The Punjab Assembly session started with a delay of one hour and 37 minutes. Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan is presiding over the session. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is also present.
The provincial finance minister said that relief was being provided to every class in the budget. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has reduced inflation in the province to a record level, he said.
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The inflation rate has been brought to 11.8 while the government is providing business friendly environment in the province, he said.
The government is presenting a tax-free budget for the first time in the history of Punjab as Maryam Nawaz took revolutionary measures in a short period of 100 days bringing significant reduction in government expenditure, he said. Thus, development has started in Punjab, he added.
Opposition’s uproar
Meanwhile, the opposition strongly protested on the occasion of presenting the budget the Punjab Assembly. Under the leadership of the opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly, the opposition members came in front of the Speaker’s dice, and started tearing the budget documents and waving them in the House. The opposition is continuing to raise slogans against the Punjab government while journalists have walked out of the press gallery in protest against the defamation law.
Rs6.5b allocated for sports, Rs296b for road projects
Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman announced the launch of a big project worth Rs6.5 billion for sports facilities in all provincial constituencies. Besides, the first Garment City will be established in Punjab to increase foreign exchange, he noted. He said that 482 roads will be repaired and rehabilitated. It has been decided to restore schemes worth Rs530 billion, while 2,380 km of roads will be constructed and rehabilitated at a cost of Rs296 billion, he added.
Rs10b sanctioned for laptop scheme
The chief minister is re-introducing the laptop scheme at a cost of Rs10 billion. Under this scheme, laptops will be provided to the youth so that they can advance in academic and technical fields.
Rs9.5 b IT and solar system programme
The Finance Minister announced the foundation stone of the Nawaz Sharif IT project in Lahore and said that up to 100 units of electricity consumers will be provided free solar system. The Chief Minister Roshan Gharana program has also been launched at a cost of Rs9.5 billion, under which solar systems will be provided to the people.
Apna Ghar programme
The Finance Minister announced that every poor person will be provided with a house through the 'Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar' program at a cost of billions of rupees. The objective of this project is to provide better housing facilities to the poor.
Rs75b loans for farmers pledged
While announcing a special package for farmers, it was said that 500,000 farmers will be given interest-free loans worth Rs75 billion. Apart from this, 7 thousand tube wells will be converted to solar at a cost of Rs9 billion and the Chief Minister Green Tractor Programme is being launched at a cost of Rs30 billion. Under this program farmers will be able to own their own tractor without any interest. Additionally, model agriculture malls will also be set up at a cost of Rs1.25 billion.
Opening new avenues of development and prosperity
The minister said that the purpose of these projects of the Punjab government is to open new avenues of development and prosperity in the province. These measures will not only stabilize the economy but also improve the lives of the people.
Climate change and public welfare project
The Punjab finance minister announced several revolutionary projects to deal with climate change and provide public facilities.
According to the Finance Minister, the Punjab government has launched a program at a cost of Rs340 million. The aim of this program is to create awareness among people to deal with climate change. Additionally, a major climate change program is being launched at a cost of Rs 10 billion. Under this project, eco-friendly bus service will be started in five major cities of Punjab.
Rs8b for forestry development
A plantation project is being started with Rs8 billion for the development of forests. The aim of this project is to plant more trees and promote forests across Punjab. In addition, a "Smog Action Plan" has been prepared to control smog, under which various measures will be taken to reduce air pollution.
Rs450m for air ambulance facility
Punjab Government is providing health services to public through mobile clinics under the "Clinics on Wheels" project to improve health facilities. The Finance Minister announced that air ambulance service is being launched at a cost of Rs450m, which is being introduced for the first time in Punjab.
Rs2b allocated for special persons’ welfare
A special program is being launched at a cost of Rs2 billion for the welfare of disabled persons. Under this program, various facilities and privileges will be provided to the disabled persons so that they can join the mainstream of society.
Free Wi-Fi Facility
Keeping in view the public convenience, free Wi-Fi is being provided at various locations in Lahore. The objective of this initiative is to provide digital facilities to the public and to facilitate access to the Internet.
These steps of the Punjab government will not only help in dealing with environmental change but will also play an important role in providing public facilities. Through these projects, the Government of Punjab strives to improve the lives of the people.
Rs451b allocated for pensions, Rs603.10b for salaries
Provincial Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman said that the Punjab government has allocated Rs451 billion for pensions and Rs603.10 billion for salaries of government employees.
Chief Minister’s renewal of public welfare pledge
It should be noted that the Punjab Cabinet has approved a budget of Rs5,446 billion, which includes a record development budget of Rs842 billion. Revenue has been increased by 53 percent from fiscal sources without raising taxes.
The Chief Minister while giving a statement on this occasion, said that she wanted to improve the financial position of Punjab and will not burden the people. In the budget, no new tax is being imposed on the people, but the focus is on increasing revenue from own sources.
During the cabinet meeting, Maryam Nawaz said that her cabinet and team are working day and night. He promised that all possible efforts will be made to complete the development projects. Deputy Commissioners will be appointed on the basis of performance and will be continuously monitored. The Cabinet paid tribute to the Chief Minister for reducing the record inflation in three months, she said.
Maryam also announced that a new Department for Water Supply and Drainage would be established in Punjab. The whole of Punjab will be made a safe city and the money saved from the purchase of wheat will be spent on the farmers. Cattle will be exclusively provided to the farmers of South Punjab.
It was also decided in the meeting that under the leadership of Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab government will continue to work tirelessly to further improve its performance, and special attention will be given to public welfare projects.
The government is determined to bring positive changes in the lives of the people of Punjab and all resources will be utilized for the purpose, she noted.
