LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting of provincial cabinet at 90-Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam. Provincial Ministers, Special Assistant, Advisors, Chief Secretary and concerned provincial secretaries were present on the occasion. The meeting gave formal approval to the budget for the fiscal year 2013-14. Approval was also given to finance bill and the revised estimates of provincial budget for the year 2012-13. Development expenditures for fiscal year 2013-14 and revised development budget for 2012-13 were also approved in the meeting. Secretary Finance Tariq Bajwa gave a briefing on the provincial budget 2013-14.
Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that Punjab budget 2013-14 will play important role in the progress and development of the people and a new era of prosperity will usher in the province. He said that provincial ministers and government servants should ensure punctuality as every moment of the nation is precious. The Chief Minister said that public welfare projects will be implemented without any delay. He said that there is vast potential of tax collection in the province and there is a need to expand tax collection network and control tax evasion. He said that tax collection machinery will have to be reformed as the revenue collected from taxes is a public trust and should not go to anyone’s pocket. Shahbaz Sharif said that revolutionary measures will be taken for reformation of tax system and Punjab government will implement a solid strategy for ensuring an equitable system. He said that tax has been imposed on elite and the rich while the low-income segments have not been burdened. The Chief Minister appreciated the performance of his political team, Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning and Development, Secretary Finance, other government officials and the staff who worked day and night for the preparation of the budget.