A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the council of ministers here chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

With the setting up of this commission, the fixing of power tariff would be done by an independent authority after seeking the views of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) and the people concerned. This would bring transparency in the process of tariff fixation.

The council of ministers constituted a sub-committee to work out the details of the modalities of constitution and powers of the commission. The members of the committee include Finance Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Food and Supplies Minister Madan Mohan Mittal, Science and Technology Minister Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal and Minister of State for Food and Supplies Charanji LalGarg.

It was decided to realise import fee on beer under the Punjab State Sales Tax Act at the rate of Rs 4.60 per bulk litre with effect from April 1, 1997.

Another decision pertains to amending the Punjab General Sales Tax Act, 1949 for making the provision of ST-XXII/H form as proof of export.

The council of ministers decided to frame Punjab Lottery Rules, 1998 for starting weekly lottery scheme in accordance with the law.

It was also decided to amend the Punjab Government House (General pool) Allotment Rules, 1983 so that when a government employee in occupation of government accommodation is transferred, the same residence may be transferred in the name of the spouse subject to the condition that the spouse is working in an eligible office and entitled to the same type of accommodation. In case the entitlement is not the same, another accommodation would be allotted.