LAHORE– The Punjab government has started providing facility of online payments of fees as part of initiatives for ease of doing business in the province.
This was stated during a meeting of provincial working group for ease of doing business, here at Civil Secretariat on Friday.
The meeting reviewed progress on implementation of reforms initiated in different departments.
The secretary planning and development department briefed the meeting that under ease of doing business steps various reforms have been successfully implemented and facility of online payments has been launched in the province.
Under the online payment system, token tax, property tax, professional tax, motor vehicle registration and transfer fees, cotton fees by Excise and Taxation Department, E-stamping, mutation and fard fees by Board of Revenue, sales tax on services, Punjab ID Cess by Punjab Revenue Authority and Business Registration fees by Industries Department could be paid.
Speaking at the meeting the Chief Secretary said that the government is providing a conducive environment to investors by taking measures for ease of doing business and reforms introduced in various departments are yielding positive results.
He directed the relevant provincial departments to complete reforms for ease of doing business within deadline, saying that owing to the concrete measure taken by government the position of Pakistan would improve in the ease of doing business ranking.
The Chief Secretary expressed displeasure over delay in simplifying the procedure of issuance of NOC by Environment Department and sought progress report within fifteen days.
He mentioned that digitization and use of information technology would enhance capability of departments, besides improving public service delivery that would directly benefit people.
The secretary planning and development department told the meeting that a visiting World Bank team lauded the ease of doing business initiatives of the Punjab government, terming them ‘well-organized and exemplary’. He said that obtaining permission for construction has been made easier and registration of property in the province would be made online.
The meeting was attended by Chairman of Planning and Development, secretaries of industries, excise and taxation, law, Chairman PITB, CEO LESCO and officers concerned.— PRESS HANDOUT
