The Council of Ministers which met here Monday under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal took a series of decisions approving amendment in various archaic revenue acts to give relief to the people as per recommendations of Governance Reforms Commission.

The Cabinet also approved lowering of VAT on pulses from 4% to 1% to give relief to people reeling under raising prices.

The meeting also approved reduction of VAT from 4% to 1% and levy of VAT @ 1% on unbranded Basen. The meeting also approved the amendment in schedule A, B and C  of Punjab VAT act 2005 to rationalize it. However, VAT in the case of RCC pipe has been reduced from 12.5% to 5%, in the case of spectacles, goggles /sunglasses to 8%. The Rice husk, De Oiled brand, Phack, Kinki and Nakku  have been made tax free.

The Cabinet also approved creation of 656 posts and revival of 336 posts in Health and Family Welfare department to strengthen health infrastructure. 87 posts have been approved for Civil Surgeon Offices whereas 488 posts have been approved from new equipment Centre.  Twenty Seven for Food Inspector have been approved to strengthen anti food adulteration campaign.

The meeting also approved creation of new Sub-Tehsil at Sahnewal in district Ludhiana that would have 1 Kanugo Circle, 13 Patwar Circle and 39 Revenue villages.

The meeting also approved amendment in schedule A, B, D and E of  Punjab Value added Tax Act 2005. With these amendments Punjabi Jutti, would be now tax free. The meeting also approved VAT on Transmission towers, Plastic granules @8% (+10 percent surcharge), on pre owned cars @5% (+10 percent surcharge), the rate of C.S.T has been increased from 1 % to 2% on the interstate sale of papers.

The Cabinet also approved amendments in Punjab Security of Land Tenures Act 1953, Pepsu Tenancy and Agricultural Land Act 1955, Punjab  Land Revenue  Act 1887 as per recommendations of Punjab Governance Reforms Commission, primarily  reduce the level of appeals, simplifying the revenue acts and make them people friendly.

The amendments after approval would be presented to Vidhan Sabha for amendment in the concerned Acts.  The Cabinet  also approved the constitutions of  Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Fund and approved the draft of ordinance for the same. The Cabinet also simplified the Old Age Pension and other Financial Assistance Schemes Rules 1996 keeping in view the difficulty faced by the public.