Punjab govt unveils Rs1.935 trillion Budget 2017-18

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has also convened a meeting of the Provincial Cabinet to formally approve the budget before presenting it in the House.

The budget will be poor-friendly and no new taxes will be imposed on the poor,” an official at the CM Secretariat said.

Following the federal government, the minimum wage will be raised upto Rs 15,000. The salaries and pensions of government employees will also be increased by 10 per cent.

Punjab finance minister Dr Ayesha Ghous Pasha, in recent meetings, had already expressed her commitment towards expanding tax net instead of levying new taxes on the tax payers.

Like Previous year Education, Health, Agriculture Infrastructure, Clean Drinking water and Energy Projects will be given priority in the budget 2017-18, keeping in the view the growth strategy of Punjab. Special measures will be purposed for facilitating in ease of doing business and increase of in export, reforms will be introduced for enhancing local products.

Public-Private Partnership will be further promoted so that the maximum job opportunities could be created. Interest free loans will be provided for promoting SMEs.

Skill Development and vocational training programmers will be expanded by harmonizing with the modern demands. Priority will be given to the immediate needs and completion of on-going projects over other projects. No new tax will be levied in the Punjab budget, however sales tax will be imposed on more services for broadening tax net. Tax recoveries will be simplified for redressal of problems of trader’s community.

Article source: http://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/punjab/item/54804-punjab-govt-unveils-rs1-935-trillion-budget-2017-18.html