From Abid Usman
LAHORE: A provincial cabinet meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has approved several key initiatives to advance the province’s development and welfare goals.
The meeting, held in Lahore, ratified three major projects: the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar housing scheme, the Chief Minister Green Tractor Program, and the Children’s Heart Surgery Program.
The cabinet also made strides in public safety and health by increasing penalties for illegal weapons and kite flying, approving new policies for medical and dental college admissions, and establishing Punjab’s first life insurance company.
The housing initiative, Apni Chhat Apna Ghar, will offer loans of Rs1.5 million with monthly instalments of Rs14,000 over nine years.
The Green Tractor Program aims to distribute 30,000 tractors to farmers, with 9,500 set to be allocated immediately. Additionally, the cabinet approved a significant subsidy of Rs1 million per tractor.
In healthcare, the Chief Minister’s Children’s Heart Surgery Program will expedite 12,000 pending surgeries for children.
To address public safety, the cabinet approved increased sentences for those involved in illegal kite-flying activities, with prison terms ranging from 2 to 5 years and fines between Rs2 million and Rs5 million.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also directed the conversion of the housing loan scheme into a revolving fund without charges and simplified the loan application process. All provincial ministers were instructed to contribute to the loan scheme’s first instalment.
These initiatives reflect the provincial government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure, supporting farmers, improving healthcare, and ensuring public safety across Punjab.
Earlier, The Punjab Cabinet has approved the province’s first-ever comprehensive climate change policy and action plan to combat climate change issues.
Resources have also been allocated for implementing this plan, which has been developed through consultations with national and international experts and all relevant stakeholders.
The policy’s objectives focus on improving water resources, biodiversity, disaster management, health and climate justice. Steps will be taken to reduce pollution and climate risks in sectors such as energy, industry, transportation and waste management. The plan also includes increasing afforestation, promoting agriculture and livestock and integrating environmental considerations into planning processes.
