Ikhtiar dubs budget 2011-12 as people oriented

ISLAMABAD: Prominent economist and former advisor to Prime Minister on Textile Mirza Ikhtiar Baig on Wednesday said budget proposals 2011-12 as people oriented.

Talking to PTV, while commenting on budget proposals of 2011- 12, he said the government has announced to raise salaries of its employees by 15 percent and pensions of retired employees by 15 to 20 percent despite all financial crunches to enable them to face increasing inflation in the country, which is a commendable step of the government.

He added government has also decided that targeted subsidy of Rs seven billion would continue for poor segments of society under Benazir Income Support Program while industrialists and investors, who will start their business from their own capital will get waiver of taxes for a period of five years, which is also a commendable step of the government to promote industry in the country.

Mirza Ikhtiar Baig while highlighting reduction in taxes and duties on various commodities said that poor people of the country would be able to purchase cement for constructing their houses, especially in flood-hit areas as prices of cement will reduce after slashing down duties.

He termed the budget proposal as purely people oriented and said welfare of workers and poor segment of society is always top priority of the PPP government.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011