Punjab Budget 2017-18 on Friday

LAHORE - Punjab Governor Rafique Rajwana has summoned Punjab Assembly’s Budget 2017-18 session on Friday (June 2).

Provincial Finance Minister Ayesha Ghaus Pasha will present Punjab budget in provincial assembly at 2:30pm.

According to the sources, against the total outlay of Rs1681 billion in FY 2016-17, the volume of the next Punjab budget is being stated more than two trillion rupees.

Sources say in the upcoming budget focus has been laid on health, education, infrastructure and energy sectors with new initiatives to provide employment and interest-free loans and yellow cab to the youth.

Laptop scheme is also maintained in the budget. "Provision of clean water in the southern part of the Punjab and steps to improve industrial, agriculture and livestock sectors have been proposed in the next budget. No new tax has been imposed in the next budget although measures have been suggested to broaden the tax net", the sources maintained.

Special incentives have been given to improve small industrial, cottage industry, skill development and vocational training. Through the kissan package of Rs100billion, a comprehensive relief package has also been laid in the budget in addition to giving push to ongoing Punjab rural road programme. Betterment of mining sector has been given attention in the next budget, Sources added add.

The public-private partnership will be further promoted so that the maximum job opportunities could be created. Priority will be given to the immediate needs and completion of on-going projects over other projects. Tax recoveries in the next budget have been proposed to be simplified for redressal of problems of trader’s community.