Islamabad, February 22, 2023 (PPI-OT):The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat was held at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmed. The meeting was attended by Senators Sadia Abbasi, Kamil Ali Agha, Muhammad Akram, Saifullah Sarwar Nyazee and Senator Khalida Ateeb. Chairman in-charge FPSC and Chairman OGRA also attended the meeting.
The committee unanimously passed the Bill titled “The Federal Employees Benevolent Fund and Group Insurance (Amendment) Bill, 2022 “moved by Mr. Murtaza Javed Abbasi, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs in the Senate Sitting held on 20th January, 2023.
The Bill aims to give an additional monthly Benevolent Grant to the family of deceased employees who dies during service in security related act. Similarly, a special lump sum grant is provided to the family members of a deceased employee who dies during service in security related act. The Bill aims to amend effective date from 09-02-2015 to 15-06-2013 retrospectively and directed to initiate the proceedings and refer the case for amendment to the federal government
The Chairman In-charge Federal Public Service Commission briefed the committee on Special Central Superior Services (CSS) Examination, 2023.The Federal Government / Cabinet approved Special CSS Exams for the unfilled vacancies.
The committee was briefed that 231 vacancies of CSS are vacant, 200 officials are recruited annually, 104 seats of minorities are vacant, 47 seats of women open merit and 80 seats are vacant. There are 52 vacant seats in Punjab, 43 in rural Sindh, 24 in urban Sindh, 23 in KPK, 63 in Balochistan, 18 in former FATA, 2 in GB, and 6 in Azad Kashmir.
Balochistan has 63 vacant seats which is the highest. The Chairman Committee inquired on the steps been taken to fill these vacant seats. Establishment division officials told the committee that the students are not passing the written test.
Coaching academies are also being approached to improve the standard of Educational institutes in order to cope with the CSS Exam especially for the students of Baluchistan to attain eligibility. It was apprised that the establishment division will provide funds to the academies for CSS preparation. Secretary Cabinet Division said that the quality of education in the country is decreasing.
In 1995, the pass rate in CSS examination was 10%, today it has reduced to less than 2%. It was also apprised that the cabinet has approved the amendment to enhance the upper age limit for the said exam up to 35 years.
The committee directed the Cabinet division and established division to brief the committee within 15 days on the steps being taken to initiate the Special Central Superior Services Examination and as to how this new provision will help and improve fill the vacant seats and elevate the quality of education to make students compatible to pass the CSS Exams.
While taking briefing from the committee on incidents of LGP cylinders blast in the country, the Chairman OGRA was directed to prepare a draft law to increase the penalty on registered and unregistered LNG cylinder manufactures to sell substandard cylinders causing incidents of cylinder blast.
The committee also recommended to take measures on eradication of illegal LPG sellers and to provide gas filled cylinders, only to their registered distributors. The Chairman committee also directed the OGRA to coordinate with the law enforcing bodies in order to curb this menace. The Chairman said that he will get in touch with 6 LG’s of the provinces including ICT to ensure coordination with the OGRA authorities on enforcing and implementing regulations.
The Chairman Committee directed the PEMRA and PTA to support public service management through electronic and Print Media. The committee sought brief on the same within a fortnight. The chairman ORGA informed the committee that today 2000 tons of LPG is being sold compared to 5000 tons five years ago. In the next few years it will reach 10000 tons. 1.3% LPG is used in energy in Pakistan.
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