Punjab govt approves mass marriage project, brides to receive cash via ATM

LAHORE: The Punjab government on Tuesday approved a groundbreaking mass marriage project for 3,000 girls from underprivileged families.

Under the initiative, each bride will receive Rs100,000 via an ATM card along with 13 essential household items, including furniture, clothes, and dinner sets.

The decision was made during the 17th meeting of the provincial cabinet chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

The project, which aims to support needy families across Punjab, is the largest of its kind in the province’s history. As part of the programme, Chief Minister Maryam directed an expansion of the collective marriage initiative.

In addition to the marriage project, the cabinet approved the allocation of 100,000 acres of land for temporary cultivation to landless farmers on three- to five-year leases.

The meeting also greenlit the e-bus service scheme in Punjab, starting with 27 buses in the first phase.

To support the e-buses, a 1.2 MW solar panel system will be installed in the parking areas. A total of 680 e-buses will be operational across the province by the end of the year.

The chief minister also directed for the introduction of an electric taxi service in Lahore.

The meeting addressed a wide range of issues, including strict monitoring of flour and chicken prices.

It was discussed that 170,000 farmers have been issued Kisan cards, and applications for the Green Tractor Scheme have surpassed 1.2 million, with 700,000 applicants already screened.

Also read: Punjab govt begins ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ scheme rollout

The cabinet also approved the transfer of 839 houses under the New Pakistan Housing Scheme in Raiwind, Chiniot, and Sargodha, as well as funds for the housing department.

A five-year age relaxation for promotions to inspector, sub-inspector, and assistant sub-inspector posts was also approved.

Additionally, the government approved the annual repair of the Punjab helicopter and the transfer of land in Sheikhupura to Pakistan State Oil for storage purposes.

An agreement was approved between the Board of Revenue and the Bank of Punjab for the collection of taxes on property transfers through the e-stamping system.

Further approvals included the reappointment of the board of directors of the Punjab Health Initiatives Management Company and the release of Rs1.7 billion for equipment and furniture for tertiary care hospitals.

Key development projects in five major hospitals were also incorporated into the annual development programme.

The meeting also approved several legal frameworks, including the Waqf Administration, Trust, and Cooperative Societies Act 2023, and the repeal of the Punjab Forensic Science Act 2007, replaced by the 2024 Act.

Other notable decisions included the extension of the contract for home department staff, the nomination of a presiding officer for the Child Protection Court in Lahore, and the execution of a sale deed for A-category property buyers.

The Punjab Local Government Rules 2024 were approved, and a Joint Local Government Authority will be established in each district.

A high-level ministerial committee was also formed to amend the Prevention of Child Marriage Act, 1929.

A Rs10 million grant was approved for the Ajoka International Theatre Festival in Alhamra, Lahore. Additionally, decisions regarding the Livestock and Dairy Development Board, a Wildlife Protection Force for 96 protected areas, and the completion of Centres of Excellence Schools in Pir Mahal, Toba Tek Singh, and Chakwal were ratified.

The cabinet approved subsidies for the Punjab School Reorganization Programme, which will see 13,000 primary schools upgraded to elementary level, creating employment for 104,000 individuals.