Chandigarh: A minister said the state Cabinet today cleared purchase of Innova vehicles for MLAs. The PSEB has been facing problem of funds to buy power and imposing cuts ranging from 6 to 8 hours. Sources said the Cabinet also approved buying of eight more vehicles for the Chief Minister's security that has about 37 vehicles. Meanwhile, the Cabinet also approved to levy lumpsum tax on dhaba owners at the rate of Rs 10,000 in case of turnover of Rs 5 lakh and above, but less than Rs 15 lakh, Rs 22,500 in case of turnover of Rs 15 lakh and above, but less than Rs 30 lakh, Rs 40,000 in case of turnover of more Rs 30 lakh, but less than Rs 50 lakh, Rs 75,000 in case of turn over of Rs 50 lakh, but less than Rs 1 crore, Rs 1,25,000 in case of turn over of Rs 1 crore, but less than Rs1.5 crore and Rs 1,75,000 in case of turn over of Rs 1.5 crore, but less than Rs 2 crore. The government today decided to slash the rate of VAT on compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) under the Punjab VAT Act, 2005, from 12.5 per cent to 4 per cent. The Cabinet also approved to reduce the rate of VAT on mentha oil from 12.5 per cent to 4 per cent to promote this crop in the state. Likewise, the rate of VAT on the kirana items had also been reduced from 12.5 pc to 4 pc. It approved to reduce VAT on desi ghee and sweetened flavoured milk from 12.5 pc to 4 pc. It also gave approval for amending Section 3 and 3-A of the Punjab Entertainment Tax (Cinematograph Shows) Act, 1954, through a promulgation of an ordinance for exemption in entertainment tax to cinema owners in Punjab as extended to multiplexes announced by the state government. The Cabinet also gave go-ahead to the grant of exemption from levy of VAT on raw materials and consumable procured by or sold to Sri Harmandar Sahib and Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar . It also decided to amend the Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1961. The Cabinet also approved amending the Punjab Entry of Goods into Local Areas Act, 2000 that would now encompass the items like iron and steel as mentioned in Section 14 of the Central Sales Tax Act, dyes & chemicals, job work, and shoddy and waste yarn. Keeping in view the acute shortage of staff in the Information and Public Relations Department, the Cabinet cleared recruitment of 16 information and public relations officers, 24 assistant public relations officers on regular basis besides supporting staff on contract. Likewise, it also approved to fill the five posts of food inspector by direct recruitment in the Health and Family Welfare Department. The Cabinet also gave nod to amend the Punjab Civil Services (Executive Branch) (Class-I) Rules, 1976, for enhancement of the age limit from 45 years to 54 years for nominating officers/official who are to be inducted to PCS (EB) through register A-I, A-II, A-III and 'C'. The Cabinet also approved to amend the Rule 19 of the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment & Appeal) Rules, 1970. The Cabinet okayed the proposal to enhance the monthly maintenance grant to Operation Bluestar affected 27 soldiers (Dharmi Faujis) from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 per month and their 93 dependents of killed or untraced faujis from Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000 per month. It decided to amend the Punjab Municipal Election Rules, 1994, as per observations and recommendations of the Committee on Subordinate Legislation of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. The Cabinet also approved the amendment in Rules, 1996, of old-age pension and other financial assistance schemes of Punjab.