LAHORE: Provincial Finance Minister Makhdum Hashim Jawan Bakhat said on Friday that the provincial budget 2019-20, having total outlay of Rs 2,300.57 billion, has greater focus on social protection, human resource development and regional equalisation.
In his budget speech on the floor of the house here, the minister mentioned that above three priorities were also part of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government's manifesto.
He said, "We have tried our best that the budget document ensures bright future of the people of Punjab as per vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, instead of mere jagulary of words."
Hashim Jawan said that the provincial budget 2019-20 was based on Punjab Growth Strategy 2018-23, providing leading principles to the Punjab government for the next five years. Under the Punjab Growth Strategy, he added, the provincial government had introduced new policies in sectors of labour, agriculture, industry, tourism and environment, besides initiating public welfare and social protection projects including establishment of Panagah (Shelter homes) for helpless people, construction of low-cost houses, Sehat Insaf Card, construction and repair of rural roads, measures to enhance agri yields and ease of doing business.
The finance minister said that the PTI government had the credit of activating local government system within short span of eight months and ensured devolution of power at grass root level, which would prove to be a game changer in real sense.
Everybody knew, he said, the PTI had strongly been objecting to wastage of public money by the then government during its election campaign, and soon after coming to government, PTI Chairman and Prime Minister Imran Khan and his entire team started austerity drive from their selves.
He cited that federal cabinet had cut 10 per cent of their salary voluntarily, while the armed forces also did not increase their expenditures.
Similarly, the Punjab Chief Minister and his cabinet also reduced their salaries and other expenditures. Continuing firmly with austerity drive, he said, the current expenditure had been increased 2.7 per cent only in the budget 2019-20, which was lowest increase in current expenditures in the history of Punjab. Like the current fiscal year, a sum of Rs 233 billion was being set aside as surplus in the FY 2019-20 that would not only help reduce national budget deficit but would also be available for achieving the revenue target of the next FY.
Detailing Annual Development Programme (ADP), Punjab Finance Minister Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht said that despite all economic constraints, Rs 350 billion (47 per cent high compared to current FY) had been allocated for ADP under which Rs 125 billion has been earmarked for Social Sector, Rs 88 billion for Infrastructure Development, Rs 34 billion for Production Sector, Rs 21 billion for Services Sector, Rs 17 billion for other sector, Rs 23 billion for Special Programmes and Rs 42 billion for Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
In order to ensure protection for the poor and deprived segments of society, he said, Punjab Ehsas Programme (PEP) had been launched. Under the PEP, the following initiatives were being taken: "Ba Himmat Bazurg Programme" was being started with a cost of Rs 3 billion to provide financial assistant of Rs 2000 per month each to 150,000 elder people of above 65 years of age; Rs 3.5 billion for "Ham Qadam Programme" to provide financial assistance of Rs 2000 per month each to 200,000 disabled persons and their families; Rs 2 billion for "Sarparat Programme" to give Rs 2000 per month stipend each to widows; Rs 200 million for "Masawat Programme" to ensure welfare of transgender; Rs 100 million for "Nai Zindagi Programme" aimed at rehabilitation of people affected by acid throwing incidents; and Rs 8 billion for a five-year project of women empowerment, while financial assistance for artists and skilled person in Punjab was also being enhanced substantially.
Like government employees, the PTI government decided to provide financial assistant under a formal policy to the families of common citizens hit by terror incidents, and in this connection, widows and orphans of the victims of terrorism would be looked after under ‘Khiraj-e-Shuhda Programme’ for which Rs 300 million was being provided, he continued.
After success of Panagah (shelter homes) project in Lahore, its scope would be extended in the entire province under the Punjab Ehsas Programme (PEP), and nine more Panagah would be constructed at divisional headquarters, he added.
Hashim Jawan said that present government gave a new facet to mega projects by not containing these to roads and bridges only, as it had been decided to launch mega projects in Health, Education, Industry, Agriculture and other sectors.
"You would be astonished to know that the total amount, spent on an under construction project of transport sector in Lahore, could ensure construction of 50 modern hospitals.
It is very unfortunate that not a single new general hospital was constructed in a big city like Lahore during the tenures of past many governments."
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