The Sindh cabinet in its around five-hour session condemned the letter written by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to the Sindh government to seek domicile-wise details of its employees from grade BS-1 to BS-22 and termed the letter `politically-motivated’ written at the behest of Shahzad Akbar.
The cabinet said that the information sought by the NAB was beyond its mandate, therefore demanded the chairman NAB to conduct an inquiry into the matter.”
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah here at CM House.
It was attended by the provincial ministers, advisors, Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah, Chairman P&D M. Waseem and concerned provincial secretaries.
The issue of NAB letter was taken up in the meeting and termed it a politically motivated move by PM’s Special assistant Shahzad Akbar and the NAB authorities crossing their legal limits wrote the letter to the Sindh government.
The cabinet demanded the chairman NAB to conduct an inquiry into the matter and take actions accordingly.
Prohibition of Corporal Punishment: The School education department presented draft rules for Sindh Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Act-2016.
Under the rules no child or student in any educational institution, including Madaris shall be harmed physically, mentally or emotionally or harassed or abused sexually by any person employed in the institution.
The institution shall ensure the protection and safety of the child shall take all possible measures to protect and prevent a child from corporal and physical punishment.
Under the rules the educational institutions will have to constitute child Protection Committees comprising headmaster or administrator of Madaris, one member of administration, parent or guardian with the assignment to receive, record and investigate all complaints regarding allegations.
The committee shall, in case of severe child abuse, violence, exploitation and neglect, immediately inform the police, the district coordination committee, child helpline 1121 or relevant Child Protection Officer.
Any person who abets, attempts, incites, assists or directs any person to commit the acts prohibited under the law shall be liable to the severe punishment defined in the law.
Payment of pension: The Agriculture department requested the cabinet for a grant of over Rs749 million to clear the outstanding pensionary benefits of Rs410.838 million and Rs338.029 million for payment of their arrears.
The cabinet observed that the market committee and such other institutions like KMC, KDA and other development authorities have failed to protect their retired employees in terms of payment of their pensions or gratuity.
They should have established pensions funds to secure their retirement benefits, but this has not been done.
The chief minister on the advice of the cabinet approved a loan of Rs749 million to clear the pensions of market Committee retired employees and asked the department to sell the property/assets to clear the government loan.
He also directed each department to review the financial health of their line/subordinate wings and overhaul them. If their services are no longer required, the wings should be closed.
The revenue generating wings/committee/corporations should not stretch hands for financial help.Mr Shah categorically said that he won’t give such grants in future.
The KMC, KDA, DMCs, Town and municipal committees, market committees, development authorities and provincial corporations should formulate policies to protect the retirement benefits of their retiring employees.
