—— The provincial cabinet also gives approval of minimum wage of Rs32,000 for workers, effective from July 1, 2023
From Abid Usman
LAHORE: The Caretaker Punjab Cabinet on Monday approved a surplus budget of Rs2.07 trillion, including an allocation of Rs351 billion for development expenditures, covering the upcoming four months.
In the 31st session of the interim provincial cabinet meeting, presided over by Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Monday, several significant decisions were made. Notably, an allocation of Rs50 billion was sanctioned to provide relief to the residents of the province.
Earlier this year in June, the government presented a four-month budget under the relevant clause of the Constitution with the signatures of the caretaker chief minister as it lacked the authority to approve a full-year budget in the absence of an elected government.
However, it was essential to ensure that ongoing expenses got accounted for and the daily affairs of the province were managed.
In this new four-month budget, allocations were also prominently directed towards critical sectors, with Rs208 billion earmarked for the health sector, and Rs222 billion for the education sector.
Additionally, Rs10 billion was assigned for the progress of the agricultural sector.
Addressing various challenges, the cabinet also committed Rs1.80 billion for the National Health Support Programme, along with Rs5 billion for the Punjab Textbook Board.
Furthermore, an allocation of Rs7.30 billion was designated to tackle climate change issues. The finance secretary presented a comprehensive overview of the forthcoming four-month budget, highlighting the robust financial position and surplus resources of the Punjab government.
A significant milestone was achieved with the approval of a minimum wage of Rs32,000 for workers, effective from July 1, 2023.
The meeting also underscored the importance of anti-smog measures in areas including Sheikhupura, Sahiwal, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Lahore, and Kasur, with Chief Minister Naqvi urging strict enforcement of regulations on smoke-emitting vehicles and brick kilns by commissioners and deputy commissioners.
Stringent measures were also advised for ongoing construction projects, emphasising the regular use of water sprinklers and a strict ban on crop residue burning.
The Punjab Price Control for Essential Commodities Ordinance, 2023 also received the cabinet’s approval.
