Budget 2023-24: What are relief measures taken by govt?

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday unveiled a Rs14.46 trillion budget for the fiscal year 2023-24 with "no new taxes" and aiming to grow at a cautious rate of 3.5%. 

However, the federal government also took some relief measures in the budget as the nation suffers from back-breaking inflation. 

Here are the relief measures

• Increase in BISP allocation from Rs400 billion to Rs450 billion
• Targeted subsidy on wheat flour, ghee, pulses, rice through USC
• Increase in salaries of civil servants in the form of Ad-hoc Relief Allowance
• Increase in rates of following allowances

1. Daily and mileage allowance
2. Additional charge current charge allowance
3. Orderly allowance
4. Special conveyance allowance for disabled

• Increase in pension and increase in minimum pension to Rs12,000
• Minimum wage increase from Rs25,000 to Rs30,000 in ICT Loan write-off scheme for widows
• Health insurance card for working journalists and artists

Prime minister's initiatives — Planning Development and Special Initiatives (PSDP)

Salaries of govt employees

The federal cabinet increased the salaries of government employees up to 35%.

• Pension — 17.5% to Rs12,000
• EOBI pension — Rs10,000
• Increase in salaries for employees of grades 1-16 — 35%
• Above 17 — 30%
• Minimum wage set to Rs32,000
• Increase in medical and conveyance allowances — 100%
• Increase in ad hoc allowances — 10%
• Debts of widows to be paid up to Rs1 million
• Deposit limit in national savings accounts for martyrs — Rs7.5 million
• Limit for Behbud Savings Certificate — Rs7.5 million
• Targeted subsidy programme to provide daily-use items — Rs25 billion