Punjab budget worth Rs 1681 billion presented by Ayesha Ghaus
Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha presents the budget of Punjab Assembly
LAHORE: (Web Desk, Dunya News) - Punjab Finance Minister Ayesha Ghaus Pasha on Monday presented the budget of the province worth Rs 1681 billion. Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shehbaz Sharif was also present in the house for the budget speech. The session was presided over by Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana Iqbal. The budget was presented by Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha.
Opposition continued protesting throughout the budget speech. They tore apart the copies of the budget and raised slogans against the government. They kept thumping the desks while Speaker Rana Iqbal repeatedly told them to keep quiet. On the other hand, the members at the treasury benches continued to applaud Finance Minister and supporting the initiatives.
Highlights of Punjab Budget 2016-17
The total volume of the budget for the year 2016-17 is Rs 1681 billion. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha said 88% more funds have been allocated this year for the sake of providing clean drinking water for the people of Punjab. She added that education, health, agriculture and provision of clean drinking water are the top priorities.
Opposition continued to raise slogans during the speech by Ayesha Ghaus Pasha. Opposition members also tore apart the budget copies on the occasion.
Rs 30 billion have been allocated for the projects ensuring provision of clean drinking water to the public.
62% more funds have been allocated for health sector this year.
Rs 550 billion have been allocated for the development projects this year, compared to Rs 400 billion in Budget 2015-16. 500,000 new job opportunities will be created with these projects.
Parho Punjab Barho Punjab project is under full swing and 100% enrollment of the students will be ensured under this project.
A total of Rs 312.80 billion has been allocated for the education sector.
Rs 4 billion have been allocated for Laptop distribution scheme and laptops will be distributed among 400,000 students under the project.
Rs 3 billion have been allocated for youth s technical education while Rs 2 billion have been allocated for Youth Training program.
Rs 52.3 billion have been allocated for agriculture sector. 1 billion rupees have been allocated for fisheries sector while Rs 15.7 billion have been allocated for Food department. Rs 50 billion have been allocated under Kisan Package.
Rs 92 billion have been allocated for transport sector.
Rs 16 billion have been allocated for urban development.
10% increase has been announced in pensions and salaries.
Rs 41 billion allocated for irrigation projects.
Rs 5.7 million have been allocated for the women development projects.
Rs 70 billion will be spent on highways while Rs 27 billion have been allocated for Rural Roads Program.
36,000 classrooms will be constructed and school structures will be improved during this year and all the missing facilities will be provided during this year to all the schools in the province.
45,000 new teachers will be recruited in the province.
Rs 13 billion have been allocated for higher education in the budget.
Rs 56.76 billion have been allocated for school education. At least 3 teachers will be made compulsory while merit will be ensured. It will also be ensured that the teachers are recruited from the same areas where the schools are. Rs 50 billion have been allocated for upgrading the schools. Rs 3 billion have been allocated for Danish schools.
4% registration fee has been imposed on cars over 2000 CC while motobrikes, rickshaws, tractors and cars up to 1000 CC.
Rs 100 billion have been allocated for police department in the 2016-17 budget.
Rs 13.6 billion have been allocated for livestock sector.
Rs 44 billion have been allocated for Punjab Safe city project. The projects will be started in 6 cities of the province. In the first phase, the project will be started in Lahore.
Rs 150 billion have been allocated for Health sector. Health development budget set at Rs 43 billion with an increase of 43%.
Rs 11.7 billion allocated for providing subsidy on fertiliser.
A 100-bed maternity hospital will be set up in Murree.
A women university will be set up in Sialkot.
3 special economic zones will be established in Punjab under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Patwar culture has been buried for good as computerised land record system introduced in the province.
Minimum wages for labourers set at Rs 14,000 per month.
