To give boost to the much-needed agriculture diversification programme, Punjab Cabinet on Monday gave its approval to a pilot project for the promotion of maize cultivation in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
The project was aimed at achieving enhancement of area under maize cultivation by 40,000 hectares in 56 identified blocks.
The proposed varieties of maize hybrid seeds would be cultivated, produced, and harvested within 120 days from June 1, 2013.
In another major decision, the Cabinet also gave its go ahead for implementing e-Trip or e-Governance to prevent leakage of revenue besides framing new rules 64-A, 64-B and 64-C. The implementation of e-Trip or e-Governance would result in additional revenue to the tune of Rs200-300 crore annually.
To bring far more efficiency and sustainability of the rural drinking water supply schemes for ensuring supply of potable water in all 15,170 habitations across the state, the Cabinet also okayed the recruitment of various 180 posts including 30 Sub-Divisional Engineers (SDEs), 120 Junior Engineers (JEs) and 30 Junior Draftsmen in the Water Supply and Sanitation department.
The recruitment of SDEs would be carried by Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) while the JEs and junior draftsmen would be recruited through an independent reputed agency.
It was also approved that suitable recruitment would be made every year. The Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval in terms of clause 2.3 of Excise Policy for the year 2013-14 for 100 per cent allotment of liquor vends already achieved during allotments of liquor vends for the current fiscal.