LAHORE, June 14: Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Saturday termed the provincial budget for 2003-2004 a revolutionary step and said that by boycotting the session the opposition had shown to people it was a hurdle in the way of government’s public welfare oriented policies.

Talking to reporters after the presentation of budget by Finance Minister Sardar Hasnain Bahadur Dareshak in the Punjab Assembly, he said the government wanted the opposition members to play their constitutional role, watch presentation of the public-welfare budget and perform the duty bestowed upon them by their voters.

“It is now up to the people to notice that we are moving ahead in a positive manner while the opposition members are sitting outside the assembly with sabotage in their mind on the direction of their leaders in Islamabad. That is why we say they will make better decisions only if they act independently,” the chief minister said.

Earlier, he said no new tax had been imposed in the budget, which reflected a three-year vision of the government and was prepared in accordance with the actual needs of the province. In the past, budget used to be made by the departments, he said.

The chief minister said that for the first time in the history of province, the ADP had been increased by 50 per cent.

He said the provinces had been able to get into a sound financial position and divert funds for development only because of the policies and reforms of President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

The chief minister said that besides developing the neglected areas the government intended to launch mega projects in all big cities.