Proposals reviewed to increase revenue

LAHORE: Punjab Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakht chaired the Cabinet Committee for Resource Mobilisation’s fourth meeting at the Committee Room of the Civil Secretariat here on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, Minister for Trade and Industry Mian Aslam Iqbal, Agriculture Minister Noman Ahmad Langrial, Food Minister Sami Ullah Chaudhry, Minister for Excise and Taxation Hafiz Mumtaz, Minister for Board of Revenue Muhammad Anwar, Adviser on Agriculture Abdul Hayee Dasti and the representatives of other departments.

The meeting was convened to review the proposals for budget 2019-2020 and increase provincial resources and recovery of tax and non-taxation revenue receipts. Proposals were also submitted regarding strategy to increase resources.

Makhdoom Hashim Jawan said that restoration of the agricultural sector was the top priority of the Punjab government and all possible assistance was being provided to the growers in this regard. He claimed that allocation of funds for disbursement of interest-free loans to the growers would be increased in the coming budget while a risk management project would also be extended. He said that discussions in this regard with insurance companies were underway. He said that it was imperative to encourage progressive farmers so as to encourage other farmers to follow in their footsteps.