It also approved an amendment to the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA 2003) for a complete ban on hookah bars in the state. The Cabinet gave its go-ahead to two draft amendment Bills to omit Section 2-C of ‘The East Punjab Ministers’ Salaries Act, 1947 and Section 7-A of ‘The Salaries and Allowances of Deputy Ministers, Punjab Act, 1956’. Cabinet ministers, including the Leader of Opposition who has cabinet minister rank, will now pay their own income tax beginning March 2018. ‘The Punjab Laws (Special Provisions for regularisation of unauthorized colony) Bill, 2018’ seeks to provide basic civic amenities like water supply, sewerage, electricity and road connectivity to people living in unauthorised colonies. Unauthorised colonies developed before March 19, 2018, shall be regularised, with regularisation charges earlier paid under previous policies to be adjusted, the spokesperson said.

Source: Indian Express March 20, 2018 00:22 UTC