilities in Punjab prisons.

It also includes development of framework/provision of legal aid for indigent accused, establishment of independent certification authority for the prisons staff, establishment of canine units in Punjab, development of research and analysis capacity of the home department and conducting crime survey in Punjab.