The Punjab cabinet has decided to cancel the licences issued to 56 salt mining companies by the last government in violation of rules and regulations, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.

The decision was taken at the ninth meeting of the provincial cabinet held with Punjab Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi in the chair. 

The cabinet also constituted a committee for the purpose. 

It was noted with concern that the last government by issuing licenses to favourites without bidding and an open auction caused a loss of billions of rupees to the national exchequer. 

The cabinet also gave a green signal to taking steps to make issuance of licenses for mining transparent.  

It was decided that from now onwards licenses would be issued through open auction.

Approval was also given to the Punjab’s recently amended Rock Salt Policy.

Likewise, the cabinet decided to give a big relief to the students travelling through Orange Train and metro bus. 

It was decided that from now onwards, students would be able to travel free of cost. 

The cabinet gave instructions to the energy department to take steps to save energy in the light of prime minister’s Energy Conservation Plan.

CM Naqvi ordered reduction in the consumption of electricity units at government offices. 

He gave instructions to all government departments to implement the save energy plan.

He also sought a report from secretaries on the consumption of electricity at their offices. 

The chief minister ordered the civil secretariat and other departments paperless so that summaries could be disposed of as early as possible. 

The cabinet approved extension in the contracts of employees of Information and Communication Technology Cell. 

Similarly, the decision was also taken to extend contracts of employees of Police and Strategic Planning Unit of Primary and Secondary Health. 

Likewise, supplementary grant was approved for the repair of the damage caused to rivers and nullahs by last year floods.