Punjab budget debate ends: Rs 150 billion taxes levied in Fiscal Year 2017: minister

Punjab Finance Minister Ayesha Ghaus Pasha Wednesday concluding budget debate for the proposed provincial budget 2016-17 stated that Rs 150 billion taxes have been levied in next fiscal year. She averred that reform has been brought in imposition of taxes and no new tax has been put on export sector. She dilating on the proposed budget stated that deficit has declined in the current fiscal year and measures were taken to further reduce budget deficit by balancing up income and expenditures in the coming year.
Finance Minister dilated that loans from banks were procured for completion of development projects in the province. Punjab Finance Minister stated that burden of these loans was not shifted on general public. Finance Minister further speaking on the proposed budget stated that under 'Kissan Package' interest free loans would be given to small farmers in the province. She stated that in order to uplift standard of education in Punjab, 5,000 schools were being handed over to various organisations.
Finance Minister told the house that in coming two years basic requirements of all schools would be ensured. The Finance Minister stated that Punjab government was privatising Quaid-e-Azam Solar Power Plant and would spend money acquired from this on generation of energy in the province. The Punjab Assembly concluded the general discussion on provincial budget 2016-17 during the day. The house met for three hours and 55 minutes in this session.
Members of treasury and opposition both participated in the budget debate. A PPP legislator staged walkout for neglecting his constituency. Another PPP member indicated lack of quorum in the session, however on count session continued. Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal chaired the session. The house was later adjourned by the chair.