Punjab Cabinet approves Local Government Act, 2021

LAHORE: The Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Punjab Local Government Act, 2021 along with other important legislation in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

The new local governance system aims to empower people through devolution of power at the grassroots level.

Apart from this, the cabinet also granted in-principle approval to the Immovable Public Property (Elimination of Encroachments) Ordinance, 2021. The law will allow the government to impose damages on land grabbers and end encroachment on state lands.

Read more: SC orders probe in delay of local bodies restoration

After the passage of this law, occupants involved in the encroachment will have to pay damages daily.

The meeting also decided to forward the issue of amendment in the land revenue act for new administrative units to the cabinet standing committee for legislation.

The Punjab cabinet reversed the decision to increase commercial property tax to provide relief to the traders. Those who have deposited commercial property tax amounts would be adjusted in the next tax fees.

The cabinet also approved immediate recruitments on vacant posts of the school education department and directed the department to take further action in this regard. Formal approval of setting up six cement plants was also granted to provide jobs to thousands of people.

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The meeting also approved the amendment in Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965 for the registration of electric vehicles. It approved to formulate a ministerial committee to decide about the agreement between the excise department and NRTC while giving in-principle approval of an agreement for installing radio frequency identification device (vehicles passport) in vehicles.

SC orders probe in delay of local bodies restoration

The approval for the law dealing with local governments comes as the Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered an investigation into the delay in the restoration of local bodies’ institutions in Punjab.

Earlier this month, a Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed heard a case seeking the restoration of local bodes.

Read more: LHC directs Punjab govt to release funds to Lahore mayor to address smog situation

The Punjab government also submitted a notification in the Supreme Court with regards to the restoration of local councils in the province.

During the hearing, Chief Justice pointed out flaws in the drafting of the notification issued by the government of Punjab. The CJP further remarked that the provincial government deems it has restored local councils which is not an accurate statement.