Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak approved the proposed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Whistleblower Act and consented to the establishment of the KP Health Foundation during a cabinet meeting held on Friday.
Besides this the CM has approved KP Board of Investment Act 2015, KP Civil Service Amendment Act 2015, Amendment in Provincial Services Academy KP Act 2013, amendment in Journalist Welfare Fund, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Endowment Fund Act 2014 and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ehtesab Commission Act 2014.
Sharing details of the cabinet meeting, Information Minister Mushtaq Ghani said that approving Whistleblower Act was meant to help engage the public in pointing out corrupt practices.
Under the act, a Vigilance Commission would be set up comprising three members including its chairman.
Anyone who informs the commission about any kind of corruption would initially be investigated and suggest actions to be taken against the alleged corrupt person. The commission can hire the service of any official from any department.
The informant’s identity would be kept secret and they will receive 30 per cent of the looted amount and fine. In case of non-cooperation with the commission, the person would face two years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000.
To The CM also approved the KP Board of Investment Act 2015 to ensure investment in the province. The board would comprise members not less than 15 more than 20 from public and private sectors. The CM would be its chairman while government would approve their appointment.
The board would help investors in their affairs at all departments, to create a conducive environment for investors, assist government in implementation of Public-Private Partnership Act 2014, study different sectors and plan project that could help strengthen KP’s economy, and point out beneficial projects in all departments and prepare pre-feasibility reports in collaboration with them.
After the 18th Constitutional Amendment several departments were transferred to the provinces due to which its employees were facing several problems in receiving pensions, payment of arrears and transfer and posting problems. To resolve their problems, the CM has approved the KP Civil Servants Amendment Act 2015.
The cabinet also increased the amount being provided to journalists from Rs 20,000 to Rs 100,000. Besides this he also approved the KP Agricultural Policy 2015. The government has felt a need for a new policy in the farming sector after the department was devolved under 18th Amendment and the 7th NFC Award was given to the province.
The policy would focus on the use of new technology, production of fruit and vegetables and production of fish especially in small dams and lakes. Under the new policy, the private sector would be facilitated by the government and the University of Agriculture would be activated.
Health Foundation:
The cabinet also approved the setting up of a Health Foundation. The foundation will have a Board of Governors comprising seven members; one each from Planning and Development Department, Health Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, an economist, a civil society member, Social Development Sector and an industrialist. The private members’ tenure would last three years.
It will help the government implement government policies, promote and prepare SoPs for public-private partnership and provide a technical and financial reviewing of its policies.
An amendment to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ehtesab Commission Act 2015 was approved to make the commission more effective and better. Under the amendment, a committee would be formed to be headed by Senior Minister Inayatullah.
The cabinet also approved the amendment to the Local Government Act 2013 and KP Medical Teaching Institution Reforms Act 2015.