Interim Punjab regime raises salaries, pensions of government employees in four-month budget

LAHORE - The caretaker Punjab cabinet approved a four-month budget on Tuesday for fiscal year 2018-19 with a total outlay of Rs693 billion.

The meeting approved the proposal for a 10% increase in the salaries of government employees, besides approving to review the house rent. The caretakers also green signalled a 10% increase in the pension of retired government employees.

The Hassan Askari-led government gave approval to the development budget for four months for the new Fiscal Year 2018-19. The meeting also approved the estimates of recurring expenditures of four months of the upcoming fiscal year.

Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Dr Hasan Askari presided over the provincial cabinet meeting.  Addressing the meeting, Dr. Askari said the caretaker government had presented budget in accordance with the constitutional requirements.

He said the government had made an effort to provide necessary relief to the people while remaining within the limited mandate and constitutional responsibilities.

Funds for education, healthcare, agriculture and social sectors had been increased, he said.

"We have to serve the people of the province while remaining within the mandate", he further said and added that all the decisions were being made with the consultation of the cabinet and budget had been approved with consensus.

Performance of the Punjab Revenue Authority was also appreciated in the meeting. Earlier, Secretary Finance gave the briefing about the salient features of new fiscal year's budget. Provincial ministers, chief secretary, Inspector General of police and senior officials attended the meeting.

Dr Askari listened to the proposals of cabinet members attentively and took notice. Later, he signed off on the budget documents to give formal approval.