The Punjab government has prepared a Rs 650 billion Annual Development Programme for FY 2017-18 for the first time with no bulk grant / block allocation to avoid any supplementaries during the course of financial year. The next year's ADP is likely to be Rs 100 billion more than the current year's ADP of Rs 550 billion for realizing targets set out in Economic Growth Strategy providing 70 percent funds to the ongoing projects and 30 percent for reforms initiatives and new program.
Maximum allocation have been earmarked for the on-going projects that are at fairly advanced stage of implementation, and have a demonstrated multiplier effect on economic growth. Full funding has been allocated to projects that are due for completion in 2017-18 and projects dealing with emergencies, floods etc. have been prioritized. Approved schemes by the competent approving fora have also been included in the ADP.
Allocation to the districts of Southern Punjab have linkages with their population with more weightage. Preferential treatment has been given to the districts ranked low in socio-economic indicators. Sources in Planning and Development department told Business Recorder that ADP 2017-18 is private sector-led, employment-intensive, export-oriented, environmentally sustainable and regionally balanced. It aims to tap into new sources of growth such as Punjab's rapidly growing urban centres, its youth bulge and its geo-strategic location.
It would contribute to the key outcomes of the strategy which include; (i) human capital and skills development; (ii) creation of new jobs; (iii) improving investment climate in the province; (iv) infrastructure development; (iv) overcoming energy shortages; (v) institutional reforms and good governance; (vi) adequate provision of quality social services; (vii) facilitating private sector investment/engagement including PPP; (viii) gender mainstreaming; (ix) inclusive and equitable development and improved functioning of cities and urban clusters and; (x) export-led growth and productivity enhancement.
Sources said that under the proposed ADP, Rs 164 billion have allocated to the social sector, school education Rs 52.5 billion, higher education Rs 18 billion, Specialized health care and medical education Rs 28 billion, primary and secondary health care Rs 18 billion and water supply and sanitation Rs 27 billion.
Infrastructure development is being allocated RS. 167 billion, up from Rs 158 billion. In this sector Rs 85 billion are proposed to be allocated to roads construction, Rs 44 billion to irrigation system projects, Rs 13 billion to public buildings and Rs 14 billion to urban development, Rs 49 billion to be allocated to the production sector, agriculture Rs 24 billion, Livestock Rs 10 billion and industries, commerce and investment Rs 14 billion In the services sector Rs 123 billion have been allocated of which Rs 105 billion are being provided to the transport and Rs 15 billion to information technology.
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