The Punjab government has announced a Rs 550 billion Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the fiscal year 2016-17. The social sector has received the highest priority (31 percent) followed by physical infrastructure. Having achieved the critical mass of infrastructure required for the economy to function efficiently, this year agriculture, education, health, water supply and law and order will be the top priorities in the development portfolio of the Punjab government. Major financial allocations to these sectors will develop human resource and stimulate economic activity.
The Punjab government has earmarked Rs 100 billion under the Khadim-e-Punjab Kisan Package for the next two years to revive agricultural sector. These funds will be spent on the welfare of farmers and agricultural development to increase the per acre yield. Since more than 40 percent of Punjab''s labour force is engaged in agricultural sector, this package is likely to benefit large masses of population.
More than Rs 168 billion has been allocated to the social sector with major focus on education (Rs 73 billion, 13%), health (Rs 44 billion, 8%) and clean drinking water (Rs 45 billion, 8%). Within education sector, school education is of the highest priority with the objective of enrolling out of school children and the provision of missing facilities necessary for schools to function efficiently.
Similarly, the health sector is focused on primary and secondary sub-sections. The key objective is to upgrade all DHQs and 15 THQs. Moreover, the Khadim-e-Punjab Saaf Pani Programme is said to be a flagship initiative for provision of clean drinking water particularly to the underdeveloped rural areas of South Punjab.
The major projects/programmes of ADP 2016-17 included Khadim-e-Punjab Kisan Package (Rs 50 billion), an allocation of Rs 41 billion for Irrigation Sector development to enshrine rehabilitation, improvement and modernisation of infrastructure coupled with holistic reforms aiming at integrity and sustainability of the system through improved management and service delivery. The ADP 2016-17 also includes Khadim-e-Punjab School Strengthening Programme (Rs 50 billion), construction of 10,000 new class rooms in schools (Rs 15 billion), reconstruction of dilapidated School Buildings (Rs 8 billion), provision of missing facilities in Schools (Rs 5 billion), Punjab Education Endowment Fund (PEEF) (Rs 4 billion), establishment of 46 colleges in Punjab, Lahore Knowledge Park including IT & Engineering University Lahore, Punjab (Rs 2.0 billion), Pakistan Kidney & Liver Institute (PKLI), Lahore (Rs 4 billion), revamping of all DHQ Hospitals in Punjab (Rs 3.7 billion), revamping of 15 THQ Hospitals in Punjab (Rs 1.5 billion), re-vamping of four tertiary care hospitals in Punjab (Rs 2 billion), upgradation of existing DHQ Hospitals into Teaching Hospitals at Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sahiwal and D.G.Khan (Rs 4.31 billion), prevention and control of Hepatitis in Punjab (Rs 500 million), Infection Control Programme (Rs 400 million), Integrated Reproductive Maternal New Born & Child Health (RMNCH) & Nutrition Programme (Rs 2.5 billion), Health Insurance Scheme (Rs 1.5 billion), Expanded Programme for Immunisation (EPI) (Rs 1 billion), purchase of Mobile Health Units (Rs 1 billion) and allocation of Rs 30 billion for Provision of clean drinking water under Khadim-e-Punjab Saaf Pani Programme which is one of the basic requirements of a healthy hygienic living.
An allocation of Rs 9 billion has been made for investment in the energy sector to overcome power shortages in the province and stimulate industrial growth. An allocation of Rs 6.5 billion for Skills Development Programme, include Rs 3 billion for TEVTA and Rs 2 billion for PVTC.
The World Bank-funded programme of US $100 Million Punjab Jobs & Competitiveness Programme, Skills Development Programmes, Punjab Agriculture & Rural Transformation Project, Punjab Education Support Project III, Transformation of Irrigation Department to Water Resource Department, Punjab Cultural and Heritage Tourism Promotion Project are a few more major initiatives under the ADP for 2016-17.