LAHORE, Jan 28: The Punjab cabinet decided on Tuesday to allow single dish in marriages only on Valima and raise the ceiling for exemption from agriculture tax from five to 12.5 acres.
The cabinet took these decisions at a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi here in the Civil Secretariat.
The Punjab Assembly would be in session from Wednesday to debate and legislate on these and other issues.
The cabinet recommended a ban on food during all wedding ceremonies except Valima where only 300 guests would be allowed.
The chief minister said the permission to allow food only on Valima had been taken in view of the public demand and Islamic traditions. It would also help reduce the burden of brides’ parents.
He said the enhancement of the ceiling for exemption of agriculture tax would benefit 97 per cent of farmers in the province. The decision had been taken in view of the problems of small farmers. Burdening small farmers with the agriculture tax was unjustifiable in view of the increasing prices of pesticides and other agriculture inputs.
He directed the officials concerned to encourage orchard-owners while finalizing details of the agriculture tax. Orchards were an important part of country’s exports and the government was not in favour of burdening their owners, he said.
The meeting also ratified the bill banning sale of cigarettes to children below the age of 18. The chief minister called for a media campaign to create awareness among people in this regard.
The cabinet took serious notice of the practice of flying kites with the help of metal wire and expressed concern over the loss of life and damage to property that it caused. It said the administration must take more serious measures to discourage the practice.
The home secretary submitted a report regarding steps taken for restoration of Sui Gas supply to the province.
Meanwhile, while speaking at a PML-Q parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday night Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi explained that those found violating the restriction on food during marriage ceremonies would have to face a fine of Rs100,000 to Rs300,000.
According to official sources, he said the heirs of the policemen killed in the line of duty would be given all benefits as were being given to the families of the army martyrs.
The chief minister said the IGP had been made all powerful with regard to the functioning of his force and he would now be responsible for improving the law and order in the province.
He said police had been able to arrest terrorists and culprits in the major incidents of violence, including the murder of MPA Chaudhry Farooq.
The chief minister asked the ministers concerned to fully prepare for the four-day debate on law and order, health, education and housing to be held during the assembly session beginning from Wednesday.
He asked the MPAs to work for the collective benefit of the people rather than seeking transfers and postings of their favourite persons.