An important meeting of the provincial cabinet was held here today that was presided over by the Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. Matters related to the setting up of new 1200 megawatt, gas-based power plant in the province were discussed by attendees of the meeting. The meeting also approved the establishment of the safe city projects in six major cities of the province. The safe city projects would be set up in Multan, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Sargodha. These projects would be implemented in phases; and later on, the safe city projects would also be initiated in Sahiwal.
The provincial cabinet approved the agreement between Punjab government, agriculture department and Akhuwat for providing interest-free loans to small farmers. The Punjab government would set up a revolving fund for an amount of Rs 2 billion for the purpose. The meeting also approved amendments in different laws including Punjab E-Stamp Rules 2016, Punjab Sales Tax on Services (Amended) Ordinance 2016, Fort Munro Development Act 2016 and PEEDA Act, 2016. The meeting approved the establishment of Punjab Mental Health Authority under the Punjab Mental Health Ordinance, 2001. The meeting also approved minutes of proceedings of 22 to 27 meetings of Standing Committee for Finance and Development of the Cabinet.
The cabinet commended the efforts of the chief minister for receiving arrears of net hydel profit from the centre.
In his address to the provincial cabinet, the chief minister said that the Punjab government has decided to set up a new gas power plant of 1200 megawatt. This project, he added, has been set up by keeping in view the energy needs of the country, as well as the energy challenges that it may face in the future.
A suitable site for the land where the project would be set up would be identified near the southern Punjab districts of Rahim Yar Khan or Muzaffargarh.
He said that 717 megawatts are being added to the national grid through the 1180 megawatt Bhikhi Power Plant. Also, he added, an additional 400-megawatt electricity would be produced in November, December from this power plant. Similarly, the 1320 megawatt Sahiwal Coal Power Project would start producing electricity from May 20 in the first phase; and this project would provide 660-megawatt electricity to the national grid. The second phase of this project would be completed by the end of June.
Meanwhile, the first turbine of Haveli Bahadur Shah Gas Power Plant will also start producing electricity. On the other hand, the CM said, work on Balloki Gas Power Project is also in progress. He said that additional 5500-megawatt electricity would be included in the system by the end of 2017. Similarly, as much as 9000-megawatt electricity will be added to the national grid by March 2018.
The chief minister said that e-stamp papers are also being launched in the province. This step, the CM said will eradicate fraud and forgery.