In a major decision, the Punjab Cabinet has given a green signal to impose 4% entry tax on sugar imported from outside Punjab. The move is aimed at safeguarding the interests of local sugar industries.

Likewise, the Cabinet has agreed to amend Punjab Tax on entry of goods into Local Areas Act 2000 in case of sugar imported from any other state. The Cabinet has also given its nod to impose entry tax on iron and steel including scrap, dyes and chemicals and all types of yarn, partially oriented yarn, fiber, top and chips at 4% amending the Punjab Tax on entry of goods in Local Areas Act 2000.

The Punjab Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1964 (for brick earth and ordinary earth minerals only) will be amended by incorporating rules 24, 25, 26, 27 and form K. The brick industry of the state will pay VAT on lump sum basis on the pattern of the neighbouring states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. It may be recalled that the brick industry in

Punjab was paying lump sum tax for many years prior to the introduction of VAT from April 1, 2005.

In another significant decision, the Cabinet approved the establishment of state-level institute to impart security relating training to unemployed youth of the state for their absorption in private security agencies. A special body called the ‘Punjab Police Security Corporation’ as a subsidiary of the Punjab Police Housing Corporation will be set up for providing security training to unemployed youth of the state to enable them to get employment.

The Punjab government on Wednesday decided to set up 2,748 new anganwadi centres in the state. The centres would be spread across all 148 blocks of Punjab.

A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of the Punjab Cabinet held here on Tuesday evening under the chairmanship of Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.

A special cell for Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) will be set at Tarn Taran. The main objective of the scheme is to ensure all round development of women in the age group of 15-45 years and children of 0-6 years by providing services of pre-school education, immunisation, health check up, referral services, nutrition and health education and supplementary nutrition.

The Cabinet approved a proposal to amend the section 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 as applicable to Punjab to permit the use of video conferencing for production of accused before a magistrate and recording of evidence. In another significant decision,the Cabinet approved the draft of a new Bill for Police Reforms, in view of the judgment of the Supreme Court in writ petition (Civil) No.310 of 1996 filed by Parkash Singh, IPS retired and others versus Union of India and others and approved promulgation of Ordinance related to the draft Punjab Police Bill, 2007.

Also, district consumer forms will be set up in the newly-formed districts of SAS Nagar (Mohali), Tarn Taran and Barnala under section 9 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

The administrative report of the registration wing of the department of revenue for the year 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 was approved.

Besides, the annual administrative report of the department of Social Security and Development of Women and Children for the year 2002-03, 2003-04 and annual administrative report of the Pushpa Gujral Science City Society and commercial wing of the transport department for the year 2004-05 was also approved.