QUETTA: The Balochistan cabinet approved on Friday the provincial government’s decision to present the annual budget of the province for 2018-19 on May 9.

The cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo also decided to stop release of development funds for this financial year by April 27.

The cabinet instructed all departments to send proposals for development schemes and projects for the next year to the Planning and Development Department by May 1.

Additional Chief Secretary for Planning and Development Nasibullah Bazai and Finance Secretary Qamar Masood briefed the cabinet on the pace of current year’s development schemes and the outline of next year’s budget.

The cabinet directed the planning & development and finance departments to prepare the budget in the light of cabinet’s proposals and recommendations, which were discussed in detail at the meeting.

The cabinet decided that the budget would be people-friendly in which maximum relief would be provided to the masses.

The meeting also approved the sale of the wheat stock available with the food department under the open market policy. The decision was aimed at saving the stock from wastage and to ensure the availability of the commodity during Ramazan.

The chief minister said his government was trying to provide to the people maximum relief and facilities, including those for education, health and communication.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2018