The Punjab Cabinet today decided to slash the rate of VAT from 13%+10% surcharge (14.30%) to 5.5%+10% Surcharge (06.05%) on e-bikes, e-scooters and e-rickshaws in the state.This decision was taken by the Council of Ministers during its meeting chaired by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here at Punjab Bhawan this evening.Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that this decision has been taken to check the pollution by way of promoting these modes of public transport, which were environment friendly, instead of diesel autos. It may be recalled that VAT on the aforesaid items in Uttarakhand, Delhi and Rajasthan was 0%, whereas in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh was 5.25% and 13.75% respectively. The reduction in the rate of VAT on e-bikes, e-scooters and e-rickshaws from 14.30% to 6.05% would result in loss of Rs.2 crores to the state exchequer.
The Cabinet also approved Punjab Advocates Welfare Fund Rules, 2016 under Punjab Advocates Welfare Fund Act, 2002. These rules would help to create the procedures proposed under the Act. These Rules would make provision for administrative expenditure, payments and investments to be made by the Trustee Committee. These Rules would define the powers of the Chairman, Secretary and would streamline the day to day functioning of the Trustee Committee.
The Cabinet also gave a nod to modify its earlier decision to bring the Authority already constituted under the control of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department to undertake the maintenance of Sri Harmandir Sahib, Sri Durgiana Mandir, Ram Tirath, Town Hall, Gobind Garh Fort and Urban Haat at Amritsar instead of Local Government Department. It was also decided to name it as ‘Amritsar Tourism Development Authority’ and Gobindgarh Fort Amritsar had also been included within its ambit. Approximately 500 to 750 meters area around Sri Darbar Sahib, Gobindgarh Fort, Durgiana Mandir and Ram Tirath Complex would be under the jurisdiction of this authority. The authority has been authorized to execute works related to maintenance, cleanliness, electricity, monuments-lighting, sanitation, upkeep of roads, solid waste management and other related works in this area. The funds would be provided from the Cess collected under the Excise Policy of the state government to carry out the activities of the authority.
In another significant decision, the Cabinet also gave approval to convert 162 vacancies of JBT/ ETT category reserved for blind/ partially blind into Hobby teachers in the larger public interest. This decision has been taken on humanitarian grounds and in the spirit of Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities Protection of Rights And Full Participation) Act, 1995.The Cabinet also approved the creation of New Block Jaiton in Faridkot district consisting of 67 Gram Panchayats besides creation of 10 posts for this new block. The new block has been created to facilitate the people residing in the area by taking out 67 Panchayats from Block Kotkapura. At present, the people of these villages have to go to Kotkapura for their development works and Jaiton for works related to SDM/Revenue Officers.The Cabinet also decided to lease 16 Kanal of land of village Kishan Kot, in tehsil Batala of district Gurdaspur to ‘Sarhad Pune’ for 33 years to establish ‘Bhasha Bhawan Yatri Niwas’. With this project a Bhasha Bhawan Yatri Niwas would be established in the border districts of the state, where the wards of the terrorist and riot affected persons and children of other needy poor families would receive education.
The Cabinet also gave approval to ‘Punjab Health & Family Welfare Ministerial Staff (Head Office & Sub-Office) Group-A Rules, 2016’. The post of an Administrative Officer (Family Welfare) and 17 posts of Superintendent Grade-I, created subsequently were not included in the existing ‘Punjab Medical Department Post (Recruitment and Condition of Services) Rules, 1945 and would now be covered under the new rules. This decision has been taken to provide best health care services to the people across the state efficaciously.
The Cabinet also accorded approval to amend the Punjab Cooperative Service Rules 1963 through which certain provisions have been made in consonance with different sections of the Act so as to ensure clarity in the implementation of the Act. It may be recalled that the Punjab Cooperative Societies Act 1961 passed in the state assembly in 2014 wherein the main aim was to empowerment of women in field of Cooperation. The various sections of the Punjab Cooperative Societies Act 1961 was amended by the government through notifications issued on January 3, 2014, July 21, 2014 and July 28, 2014. The main amendment was the provision for reservation of one seat for Schedule Caste and two seats for women members in the managing committee, thereafter the need arose to amend the Punjab Cooperative Service Rules 1963 in wake of these amendments.Likewise, the Cabinet also okayed ‘Punjab Financial Commissioners’ Secretariat (Group-A) Services Rules, 2016. It may be recalled that the Personnel Department on the recommendation of Fifth Pay Commission, included the officers drawing a Grade pay of Rs.5000/- or, more in the Group ‘A’ service. In view of this, new rules have been framed so as to implement the necessary conditions for service of these officers.
The Cabinet also decided to delete Sub section (1) of section 47 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976 wherein a minimum service of 10 years has been provided for appointment of Commissioner of Municipal Corporation.The Cabinet also gave nod to the notification of Punjab Biological Diversity Rules 2016 thereby facilitating Punjab Biodiversity Board to implement the Biological Diversity Act (BDA), 2002 for conservation and sustainable utilisation of biological resources in the state. These Rules stipulates that all Indian citizens and companies were required to give prior intimation and take approval from board for access of biological resources from state for commercial utilisation. Likewise the biodiversity rich areas of state would be declared as Biodiversity Heritage Sites under these rules for their conservation, scientific management and maintenance.The Cabinet gave its approval to implement the decision of the Competent Authority to stop two increments of Mr. Vijay Kumar Syal, PCS in disagreement with the recommendations of Punjab Public Service Commission in a disciplinary proceeding case pending against him (placing his feet on the memorial of Shaheed Bhagat Singh) during his posting as Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Banga.
The Cabinet also approved the creation of one post of Additional Supervisor at Punjab Civil Secretariat, which would be filled up by promotion from amongst drivers. This decision has been taken to fulfil one of the demands of drivers during a meeting with the State Chief Secretary held on February 23, 2016. The Cabinet also gave approval for the creation/regularization of nine posts in Group-D of different cadres of daily workers working in Dr. BR Ambedkar Institute of Career and Courses, Mohali w.e.f March 18, 2011 in light of the decision of Punjab and Haryana High Court in Civil Writ Petition No.24337 of 2012.In order to impart quality Higher education to the people, the Cabinet also approved the setting up of two Self-financed Private Universities ‘Sri Guru Ram Das University of Health Sciences’ and Khalsa University both at Sri Amritsar.The Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval for the creation of three posts of Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPSs), to bring far more efficiency in state administration besides dissemination of policies and programmes of the state government in a result oriented manner. It may be recalled that with the swearing in of six new CPSs, the number of these posts have gone up to 24, of which 21 have already been approved.