PUNJAB GOVT TO PRESENT BUDGET ON JUNE 20
The Punjab cabinet on Wednesday decided to present the first budget of the new Congress government on June 20. Here are other decisions taken during the meeting
CHANDIGARH : The Captain Amarinder Singh-led Congress government in Punjab will present the first budget of its current tenure on June 20. The budget will be for financial year 2017-18.
The schedule of the weeklong budget session, starting from June 14, was decided in a meeting of council of ministers chaired by Amarinder Singh on Wednesday. The budget will open with obituary references and adjourn sine dine on June 23.
The session will have debate on the Governor’s address on June 16 and 19.
The session will be keenly watched by everyone as the Congress, which had made a number of populist promises in the run-up to the assembly polls, may make some key announcements. The chief minister had earlier said that to fulfil some of the key poll promises of his government, announcement would be made during the forthcoming budget session.
INCOME BAR RAISED FOR PENSION, OTHER SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES
The cabinet decided to raise the income limit for eligibility to pension and other social security schemes, including the Atta-Dal scheme, to +60,000 per year from all sources, against the existing +24,000 for individuals and +30,000 for a couple. An applicant should not be a government or private company employ.
PENSION IN BANK ACCOUNTS
On the pattern followed in urban areas, old-age pension will directly go into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts in rural areas. Earlier, rural pensions were delayed while being disbursed by panchayats. The cabinet has allowed system of self-certification for the beneficiaries, freeing them of the system of getting certificates from different agencies.
MORE OFFICIALS TO ACCEPT CLAIMS
Forms for pension can now be submitted with the child development project officer or with municipal council executive officer or municipal corporation secretary. Earlier, only sub-divisional magistrate had the power.
NOD TO REAL ESTATE REGULATOR
The cabinet gave its nod to the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) Bill, which it said will help protect the rights of consumers. When passed, it will lead to the formation of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority and Real Estate Appellate Tribunal in the state.
SALARY HIKE FOR SUBSIDIARY HEALTH CENTRE EMPLOYEES
Pharmacists and Class-4 employees working as service providers in 1,186 subsidiary health centres of zila parishads under the rural development and panchayats department will get a +1,000 pay hike. Now, they will be paid +8,000 and +4,000 per month, respectively. The cabinet said its a temporary arrangement till March 31, 2018, or till regular recruitment.
CM TO DECIDE SALARIES IN APPELLATE AUTHORITIES
The cabinet authorised the chief minister to take the final decision on the rules regarding salaries of chairmen and members of various appellate authorities in consultation with the finance department. The cabinet also gave approval to the terms and conditions of the political secretaries to the CM and those of Dr Vijay Harjai, senior consultant in his VVIP medical team.