No direct uplift funds for civic agencies

RAWALPINDI:

In a major shift from previous years, the Punjab government has not allocated direct development funds to public service institutions, development authorities, and agencies in the newly announced fiscal year 2025-26 budget.

Traditionally, before the annual provincial budget, all such bodies were invited to submit development schemes for funding. However, this practice was discontinued this year.

A lump sum amount of Rs1,240 billion has been earmarked for development across the province. The funds will primarily be spent on government-prioritised projects, rather than proposals submitted by departments and local bodies.

Officials from Rawalpindi's various development institutions and corporations confirmed that no development schemes or project proposals were requested from them for the current financial year.

The departments excluded from this year's planning process include district councils, municipal corporations, WASA, PHA, municipal and town committees, as well as departments of social welfare, livestock, poultry research, agriculture, and forestry.

Sources indicate that after budget approval, the government may begin consultations in July to allocate around 50-60% of available funds to institution-led schemes, but only those approved by the government will receive funding.