Punjab Cabinet approves 2 draft bills: Quota for widows, martyrs, disabled enhanced in 'Aashiyana Project'

Punjab Cabinet, which met here on Monday with Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in the chair, accorded approval to the draft bills of Punjab Food Safety & Standard Authority Act 2011 and the Walled City of Lahore Act 2010 as well as Online Legislation Project for promoting public awareness regarding the laws of provincial departments.
The Punjab Cabinet also decided to enhance the quota of widows, martyrs, orphans and the disabled in "Aashiyana Housing Project" from five percent to 10 percent and to adopt a comprehensive system for complete verification of the applications for allotment of houses.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that it has been decided to set up an autonomous Food Authority in Punjab for the first time in the history of the country for the provision of unadulterated and hygienic essential items to the people. He said that though various departments were functioning for the supply of pure food items to the citizens but the desired results were not being achieved due to lack of co-ordination. He said that Punjab Food Authority will ensure availability of quality foodstuff to the masses and besides imposition of fine the elements involved in adulteration, short measuring and the heinous trade of substandard items, will also be sent behind the bars.
Shahbaz while granting approval to the establishment of the Food Authority also gave instructions for the formation of a committee headed by Provincial Law Minister regarding selection of the members of the authority. The committee will submit its recommendations within 48 hours, which will be incorporated in the draft law.
The Chief Minister said that conservation of cultural heritage is the need of the hour and added that no attention was paid in this direction in the past. He said that protection of cultural heritage is the responsibility of the government. Granting approval to the Walled City of Lahore Act 2010, he said that after Lahore, legislation will be undertaken for the conservation of cultural heritage in all major cities of the province.
He said that the approval of the Act will help evolve a comprehensive programme for the conservation of cultural heritage in the province. He said that Online Access to the Substantive and Subordinate Legislation Project being initiated for the first time in the country's history is a revolutionary step for promoting public awareness regarding the laws of government departments. He said that Law and other administrative departments have made commendable efforts for this project and it is also encouraging that Punjab government incurred no expenditure in this regard. He said that after the first phase of the project, the second phase will also be started soon and completed at the earliest.
He directed Chief Secretary to extend all out co-operation to the departments concerned regarding the project and a vigorous media campaign should be launched while seminars and discussions should also be arranged for promoting awareness in the people regarding this important initiative of Punjab government.
Shahbaz further said that Punjab government has launched "Aashiyana Housing Scheme" for the low-income people and a highly transparent system has been adopted for allotment of houses. Granting approval to enhancing quota of widows, martyrs, orphans and the disabled from five percent to 10 percent in the scheme, the Chief Minister announced that the government will itself make down payment of the persons meeting the criterion set for the special quota.
He directed that in accordance with the policy of Punjab government, a highly transparent procedure should be adopted for the scrutiny of all applications to ensure that only eligible persons have applied for the houses. Regarding the ongoing campaign against encroachments in Lahore, the Chief Minister said that this public welfare drive will yield positive results and help streamline the flow of traffic in the city.
He said that Lahorites have extended full support to this step of the government and public representatives and administration have also played a commendable role in this regard. He said that after Lahore, campaign against encroachments will be launched in other cities and elected representatives and cabinet members should play their role for the success of the campaign launched in any part of the province.