Govt proposes mega development schemes for erstwhile FATA, Balochistan: Hammad

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Revenue Hammad Azhar on Tuesday said that the government has proposed mega development schemes for far-flung areas of erstwhile FATA  and Balochistan in the budget 2019-20.

Talking to media outside the Parliament House, the minister said that an amount of Rs 152 billion has been allocated for erstwhile FATA and assured that the government will also implement the decision of allocating Rs 1,000 billion as agreed amount for erstwhile FATA in 10 years.

He said that Karachi is a major city and an amount of Rs 43 billion has been allocated for Karachi city where nine mega projects will be initiated besides Kamyab Jawan programme.

He said that measures have been adopted to generate revenues for allocation of funds for development schemes throughout the country particularly in  less developed areas.

Hammad Azhar said that the tax on salaried class with having income of Rs 0.6 million to Rs 1.2 million is very minimum. He added this minimum limit was revised as there is a formula of starting three percent higher tax slab on per capita income of any country.

He said that the government has stopped misusing official funds unlike past governments besides record increase in development funds and allocation of more funds for “Ehsas Programme” for poverty alleviation.

He said that various incentives have been announced in the federal budget to promote local industry and discourage imported articles. He added special duties have been imposed on the import of various articles to encourage and promote local manufactured and produced products.

He said that funds have been allocated for promotion of industrial sector in order to create job opportunities.

He said that funds of Rs 217 billion have been allocated as subsidy for those power consumers using electricity upto 300 units as relief for them.

He said that various measures have been purposed in the federal budget to expand the tax net.

Hammad Azhar said that it is for the first time in the country’s history, ministers’ salaries have been reduced by the any sitting government.

He said that several other steps have been announced to control the inflation and enhance the purchasing power of common man.

He said that 10 percent increased has been purposed in the salary and pension of the government employees.

He said that opposition parties are criticizing the budget without having any knowledge about it.