CM chairs SCCFD meeting, extends scope of clinic on wheels to 112 tehsils

LAHORE, Sep 11 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif presided over the 6th meeting of Cabinet Standing Committee on Finance and Development (SCCFD) to discuss and decide on important agenda items, here on Wednesday.

The CM ordered to provide 444 clinic-on-wheels vans in 112 tehsils. Clinic on Wheels’ will have ultrasound facility.

The SCCFD approved to establish Punjab Film Fund, besides the conversion of Digital Communication Cell into Strategic Communication Cell in Department of Environment & Climate Change. It also approved the up-gradation, construction and maintenance of border outposts in Sargodha and DG Khan regions, along with the construction of M2 Motorway Interchange at the entrance of Quaid-e-Azam Business Park Sheikhupura, and a flyover at Chanda Qila Chowk Gujranwala.

The SCCFD agreed to include Narowal Kartarpur Corridor Scheme, and Roads Mega Projects in the Annual Development Program 2024-25. It also reviewed the construction of additional carriageway along Mianwali to CPEC Interchange Dawood Khel. The meeting decided in principle to make 3 dual carriage roads including Delhi Multan and Toba Tek Singh roads.

The CM directed to construct Multan Vehari Road a two way road. She said, “We will ensure the convenience of people, because if a single road is built, traffic problems will continue.”

Approval was given by SCCFD to increase grant for houses of the families of police martyrs. The SCCFD also approved a request for funds under Supplementary Grant for Charar drain in FY 2023-24. It was briefed, ”Drainage system will be improved by laying a sewer line from Burki road to Hudyara drain.” The SCCFD approved the construction of flood protection embankment to protect slums and agricultural land from soil erosion due to floods.

The CM directed the authorities concerned to take sustainable measures to prevent floods every year. She said, “Damages due to floods every year is akin to incompetence.”

The SCCFD approved Grant-in-Aid for ChildLife Foundation to improve pediatric emergency care. It also gave approval to provide retro-reflective number plates in Punjab. Sanction of funds was given by SCCFD for the up-gradation and revamping of Biodiversity Park and Banser Gully Zoological Garden in Murree, it also approved Murree Development Plan, under which Murree’s water supply system will be improved, and Nurseries Botanical Garden and Parks will be upgraded.

The SCCFD approved to release supplementary grant of Rs.137.5 million for Murree Municipal Corporation, besides approving a project for the construction of District Office Special Branch in Murree. It also approved the construction, maintenance and renovation of water supply, drainage, street lights, streets and roads in Murree district.

Approval of Up-gradation of Special Branch Headquarters, Roberts Club Lahore was also accorded by SCCFD. It approved the recruitment of 274 Technicians in Primary and Secondary Health Care Department besides agreeing to the recruitment of allied health professionals in the hospitals of Department of Specialized Health and Medical Education.

The SCCFD approved relaxation in recruitment to vacant posts in Transport Planning Unit of Transport Department, and 03 vacant posts of Punjab Civil Protection Authority. It also approved to start branchless payment through Punjab Bank instead of cash payment to daily wages employees in Forest Department to ensure transparency.

The SCCFD approved financial assistance to the victims of missile incident in Chak No. 44/15L of Khanewal District, Mian Channu, besides granting approval to application for medical treatment of Agriculture Officer Muhammad Asim Abbas. It also approved Zia-ur-Rehman’s mother’s request for free medical treatment, and a request for financial support for the medical treatment of Basharat Hussain’s wife Shahnaz Akhtar. It also gave approval to the reimbursement of Rs 15 lakh 81 thousand incurred on the treatment of Misri Khan, father of late Tahir Abbas, an official of the Session Division.

The SCCFD approved re-validation of Rs.443.301 million in lapsed fund of PSDP for the financial year 2024-25. It also approved supplementary grant of funds received from Federal Government for PSDP projects. Approval of renewal of contract of Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Fort Munro DG Khan with Pakistan Air Force was also accorded by SCCFD.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Provincial Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Chief Secretary, IG Police, Chairman P&D, Secretaries and other officers concerned attended the meeting.