F.P. Report
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkahwa Cabinet which met here on Thursday under Chief Minister Mahmood Khan approved a uniform package of Rs7 million for the families of those front line workers of all scales, who sacrifice their lives in the line of duties while fighting the COVID19. The meeting which was attended besides the cabinet members, chief secretary Dr Kazim Niaz and all the administrative secretaries also approved the establishment of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Power Transmission and Grid System Company under which the province can set up its own Grid and Transmission System for electricity distribution.
Briefing the media about the other decisions of the Cabinet, Chief Minister’s advisor on media affairs Ajmal Khan Wazir said that keeping in view the prevailing COID19 situation, the general holidays are extended till May 15, while on ban on inter-district public transport, parks, restaurants, hotels, recreation points, and other such areas will continue till next order, while meeting with jail inmates will also remain suspended.
He said the cabinet has also allowed the milk shops to remain open after 4 pm while it also approved reopening of the Cattle markets for smooth supply of meat and other products but before going with the decision , SOPs will have to be finalized and necessary measures must be taken.
Ajmal Wazir said that the cabinet has also approved Epidemic Control and Emergency Relief Ordinance which will give legal protection to all measures taken to control COVID19 or any other epidemic, adding these measures, include, keeping patients in isolation or quarantine, ban on public gatherings, ban on interprovincial and inter district movement of transport besides any other administrative measure.
He added that the Cabinet has also decided the head of the family, restaurant, and hotel in charge, transport dealer and other heads of any business are bound to report the emergency of Corona virus in the family members, or the employees and in case of violation they would be proceeded with law which may be imprisonment of fine or both.
Ajmal Wazir further told that the measures taken by the government for public relief have also been given legal protection, there would be 20 percent discount in the private schools fee of more than 6000 while 10 percent fee discount must be ensured for the schools charging less than 6000 fee, adding, “the owner of houses and shops could not expel the tenants for three months, if they fail to pay the rent and this period can be extended for six months if the emergency situation prevailed.”
Ajmal further informed the cabinet has also approved the draft Khyber Paktunkhawa Forensic Science Emergency Bill 2020 under which an independent provincial Forensic Science agency will be established in the province, adding after the approval of the ordinance, for courts assistance, the forensic material, documents, equipment ,evidence ets, they can have an expert forensic advice which will help investigate crimes of complicated nature. The bill also underlined the rules and regulations for the appointment of the Director General besides financial and administrative affairs of the agency.
He added that the cabinet also approved the status of full Khasadar for those tribal security personnel who are working part time or on half pay on the positions of the regular khasadars and they will be entitled for full benefits like the full khasadar force personnel/
Ajmal Wazir added that the cabinet has also approved the establishment of special courts under the Narcotics Control Act 2019, for the trial of punishable crimes, while the existing courts of district and sessions judges, Additional district and sessions judge and first class judicial magistrate courts will perform as special courts.
Ajmal further remarked that the cabinet also approved Local Council Delimitation Rules 2019 under which the election commission will soon start demarcation process.
Ajmal Wazir said, the cabinet through an ordinance also made amendments in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Local Government Act 2013 which has waived off the provision of minimum population for neighborhood and village council, in the prevailing situation, the local government elections have been delayed and will be held any time as the situation improved.
Ajmal Wazir said that as per directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan the KP cabinet also waived off licensing and inspection fee for small business so these business can hold their feet and flourish.
