LAHORE, March 23: The Punjab government on Sunday banned transfers and postings of its functionaries to ensure “smooth running of its affairs and discourage MPAs”. The ban will remain effective till June 30.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the provincial cabinet, which was presided over by Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi.

Officials said the ban was imposed because of the MPAs’ interest in transfers and postings of officials, which the authorities found a hurdle in the smooth functioning of the government.

They said the chief minister was of the view that the officials found guilty of misconduct or involved in corruption should not even be transferred. Transferring such officials was not a cure to their misdeed and they should instead be proceeded against, he reportedly said.

The chief minister said instead of showing interest in the postings of government officials of their liking, the MPAs must identify development schemes in their respective areas.

The ban will also discourage those government officials who want lucrative posts through the MPAs, the chief minister reported to have said at the meeting.

Meanwhile, the cabinet banned all government-sponsored Jashan-i-Baharan functions and recreational activities in view of the attack on Iraq. It directed the authorities concerned to ensure the implementation of the decision.

The meeting discussed the situation in Iraq and expressed its concern over it. The cabinet members agreed that the people could not remain indifferent to the hardships and miseries of their Iraqi brethren. They maintained that the government was aware of the people’s sentiments and shared their grief.

The chief minister took notice of illegal occupation and misuse of state land in the province, directing the authorities concerned to take foolproof measures to discourage the practice. The government would not tolerate misuse of its land either by individuals or institutions.

He directed that a better planning should be made for the distribution of 100,000 acres of state land among landless peasants in the province. It would be ensured that the recipients could not sell the allotted land and use it only as their permanent source of income, he said.

The cabinet took various decisions regarding the health department which included the establishment of a burnt unit in the province and a major cardiology hospital in Multan.

The meeting was informed that the chief minister’s public health insurance policy would be launched from Sialkot sometime during the current year. This programme would also be started as a pilot project for government employees in Lahore in the near future.

The chief minister ordered that provision of life-saving drugs, necessary equipment and experienced doctors should be ensured in emergency wards of all government hospitals in the province. The condition of providing free service to patients in emergency wards for the first 24 hours should be strictly implemented. No fees should be received even from those willing to pay it in the emergency wards, he said.

The meeting was informed that besides preparing a new syllabus for nurses the government was considering to increase their basic qualification and grades.

The cabinet discussed various proposals regarding new recruitment in different government departments. The chief minister constituted a committee to present a report in 10 days in this regard. The committee comprised Law Minister Raja Basharat, Education Minister Imran Masood, Health Minister Tahir Javed and representatives of the provincial administration.

The chief minister directed that while preparing its recommendations the committee must consult the in-charge minister of every department concerned.

The meeting approved the amendment bill of the agriculture income tax which would be presented to the assembly for legislation.

It decided that the Punjab Public Service Commission would continue to make recruitments on posts which fell under its jurisdiction and no such vacancy would be withdrawn from it.

The cabinet discussed the implementation of the law banning food on marriages and juvenile smoking. The chief minister directed that steps should be taken for the implementation of the laws.