Highlights of Punjab Budget 2014-15

Friday, 13 June 2014 20:36

Posted by Shoaib-ur-Rehman Siddiqui
573

LAHORE: Following are the

highlights of the Punjab Budget for financial year 2014-15 speech presented by Provincial
Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shurj-ur-Rehman in the Punjab Assembly here Friday afternoon:
- The GDP growth rate will gradually be increased from current 4.8 percent to 8 percent in next
four years, and next year GDP target is 5.5 percent.
- Four million jobs will be created in next four years, which would pull around seven million
individuals out of poverty.
- Two million youths (male and female) will be imparted technical training in next four years and
Rs 6 billion has been allocated in the next budget for the purpose.
Welfare and developmental projects worth Rs. 263 billion launched or being launched in
Southern Punjab. 36 percent (Rs. 119 billion) of the total developmental budget allocated for
Southern Punjab in the fiscal year 2014-15.
- The PML-N government keeping the energy sector on top priority to end load-shedding has
initiated 19 energy projects during last one year. All resources including hydel, thermal, wind,
solar, bio-mass and bio-gas are being utilized for electricity generation.
- Rs 17 billion for 1000MW Quaid-i-Azam Solar Park being established in Bahawalpur that
would add 100MW electricity into the system by this year end.
- 1620 MW coal-fired power plants being installed in Sahiwal and Faisalabad with the
collaboration of Chinese investors.
- Rs 2.5 billion for electricity conservation awareness programme.

 Total allocation of Rs. 31 billion for energy sector.

- 600 million tonnes of iron and chromites reserves found in Chiniot district and government
tasked a consortium of three world renowned companies to estimate the total worth of the
reserves. The 18-month project will cost Rs. 1.47 billion
Another project of Rs. 130.80 million launched to benefit from iron reserves at Kala Bagh and
this project will be completed by next month.
-Proposal for 16 percent increase in the Police Budget from Rs. 70.51 billion to Rs. 81.68 billion
to effectively cope with terrorism and other crimes
- Punjab government introduced Command and Control System to keep an effective surveillance
on terrorists and anti-state elements. Rs. 5 billion grant has been set aside to allocated for
additional needs to maintain law and order, besides establishing a modern force of 1500
personnel
- Rs 150.9 million for opening up Forensic Lab offices at divisional headquarters
- Rescue 1122 service will be extended to 12 more tehsils of the province in the next financial
year
- Total of Rs 273 billion for education sector and Rs 48.31 billion for developmental projects in
education sector. Rs 11 billion for Punjab Education Endowment Fund; Rs 2 billion for Danish
Schools; Rs 7.50 billion for Punjab Education Foundation
- Total of Rs 121.80 billion for Health sector. Rs 47.44 billion allocated for cure facilities in
hospitals, Rs. 4 billion for Health Insurance Cards, Rs. 1.80 billion for mother/child health
projects, Rs. 360.44 million for ambulances for heart patients in district and tehsil hospitals, Rs.
8.15 billion for teaching hospitals, Rs. 1 billion for Mobile Health Units and Rs 2 billion under
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
- Under the Public Health sector Rs 17.11 billion for drainage and drinking water schemes. Rs 5.
billion for provision of safe drinking water projects Rs. 1.50 billion for population welfare
- Rs 14.97 billion for agriculture development and farmers' welfare. Rs 5 billion subsidy in
fertilizers? Prices.
- Rs 4.67 billion for Punjab Irrigated Agricultural Productivity Improvement Project.
- Rs 1.62 billion for increase in export of fruit and vegetable and Rs 240 million for the project of
Supply Chain Improvement of Selected Agricultural and Livestock Products
- Rs 1.87 billion for conversion of 20 agri tube-wells from electricity/diesel to bio-gas that will
ensure Rs. 4 billion saving under the fuel charges.