LAHORE: Punjab Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghous Pasha wrapped up general discussion on the provincial budget 2016-17 during the 22nd session here Wednesday.
In her speech, she described the budget document as balanced and public-friendly and said they considered suggestions and proposals from all stakeholders.
Earlier, the session commenced with Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal in the chair.
The minister discussing pros and cons of the budget said the maximum relief had been provided to the common man while an attractive incentive package had also been offered to the farming community. She said in the Rs 1,681 billion budget no new taxation was made.
She shrugged off the opposition's claim that Rs 185 billion taxes were levied in the new budget which in no way was deficit one.
She made it clear that no tax had been imposed on exports sector while GST was levied on services. "Motor vehicle tax had been put on those who could bear it," she said.
Dr Ayesha Ghous said out of the Rs 550 billion ADP, Rs 168.87 billion had been proposed to be allocated for vital social sector that encompasses education, health, water supply and sanitation, women development and social security.
She expressed the hope that huge allocation for the ADP would result in creation of 500,000 new employment opportunities.
The minister said the government had come up with ideal incentives for farmers and growers. She said provision of zero mark up loans to farmers and huge subsidy on fertilizers, pesticides and other agri inputs were commendable steps taken by the government in the budget.
She said the government was committed to bring about a revolution in the education sector and for this hefty allocation had been made for further improving education at grassroots level. She said missing facilities would be provided in all schools of the province during next two years.
The minister told the House that no plan to privatise schools was on cards. She said for quality education, management out of source system was being introduced. She said government wanted maximum involvement of private sector in energy sector. She said three economic zones had already been set up. She said small medium enterprises were utilized to encourage investments in the province.
She said creation of Dolphin Force helped bring street crimes down considerably.
Dr Ayesha Ghous termed Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) project historic and unique and said it was not the project for the Lahore city but also for the whole Pakistan. "It's a big deed of the PML-N government which benefit half million travellers daily and create job opportunities," she added.
Today was the fourth and final day for open debate on the budget and the members both from treasury and opposition benches presented their suggestions and proposals for inclusion in the budget.
Members Majid Zahoor hailing the budget said that the government had presented a master-piece in shape of the budget.
Another legislator Sheikh Ejaz Ahmed slammed PTI for doing negative politics and said the Punjab government was working for development and progress of the province.
Muhammad Ali Khokhar demanded a vocational college in his constituency.
MPA Irfan Doultana said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz was playing politics of nobility while the PTI was conspiring to grab power through back door.
Opposition members Sardar Waqas Hassan Moakal, Arif Abassi, Choudhry Muhammad Akram and Mian Muhammad Aslam Iqbal also discussed the budget and presented various proposals.
As the agenda for the day accomplished, the deputy speaker who was chairing the session, adjourned the House till Thursday (July 23) at 10:00am.
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