Staff Reporter
Punjab Finance Minister Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht has said that Punjab Revenue Authority has registered phenomenal growth of 42% in the first half of this financial year 2020-21 despite giving the largest tax relief package in this budget. In contrast to the previous years, the current account has been in surplus from the last five months. The government rejected supplementary grants recommendations worth Rs37 billion under the austerity drive and ensured recovery of Rs23 billion dues from the federal government.
These views were expressed by Punjab Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakht while addressing a joint press conference flanked by SACM Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan at DGPR office here on Saturday.
Talking to media, the provincial minister said that due to exemption on stamp duty, 80 per cent recovery losses were expected but due to efforts of the government 50 per cent increased was recorded in the current financial year.
He said that Punjab Revenue Authority would collect Rs140 billion in the current financial year and health cards worth Rs50 billion would be provided to all citizens without any discrimination in the next financial year. Hashim said that workshops organized by the Punjab Revenue Authority and mobile application ePay to guide the taxpayers played a positive role in increasing tax collection.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that despite financial hardships, the incumbent government adopted a policy to overcome the challenges faced by the economy. She said that the record increase in recovery of taxes during the corona pandemic is a clear reflection of taxpayers’ trust and confidence on the government. She said that the Punjab government has started work on establishing 13 special economic which will increase employment opportunities in the province. She said that the special exemption for the construction industry would provide employment to daily wage earners and spur economic activity in the country and is part of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s people-friendly policy.
