LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that promotion of information technology for the rapid development is the need of the hour and the government is implementing a comprehensive programme for this purpose. He said that after setting up IT labs in high schools, their scope is being extended to middle schools level as a result of which, millions of students would benefit from this revolutionary measure. The CM stated this while addressing a high-level meeting held to review the pace of implementation of various development programmes in the province, here Wednesday. The CM said government is paying due attention for providing basic amenities to the people as well as rapid development of the province and a record development budget of Rs 193 billion is reflective of this fact. He said that government had strictly implemented financial discipline during the last year and in the next fiscal year, the same will be implemented by reducing non-developmental expenditure and will spend it on the welfare of the people. He said that imparting latest knowledge to the new generation is of vital importance keeping in view the changing phenomena of the world. Therefore, special attention has been paid by the government for harmonising the syllabus of technical education in accordance with the latest demands, provision of modern equipment and highly trained teachers to the institutes besides promotion of Information Technology. He said besides establishment of IT labs, planning is also being made for utilising information technology for providing facilities to the people and increasing capacity buildings of various departments and a special committee has been constituted in this regard. He said that Punjab government has accelerated work on the project of Land Record Computerization pending for the years together so that people could get rid the traditional role of patwari and forgery in registration and transfer of properties. Shahbaz said that government has also paid special attention to the provision of medical facilities and for the first time in the history of the country, besides free medicines, generators and air-conditioners have also been provided in the hospitals whereas, mobile hospitals will also start working during next three-four years for provision of quality medical facilities at the door steps of people of backward and far flung areas. He said that health department will have no concern with the mobile hospitals whereas, the Company providing hospitals will be responsible for maintenance of these hospitals and provision of medical facilities to the people and Punjab government will provide remuneration for its services. Chairman Planning & Development gave detailed briefing in the meeting with regard to implementation of various projects.