Says PTI inherited a plethora of incomplete schemes and overdraft worth billions
Amraiz Khan
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Monday said that the PTI government inherited a plethora of incomplete development schemes and overdraft worth billions of rupees when it came into power in 2018.
“The provincial budget 2021-22 will provide substantial relief to the masses and every stratum of the society will benefit from the fruits of development.”
The chief minister termed the new budget historic, having glad tidings of comfort for the public, saying that a record increase has been made in ADP besides providing tax relief for undue impact of Corona pandemic on Businesses.
“It is important to note that realistic targets have been identified to ensure the welfare of the people and the opposition will be unable to criticize them, he said.
The new budget will ensure the welfare of every segment of the society,” he said, adding that the budget will be passed in a smooth manner.
The CM said that opposition is divided and facing internal differences as it has no agenda for the development of the country. “Criticism is a usual modus operandi of the opposition,” the CM further said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar chaired a cabinet meeting to approve budgetary proposals for the financial year 2021-22.
The finance secretary briefed about the budget details while chairman P&D apprised the participants about the salient features of the ADP.
The cabinet also approved the supplementary budget of 2020-21 along with the approval of revised estimates of the current budget 2020-21.
Finance bill 2021 was also approved by the meeting and the cabinet approved a ten per cent increase in salaries and pensions of provincial government employees.
The CM and the cabinet, however, unanimously rejected the proposal of the Board of Revenue to enhance the agriculture tax.
Addressing the meeting, the CM emphasized that the peasants will not be burdened, adding that the farming community will be made more prosperous by the PTI government.
He appreciated that the cabinet has enhanced the minimum wage of workers from Rs.17,500 to Rs.20,000 and congratulated the finance minister, Advisor Dr Salman Shah, Chief Secretary, Chairman P&D, secretary finance and others for the balanced budget.
Meanwhile, President Lahore Press Club Arshad Ansari called on Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and apprised him of problems of the journalists’ colony.
The CM assured to resolve the problems and Arshad Ansari thanked him for taking a personal interest.
Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan and SACM Firdous Ashiq Awan were also present.
On the other hand, Speaker Punjab Assembly Ch Pervaiz Elahi met with Chief Minister Usman Buzdar in the new building of the provincial assembly and appreciated the cooperation extended by the chief minister for completion of the new building.
The CM also felicitated him for holding the maiden budget session in the new building and hoped the new building will start the new era of the parliamentary history of the provincial assembly.
It is a feather in the PTI’s cap, he maintained and regretted that the project became a victim to his personal ego.
The PTI government provided funds on a priority basis for early completion of the new building; he added and further stated that the new budget contains good news for everyone.
Speaker Ch Pervaiz Elahi said the budget session in the new building has fulfilled his long-awaited dream as the project was intentionally delayed in the tenure of Shehbaz Sharif.
Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan and provincial ministers Raja Basharat, Ch. Zaheer-Uddin was also present.
