0
KARACHI, June 7: The people, largely appreciating a 15 per cent raise in the salaries and pensions of government employees, demanded a similar provision for those associated with private sector.
Arjumand Basir, associated with a semi-government organization, in her comments regarding federal budget, 2003-04, on Saturday, said the high inflation rate had made necessary certain support to the people working in public as well as private sector.
Ghazala Usmani, a civil engineer, suggested concrete measures on part of the government to control inflation and also urged business community to work sincerely for national economy.
She also said that more concessions should have been offered to workers in lower pay-scale, as they got more seriously affected by price.
Hamid Shakoor, a shop-keeper, rejecting the impression that business class gets least affected by economic turmoil, said that shrinking purchasing power of the people does effect the earnings of sellers.
People in general demanded certain mechanism to stabilize national economy to benefit common man.
It was maintained that since raise in the earnings of all people could not be ensured, hence concerted efforts be made to check pilferage in development projects and funds be judiciously used for the betterment of people of the country, without any distinction.
IBA DIRECTOR: Director of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Danishmand, said on Saturday that he had come across a good budget after a long time.
Welcoming the federal budget, 2003-04, he hoped that the budget would generate a great deal of economic activity, help promote the industry and would encourage investment.
He was of the view that the budget was also beneficial for the businessmen, and pointed out that the tax system had been simplified, especially keeping in view the small traders.
He opined that cement, housing, agriculture, engineering and communications sectors would make rapid progress and that there would be a considerable advancement in the field of education.
Criticizing the fiscal policies of past governments, he said those in the industry at that time were much concerned about the economy of the country.
Mr Danishmand further said the economic situation was much, better at present, than it was some four years ago, when foreign exchange reserves were enough for only two to three weeks.
Now, he added, the foreign exchange reserves were about US$11 billion.—APP
