LAHORE, April 3: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi said on Sunday the government would allocate Rs1.50 billion in the next year’s budget to provide interest-free loans for the purchase of four-stroke engine motorcycles and rickshaws.

He was speaking at the launching ceremony of a motorcycle here at a local hotel.

He said the loans would be advanced in view of the government’s intentions to encourage CNG vehicles to control environment pollution.

Earlier, the chief minister said the government had adopted a comprehensive policy for the promotion of industry. Under this policy, a Sundar industrial estate was being established while another 3,000-acre estate would also be established in Faisalabad.

He said modern facilities were being provided in existing industrial estates. Solid steps were being taken to protect the rights of industrial workers and to control environment pollution, he added.

The chief minister said participation of the private sector had been ensured in the planning and management of industrial estates.

The inspection of industrial units by government departments had been replaced with a contribution system based on the self-assessment. This had enhanced government revenue and abolished unnecessary official intervention in the affairs of industries.

The government, he said, had formed the social security health management company which was taking steps for the welfare of workers with the assistance of industrialists.

The chief minister said hospitals, residential colonies and technical training institutions worth Rs1.50 billion were being constructed for workers. Residential colonies were being established near the industrial estates to facilitate workers.

He said Rs1 billion had been allocated for the establishment of Sundar industrial estate where 60 per cent plots had been sold.