PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) government has approved a monthly house allowance of Rs200,000 for provincial ministers, advisors, and special assistants who do not have assigned government residences.
During the 11th meeting of the KP Cabinet, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur chaired the session and made the decision.
The meeting was attended by ministers, advisors, special assistants, the head of the Board of Revenue, additional chief secretaries, and administrative secretaries.
The cabinet agreed to change the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ministers (Salaries, Allowances, and Privileges) Act of 1975. They also updated the rules for advisors and special assistants.
As part of these changes, a monthly house allowance of Rs200,000 has been granted to provincial ministers, advisors, and special assistants who have not been assigned a government residence.
The provincial cabinet approved a grant of Rs326.40 million for the Drug Free Peshawar Programme Phase-III and Rs23.10 million for the Beggars Free Peshawar Programme, aiming to eliminate drug addiction and begging from the streets of Peshawar. About 2,000 drug addicts will receive help in Phase-III of the Drug Free Peshawar Programme.
During the discussions, the Chief Minister instructed the social welfare department to provide free services to families throughout the province who wish to rehabilitate a drug-addicted family member but cannot afford the treatment.
While chairing the cabinet meeting, Ali Amin Gandapur instructed cabinet members to develop a plan for weekly visits to districts to assess public service delivery and monitor the progress of development projects.
He stressed that special attention should be given to activities in the Merged Districts. He also told the departments, especially education and health, to focus on improving staff placement in the Merged Districts, ensuring that hiring follows a local-based policy.
The provincial cabinet approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Livestock and Poultry Production Act 2024, allowing it to be presented before the provincial assembly.
With the passing of the act, the Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Department will be able to register and manage livestock and poultry production activities in the province.
In the meeting, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Animal Welfare Act, 2024, was also approved for presentation before the provincial assembly. This law aims to prevent unnecessary pain to animals and to set standards for their humane handling, treatment, and transportation in the province.
The provincial cabinet has approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Livestock Breeding Services Act, 2024, allowing it to be presented before the provincial assembly.
This law aims to manage livestock breeding services, improve the quality of breeds, protect local livestock, and ensure better management, selling, and quality of livestock in the province.
As part of the province’s stance, the provincial cabinet has approved a list of future-focused suggestions to be included in the position paper for the upcoming National Finance Commission (NFC) award.
Among these suggestions is a request for a 10-year grant called the ‘Pakistan Building Grant,’ which will be funded by the Federal Divisible Pool.
This grant aims to help with significant financial needs and development problems that have built up since the 7th NFC award.
Additionally, the cabinet has called for an interim adjustment to ensure the 7th NFC Award complies with the Constitution of Pakistan, recommending that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s share in the new award be recalculated to include the population and area of the newly merged areas within the province.
