The cabinet deliberated that the free mining of sand by the landowners will be allowed to abolish the contract system. Under this system, any landowner can mine sand from his land to ensure its availability to the consumers at affordable rates, said an official spokesperson. The first cabinet meeting chaired by the CM and two deputy CMs began at 8pm and went on for over three hours.
The cabinet also discussed the proposal to increase free electricity units from existing 200 units to 300 units under SC/BC/BPL domestic consumers. It asked the additional chief secretary for power to bring the proposal in the next meeting to give relief to the poor and needy.
The cabinet also deliberated to waive off the pending electricity bills of tube wells working under rural water supply (RWS) schemes and also to provide free water supply in rural areas.
It was decided that Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation (PSCFC) will formulate a policy for allotment of land to occupants at affordable rates.
The cabinet decided that a comprehensive policy regarding proper implementation of the Right to Education Act and providing monetary help to the eligible educational institutes be prepared and put up in the next meeting.