Budget will be people friendly: Shahbaz

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting on Wednesday which reviewed new financial year budget 2017-18, especially priorities of agriculture sector.  

Addressing the meeting, the CM said the next fiscal year budget will be reflective of aspirations of people of the province and added mega programme of speedy development and prosperity of people will be forwarded. Relief will be given to people in the budget in the
real sense, he added.  Shahbaz Sharif said agri sector is of paramount importance in the development of economy and national economy can be set on solid foundations by promoting this sector. He said: “Our large population is also associated with this sector and with a view to this purpose; development of agriculture and prosperity of farmers is among our priorities. More resources will be allocated for providing relief to the farmers and uplift of agri sector in next financial year’s budget. Punjab government, first time in the history of Pakistan, has started programme of provision of interest-free loans for providing relief to small cultivators and a transparent mechanism has been adopted for its implementation.” 

He said right of small farmers has been given through provision of interest free loans of 100 billion rupees. Similarly, subsidy on fertilizer has given relief to the farmers in the real sense, he added. He said that reduction in electricity tariff on agri tube-wells and availability of agri implements on concessionary rates has left positive impact on agri sector. He said per acre agri production has increased with the implementation of historic Kissan Package. 

Meanwhile, a Chinese delegation led Wang Wenzong, Vice President of Chinese Group Huaneng working on Sahiwal Coal Power Plant, called on the CM. The delegation congratulated the CM for completion of 1320-megawatt Sahiwal Coal Power Plant before time. Wang Wenzong said Sahiwal Coal Power Project has been completed on fast-track basis under the continuous supervision of the CM and termed it a practical proof of Shahbaz Speed. The CM said Sahiwal Coal Power Project is a milestone initiative in Pak-China relations, adding Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will inaugurate this national project after 24 hours. Meanwhile, a meeting was held in the chair of the CM.

The meeting took a detailed review of enhancement of capacity building of Mines & Minerals Department as well as exploration of mineral resources in the province. The CM expressed his indignation over delay in adoption of steps for introducing reforms and enhancement of capacity building of the Mines and Minerals Department and added delay in appointment of chief executive officer of Punjab Mineral Development Company till today is deplorable. The CM also expressed his displeasure over delay in start of work on second phase of iron ore reserves exploration in Rajwa Chiniot and admonished the officials concerned.  

Meanwhile, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. On the occasion, the CM said Pakistan has taken off under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to attain the goal of development and prosperity. The four-year tenure of PML-N government is known for transparency, honesty, dedication and hard work as the development projects are being completed with speed and quality. He said that the development projects of our government are hallmarks of transparency, quality and speed; while the past regimes made graveyards of corruption in the name of development and the people very well know the elements who set records of loot and plunder in their regime. He said conscious people have rejected the negative politics of opponents of development and the elements doing sit-in politics will also face defeat in 2018, and Pakistani nation will not allow any political juggler to play with its bright future. He said promises made with the people would be fulfilled and no one will be allowed to hinder the journey of public service. 

Meanwhile, the head of Turkish construction company Mehmet Seljuk Yucesoy called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. During the meeting, he expressed his interest in investment in housing, health sector and infrastructure development projects. On the occasion, Mehmet Seljuk Yucesoy expressed his desire to work with Punjab government on infrastructure related projects and said that a team of Turkish Construction Company will soon visit Pakistan to review investment opportunities in the Punjab. The CM said quite a number of Turkish companies have made investments in various sectors in the province and Turkish companies have collaborated with the Punjab government in transport, health, solid waste management and other sectors. He said due to the collaboration of Punjab government with Turkish companies, economic cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey has been enhanced.