35pc of Rs685bn ADP proposed for south Punjab.

LAHORE -- The Punjab government in its first budget for the financial year 2022-23 has proposed Rs685 billion for the Annual Development Plan (ADP), 22 per cent up from last year's Rs560bn.

The social sector has claimed the lion's share of 40pc of the ADP, 24pc earmarked for infrastructure development, 6pc for production and 2pc for the services sector, while 28pc of the funds are proposed for other programmes and special initiatives for the financial year 2022-23, reveal the budget documents, approved by the cabinet on Monday.

It enunciates public investment-led economic growth, inclusive and balanced regional development, the transformation of the agriculture sector, human development through better skills, strengthening compliance with sustainable development goals, ensuring water and food security, support for public-private partnership, improving amenities through district development package as the guiding principles for the next year's ADP.

Quoting a survey which reveals that 42pc households in south Punjab are poor as compared with 19pc in the rest of Punjab, the ADP for the year 2022-23 focuses on 'regional equalization' through the 35pc (Rs240bn) Ring Fencing budget for south Punjab. It includes 31.5bn for sustainable development programme, Rs2.879bn for poverty alleviation project, Rs0.4bn for reducing stunting among children, Rs250 million for futsal courts. Foreign investment will be attracted to Vehari, Rahim yar Khan and Bahawalpur industrial estates, where special portions will be developed as Special Economic Zones for the purpose.

The documents reveal that Rs154.5bn has been earmarked for special programmes, including Rs125bn for Universal Health Insurance...