Punjab’s budget exceeds Rs3,000 billion

On Monday, the Punjab government will propose a budget of more than Rs3,000 billion for the fiscal year 2022-23, reeling from a political and financial crisis (today).

“The Chief Minister [Hamza Shehbaz] has been delighted to allocate the Assembly Business of Finance Department to Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Laghari, provincial minister, for the approaching budget session of the provincial assembly of Punjab,” an official handout released on Sunday stated.

With two days to go, Punjab government spokesperson Attaullah Tarar predicted that Punjab’s selection of a new finance minister.

Two days after the federal government’s budget of more than Rs9,000 billion, Punjab’s spending for the fiscal year 2022-23 was announced.

Miftah Ismail, the finance minister, authorised a 15% rise in government employee pay and increased the Benazir Income Support Program budget from Rs250 billion to Rs364 billion while stating that harsh decisions must be made.

A copy of the provincial budget paper shows that Rs685 billion of the overall budget of Rs3,226 billion has been set aside for development. According to reports, the provincial cabinet would be consulted before the budget is presented to the legislature.

Here are the most important things to remember:

Rs3,226 billion is the total amount
Rs685 billion has been set up for the project’s advancement.
Government workers’ wages are expected to rise by 15%, according to a new proposal.
Government workers’ pensions are set to rise by 5%, according to a new proposal.
Rs365 billion in ongoing projects
In the pipeline: 233 billion rupees
Roads: Rs10 billion in repairs.
Rs39 billion would be allocated to public education.
Rs13.5 billion would be allocated to higher education.
Health: Rs172 billion
Agriculture: Rs14 billion
Punjab: Rs31 billion in South Punjab
Rs274 billion, a 33% increase in the social sector
A total of Rs65.8 billion in foreign loans would be used to fund development projects, according to the officials.

The government has given PML-N leader Malik Ahmed Khan responsibility for law and parliamentary issues for the next session.

Parliamentary Committee Meeting

In a meeting on Sunday to discuss the provincial budget, the leaders of the provincial parliament affirmed their complete trust in Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz.

“Without a doubt, we have difficulties. However, with God’s help, we shall continue on our journey. He went on to say that the government will bring “relief” to the people by turning the obstacles into possibilities.