The Caretaker Punjab Cabinet on Monday approved a surplus budget of Rs2.07 trillion, including an allocation of Rs351 billion for development expenditures, covering the upcoming four months.
In the 31st session of the interim provincial cabinet meeting, presided over by Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Monday, several significant decisions were made. Notably, an allocation of Rs50 billion was sanctioned to provide relief to the residents of the province.
Earlier this year in June, the government presented a four-month budget under the relevant clause of the Constitution with the signatures of the caretaker chief minister as it lacked the authority to approve a full-year budget in the absence of an elected government.
However, it was essential to ensure that ongoing expenses got accounted for and the daily affairs of the province were managed.
In this new four-month budget, allocations were also prominently directed towards critical sectors, with Rs208 billion earmarked for the health sector, and Rs222 billion for the education sector.
Additionally, Rs10 billion was assigned for the progress of the agricultural sector.
Read More: Caretaker govt announces four-month Punjab budget
Addressing various challenges, the cabinet also committed Rs1.80 billion for the National Health Support Programme, along with Rs5 billion for the Punjab Textbook Board. Furthermore, an allocation of Rs7.30 billion was designated to tackle climate change issues.
The finance secretary presented a comprehensive overview of the forthcoming four-month budget, highlighting the robust financial position and surplus resources of the Punjab government.
A significant milestone was achieved with the approval of a minimum wage of Rs32,000 for workers, effective from July 1, 2023.
The meeting also underscored the importance of anti-smog measures in areas including Sheikhupura, Sahiwal, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Lahore, and Kasur, with Chief Minister Naqvi urging strict enforcement of regulations on smoke-emitting vehicles and brick kilns by commissioners and deputy commissioners.
Stringent measures were also advised for ongoing construction projects, emphasising the regular use of water sprinklers and a strict ban on crop residue burning.
The Punjab Price Control for Essential Commodities Ordinance, 2023 also received the cabinet’s approval.
Read More: ECP picks Mohsin Naqvi as Punjab caretaker CM
The Punjab cabinet commended Finance Secretary Mujahid Sher Dil and his team for their efforts in preparing the four-month budget.
The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, advisors, the chief secretary, inspector general of police, advocate general Punjab, chairman of the Planning and Development Board, secretaries, and other senior officers.
CEC meets Punjab CM
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja convened a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi and cabinet members at his office to deliberate on ensuring free, fair and impartial elections.
The meeting, jointly chaired by Punjab CM Naqvi and CEC Raja at the CM Office, was also attended by interim ministers.
A comprehensive review was conducted, assessing the arrangements made by the Election Commission of Pakistan and gauging the readiness of the Punjab government for the upcoming general elections.
Participants were briefed on the security measures in place.
The caretaker Punjab government and the Election Commission of Pakistan affirmed their commitment to ensuring peaceful, impartial, and fair elections. It was decided that the Punjab government would designate a focal person for coordination with the ECP.
CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja underscored the proximity of general elections, emphasising the collective responsibility to ensure that they are conducted freely and fairly within the stipulated timeframe.
The caretaker Punjab government will receive complete support in conducting transparent elections.
The delimitation phase is set to conclude by November 30, and the ECP is prepared to oversee transparent, free, and fair elections.
The CEC expressed satisfaction with the steps taken by the Punjab government led by caretaker Chief Minister Naqvi.
CM Naqvi pledged unwavering support to the election commission, ensuring peaceful and transparent general elections.
He affirmed that foolproof arrangements would be implemented to guarantee transparency in Punjab, following the guidelines set by the ECP.
He emphasised that conducting transparent, free, and fair elections is a national obligation that will be fulfiled with the utmost diligence.
The meeting was attended by ECP members Nisar Ahmad Durrani (Sindh), Shah Muhammad Jatoi (Balochistan), Justice (r) Ikram Ullah Khan (KPK), Babar Hassan Bharwana (Punjab), special secretaries Dr Asif Hussain and Zafar Iqbal Hussain, Provincial Election Commissioner (Punjab) Saeed Gull, CS, IGP, ACS, ACS (Home), administrative secretaries, and others.
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