The NWFP cabinet on Tuesday decided to freeze the proposed increase in the Abyana rates on land under gravity canals, tube-well, and lift canals for a period of three years.
The decision was taken in a meeting of the provincial cabinet held here at the Chief Minister's Secretariat with Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani in the chair.
The meeting debated a 24-point agenda. Provincial ministers, chief secretary, secretaries, and others attended the meeting. It thoroughly debated the agenda items, and made certain decisions.
The Cabinet observed that the existing rate is already over 200 percent more than that of Punjab and Sindh. It was of the view that small farmers and yeomen should not be overburdened.
A committee was constituted to put some sorts of safeguards to save the yeomen. The existing revenue network is streamlined. A campaign is being launched to expand the revenue network without affecting the poor cultivators.
The provincial Cabinet also reviewed the provincial receipts for 2003-04, and found improvement.
The chief minister observed that the net of receipts be expanded and rationalised. The government would give rewards to government departments giving excellent results in recovering tax money. It will also enhance the confidence of donors, he added.
The provincial Cabinet also approved excess expenditure for 1997-98.
It also decided to form a committee comprising the secretary, Social Welfare, and the secretary, Establishment, that will recommend whether to set up a cell or department for women welfare and development. The committee was asked to submit its reports within two weeks.
Regarding implementation on the previous decisions of the Cabinet, the participants were informed about the process of putting on ground the Malakand and Bannu Circuit benches of the high court.
The provincial chief minister directed to expedite the process, and fulfil all the pre-requisites for the establishment of both the circuit benches of the high court, saying: "We should keep the interest of the people above all expediencies, as the government was bound to address the problems of hapless people, and ensure easy, cheap and speedy justice.
The Cabinet decided that there should be a time bar to facilitate amendment to rules of business. The law department should take on board other departments concerned to evolve a viable strategy in this regard. The Cabinet gave a nod to reconstitute law reforms committee.
Regarding equipping the forest guards with latest weapons, the NWFP chief minister directed to investigate the weapons seized by police and other law enforcement agencies, saying the provincial inspection team and a senior police officer be inducted to the investigation process, and the team should submit a detailed report in this regard.
The Cabinet also agreed to continue the merit-based policy of transfers and postings in the education department during July. It also decided to clear the land adjacent to the provincial institution for teachers training, if feasible, the land could be used for constructing a building for the women university.
Regarding the medical college for women university, the chief minister on behalf of the Cabinet directed to complete both projects in August so that classes could be started in time.
The chief minister said the provincial government was going all out to promote tourism in the province, adding a network of roads was being spread in the picturesque areas to attract mass scale tourists. There was a marked improvement in the law and order situation.
He said the MMA has the wherewithal to lead the province towards sustained economic growth, adding his government would not let any avenue going untapped that could contribute to the provincial kitty.
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