Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz has ordered for creating a new department for anti-narcotics, while chairing a review meeting on Department of Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control. She also ordered for clearing backlog of registration number plates of motor vehicles. The CM said, “All resourceful people who are not paying tax currently should be brought into the tax net.
She added, “Tax on houses needs to be rationalised. She directed the authorities concerned to prepare an assessment report on the difference of property tax due to mismatch in the properties rental values and the DC rates. She approved to set up a tax consultancy unit for proper evaluation of tax. Earlier, the chief minister was briefed that 13 excise check posts would be established to prevent smuggling of goods and drugs. Moreover, the launch of e-stamped documents for e-registration of vehicles would result in 12.5pc increase in tax collection.
The revival of opium factory and the review of pharmaceuticals would add a tax revenue of Rs 900 million. The authorities concerned also apprised the CM that Excise Department would start providing services through Dastak Program at people’s doorsteps.
The Excise Department will also work with Safe City Authority for recovery of challans. Former senator Pervaiz Rashid, MPA Sania Ashiq, chief secretary, secretaries of Finance, Excise and other senior officers attended the meeting. Moreover, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif took notice of an incident of killing of a 12-year-old child after alleged rape in Khanewal. The chief minister sought a report from the IG Police, saying that all involved in the brutality should be identified and given an exemplary punishment.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, during a meeting on the Livestock Department, reviewed the livestock related measures and ordered to formulate a policy to export buffalo milk and meat to China. The CM said only vaccinated and tagged cattle would be brought to cattle markets and slaughterhouses, adding that authentic data of cattle should be prepared and regularly updated.
She directed the authorities concerned to pay special attention to research and development. Maryam Nawaz was briefed about the export potential of livestock sector. She said more work was needed for disease control and breed improvement. She ordered to create disease control department in Punjab. She said the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control programme should be made more effective, adding that vaccination for the disease should be produced locally in large quantities. An advanced mechanism must be created to increase the export of dairy products, she ordered.
The authorities concerned apprised the CM that up-gradation of vaccine production labs would cost Rs 360 million, and up-gradation of zoonosis centre would cost Rs 299 million.
