LAHORE: The province’s budget (2021-22) focuses on massive development in South Punjab, as a sum of Rs189.228 billion has been allocated for several ongoing and new projects in Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur divisions.

The allocation is 35 per cent of the total annual development programme (ADP) of the province.

Of the total allocation, Rs35.702bn have been set aside for special initiatives, Rs14.083bn for planning & development, Rs875m for human rights & minority affairs, Rs248m for auqaf & religious affairs, Rs193m for archeology, Rs152m for information & culture, Rs15.362bn for school education, Rs4.866bn for higher education, Rs157m for special education, Rs1.015bn for literacy & non-formal education and Rs1.806bn for sports & youth affairs.

Similarly, Rs28.304bn have been allocated for specialised healthcare and medical education, Rs5.886bn for primary & secondary healthcare, Rs664m for population welfare, Rs4.889bn for water supply & sanitation, Rs349m for social welfare, Rs46m for women development, Rs7.371bn for local government & community development, Rs22.52bn for roads, Rs7.901bn for irrigation, Rs1.898bn for energy, Rs7.679bn for public buildings, Rs3.967bn for urban development, Rs11.086bn for agriculture, Rs1.127bn for forestry, Rs213m for wildlife, Rs274m for fisheries, Rs236m for food, Rs1.987bn for livestock, Rs4.057bn for industries, Rs340m for mines & minerals, Rs316m for tourism, Rs1.205bn for governnance & information technology, Rs147m for labour, Rs365m for transport, Rs464m for Rescue 1122 and Rs1.488bn for environment & climate change.

PSDP ALLOCATIONS: The federal government in its budget has allocated Rs90bn under the Public Sector Development Programme for launching various projects in the province.

The government plans to spend this huge amount on road infrastructure development projects including a mega one to connect Gujaranwala with the Sialkot Motorway. It also plans to launch two small dams’ projects in the province besides spending Rs3.5bn for the provision of electricity and various electrification works at Allama Iqbal Industrial Zone (Faisalabad).

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2021