Latest news with #Planning
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Govt. clears pending medical reimbursement bills of employees and pensioners amounting to ₹180.38 crore
In a major relief to employees and pensioners, the State government has cleared their pending medical reimbursement bills. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has released ₹180.38 crore towards clearing the bills benefiting 26,519 employees/pensioners who are making rounds to the Secretariat and other offices regularly for more than two years now. The development follows the recent hike in the dearness allowance and an additional DA announced to the staff. The Deputy Chief Minister also cleared bills pending from the previous government. Bills pending since March 4, 2023 to June 20 this year have been cleared in the process. Mr. Bhatti Vikramarka, who is the chairman of the cabinet sub-committee on employees' welfare, took the initiative to release the funds as assured to the employees. The release comes after the government completed crediting of ₹9,000 crore into farmers' accounts as part of Rythu Bharosa, farmers investment support scheme. The amount, according to officials, was released in spite of the financial constraints and implementation of a spree of welfare schemes. Officials said that the recent hike in DA benefiting 3.5 lakh employees and over 3 lakh pensioners would impose additional burden of ₹2,400 crore a month on the State exchequer. The government had also issued orders approving an increase in cadre strength in the Women & Child Welfare and Planning departments, besides initiating the process for constituting a joint staff council to resolve issues of employees and officers in a time-bound manner. This is in addition to steps that were initiated to classify village panchayats into four grades based on population and a comprehensive health insurance scheme for employees/pensioners, which was in the offing. The government had also constituted departmental promotion committees at various levels, which were actively working on the process.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Using up to 300 units: Sindh plans solar tax exemption for power consumers
KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Energy, Planning, and Development, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, stated that the Sindh Government is making every possible effort to exempt electricity consumers using up to 300 units from the solar tax and is actively engaging with the federal government in this regard. He expressed these views today as the chief guest at the National Environmental Sustainability Conference and Awards Ceremony organized by the Youth Parliament, held at a local hotel. Chairman of Youth Parliament Rizwan Jaffer, Reham Khan, and other dignitaries also addressed the event. In his speech, the Energy Minister emphasized that the use of green energy is the need of the hour, and Sindh has been at the forefront of this initiative. The province is self-sufficient and rich in wind and solar energy resources, and work in this sector is progressing rapidly. Solar panels are being distributed among the most underprivileged and off-grid households in remote areas of Sindh. All these initiatives are being undertaken under the vision of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto and the directives of the Chief Minister of Sindh. The Sindh Energy Department is working tirelessly on this front. Nasir Shah stated that while the government is fulfilling its responsibilities towards the country's and the province's development, it is also essential for every individual to contribute their part. Sindh is the only province receiving substantial amounts in foreign dollars as carbon credit from international organizations—thanks to the mangrove plantations initiated along Sindh's coastal belts under the special instructions and interest of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto. The plantation of one million mangroves in a single day has also earned a place in the Guinness World Records. He expressed his happiness at the rapid progress of the Youth Parliament due to their dedication and hard work, noting the presence of a full house of youth at the event. He mentioned that the Sindh government wishes to take important legislative steps for the youth in the assemblies, but constitutional and legal barriers are in the way. Nasir Shah also highlighted that major efforts are underway to improve treatment plants and infrastructure in Karachi on a priority basis. He rejected the narrative that Karachi is unliveable, pointing out that people from across the country continue to migrate and settle in the city, unlike Sindh residents, who do not leave for other provinces in the same manner. Since 2013, Karachi and Sindh have not been receiving their fair share from the federal government, which is currently allocating only 2% to 3%—a clear injustice to the province. The Sindh Government, after introducing electric buses, is now planning to distribute electric scooters to working women. Special training and issuance of driving licenses for women are also under consideration. At the end of the ceremony, the Minister for Energy distributed awards. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 days ago
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt courts Chinese investment in key sectors amid economic reform drive - Economy
