Chandigarh: The Punjab government took a major decision in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday. State departments will now be able to purchase goods up to Rs 5 lakh without tender, which will speed up administrative work.
Societies and trusts will be strictly scrutinised, and managers will be appointed
The cabinet has amended the Societies Act, making an annual audit of all societies and trusts registered in Punjab mandatory. Their financial transactions will also be scrutinised. Managers will be appointed to prevent misuse by trusts and societies.
GPS to be installed in mining vehicles to stop illegal mining
Finance Minister Harpal Cheema announced that to bring transparency in the mining department, GPS will be mandatory in all mining vehicles. This will make tracking of the locations of the vehicles possible and illegal mining will be stopped.
Work divided in the cooperative department, now two duties will not have to be done
An officer in the cooperative department will no longer have to handle two responsibilities. Responsibilities have been redistributed to different officers, which will reduce public complaints.
Amendment in procurement rules, possible purchase of up to Rs 5 lakh without tender
The Punjab government has amended the procurement rules, increasing the limit of purchase without tender from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. This will simplify and speed up the work of the departments.
Teachers and doctors working in border areas will get special incentives
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has directed to prepare a proposal to implement a special incentive policy for teachers and doctors serving in border areas. This scheme will be implemented in seven districts and the proposal will be presented in the next cabinet meeting.
The government will enlist 300 private specialist doctors, provide incentives
An important decision has also been taken for the health department. 300 specialist doctors will be enlisted in government hospitals. These doctors will be available on call and will get a minimum fee of Rs 100 for examining patients in OPD.
An incentive of up to Rs 1,000 will be given for calling a specialist doctor at night. The doctors will be available from 8 am to 8 pm, which will provide relief to patients from the shortage of specialist doctors.