Implementing the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ scrapping policy, Punjab Cabinet on Friday decided to provide a tax rebate up to 25 percent to the owners of scrapped automobiles on the registration of new vehicles.

As per the policy, the owners of transport vehicles will be eligible for a motor vehicle tax rebate of up to 15 per cent, while the owners of non-transport vehicles can avail a rebate up to 25 per cent under section 13(3) of the Punjab Motor Vehicle Taxation Act, 1924.

“As per this environment-friendly decision, the owners of transport vehicles can take advantage of this scheme up to eight years from the registration of their vehicle and owners of non-transport vehicles up to 15 years from the registration of their vehicle,” said the official spokesperson after the meeting.

Spokesperson added, when the vehicle is scrapped by the vehicle owner, the vehicle will be purchased by the scrapper who will issue a ‘Certificate of Deposit’ to the vehicle owner, which will be deposited with the concerned Licensing Authority and the owner of the vehicle will get the exemption on Motor tax.

Discretionary Grants

In a major decision, the Cabinet has approved a policy for the disbursement of discretionary grants by the Chief Minister and his Cabinet of Ministers for the creation and repair of existing basic infrastructure, improving the environment, and fulfilling the basic needs of the poor.  As per the decision, the Chief Minister will have Rs five crore in his discretionary quota, while the Cabinet Ministers will have Rs 1.5 crore each during the financial year.

Scheme to Ensure Upkeep of Govt Schools

To ensure proper maintenance of government schools across the State, the Cabinet also gave green signal for implementation of a state scheme to ensure upkeep of Government Schools. Under this scheme, requisite funds will be provided by the State Government for the sanitation, cleanliness, security and smooth administration of the school campuses which will help the school administration to run the schools in a smooth and hassle free manner to impart quality education to students.

500 to be Recruited in Milkfed, Milk Unions

The Cabinet also approved filling up of 500 vacant posts of group C and D in Milkfed and its affiliated milk unions through direct recruitment to overcome the shortage of staff for streamlining their functioning. “This will benefit the milk producers and farmers to ensure a lucrative milk market through value addition and efficient marketing of produce. Likewise, it will facilitate the consumers by further improving the quality of milk and milk products produced by the Milkfed,” said a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office.

173 Posts of Peons, Watchmen to be Filled

Owing to shortage of peons and chowkidars in the Punjab Civil Secretariat (Secretariat Administration), the Cabinet also gave nod for filling up 150 vacant posts of peons and 23 posts of watchmen by way of transfer.

Directorate of Higher Education to Replace DPI (Colleges)

For better coordination among institutes of higher education, the Cabinet also decided to change the name of ‘Directorate of Public Instructions (Colleges)’ to ‘Directorate of Higher Education’. Accordingly, the nomenclature for the post of DPI (Colleges) will also change to Director Higher Education, Punjab. “The decision will ensure better coordination between the state Higher Education Department, colleges, universities and centrally-sponsored agencies,” added the spokesperson.

OTHER DECISIONS 

·         Education qualification for direct recruitment and promotion to the post of Sister Tutor amended; Now, MSc (Nursing) degree will be eligible for direct recruitment, while minimum 10 years’ experience as Staff Nurse (Group C) along with BSc (Nursing) will be mandatory for promotion

·         Two more members to be included in School Management Committees with voting rights; One member to be a social worker residing in vicinity of respective school, and another to be an educationist as special invitees

·         Various rules in Education Department amended to enable the Agriculture Masters to apply for the direct recruitment of Principals and Headmasters of the Department of School Education, Punjab

·         District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) to be dissolved after absorption of 44 employees on the vacant posts lying in Zila Parishads or Panchayat Samitis by creating a dying cadre