LAHORE: The Punjab government on Wednesday presented Rs3.226 trillion provincial budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 at Aiwan-e-Iqbal.
The budget was originally scheduled to be presented on Monday but for the past two days, the session of the Punjab Assembly has been marred with ruckus, sloganeering, and pandemonium in the assembly.
After a two-day-long delay, Finance Minister Punjab Sardar Awais Laghari unveiled budget and termed it a “pro-poor and pro-development budget”.
Presenting the budget proposals, which were earlier approved by the cabinet, Laghari criticised the previous PTI-led government, saying its policies stalled development in the province for the last three years.
Divulging into the details of the budget, the finance minister said out of the total amount of the budget, it has been proposed to keep Rs1,712 billion for running expenditures while the total outlay of the development budget is Rs685 billion.
The income has been estimated at Rs2.521 trillion the finance minister said, adding that the province is expected to receive over Rs2.020 trillion from the come from the federal divisible pool.
The finance minister said over Rs500 are expected to be collected under the head of provincial receipts — more than 24% in comparison with last year’s collection. Laghari said the government, aiming a 24% increase, has set the target of non-tax revenue at Rs163 billion,.
He went on to add that under the chief minister’s relief package, Rs200 will be allocated for providing wheat at a cheaper rate to the masses. Laghari said that a 10kg wheat bag, which was earlier available at Rs650 could be bought at Rs490.
In addition to this, another relief package of Rs142 billion has been proposed, including the selling of edible items at a lower cost, subsidised transport costs, and other facilities for farmers.
The total outlet of the development budget is Rs 685 billion. 40% will be spent on the social sector, 24% on infrastructure, 6% on production, 2% on the services sector, and 28% will be allocated for special measures.
Minister Laghari announced the followed key measures for the next fiscal year 2022-23.
- Health budget increases by 27% with an Rs470 billion allocation
- Rs5 billion earmarked for PKLI
- Rs1 billion for setting up the first nursing university in Punjab
- Supply of free medicine for patients to resume from July 1
- Education budget increases by 17% with an allocation of Rs485.26
- 5 billion for new Danish schools
- Allocations for the revival of other schools
- Government employees get a 15% pay raise, with some getting an additional 15% allowance as well
- Pensioner get 5% increment
- Minimum wage for unskilled workers increased from Rs20,000 to Rs25,000 per month
- No new tax on services
- Rs528 billion for local governments
- Rs685 billion for development
- South Punjab region gets a 35% share in Annual Development Program
- New rates for luxury house tax
- Trauma center in Multan to be set up with Rs500 million
- Rs2 billion to subsidize flour prices
- Rescue 1122 ambulances to be stationed across several points
- Free wifi service to be restored at public places, educational institutions
- Women teachers, lady health workers, and female polio workers to get scooties
- Govt to set up women hostels in Vehari, Muzaffargarh, and Rahim Yar Khan with Rs600 million
- 32 billion for water projects including Rs800 million for the revival of small dams in the Potohar region
- 77 billion for infrastructure development including the construction of roads and bridges.
- 50 billion for ring roads in Multan and Sialkot
- Water suppply projects to be switched over to solar power
