The decision to launch e-stamp papers in the province will not only result in collection of revenue of billions of rupees but irregularities and fraud in the business of stamp papers would also come to an end, said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif while presiding over a meeting of provincial cabinet on Wednesday.
Apart from reaching a decision to launch e-stamp papers throughout the province under a phased programme, the meeting reviewed wheat procurement campaign, law and order situation and security measures for Zimbabwean cricket team also gave approval to Punjab Protection of Women Victims against Violence Bill-2015, amendments in clause 3 of Punjab Maternity Benefit Ordinance 1958, Stamp Act 1899 and Punjab Commission on the Status of Women Act.
Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that the modern system of electronic stamp papers will curb illegal occupation of land through bogus stamp papers, adding that the revolutionary programme will start from July 2015.
He directed that e-stamping programme should also be evolved with regard to registration of land and final recommendations should be presented as soon as possible.
WHEAT PROCUREMENT A SUCCESS:
Commenting on wheat procurement campaign, he said, “The campaign is successfully continuing in the province and 2,900,000 metric tonnes wheat has been procured from the cultivators.”
“Protection of the rights of the farmers is one of the top priorities of the government and no one will be allowed to exploit the cultivators,” he said, adding that the government has for the first time made electronic registration of 4.2 million cultivators during the procurement campaign.
He directed that forensic analysis of the data obtained through electronic registration be undertaken for devising future wheat procurement policy.
He appreciated the ministers including minister for food, chief secretary, secretary food and secretaries concerned for showing good performance during the campaign and said that the administrative officers of top three districts displaying outstanding performance during the campaign will be encouraged while inefficient officers will be penalised.
LAW AND ORDER SATISFACTORY:
The chief minister said that the visit of Zimbabwean Cricket Team is an important step towards revival of international cricket in Pakistan.
“The government has made foolproof security arrangements for the visit of the cricket team,” he said, further directing the cabinet committee on law and order to review security measures on daily basis.
Regarding Punjab Vigilance Committee Bill 2015, presented in the cabinet meeting, the chief minister said that terrorism and extremism are big challenges for the country and all segments of the society will have to play their role for dealing with this menace.
He said that setting up of vigilance committees is of vital importance for ensuring community participation in the efforts to cope with the problem of terrorism.
He said that the system of vigilance committee will play an effective role in dealing with the issue of terrorism. He directed that final recommendations regarding the Vigilance Committee Bill be presented after consultation with all ministers, departments and institutions concerned.
ENSURE IMPLEMENTATION OF MARRIAGE FUNCTIONS ACT:
The chief minister directed the authorities to ensure complete implementation of Marriage Functions Act and action be taken without any discrimination over its violation.
He said that the proposal to review the Marriage Functions Act 1998 for banning one dish and serving of soup in winter and cold drinks in summer be considered. In connection with Punjab Marriage Functions Bill 2015, the chief minister directed that the bill should be considered from all angles and comprehensive legislation be made for benefiting the poor and the common man.
He said that such measures are of vital importance for removing disparity between the rich and the poor. He said the government is taking revolutionary measures for the welfare of low-income people and proposal to ban one dish in marriage functions will be an important step towards providing genuine relief to the common man.