Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman on Friday presented a budget of Rs 1044.9 billion for the fiscal year 2014 – 15 amid opposition protests.
Key highlights of the budget for the fiscal year 2014 – 15 are as follows
- 36% of the fiscal budget 2014 -15 has been allocated for the various development projects in Southern Punjab.
- Rs 263 billion will be utilised in Southern Punjab.
- Rs 345 billion has been allocated for the annual development program.
- Out of annual development program, Rs 96 has been earmarked for the social sector, Rs 137.5 billion for communication and works, Rs 27.5 billion for production and Rs 18 billion for special programs.
- Salaries and pension of the government employees has been increased by 10% .
- Minimum wage has been fixed at Rs. 12,000.
- For health sector Rs 121.80 billion rupees has been allocated.
- For education Rs. 273 billion has been allocated.
- Rs 1.86 has been fixed for women welfare.
- Rs 81.68 billion for law and order and additional Rs 5 billion has been allocated for tackling terrorism.
- For training and various skills Rs. 6 billion has been allocated. Approximately 2 billion people will get benefit from this over the period of two years
- 4 million new employment opportunities will be created during the next four years.
- Token tax on luxury and heavy vehicles has been increased by 100%. Similarly, Token tax on 1300-1500cc vehicles has been increased by Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000. Tax on 1501-2000cc vehicles has been increased from Rs 4,500 to Rs 9,000. Token tax on vehicles up to 2500cc has been increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000.
- Rs 2 billion has been allocated for Danish schools and Rs 7.50 billion for Punjab Education Foundation.
- Rs 11 billion endowment funds have been announced for talented students.
- Rs 5 billion has been allocated for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s
- Rs. 5 billion has been allocated for the laptop scheme.
- Punjab Govt. will inaugurated 19 power projects in 2014 – 15.
- Rs 2 billion will be spent on a biomass plant in Bahawalpur.
- Rs 17 billion has been allocated for the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park project.
- Four new Ashiana schemes for labourers will be inaugurate this fiscal year.
- Rs 17 billion has been allocated for water-related projects.
- Rs 8.93 would be spent on livestock development.
- Rs 14.4 billion has been announced for computerization of the land record
