Societies and trusts operating in Punjab will undergo annual audits. Managers will be appointed to oversee their finances. To this end, the Punjab government has amended the Societies Act, approved in Friday's cabinet meeting.
Explaining the cabinet decision, Finance Minister Harpal Cheema said that the Societies Registration Act was enacted in 1860. Under it, people would register their societies or trusts and then lease or sell them. This was often misused.
Therefore, the Registrar will audit it through the societies. This will simplify the work of societies. He added that this is the first amendment since 1860. This will prevent fraud against people.
Finance Minister Cheema stated that transparency will be brought to the mining department. An authority will be established to address irregularities. GPS will be installed on mining vehicles. This will be mandatory. This will allow for vehicle tracking. This will help the government prevent illegal mining.
Power has been divided within the Cooperative Department, with different officers assigned responsibilities. Previously, one officer handled two tasks, conducting hearings at both levels. This caused public resentment.
Punjab's Procurement Rules have been amended. Previously, goods worth ₹2.5 lakh could be procured without tender. Now, goods worth up to ₹5 lakh can be procured without tender. This will expedite the department's work and simplify the procurement process.
Cheema said that teachers and doctors who provide services in border areas will be given special incentives. CM Mann has directed officials to prepare a proposal for this. This policy will be applicable to seven districts. A proposal for this will be presented in the next cabinet meeting.
Learn about the cabinet decisions in detail...
Amendments to the Societies Act will prevent misuse of societies and trusts: Societies and trusts operating in Punjab will undergo annual audits. A manager will be appointed to oversee their finances. To this end, the Punjab government has amended the Societies Act. Explaining the Cabinet decision, Finance Minister Harpal Cheema said that the Societies Registration Act was enacted in 1860. People would register their societies or trusts under the Act, then lease them out or sell them. This was often misused. Therefore, the Registrar will audit the land through the society. This will simplify the work of societies. He stated that this is the first amendment since 1860. This will prevent fraud against people.
Mining vehicles will be fitted with GPS tracking: Finance Minister Cheema stated that transparency will be brought to the mining department. An authority will be established to address any irregularities. GPS will be installed on mining vehicles. This will be mandatory. This will ensure vehicle tracking. This will help the government prevent illegal mining.
One officer in the Cooperative Department will no longer have two responsibilities: Power has been divided within the Cooperative Department, with different officers assigned responsibilities. Previously, one officer handled two duties, conducting hearings at both levels. This caused public resentment. Procurement Rules Amended: Punjab's Procurement Rules have been amended. Previously, goods worth ₹2.5 lakh could be procured without tender. Now, goods worth up to ₹5 lakh can be procured without tender. This will expedite the department's work and simplify the procurement process.
Incentives for those on border duty, CM seeks proposal: Cheema said that teachers and doctors providing services in border areas will be given special incentives. CM Mann has directed officials to prepare a proposal for this. This policy will be applicable to seven districts. A proposal for this will be presented in the next cabinet meeting.
Government to empanel 300 doctors, incentives ranging from ₹100 to ₹1,000
The Punjab government has taken a significant decision regarding the health sector. The government will now empanel private specialist doctors in government hospitals. A total of 300 doctors will be empaneled. They will be called on call. These doctors will be paid a minimum fee of ₹100 for examining patients in the OPD and indoor settings.
They will be able to examine 50 to 150 patients in the outpatient department and 2 to 20 patients indoors. If the in-service doctor's time is over, a specialist doctor will be called in during the day instead of at night, and they will be paid a thousand rupees. Their hours will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., while incentives will be doubled at night. Often, people are troubled by the lack of a specialist doctor.
4.png)
