Punjab CM touts progress in fulfilling promises

Usman Buzdar says public expectations from govt very high

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said that the PTI government has started taking concrete steps to fulfil the promises made with the people.

Addressing a ceremony held to highlight Punjab government’s performance on the completion of two years in office, he said some projects had been completed while work was in progress speedily on others.

The chief minister said the level of public expectations is very high and the government is working hard to fulfil them.

The CM said he was surprised to know at the outset that meetings of the boards of governors of some departments had not been held in years.

“Despite difficult challenges, we presented a progressive and pro-business budget and it was not possible to present a better budget than it in these circumstances. ”

He said the trade, industry and health sectors were affected by coronavirus and Rs106 billion was allocated to overcome the impact in the new financial year, including Rs56 billion tax relief and direct expenditures of Rs50 billion.

Despite difficult circumstances, an additional Rs5 billion was provided for development projects. Financial share of local governments was enhanced and their frozen funds were also restored. The school education budget was increased to Rs382 billion.

He said establishment of South Punjab Secretariat was part of PTI manifesto and the promise had been fulfilled. An additional chief secretary and additional IG have been appointed besides posting of secretaries of departments and 33 per cent development funds have been allocated for South Punjab. He said the Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project is the largest mega project in the country and will boost the economy.

He said work has been started on 13 special economic zones and the federal government has issued notification for six SEZs. Notification of seven zones will be issued soon and a historic package has been given for the construction industry. Meanwhile, changes have been introduced in LDA by-laws and construction of high-rise buildings has been allowed.

The chief minister said work is in progress on Naya Pakistan Housing Programme and a clean water project is being started with Rs2 billion under the Aab-e-Pak Authority. A one window cell and e-khidmat centres have been established for investors. He added that Rs20 billion has been earmarked for soft loans. The government is providing vocational training to 100,000 students every year and around 2,200km roads have been constructed in villages under Naya Pakistan Manzalain Asaan Programme.

Chief Minister Buzdar said the scheme would continue this year and development projects would be planned in consultation with public representatives after the restoration of local governments’ funds. He said that the new local government act had been promulgated and their heads would be elected directly. The CM stated that small farmers are being given loans through an e-credit scheme and work was continuing to introduce new seeds for more productivity. Be said Rs1.25 billion was allocated to overcome the locust attack, which was a big threat and it had been eliminated from more than 800,000 hectares.

The chief minister said the government had launched construction of the Jalalpur and Greater Thal canal systems to irrigate around 800,0000 acres.

A study is being conducted for the construction of four small dams in Koh-e-Suleman area and upgradation of Khanki, Jinnah, Punjnad and other barrages has been completed. Meanwhile, work on upgradation of Upper Jhelum and DG Khan canals is in progress. He said 4.3 million tonnes of wheat has been purchased and 99 per cent payments made to sugarcane farmers.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2020.