President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), Mian Zahid Hussain has said that Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif deserves credit for framing budgetary proposals in a way to get maximum benefit from the CPEC projects that include relocation of Chinese value added textile industry.
While lauding people-friendly Punjab budget, he said that Shahbaz Sharif has once again proved his abilities again by presenting a record budget of Rs 1970 billion with record development outlay of Rs 635 billion which carry no new tax. Mian Zahid Hussain said that the budget truly reflects aspirations of the people as the focus on development would accelerate the pace of socio-economic development.
Rs 395 billion has been earmarked for education, allocation for higher education has been increased and necessary funds have been provided to grant credit to six hundred and seventy thousand people which are laudable moves. The Punjab government will also provide 50,000 taxis to unemployed youth at a cost of Rs 35 billion under Cab Scheme however these cabs should also be fitted with CNG kits so that the masses can get facility of cheap transportation while adding to the income of those who get these cars to feed their families.
Health expenditure will be Rs 263 billion, almost 15.4 percent of the provincial budget and the new Saaf Pani Programme has been allocated around Rs 25 billion. Two sectors that need more attention are provision of safe drinking water and access of the deserving to the free treatment for Hepatitis B and C, allocation should be increased, he noted.
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