ISLAMABAD, June 5: Following are highlights of the budget 2006-07:

•Rs250 billion allocated for defence, showing an increase of Rs27 billion over the outgoing year’s allocation, or 3 per cent of the GDP.

•Rs415 billion earmarked for the Public Sector Development Programme.

•An additional amount of Rs94 billion will go to provinces in 2006-07 as part of the National Finance Award with 45 per cent share in divisible pool. This share will be increased to 50 per cent in five years.

•15 per cent dearness allowance to be paid to government employees from July 1.

•Pensioners retiring before May 1, 1977 will get 20 per cent increase, rest to get 15pc raise.

•Overtime and conveyance allowance of government drivers, despatch riders and other non-gazetted employees increased by 50 per cent.

•Teachers to get allowance of Rs500, Rs750 and Rs1,000 according to their qualification.

•Minimum wages increased to Rs4,000 from Rs3,000.

•Pensioners under the Employees Old Age Benefit Act 1976 will get a raise from Rs1,000 to Rs3,000

•Grant for marriage of daughters under the Workers Welfare Fund increased from Rs30,000 to Rs50,000.

•Stipend for children of workers increased from Rs800 to Rs1,000

•Maximum limit of profit share for industrial workers doubled from Rs6,000 to Rs12,000.

•Special grant upon death of workers up from Rs150,000 to Rs200,000.

•Relief package in case of sudden death of a government employee in shape of one-time grant increased from Rs200,000 to Rs1 million, according to the grade.

•The family of the deceased to retain official residence from 3 to 5 years and one legal heir to get a two-year contract job in Grade 1-15.

•Profit up for all savings schemes and prize bonds from 0.5 per cent to 1.5 per cent.

•Tax exemption for salaried class increased from Rs100,000 to Rs150,000. Tax percentage decreased from 0.25 per cent to 20 per cent.

•Age-limit of senior citizens down to 60 years from 65.—APP