LAHORE: The Punjab government on Tuesday gave ex-post facto approval to fixing support price of sugarc ane at Rs200 per maund, besides giving a nod to transportation charges and cane development cess.

The decision was taken by the provincial cabinet here, which also decided to constitute a ministerial committee for the procurement of additional imported sugar. The ministerial committee would submit its recommendations after a review of sugar stock.

The cabinet allowed the food department to purchase 63,000 tonnes of imported wheat from the Pakistan Agricultural Storage andServices Corporation (Passco) to further ease the market position.

The participants expressed their satisf action over the stabilisation of prices of flour and sugar.

It decided to ensure implementation of three per cent job quota for the visually-impaired persons and approved a further five-year age relaxation to them for employment purposes.

Now, the visually-impaired candidates will enjoy up to 15-year relaxation.

The meeting also approved the draft law of the 17-member Punjab Tourism, Culture and Heritage Authority with the CM and tourism minister as its chairman and vice-chairman, respectively. The authority will work for the promotion of tourism and culture.The meeting decided in principle to lift the ban on the lease of coal mines and also gave inprinciple approval to lifting the ban on renewal of the mines leases.

The meeting decided to constitute a ministerial committee to dispose of the aeroplane (AP-BX/400-A, RK-80) grounded since 2004.

This committee will submit its report after reviewing different options, including its auction.

The meeting approved setting up a Rescue 1122 station in Khairpur Tamewali tehsil of Bahawalpur, while the issuance of NOC for transfer of six-kanal land of Tehsil Council Jhang for setting up another Rescue 1122 station was also approved.

The meeting decided to resolve the matter ofland acquisition for Greater Thal Canal Project, Chaubara Branch Phase-II and also decided to process the case with Asian Development Bank. The 448 miles long Greater Thal Canal will irrigate 290,000 acres of land.

The cabinet also approved `south Punjab reallocation allowance` for the officers posted in the South Punjab Secretariat. As many as 655 posts have been created for 17 departments in this paperless secretariat. Of these, 237 posts will be of BS-17 and above. Around 154 IT officials will also be posted there, beside 264 miscellaneous of ficials.

The meeting approved further extension in the date for online registration with the Charity Commission.

The cabinet standing committee for financeand development will take stock of the matters related to the release of a `Letter of Comfort` or bridge financing for land requisition for Ravi Urban Development Authority.

It approved presentation of annual reports of the Punjab Information Commission to the Punjab Assembly and appointment of a regular president and CEO of the Punjab Cooperative Bank Limited.

It also approved the appointment of Dr Arfa Iqbal as CEO of the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade.

The cabinet standing committee for legislation will submit its report regarding permanent appointments under Rule 17.

The next cabinet meeting will be held in DGKhan.