Budget 2014-15: Pensions, salaries of Punjab govt employees increased by 10%
The Punjab government has allocated Rs 345 for development projects.
LAHORE (Web Desk) – Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman on Friday presented budget for the next fiscal year amid opposition’s protest.
Total volume of Punjab Budget 2014-15 is Rs 1044.9 billion rupees.
Presenting the budget in the Punjab Assembly, Mujtaba Shuja- ur-Rehman said the provincial government has decided to allocate 36% of the budget for various development projects in Southern Punjab.
Projects worth Rs 263 billion will be completed in Southern Punjab, the Finance Minister announced.
He said the longest metro bus service will be started in Multan and Khanewal to Lodhran two-way road will also be constructed. He said a modern hospital will be set up in Muzaffargarh with the cooperation of Turkish authorities.
A record amount of Rs 345 billion is being earmarked for the annual development program. Out of this, Rs 96 has been earmarked for the social sector, Rs 137.5 billion for communication and works, Rs 27.5 billion for production and Rs 18 billion for special programs.
The provincial government has also decided to increase pensions and salaries of the government employees by 10% while Rs 12,000 minmum wage has been fixed for the labourers.
The provincial finance minister said Rs 121.80 billion rupees has been allocated for health sector, Rs. 273 billion for education sector and Rs 1.86 has been fixed for women welfare.
For maintaining law and order in the province, the Punjab government has allocated Rs 81.68 billion which is sixteen percent more than last year s budget. For tackling terrorism, another Rs 5 billion are being allocated.
Punjab Finance Minister said the existing growth rate is five percent that will be taken up to eight percent.
He said two million people will be imparted training in various skills in two years and Rs 6 billion has been allocated in this regard. He said four million new employment opportunities will be created during the next four years.
On the other hand, token tax on luxury and heavy vehicles has been increased by 100%. Token tax on 1300-1500cc vehicles has been increased by Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000. Tax on 1501-2000cc vehicles has been increased from Rs 4,500 to Rs 9,000. Token tax on vehicles up to 2500cc has been increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000.
The provincial government has also allocated Rs 2 billion for Danish schools and Rs 7.50 billion for Punjab Education Foundation.
Rs 11 billion endowment funds have been announced for talented students and Rs 5 billion Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s laptop scheme would receive Rs 5 billion.
Punjab Finance Minister said eliminating load-shedding is government’s top priority, thus, 19 projects have been inaugurated in the province this year.
He announced that Rs 2 billion will be spent on a biomass plant in Bahawalpur, while Rs 17 billion has been allocated for the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park project.
Punjab government has also planned to launch four new Ashiana schemes for labourers.
Rs 17 billion has been allocated for water-related projects while Rs 8.93 would be spent on livestock development.
Also, Rs 14.4 billion has been announced for computerization of the land record.
