The ministry in the summary stated that production of PSM has been at complete halt since June 2015 and it does not have adequate financial resources in hand to meet expenses incurred on the salaries of its employees. As per orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan communicated vide AGPR's circular dated 10-05-2018, it becomes obligatory on all ministries/divisions and departments to ensure disbursement of monthly salary on the first day of each calendar month.
The Finance Division in the financial year 2018-19 has obtained a supplementary grant of Rs 2,342.078 million to meet salary expenses of PSM employees up to May 2019 which has already been consumed in disbursement of salaries. To release the salary for the month of June, 2019 and onwards for the fiscal year fiscal year 2019-20, the Finance Division has directed Ministry of Industries and Production to seek approval of ECC of the Cabinet enabling it to make necessary arrangements for disbursement of salaries for the said period.
Accordingly, a summary for approval of ECC of the Cabinet for releasing of net salary of PSM employees for the month of June, 2019 (Rs 355 million] and projected net salary for the fiscal year 2019-20 (Rs 4,097 million) has been submitted.
The Finance Division has endorsed the proposals and the ECC is requested to direct Finance Division; (i) to release one month's net salary of Rs 355 million for June 2019 to the employees of PSM; (ii) to approve the payment of projected net salary of Rs 4,097 million to the employees of PSM for the fiscal year 2019-20 to be disbursed every month to PSM.
The other agenda items of the ECC included;(i) request for supplementary grant of Rs 128 million for payment of salaries for the month of February- May 2019 to the employees of Pakistan Machine Tool Factory (PMTF); (ii) approval of necessary amendments/exemptions required for Ministry of Maritime Affairs for the Gwadar Port and Gwadar Free Zone; (iii) report on wheat situation in the country; (iv) payment to Asia Petroleum Limited for shortfall in annual guaranteed throughput; (v) and payment of electricity charges by government of Sindh as Thar subsidy for the domestic consumers of Taluka IsIamkot.