The Punjab government is committed to make the process of economic development more effective by taking on board the women in national development. For this purpose a hefty amount of Rs 14 billion has been earmarked in the provincial budget 2012-13 said Chief Economist Planning and Development Board, Arif Anwar Baloch addressing the concluding ceremony of two-day workshop regarding Gender Responsive Budgeting at a local hotel on Thursday.
He said the Punjab government was pursuing the programme of United Nations for Development. He said that during the budget making process, the authorities of P&D and UNDP are playing the role of monitoring, besides allocating funds for women and deprived segments of society. He hailed the government for establishing provincial department for women development.
Regarding poverty alleviation, the chief economist said that reports were being compiled annually regarding poverty alleviation in the province to propose practical steps to change the plight of people living in rural areas. Later, certificates were given away to the participants of workshop. Project manager (SPRSM) Muhammad Zaman Wattoo, Director Faisalabad Division Adnan Arshad Aulakh and officers from TT Singh, Chiniot, Jhang and Faisalabad were also present.