A Reuters file image.
LAHORE:
The Punjab government has presented an Annual Development Programme (ADP) of Rs337 billion for the financial year 2020-21.
The budget documents made available to The Express Tribune showed that the government has allocated the highest amount of Rs97.66 billion (29%) for social sectors development, which includes Rs36.64 billion for education, Rs34.93 billion for health and family planning, Rs11.86 billion for water supply and sanitation, Rs630 million for social welfare, Rs400 million for women development and Rs13.19 billion for local government and community development.
Similarly, a sum of Rs77.86 billion (24%) has been set aside for infrastructure development, including Rs29.82 billion for roads, Rs17.47 billion for irrigation, Rs4.5 billion for energy, Rs9.73 billion for public buildings and Rs16.33 billion for urban development.
The documents showed that the government has earmarked Rs17.35 billion (5%) for production sectors that includes Rs7.75 billion for agriculture, Rs1.75 billion for forestry, Rs500 million for wildlife, Rs500 million fisheries, Rs200 million for food, Rs1.7 billion for livestock and dairy development and Rs3 billion for industries, commerce and investment (which also includes skills development), Rs1.55 billion for mines and minerals and Rs400 million for tourism.
A sum of Rs45 billion (14%) has been allocated for the services sector for the upcoming fiscal year. It includes Rs2.4 billion for governance and information technology, Rs150 million for labour and human resource development, Rs42.33 billion for transport and mass transit services and Rs500 million for the emergency Rescue 1122 service.
The documents highlighted that the Punjab government has earmarked Rs5.91 billion for environment protection, Rs200 million for information and culture, Rs300 million for archaeology, Rs17 million for auqaf and religious affairs, Rs500 million for human rights and minority affairs, Rs29.15 billion for planning and development and Rs25 billion for community development programmes.
A block allocation of Rs47.5 billion has been made under the head of special programmes and initiatives, the documents add.
The budget documents highlight that major development packages for the next financial year include the Punjab Economic Stimulus Programme for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to minimise the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Rural Accessibility Programme (Phase-II), Rural Enterprises for Agriculture Development (READ) and Crop Maximisation through Creative Farming schemes are being introduced to give boost to the agriculture sector.
A sum of Rs6 billion has been allocated to provide clean drinking water to unserved and underserved rural areas through the recently established Punjab Aab-e-Pak Authority.
The documents indicated that a sum of Rs3.29 billion has been earmarked for water supply and sanitation infrastructure in underdeveloped areas of Punjab.
They show that a sum of Rs1.56 billion has been set aside for construction of Chahan Dam, Rs32.72 billion for Jalalpur Irrigation Project and Rs16.8 billion for rehabilitation and upgrading of Trimmu and Punjnad Barrages.
Funds have also been earmarked for provision of missing facilities in 360 public schools on a need basis, reconstruction of 108 dilapidated school buildings across Punjab, provision of buildings for 72 shelter-less schools, establishment of Taleem Ghar online education programme and Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) initiatives, establishment of HR management information system for school education department, establishment of 35 degree colleges, provision of missing facilities for 30 colleges and strengthening and improvement of the existing buildings of the special education institutions.
Budget documents also highlight that to improve disaster management response the government has allocated funds for establishment of Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Complex in Lahore and storage facilities (small warehouses) and staff offices in all 36 districts of Punjab.
Other major development projects include a human capital investment (HCI) project; capacity building of occupational safety and health regimes to promote safer working condition at workplaces and establishment of a workers repository cell.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 16th, 2020.
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