Cabinet approves launch of universal health programme in Punjab

LAHORE, Dec 14 (APP):The 50th provincial cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship by Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office on Tuesday, approved the launch of universal health insurance programme in the province.

The CM informed the participants that Naya Pakistan Health Card (NPHC) scheme would be launched from Lahore division by the start of January 2022 and the facility would be extended to Rawalpindi, Faisalabad,
Multan, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala and Sargodha divisions by March 31. The cabinet approved to mention the family head name along with CNIC on the card.

It approved an agreement between Punjab Health Initiative Management Company (PHIMC) and State Life Insurance along with the format and design of the NPHC.

Around Rs 400 billion would be spent on the universal health insurance programme in three years, he said and termed it a historic step of the PTI government. Around Rs 1 million for free treatment facilities would be
made available to every family annually through Naya Pakistan Health Card, he added. The meeting approved the opening of a separate personal ledger account and receipt and share distribution formula for the hospitals
for the universal health insurance programme.

The cabinet approved a draft of zero time to start up policy 2021 to ease the issuance of NOCs to promote investment and business. It approved the establishment of a girls college in Sikandria Colony Sodiwal Lahore
over 34 Kanal along with approving amendments in West Pakistan Board of Revenue (conduct of appeals and revision) Rules 1959 to change its name to Punjab Board of Revenue (conduct of appeals and revisions).

After the approval, the decision of BoR cases would be compulsory in 180 days. Amendments in West Pakistan Board of Revenue (conduct of meeting) rules 1959 along with the decision to introduce corporate governance
reforms in Punjab Seed Corporation were approved.

For this purpose, amendments in Punjab Seed Corporation Act 1976 were approved. After it, the number of PSC board members would be increased to 16 from 9.

Amendments in Punjab Motor Vehicles Taxation Rules 1959 were approved. It would bind the Punjab registered vehicles to pay their token tax within Punjab. It was approved to allot the ‘LHC’ series for registration of Lahore High Court vehicles under the universal registration mark scheme.

An amendment in Rule 42 of the second schedule of Punjab Motor Vehicles Rules 1969 was approved to grant special concession on the registration
of electric vehicles in Punjab. It was decided to make an e-auction policy of vehicles’ attractive numbers’ allotment by expanding the numbers list.

Wheat release policy 2021 was approved as well. The draft of the price control and prevention of profiteering and hoarding act 2021 along with the adoption of the 1977’s Act was approved to overcome hoarding, profiteering and to ensure price control.

Follow the PNI Facebook page for the latest news and updates.