Punjab govt presents over Rs2.2 trillion Budget 2020-21

LAHORE: Provincial Finance Minister Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakhat is presenting the Punjab budget for the fiscal year 2020-21 in the provincial assembly.

Speaking at the floor, the Provincial Finance Minister informed that he said that the total outlay of the budget 2020-21 is around Rs2.2 trillion.

Makhdoom Hashim said, “The provincial tax collection record an increase of 13 percent, whereas, Rs 144bn were distributed among the needy under the Ehsaas Program.”

“Special funds on a priority basis have been allocated for 11 important sectors including education, health, and employment generation,” the provincial minister added.

Giving details of the Budget 2020-21, he said, “Rs 13.30 billion has been allocated for the livestock sector, meanwhile, Rs 31.73bn has been allocated for the agriculture sector.”

Commenting on the health budget, he informed that the Punjab government has proposed to allocate Rs106 billion for the COVID-19 pandemic, however, Rs 284 billion has been allocated for the health department.

He further said that the entertainment duty rate is proposed to be reduced from 20 percent to 5 percent, adding that all cinemas are proposed to be exempted from entertainment duty till June 30, 2021.

Some major points:  

– Rs 12 billion has been set aside for the Sehat Insaf Card program.

– Rs 391 billion rupees allocated for education.

– Rs 1 billion has been reserved for Naya Pakistan Housing Programme.

– The development budget for Punjab is Rs 337 billion.

– No increase in salaries and pensions of Provincial Government Employees.