Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah during pre-budget session briefing at the PA cafeteria here Thursday said that total size of the budget 2011-2012 being presented in the assembly on Friday would be over Rs 660 billion. He said Annual Development Programme (ADP) of the next fiscal year would be around Rs 200 billion, he said. Punjab Law Minister said that Kamran Michael Finance Minister would present the budget.
He said that Rs six billion deficit would be covered through austerity measures and by taxing the rich. He said in order to supplement revenue position property tax net would be expanded in the next fiscal year. Sanaullah said that the common man would not be burdened in the coming provincial budget.
According to him, an allocation has been made in the budget to give soft loans to unemployed youth of the province. Law minister said that debate on budget would be held from June 13 to June 16, while cut motions would be brought before the House during June 17-18. Minister said that with presentation of supplementary budget on 21st of the current month, budget would be passed on June 22.
He castigated those elements who were criticising them on fiscal matters adding that provincial assembly members, including opposition members had been taken into confidence on matters of preparation of budgetary proposals. He said their government would take financial measures to complete ongoing projects in the province. Law minister assured that opposition positive suggestions would be honoured in future too. Punjab Budget 2011-12 is being presented in the provincial assembly today (3:00 pm). Speaker Rana Muhhamad Iqbal Speaker will chair the session.
Our staff reporter from Karachi adds: Sindh Finance Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah will also present Sindh's budget for fiscal year 2011-12 on Friday (today) in the Assembly, whereas the ANP members are likely to continue their boycott of the session.
Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Khohro on Thursday prorogued the ongoing pre-budget session of the provincial legislature, which had started on June 3. The budget session of the assembly will start from June 10 (Friday1). ANP, which is raising concerns over many issues accusing the government of failure to resolve the issues, says its boycott of the Assembly would continue till its demands were met. ANP has two members in the assembly, Sindh Labour Minister, Amir Nawab and Amanullah Mehsud, who stayed away from Thursday's session.
With no major items on the agenda, which the Sindh Assembly could discuss during last day of its ongoing session, the members raised various issues including public interest issues. A female member from opposition complained that people were not getting Zakat and they were fearing the annual allocated funds would lapse if the concerned minister did not pay attention to the issue.
Sindh Zakat and Usher Minister Muhammad Sajid Jokhio said the issue would be addressed and assured the funds would not lapse. Earlier, speaker differed Sindh Hotels and Restaurant bill 2011. Meanwhile, Khohro announced the death of an official of Sindh Assembly (BPS-17) at Jinnah Hospital's cardio ward, who expired on Thursday noon.
Journalists covering the session of the house staged a token walkout to protest against the threats being given to a TV cameraman by Rangers, who made video of the cold-blooded murder of a youth by Rangers' personnel on Wednesday. Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon came to journalists and assured them of protection, saying that the issue would be raised with concerned authorities. Later, journalists returned to cover the house proceeding.
During the question hour, Sindh Minister for Industries Rauf Siddiqi told the house that he was unaware of any agreement between his department and Asian Development Bank in 2008. He said the government has not yet set up Sindh Industrial Development Company. He said Karachi, Hyderabad, Kotri, Nooriabad and Sukkur had representations in the existing board of directors of SITE Ltd. He said the provincial minister had no powers to set up a separate board of directors for industrial areas of SITE, Nooriabad, Kotri, and Larkana. Rauf said an industrial estate was under construction in Larkana over an area of 500 acres of forestland.