Lahore: Punjab Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman chaired the 12th meeting of Cabinet Standing Committee on Business and Privatization here at Civil Secretariat on Monday.
The meeting was attended by Provincial Minister for Communication and Works and Law, Malik Saif Bhutta, and Local Government Minister, Zeeshan Rafiq.
The committee deliberated on a 12-point agenda, which included the appointment of two assessors in the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Tribunal, approval of Punjab Forest Depot and Punjab Forest Transit Rules 2023, amendments to the 254 Motor Vehicle Rules 1969, and Tax Rules for Immovable Urban Properties 1958. The reconstitution of the Punjab Health Foundation and the Boards of Engineers for Coal Mine Inspections was also discussed.
The committee approved over nine recommendations and directed the Mines and Minerals Department to ensure merit-based appointment of competent members for the Workers Welfare Board and Mines Labor Housing Boards.
The finance minister emphasize
d that appointments should prioritize the welfare of workers and not merely reappoint individuals who have held board positions for years. He further instructed that any re-nominated board members must provide a detailed account of their contributions to workers’ welfare during their tenure.
The finance minister also announced that the Excise and Taxation Department is introducing a new system for property tax assessment under the Punjab Finance Act 2024. This system will be effective from January 1, 2025.