In Punjab Assembly's pre-budget debate here on Wednesday, legislators emphasised upon the provincial government to take such economic measures in the future budget that makes the life of citizen easy. Legislators were united in their suggestion that borrowing was not a good trend and measures should be taken to curb this exercise as debt of provincial government was plus Rs 500 billion at present, they pointed.
These legislators in the debate also suggested that instead of going for new projects, unless they were very necessary, they should improve upon old infrastructure in the province. Legislator Mohsin Laghari in the debate suggested that, as an agricultural economy access to Mandis (markets) should not be limited, while better credit facilities to farmers would grow the economy.
Laghari stressing upon measures resulting in increasing income of the exchequer said that co-operative phenomenon should be promoted, as it supplemented the economy, he added. He stated that to improve agriculture economy, trip irrigation, laser levelling of land along with canal lining should be undertaken.
Speaking of Indus Basin Treaty, he said that under this treaty, nation got hold of three rivers and dams were made to stop wastage of water, and added legislator said steps should be taken to stop wastage of water. Legislators in their suggestions asked the provincial government to take solid steps for generation of electricity on the occasion.
They advised to cut extra cost being incurred on administration in the Province stating that it would generate extra revenue needed for the development. A legislator speaking in the debate asked the provincial as well as federal government to take steps for establishing mobile technology industry in the country, which would save vital foreign exchange for development.
Parliamentarians in the pre-budget debate, while asking for doubling the education budget, stressed upon improving capacity level of the education department. They asked the government to open-up one co-operative store at the level of union council, adding that improvement of road infrastructure at this council level was vital. Legislators in the House asked the provincial government to improve upon health facilities pointing that a healthy nation was necessary for healthy activity.