LAHORE The Punjab Cabinet, which met at the Civil Secretariat on Wednesday with Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in the chair, unanimously rejected the proposal for enhancing the annual discretionary grant of provincial ministers in view of the on-going austerity campaign in the province. The meeting gave partial approval to amendment in the Punjab Weights and Measures (International System) Enforcement Act, 1975 while approved amendment in the Disposal of Land by Development Authorities (Regulations) Act, 1998 and amendment in the Punjab Government Rules of Business 2011. The annual report of Punjab Public Service Commission for the year 2010 was also presented in the meeting while a detailed briefing was given regarding promotion of e-government in the province. Addressing the cabinet, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said the Punjab Government had given an excellent and balanced budget for the next financial year, which envisaged solid measures for the progress and prosperity of the people, elimination of poverty and ignorance, uplift of education and health sectors and generation of maximum job opportunities. The CM added that loans would be offered to the youth under self-employment scheme, while 20,000 Yellow Cabs would also be distributed. Moreover, 100,000 computers will be gifted to the talented boy and girl students, he mentioned. He appreciated Ministers, Assembly Members, Chief Secretary, Chairman of the Planning and Development, Secretary of Finance and the entire team for making commendable efforts in preparing an excellent and balanced budget, and said now there was need for collective efforts and hard work to achieve the targets of the budget and the Annual Development Programme. He appreciated the decision to unanimously reject the proposal to enhance the discretionary funds of provincial ministers from Rs300,000 to Rs.500,000, and said the government had promoted austerity and simplicity and ensured transparent utilisation of every penny of public money. He added that under these circumstances, the decision of the provincial cabinet was laudable. Shahbaz Sharif observed that short-measuring was a major offence, and Labour Department should ensure that weights and measures were accurate. Besides increasing punishment for the elements involved in short-measuring, the CM also issued instructions for reviewing the amendment regarding licensing for weight and measures and presenting it in the next meeting. Appreciating the efforts of Punjab Information Technology Boards chairman for the promotion of E-governance in the province, the CM said E-governance was need of the hour which would not only improve efficiency of government departments but better services would also become available to the people. He directed the PITB chairman to evolve a comprehensive roadmap within next eight to ten days for provision of loans and yellow cabs to the youth and computers to the students and consolidating health and education facilities so that this programme could be furthered in a transparent manner. Shahbaz also appreciated the performance of the PPSC regarding recruitments, and said the PPSC should fully adopt information tech so that candidates from RY Khan, Attock and other remote areas should not have to take the trouble of travelling long distances and all information should be available to them online. Earlier, Secretary Labour, Secretary Housing and Secretary I&C gave briefing regarding amendment in the Punjab Weights and Measures (International System) Enforcement Act 1975, amendment in Disposal of Land by Development Authorities (Regulation) Act 1998 and amendment in Punjab Govt Rules of Business 2011 respectively.