Chandigarh: The Amarinder Singh government on Saturday put a ban on use beacons on government vehicles, foreign travel of ministers for two years and organising of banquets on state expense, in a bid to end VIP culture in Punjab. The council of ministers took this “historic” decision in their first cabinet meeting in Chandigarh to do away with the VIP culture in the state, he said. Foundation stones would be laid only by the president, the vice-president, the Lok Sabha speaker, union ministers, the chief minister, assembly speakers and state ministers, the spokesman said. The district administrations will function as normal even if the chief minister or a minister is visiting its area concerned, the spokesman said. The cabinet also decided to exempt journalists from paying toll tax on state highways in Punjab.

Source: Mint March 18, 2017 14:37 UTC