"Punjab's new local government system would be operational in two months. Modern Urban Development system is being introduced in the province. All energy projects will be completed within stipulated period. Punjab government has committed to improve service delivery at door steps by utilizing its all possible resources."
Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, Provincial Secretary Planning & Development Punjab said this while addressing the delegation of 45-members of Provincial Youth Assembly Punjab led by Faheem Ahmed Khan, Senior Projects Manager PILDAT and Director Administration Sports Punjab, Muhammad Anees Sheikh at P&D Complex, Lahore. While welcoming the Youth Parliamentarians and giving presentation on development projects, Secretary P&D Iftikhar Ali Sahoo said that Punjab government has initiated numbers of development projects relating to different development sectors in province.
"Development of South Punjab is the top priority of its government. Orange line train project, started at Lahore, would be functional by 2018 in the shape of soft loan from China. Lahore Knowledge Park will start in current financial year wherein reputed universities will open their educational campuses," he added.
Punjab government has increased its development budget from Rs 400 billion to Rs 550 billion in the current fiscal year 2016-17. The education sector in Punjab has been allocated funds Rs 313 billion, health sector Rs 150 billion, security sector Rs 145 billion, agriculture sector Rs 122 billion, water supply & sanitation sector Rs 57 billion and infrastructure sector Rs 50 billion. Punjab government enrolled 11 million children in 52000 public schools.
In order to provide a clean drinking water, Saaf Pani Project started and been allocated Rs 300 billion. Under the Kisan Package of Rs 100 billion, government is providing all agriculture facilities to the small farmers. Interest free loan for small farmers is being ensured transparently. Skills trainings under the Punjab Skills Development Programme will be provided for two million people by the end of 2018.
The Punjab has also established specialized counter terrorism force to protect the life of the people. Safe city initiated in major cities are included. Security cameras are being installed on major roads to monitor the terrorism activities. Khidmat Card scheme launched to facilitate the disabled persons. Drug Control Testing Laboratories was being established with the state of art in Punjab.
Government was trying to ensure fully participation of private experts, academia, civil society & development partners in policy dialogue. Over one million students, under the government initiatives, had been assessed on computer tablets. Quaid-e-Azam Apparel Park was being executed with Chinese investment by the government. Revamping of major hospitals in Punjab had been made positively and immunization been improved with the scale of 88 percent to 92 percent in three years and Rs 200 billion been allocated for next three years.
He told the participants that Punjab government had enhanced three percent quota for disabled in government jobs. Government increased allocation for focusing on social sector development then infrastructure development. Secretary P&D said that Punjab government had engaged specialists and consultants from market and also placed at disposal of administrative departments for formulation of Annul Development Program (ADP). Additional Secretary P&D Dr Shahid Adil, Eman Khan Project Manager, Manager IT P&D Muhammad Haseeb and other officials of P&D Department attended the briefing session.