LAHORE: Two cabinet standing committees have been created in Punjab to approve provincial business before its ratification by the cabinet.

Officials fear that the committees have been created to avoid discussion on government business in the cabinet which will reduce it to the status of rubber stamp.

They have reportedly been created via media after the Supreme Court declared onAugust 18 that as per the constitution cabinet, and not the chief executive, should approve Knancialand other business of the government.

The first cabinet meeting in Punjab after the Supreme Court ruling was subsequently held earlier this month. The cabinet in Punjab would seldom meet in Punjab in the past. It last met in June only to approve the provincial budget.

Prior to the Supreme Court directions, it was the chief minister whom all files would be sent for approval.

If unavoidable, approval of the cabinet used to be obtained by seeking individual signatures of the cabinet members through `circulation.

Officials say the committees have been constituted under Rule 25 (3) of the Rules of Business and there is no illegality in them.

The committee on finance and development is headed by the chief minister, and consists of the finance and industries ministers. It will meet twice a week.

The first meeting was held on Thursday and reportedly handied a 32-point agenda, approving supplementary grants from July 1 to August 18 pre-judgment period.

Supplementary grants are about funds already used by the provincial government, or whose expenditure process has already begun, over and above the fiscal budget. The committee will send for ratification the schemes it will approve to the cabinet which he again heads.

The second committee is about the provincial government`s legislative business and is under the law minister. Its decisions will also require ratification by the cabinet.