In an apparent effort to promote Punjab as one of the more progressive states in the country, the Capt Amarinder Singh led Congress Government in Punjab has decided to go ahead with its plan to increase reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) from 33 percent to 50 percent.
The decision was taken in a meeting of the Council of Ministers, chaired by Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh at Punjab Bhawan on Tuesday with the aim to table the draft Bill to amend the Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911 and the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, in the budget session of the Vidhan Sabha, commencing on Wednesday.
PHOTO BY: LIFE IN CHANDIGARH
A spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) informed that the decision is in line with a key election promise of the Congress to help empower women in rural and urban areas by enhancing their reservation quota in the direct elections to Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads, besides Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats.
The representation of women in the offices of Sarpanches of Gram Panchayats, Chairmen Panchayats Samitis/Zila Parishads besides Mayors of Municipal Corporations and Presidents of Municipal Councils/Nagar Panchayats will also be enhanced accordingly, he added.
Exemption for Mega Food Parks
In another step, aimed at boosting the prospects of setting up Mega Food Parks in the state, the Council of Ministers decided to exempt all such parks from the requirement of seeing a license under the provisions of Section 44(2) of the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act, 1995 (PAPRA) in the future.
Swapping High Cost Market Loans
With the state facing a tight fiscal position, the Council of Ministers decided to seek Government of India's approval to swap high cost market loans taken by the state government with new low cost market loans. This decision would go a long way in improving the financial position, besides providing better opportunities to incur expenditure on development works in the state, the spokesman said.
