Punjab govt approves 10 vehicles for judiciary, announces salary cuts for austerity fund

The Punjab cabinet has approved the purchase of 10 vehicles for the superior judiciary and announced salary contributions by public officeholders to the prime minister’s austerity fund.

The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by the chief minister, with ministers and officials attending remotely as part of an ongoing austerity drive.

Earlier, the cabinet committee and the Services and General Administration Department had proposed procuring 108 vehicles for cabinet members and bureaucrats at a cost of Rs1.14 billion during the current financial year, but the cabinet restricted approval to 10 vehicles for the higher judiciary.

The government also decided that provincial cabinet members, special assistants and parliamentary secretaries will donate two months’ salaries to the austerity fund.

Members of the Punjab Assembly will also contribute two months’ salaries along with 25% of their allowances as part of the campaign.

In addition, all government officers in Grade 17 and above across Punjab will contribute two days’ basic salary to the fund.

The cabinet also approved a range of policy measures and development initiatives across sectors including health, education, water supply and administrative governance, aimed at improving service delivery.