Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday announced the government’s plan to modernize agriculture, bring reforms in the education system and health sector in the province.
Addressing the Punjab Assembly, she listed 100 day performance of her government and promised sweeping changes in various sectors for uplift of the people of the province.
“It is impossible for me to summarize what we have done in 100 days in one budget speech,” the Punjab chief minister added. She announced funding solar systems for agriculture tube-wells, tractors and farm equipment for the economic well being of farmers. The government would pay 70 percent price of a tractor, while farmer has to pay the remaining 30 percent, she added.
Maryam outlined her preferences to reform education sector stating provision of milk to the primary school students. The project would cost Rs27 billion, she continued.
She announced relaunch of the laptop scheme which was started by Shehbaz Sharif for the outstanding students, and added that every year 300,000 students would be given IT training.
US technology company Google would provide training to 300,000 children. The Punjab government also laid emphasis on skill development in schools, she maintained. Highlighting budget 2024-25, Maryam said it was the first tax-free Punjab budget. About the health sector, she said hospitals in the Punjab would be upgraded.
The chief minister announced restart of delivery of free medicine to patients in hospitals which was suspended by the previous regime. Free drugs would be given to patients suffering from cancer, hepatitis and other diseases, she added
Maryam said for the first time in history, the Punjab government would launch Himmat Card, under which wheelchairs would be given to the disabled people.
The “clinic on wheels” is the most significant project of the Punjab government, Maryam said and added that in a few weeks 1.2 million people have been treated at their doorstep.
She said when she suspended doctors after death of 13 infants, they went on strike. Similar reaction was shown by nurses, she continued. She warned doctors of strict action in future.
She announced construction of Nawaz Sharif cancer hospital. The Nawaz Sharif cardiac centre has started providing service. It would be provided two new ambulances, Maryam said, adding that she would provide health facilities in every within three years so that people need not travel to Lahore for treatment.
“Cardiology facility will be available in every city; every city will have a burn center.” The CM assured that the opposition would be defeated through the government’s performance.
Maryam Nawaz said that the government of Punjab would kick off the distribution of electric bikes from July 10.
It is pertinent to mention here that CM Maryam Nawaz launched the project for the provision of 20,000 bikes under the Chief Minister Youth Initiative on April 12.
The quota will be 50/50 percent reserved for male and female students, in urban areas. In rural areas, 70pc of the quota will be reserved for male students and 30 percent for female students.
