In a bid to propagate the life, works and philosophy of Tenth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, amongst the people in the country and across the globe, the Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday approved to celebrate his 350th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Patna Sahib (Bihar) from 4-6 January, 2017.
This decision was taken by the Council of Ministers’ meeting under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at Punjab Bhawan.
A spokesperson of Chief Minister’s Office said that the Cabinet approved to form a foundation under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister for commemoration of 350th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Patna Sahib (Bihar) and empowering him to appoint other members. The foundation would also decide to organise other programmes besides major events/ programmes connected with the celebrations to be organised in Patna Sahib (Bihar). The Cabinet also decided to make special budgetary provision of `100 crore in its annual budget 2016-17 besides releasing an amount of `5 crore to the foundation immediately for grand celebrations of this historic event.
Approval to Transplantation Act
As a patient friendly initiative, the Cabinet gave approval to present Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues (Amendment) Act, 2011 and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Rules, 2014 framed by Government of India, in the next session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha for adoption by the State Government. The amended Act makes organ tissue donation easier and systematic. The amended Act and the Rules would encourage donations of organs and tissues by any individual during his lifetime and by his/her near relatives after his/her death, it also provides for enhanced punishment/fine for those who would indulge in any malpractice or violation of the statutes.
Water & Sewerage charges in Power bills
The Cabinet also approved the introduction of a scheme to include water supply & sewerage charges in the electricity bills of urban consumers in the State. Under the new system a fixed amount based on slabs of power consumption would be added to power bills and thus no separate bill for water supply & sewerage would be generated. At present the water supply & sewerage bill were based on the actual metered reading. The charges thereafter collected on account of water supply & sewerage from the consumers would be given to the respective Municipal Corporations and Committees. The new system of linking water supply & sewerage charges with electricity bills would not only prove to be cost effective but also save lot of manpower involved in duplicity and was consumer friendly.