Egypt seeks to deepen economic ties with China as it pushes for foreign investment to support a broad programme of structural reforms and infrastructure upgrades. Planning and International Cooperation Minister Rania Al-Mashat led a high-level meeting with senior Chinese business figures in Tianjin on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. The talks focused on potential collaboration in sectors, including energy, digital infrastructure and logistics, under the 2014 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. The meeting, which was also attended by Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Hassan El-Khatib, included executives from Chinese firms operating in industries such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, and finance. Al-Mashat presented Egypt's reform agenda as an opportunity for joint investment, citing progress in trade facilitation, private-sector development, and legislative reform. She also pointed to Egypt's geographic position and network of trade agreements as incentives for businesses looking to expand in Africa, the Middle East or Europe. While Egypt and China have maintained diplomatic and economic ties for decades, Beijing's role in Africa and the Middle East has expanded markedly in recent years, particularly through its Belt and Road Initiative. During the meeting, Al-Mashat referenced Egypt's Vision 2030 strategy, which includes targets for sustainable growth and localization of key industries. She also reiterated the government's interest in partnerships that support green transition efforts. In 2023, Egypt and China signed a memorandum of understanding under China's Global Development Initiative (GDI) and their first debt-for-development swap agreement—tools intended to increase cooperation in technology transfer, research and development. The government is now working on a medium-term strategy to guide these efforts. However, specific outcomes or projects have yet to be announced. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Health NZ interim CEO appointed to role full-time
Health NZ's interim chief executive Dr Dale Bramley has just been officially appointed to the top job for a three-year term. Previously the National Director of Planning, Funding and Outcomes, Bramley stepped into the top job in February after the sudden resignation of the agency's founding chief executive, Margie Apa. In announcing his appointment on Wednesday, Health NZ Commissioner Dr Lester Levy said Bramley's "expertise in driving performance and clinical quality aligned with Health NZ's strategic objectives". "He is widely respected across the healthcare system as both a senior clinician and senior executive. "His breadth of leadership experience, insights and expertise stand him in good stead to drive Health NZ's ongoing improvement as a high performing organisation that is focused on delivery, outcomes and enhancing patient experience." A practising public health medicine specialist, he headed Waitematā District Health Board for more than 10 years, and also served as Chair of New Zealand's Health Quality & Safety Commission and as a member of the national health committee and national ethics committee. Bramley, who takes over officially on July 14, said being able to focus on improving health outcomes for all New Zealanders would be "an absolute priority" for him. "Our health system is blessed with incredibly skilled, highly trained and compassionate people. "Working with them, we will aim to improve access to health services, promote health, and focus on delivering the very highest quality healthcare we can for patients, whānau and communities." New CEO needs to be "clear with ministers" over funding - union Public Service Association National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said Bramley's appointment came at "a very challenging time for health services". "Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand has been starved of the funding it needs to deliver the better patient outcomes the government is demanding. "We hope Dr Bramley is clear with ministers about how their decisions to fund tax cuts over properly funding the health system has impacted the health services New Zealanders expect from his agency." The 24,000 health workers represented by the PSA were struggling to deliver for patients, she said. "This must change if New Zealanders are to have confidence that the health system will be there for them when they need it. "The PSA will continue to advocate for greater funding and looks forward to further making that case with Dr Bramley in his new role along with ministers."
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Punjab Chief Secretary to be chairman of urban planning, development authorities
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Chief Secretary will be the chairman of all local urban planning and development authorities in the state, the state cabinet decided yesterday. Earlier, the Chief Minister and concerned ministers headed these authorities. This decision of the government has come under fire as it has given ammunition to the opposition parties, who have termed it as reducing the Punjab Chief Minister to a 'mere puppet' at the hands of his 'bosses from Delhi'. The state cabinet yesterday met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and decided to appoint the Chief Secretary as the chairman of all local urban development authorities in the state such as Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA), Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) and Greater Ludhiana Development Authority (GLADA), thus effectively transferring this responsibility from the Chief Minister, who traditionally headed them. The cabinet amended Section 29(3) of the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development (PRTPD) Act, thus empowering the Chief Secretary to head the development authorities, a move modelled after Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority in Gujarat and urban authorities of Noida, Meerut, Kanpur and Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.
