Punjab public depts use 66% of Rs300b funds

Planning and Development uses 84% of Rs26.1bn budget

LAHORE:

The public departments in Punjab have utilised Rs300 billion against the released amount of Rs458 billion during the current financial year (2021-22), which showed 66% utilisation of the funds so far, official sources revealed on Monday.

The Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) conducted 66 meetings during the past eight months. Of around Rs90 billion, released for road projects, Rs 57 billion were utilised, which was 68% of the released funds.

An amount of Rs11.1 billion of the total Rs19.5 billion released for public buildings were also utilised. The other departments and sectors included Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department that utilised 68% of the released funds of Rs89.3 billion, Urban Development 49% of the total Rs26.416 billion, Water Supply and Sanitation 63% of the total Rs34.6 billion, School Education 79% of the total Rs31.7 billion, Local Government and Community Development Department 65% of total Rs30.7 billion, Agriculture 58% of the total Rs29.9 billion, and Planning and Development 84% of the total Rs26.1 billion.

The Irrigation Department utilised 50%, followed by 52%, 12%, 50%, 71%, 78%, 71%, 34% and 87% utilised by the primary & secondary healthcare, transport, higher education, industries, sports and youth affairs, energy, livestock and environment department, respectively.

Under the direction of the chief minister, the finance minister and chief secretary held regular meetings and were directed to ensure fast track implementation of ADP 2021-22, the guidelines and timelines are followed in letter and spirit.

According to the P&D Board chairman, the performance of the departments has been satisfactory, yet there are challenges to reach the ultimate target.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2022.