Sindh Cabinet on Monday approved establishment of Sindh Evacuee Trust Property Board for management and disposal of prosperities that included educational institutions, different trusts, agriculture land, health facilities, temples and gurdwara, vacated due to migration in years 1947, 1965 and 1971.
Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister on Information& Archives, Law, and Anti-Corruption Establishment, Barrister Murtaza Wahab apprise the media persons on the decisions of Sindh Cabinet meeting.
The Advisor added that Sindh Cabinet has approved Sindh Evacuee Trust Properties (Management & Disposal) Act and formed three member committee-headed by Sindh Minister for Minorities Affairs Hari Ram Kishori Lal , Sindh Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla and Advisor Information Barrister Murtaza Wahab- the committee is to table the act in Sindh Assembly within three days for approval.
Advisor Information further told that Chief Minister Sindh has directed local government minster to ensure cleanliness of city after rain and ensure the free flow of traffic on the roads, that all out steps must be undertaken to drain out rain water.
Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that Sindh Prisons Correction Act 2018 was also discussed in the meeting which aimed at transforming prisons into reform centers/ homes and in this regard, three member cabinet committee has been formed comprising Sindh Prisons Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Minister Energy Imtiaz Shaikh, Advisor Law Barrister Murtaza Wahab and Secretary Home Qazi Kabeer to review, who are to finalize it within seven days for tabling in Sindh Assembly for approval.
He said that act was meant to provide healthy environment to women prisoners in jails and ensuring prisons’ access to health facilities.
He said that imparting technical education to prisoners was also included in the act so that hardened criminals could be transformed into useful citizens. He added that training of Jail Police was also focused in the act and the existing jail rules, more than a century old, needed improvements.
Provincial Advisor said that Sindh Cabinet has discussed item of Occupational Safety & Health Council Act and directed labour department secretary to present it in the Cabinet after further improvements.
He said that Sindh cabinet has extended the lien period of financial closer of 100 MW Nooriabad Power Plant up to 30 June 2020. The cabinet was briefed that Nooriabad Power Plant was established in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode with 49% shares of Sindh government and 61% of private company and has earned profit of Rs. 6.62 billion.
The advisor added that Sindh Cabinet also discussed nomination of member of general public from Sindh in PEMRA and has authorized Advisor Information to nominate suitable person on the Board of PEMRA.
Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that amendment in STEVTA Act 2010 has also been approved in meeting and as per amendment, Minister, Advisor, Special Assistant or nominee of Chief Minister Sindh will be the Chairman of STEVTA. Before the amendment, he said that only the Minister could be the Chairman of STEVTA.
He further said that amendment in Section 26 of Sindh Local government Act 2013 has also been approved. As per the amendment, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chairman, Vice Chairman or any member was bound to send his resignation to its administrative department; earlier it was sent to council.
He said that Sindh cabinet also approved amendments Sindh Public Procurement (SPPRA) 2010 and few technical definitions and terms of quorum were improved and defined.
He continued that Sindh Cabinet has directed to auction the old vehicles as Chief Minister Sindh expressed his anger on the misuse of GS number plates and directed to take action in this regard adding that government vehicles might be used in terrorism incidents.
He said Chief Minister Sindh on the request of Minister Local government Saeed Ghani has directed to identify land for graveyards in the city. In this regard, He said that Chief Minister Sindh has directed Chief Secretary Sindh to include agenda item in next cabinet meeting adding that Karachi needed new graveyards.
He said that Sindh cabinet also approved three new official members for the Fishermen Cooperative Society in place of Secretary Law, Secretary Fisheries and Secretary Cooperative Department. Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh for information has strongly condemned the Sahiwal incident and remarked that check & balance was necessary on Police. To a question, he said that Sindh government has no intention to curtail IG Police’s powers and added that independence and accountability was ensured in the new Sindh Police Act.
Published in Daily Times, January 22nd 2019.
