Staff Reporter
Financial pressure on the Punjab government began to grow ad demand for additional funds from provincial institutions, including the constituencies of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister have reached Rs 90 billion.
According to details, most of the public projects in Punjab were being ignored due to under-allocation of development budget. Provincial departments had sought additional funds of Rs 90 billion from the government for completion of development projects but the Punjab government was worried about not deciding to release additional funds.
Due to financial constraints, it became difficult for the institutions to provide additional funds. Punjab had additional demand for health, education, road sector and water projects this year. An extra demand of Rs 15 billion for South Punjab Secretariat including MNA constituencies was made. While additional funds of Rs. 1 billion were requested for DG Khan. Similarly, additional funds of Rs. 5 billion were also sought for Health Facility Card.
According to sources, the health department had failed to meet the target set by the prime minister for making a health card. Sources said that the Prime Minister asked the Health Minister why the target was not met.
Sources said that the Prime Minister was informed by the Health Minister that the target of issuing Health Card and Medicine Card would be achieved in two years. Expressing displeasure, the Prime Minister said that health cards and medicine cards should be given to everyone as soon as possible and not in two years. Sources say that the health department put the responsibility of not making the card on financial issues and working of bureaucracy.
