Governor Sindh Imran Ismail, on Wednesday, approved the summary of Sindh government’s Coronavirus Emergency Relief Ordinance aimed at providing assistance to various sections of the society facing the economic repercussions of the virus pandemic.
According to the new ordinance the penalty of violating any clause of the SOPs issued by the government has been increased to Rs 1 million. Originally the ordinance mandates relief measures such as 20 per cent reduction in school fees, protection of employees against mass layoffs, relief in utility bills etc.
It is to be noted that previously Governor Sindh Imran Ismail had rejected the Sindh government’s coronavirus relief ordinance on May 7, raisin objection that according to according to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) Ordinance, 2002, federal government has the authority in the matters pertaining to gas and Sindh government cannot decide to provide any concessions in utility bills.
Coronavirus Emergency Relief Ordinance was approved by the Sindh cabinet on April 27. According to Sindh government’s spokesman Murtaza Wahab, “The ordinance guarantees employees don’t get fired and get their salaries. Utility bills to a certain extent have been exempted, schools have been directed to give 20 per cent discount due to lesser overheads.”