Punjab govt to give solar systems to 4.5m citizens consuming up to 500 units

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said that provincial government is bringing solar system to 4.5 million consumers who consume to 500 units of electricity, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Addressing the 11th meeting of Punjab cabinet in Lahore on Tuesday, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said that due to the increase in electricity bills, there is anxiety among the public and together with team we found a solution of it.

The Chief Minister said that Social Economic Registry of Punjab is starting work and tax withdrawal is welcome for protected consumers.

Despite not buying wheat, it was not easy to control flour prices and she called her team immediately when the price of flour increased by Rs200 and now, monitoring and implementation are necessary to keep flour cheap, Maryam Nawaz said.

The Chief Minister instructed Food Minister to spend 16 hours on controlling rates of basic commodities.

Maryam Nawaz said the poor live in the country and it is very important to protect the interests of the people.

It should not happen that the investors become rich and the poor man is left to build his own roof, Maryam Nawaz said.

In the meeting, the cabinet gave approval of issuance of notification regarding the standard version of the Holy Quran.

The cabinet also gave approval to hire University of Health Sciences for conducting MDCAT 2024 test.

Further, cabinet gave approval of new method of appointment and posting of Divisional Directors of Education (Colleges) and Principals in Government Colleges.

Moreover, cabinet gave approval of abolition of the two-year Pharmacy Assistant Course (Registration of Pharmacy Apprentices) under the Pharmacy Act, 1967.

Taking an important initiative to ensure the protection of the environment, cabinet gave approval of amendment to Boilers Pressure Vessels Ordinance 2002 under which no substandard oil can be used.

Moreover, cabinet gave approvals of Amendments to Punjab Mining Concession Rules 2002, establishment of Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate in the Department of Law and Parliamentary Affairs, signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Punjab and the World Food Programme, Amendments in Punjab Police Deputy Superintendents and Superintendents Service Rules 2020, amendments in Sub Inspectors and Inspectors Rules 2013 under which police officers serving in the Internal Accounts Belt Branch will also be eligible for promotion.

Cabinet also gave approval to extend the scope of the Walled City of Lahore Authority to the level of Punjab.

In the meeting, resignation of the current president of Punjab Provincial Cooperative Bank Limited was accepted and appointment of interim and permanent president of the institution was approved.

Cabinet gave approval of the proposed amendment to the Punjab Employees Social Security Ordinance 1965.

Cabinet also gave approval to get 15 million Euro grant for "Green Energy Project" from KFW Development Bank, Germany.

The meeting decided that schools and hospitals of Punjab will be solarized.

Cabinet also gave approvals of legislation to establish Punjab Energy Efficiency and Conservation Agency (PEECA), land erosion and livestock management project with the support of the World Food and Agriculture Organization which will increase employment at the rural level and recruitment to the vacancies of Digital Media Wing of DGPR.

Reporter: Rao Dilshad Hussain