Punjab Government Announces Significant Increase in Learner’s Driving License Fee
In a recent development, the Punjab government has approved a substantial hike in the fee for obtaining a learner’s driving license, raising it from Rs600 to Rs1,000. The decision, ratified during the 33rd meeting of the provincial cabinet chaired by caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, is slated to be effective from January 1, 2024.
This move accompanies a series of noteworthy decisions taken by the cabinet during the meeting. The fee adjustments also extend to licenses for light transport vehicles (LTV), heavy transport vehicles (HTV), and public service vehicles (PSV). Additionally, citizens from the United States, Canada, and other countries will now have the option to apply online for licenses, with an associated $100 license fee.
Addressing the concerns of landless farmers in Cholistan, the cabinet approved the allocation of 344,000 acres of state land at a nominal rate, providing each farmer with 12.5 acres.
In the realm of education and healthcare, the cabinet introduced measures to enhance the transfer policy for MBBS and BDS students in government medical and dental colleges. Furthermore, to improve healthcare facilities for prisoners, the management of prison hospitals has entrusted to the Department of Primary and Secondary Health.
Other notable decisions include the allocation of funds to double the number of nursing students in Punjab, the establishment of a management committee for the Institute of Public Health in Lahore, and the renewal of the contract between the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department and the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Health Trust for managing Regional Blood Centres in Multan and Bahawalpur.
The government also announced plans to elevate the status of Children’s Hospital in Faisalabad to that of a medical institute under the Punjab Medical and Health Institutions Act 2003. Additionally, steps taken to establish the Multan Institute of Kidney Diseases as PKLI-2 to cater to the healthcare needs of South Punjab.
In a bid to strengthen academic leadership, the caretaker provincial cabinet greenlit the formation of a committee for the selection of vice-chancellors for the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Lahore and Bahawalpur. Finally, the cabinet granted approval for the policy framework governing the deputation of prosecutors from the Public Prosecutor’s Department to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
This comprehensive set of decisions reflects the government’s commitment to addressing various aspects of public welfare, education, and healthcare while ensuring transparent communication about the changes.
