Sindh, Punjab budget findings

Budgets for both provinces were met with discontent by lawmakers

Both Sindh and Punjab budgets were met with discontent by lawmakers. Copies of the budget were shredded in shows of anger at the 2019-2020 budget allocations for various sectors in the Sindh and Punjab provinces. While many were less than impressed by the annual provincial budget, there were some notables from the published figures for Sindh and Punjab. Common aims included various funds towards poverty alleviation and development.

One laudable update from both provincial budgets was the increase in minimum wages to Rs17,500 in Punjab and Rs17,000 in Sindh — an increase of nearly Rs1,000 from what was being given previously. However, a caveat to this is just like before, the enforcement of employers paying minimum wage to employees was lacking. So, while things look upward on paper, we will need to see what this translates to in practicality, along with other allocations made in the budget such as for education. Both provinces have focused on spending more towards delivering education to more people, with this even being a top priority for Sindh where an education emergency still thrives. In a contrast, meanwhile, government officials in Sindh have been offered raises while those in Punjab have agreed to forego increases.

A factual claim is that poverty alleviation through various programmes can be facilitated with equitable education and opportunities so there needs to be a constant push to go above and beyond current allocations and make sure current ones are implemented. Monthly assistance programmes for differently-abled persons, senior citizens and other disadvantaged members of society are commended. However, meagre stipends of Rs2,000 are hardly sustainable amid uncontrolled inflation and the weakening rupee. For perspective, that monthly amount is equivalent to or less than what a person might pay per head for dining out on one meal.

While some highlights were commendable from the budget, the discontent from fellow assembly members was understandable, save for the way they immaturely demonstrated that dissatisfaction by tearing up budget copies.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 16^th, 2019.

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