M A I N   N E W S

Relief for Punjab staff
Punjab Cabinet approves IT policy
Tribune News Service

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal presiding over the Cabinet meeting in Chandigarh on Saturday.

Important decisions Recovery of House Rent Allowance (HRA) stayed from employees of border areas Naib Tehsildars for SAS Nagar, Dirba, Amargarh and Talwandi Bhai Relaxation for wards of defence personnel for joining government service Deemed assessment of sales tax extended till September 30 30 per cent sales tax on lotteries Secretariat allowance for Class IV employees increased to Rs 120 from Rs 80

Chandigarh, June 23
The Punjab Council of Ministers, which met here today under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal, not only approved the Information Technology Policy of the state but also announced a variety of concessions to its employees besides levying 30 per cent sales tax on lotteries. The Council also approved creation of four posts each of Naib Tehsildar and setting up of single-clerk Treasuries in four towns.

The new IT policy has been approved with a view to using it as a vital mechanism and vehicle towards accelerated overall development of a knowledge-rich society in the state.

Information Technology will be used by the government to reduce the cost of governance and improve overall efficiency and effectiveness of its machinery. It will also enable the government to dramatically re-engineer and improve its processes and service delivery systems for the benefit of common public. Its effective use will also bring about much needed radical changes in the functioning of the Government leading to better efficiency transparency accountability and objectivity and thus ensure a better government which is also cost-effective and capable of serving the needs of the citizens in a better way. It has also been envisaged in the policy that information technology will contribute in improving the economy, generating new jobs and bringing more revenue in terms of foreign exchange thus enhancing the overall quality of life of people. Since IT and Internet has established a global digital network economy, it has been felt that the state needs to invest in basic infrastructure and Information Technology to be a leader in the economy of the new millennium.

The policy approved by the Council of Ministers envisages three ways in which the state can increase employment, boost economic growth by using IT — by increased organizational efficiency of the Government; by building a successful domestic information technology and knowledge based industry and business; and by producing globally competitive IT enabled humane resources for self-employment within and outside the state. The use of Information Technology will make the local industry in Punjab competitive by reducing costs and lowering barriers to entry into global market.

The objectives enshrined in the policy include improvement in the overall economy of the State; creation of high value employment, potential through humane resource development; making Punjab a favoured industry destination for attracting foreign investment; to provide citizen centered, efficient low cost effective, transparent and friendly governance; making Punjab a globally competitive and turning the State into a smart and intelligent State and a knowledge society through IT education.

A Cabinet sub-committee on information technology has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister to take the required IT-related policy decisions.

The departments may also constitute the Departmental Committees on IT under the chairmanship of the Minister Incharge to review the implementation of IT projects. The Department of Information Technology Systems and Administrative Reforms will act as a Nodal Agency for coordination or creation of common IT-related infrastructure. With a view to monitoring the implementation of important IT projects in all government departments an empowered committee on computerisation has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to accord a single-window clearance to important IT projects.

The Council of Ministers has stayed the recovery of House Rent Allowance from the employees of the border areas in lieu of rent free accommodation and ordered a detailed and proper appreciation of the issue in its aspects before taking any further action in the matter.

The Council of Ministers also approved the creation of posts of Naib Tehisldar at Mohali, Dirba, Amargarh and Talwandi Bhai. These new sub-tehsils will also have single-clerk treasury and more stamp vendors.

The Council approved the amendment of rule 17 of the Punjab Civil Services (General & Common Conditions of Service) Rules, 1994, which will facilitate the wards of defence services personnel to join the initial appointment against Class III posts without having passed the Punjabi language of matriculation standard. However, they will have to pass the Punjabi language of matric standard within two years of joining service.

The Council of Ministers has approved the proposal for extension of the deemed assessment of the Department of Excise & Taxation upto September 30 and for extension of period of scrutinisation upto December 31 and to bring the cases pending for assessment upto the year 1998-99 under the ambit of deemed assessment scheme. For realising this purpose, amendment in Rule 33-B of the Punjab General Sales Tax Rules 1949 will be made.

The Council of Ministers has approved the proposal for amendment in Section 5 of the Punjab’s General Sales Tax Act, 1948, through promulgation of an Ordinance for levy of 30% sales tax on all types of lottery tickets. Many other states , including Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, have already increased the sales tax on lottery tickets.

The Council of Ministers has given ex-post facto approval for exemption from the payment of entertainment tax to the Hindi Feature Film “Hind Ki Beti”.

The Council of Ministers has decided to increase the Secretariat Allowance of Class IV employees working in Punjab Civil Secretariat from Rs 80 per month to Rs 120. The Class III Ministerial Staff of the Punjab Civil Secretariat will also be entitled for revision in their Secretariat Allowance subject to the condition of acquiring knowledge and efficiency by them in computer as per standards and norms approved by the government.