LAHORE: The focus of the Punjab government activity on Tuesday was to start fully preparing its 100-day reform agenda which Prime Minister Imran Khan is scheduled to announce in Lahore on Dec 22.

“The work is hectic but we are working overtime to complete the agenda before its announcement by the prime minister in Lahore. Yes it is our main activity now,” said a senior official involved in the process.

The prime minister has already announced federal government’s 100-day achievements or plans.

Officials say separately the chief minister has started taking briefings of all departments to assess what they have done so far under his government, what is their capacity and what is their future programme.

On Tuesday, he took briefings of at least eight provincial departments that included excise and taxation, information and culture, food and environment protection.

The provincial government’s reform agenda includes improvement in at least 14 basic sectors directly having impact on people. Reforms in the health and education sectors are the main items of the agenda which comprises new policies and a new local government system.

The Punjab cabinet has already approved for legislation various draft laws and policies. These include amendments to the property tax law to provide relief to people in six districts having a computerised system, policies about relocation of sugar mills in the province and industry and labour, Punjab Occupational Safety and Health Act 2018, Punjab Domestic Workers Act 2018.

Others include province-wise health insurance programme, amendments to the Punjab Motor Vehicles Rules 1969 under Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance, a new water management regime, making a policy in league with the irrigation, forest, local government (read Wasa) departments, regulating water usage, compulsory teaching for children, teachers licencing and grading.

The government has already introduced its first set of six bills in the provincial assembly. They are: Right to Conflict, Right to Services, Punjab Skills Development Authority, Domestic Workers Bill, amendments to the Tevta Act and the Industries Act.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2018