Budget Allocations For Different Sectors Sorted Out.

LAHORE -- Minister in-charge of the Finance Department, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Friday said that the Punjab government was introducing an integrated solid waste management system across the province to provide a cleaner environment to the people. Addressing a post-budget press conference here, he said that the services of the private companies would be sought for cleaning the entire Punjab from villages to cities.

'The cities, towns, villages of the province will be cleaned through these service providing companies round the year. To make this system sustainable, funding would be made from the local governments and it will be handed over to them as well in order to keep it running,' he added. The minister said that a special relief had been given to the public in the budget with Rs650 per bag. Flour bags are now being sold at Rs490 per bag through this package across the Punjab. This relief package of Rs200 billion was announced by Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, he added. Additionally, another Rs149 billion was also allocated for other subsidies to cater the needs of the poor and lower income group. This concessional package will ensure provision of food items to the poor and needy people at affordable rates. This is the result of indigenous efforts of the Punjab government by curtaining its already increased annual development program.

Leghari observed that ADP of Rs685 billion worth is a new record of the provincial government for the development of the province. The budget of education and health is significantly increased. An additional amount of Rs52 billion is made to the Universal Health Insurance Scheme by the Punjab government for its own project launched before 2018. In addition, the scope of Health Card facilities is being extended to the needy and poor...