Bilal Yasin chairs PHA board meeting, approves administrative reforms

LAHORE, Jun 06 (APP): Punjab Minister for Housing and Urban Development Bilal Yasin on Saturday chaired the second Board Meeting of the Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA), which approved a number of measures aimed at improving revenue collection, transparency and administrative efficiency.

The meeting decided to outsource the collection of shop signboard fees within the jurisdiction of PHAs to the Excise Department. Initial approval was also granted for operational vehicles for newly established horticulture agencies.

The board further approved the launch of a phased digitalization programme in collaboration with the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) to modernize administrative, financial and operational affairs of horticulture agencies.

Speaking on the occasion, Bilal Yasin said the decision to involve the Excise Department was aimed at improving fee collection, ensuring transparency and reducing the administrative burden on horticulture agencies. He said enhanced revenue generation would help reduce pressure on the government treasury and improve overall administrative performance.

He said a comprehensive digital dashboard would be developed to strengthen departmental performance, record management, monitoring, transparency and public service delivery through modern information technology systems.

The board also approved delegation of powers for transfers and postings of officers in Grade 15 and above to the Director General of the Authority and its agencies. Powers relating to employees in Grades 7 to 14 were delegated to the Additional Directors General, while powers for employees in Grades 1 to 6 were delegated to the Director Administration and Finance.

PHA Director General Raja Mansoor Ahmad informed the meeting that the Excise Department would receive a specified payment from the collected fee pool to cover its administrative expenses. He said all available resources were being utilized to modernize horticulture agencies and bring them in line with contemporary standards.