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Fifth Punjab pay panel to be set up

Staff Correspondent

Government promulgates ordinance to abolish the levy of octroi from September 1

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Council of Ministers has granted its approval for the setting up of the fifth Punjab Pay Commission, Punjab State Vigilance Commission and promulgated ordinances necessary to abolish the levy of octroi from September 1.

Disclosing this here on Thursday, a State Government spokesman said that the proposed three-member new pay panel would have a Chairperson besides a member and the member-secretary and shall review the pay-scales and emoluments of the employees. The Chief Minister has been authorised to nominate the Chairperson and members of the Commission.

The Council of Ministers also approved the draft legislation to establish the Punjab State Vigilance Commission. The Ministers also approved the promulgation of Ordinance for making amendments in section 39 of the Punjab Courts Act, 1918, to enable the district Judges to hear appeal of all civil cases without any pecuniary limits.

The Council of Ministers also approved the promulgation of another ordinance for enacting legislation to assign 10 percent of VAT revenue subject to minimum of Rs. 550 crores annually to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and for establishment of Punjab Municipal Fund. Besides, the meeting also approved the promulgation an ordinance for amending the section 61 of the Punjab Municipal Act 1914 and section 90 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976.

The Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh, while explaining these promulgations appealed to the traders and manufacturers that the benefit of Rs.550 crores as a result of abolition of octroi from September 1 should be passed on to the consumers.

He expected that besides facilitating free movement of goods vehicles after the removal of octroi posts, should result in the reduction of prices of consumer goods.

The meeting also cleared an amendment to the Punjab Value Added Tax Act, 2005 to adjust the hike in the price of petrol and diesel announced by the Union Government.

Punjab would not charge sales tax on the enhanced rate of petrol and diesel.

The Ministers approved the policy for change of land use to facilitate private sector investment in development of Industrial Parks, Estates, Agro Parks, IT Parks and Integrated Multiplexes as provided under the Industrial Policy 2003.

The Council of Ministers approved to set up six New Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Projects and 2691 new Anganwari Centers under the 100 percent centrally sponsored programmes to provide pre-school education, immunization, health check up, referral services, nutrition and health education and supplementary nutrition.

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Fifth Punjab pay panel to be set up

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