LAHORE - Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said in the upcoming provincial budget more funds will be allocated according to the population ratio of the South Punjab districts for their development.

The budget will earmark funds for the rural and urban areas to achieve a balanced development on both sides, the Chief Minister said while presiding over a meeting held to review the salient features of the Punjab budget for the year 2016-17.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said uplift of backward and remote areas is among the priorities of the PML-N government. “Special attention will be paid to progress and prosperity of the people and achieving the target of stable economy in the budget of next financial year,”he added.  He said billions of rupees were allocated in the last budget for the development project in the rural areas and generate economic activity on that side. He said that with the completion of these projects, living standard of people of these areas will improve and latest facilities will be available to them.

Highlighting importance of infrastructure for promoting trade and economic activity, the Chief Minister said Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads is vital part in this respect as such this programme is being implemented speedily. This programme will continue next year as well and rehabilitation and construction work of thousands of kilometers long rural roads will be carried out at a cost of billions of rupees.

He said that under ‘Pakian Sarkan—Saukhay Painday’ programme, best facilities of communication will become available to rural population with the completion of big project of construction and rehabilitation of rural roads. It will also help in transportation of agri produce to the markets. Shehbaz Sharif said that next financial year’s budget of Punjab government will prove to be a harbinger of lasting development of the province and reflective of public aspirations.

He said that special attention will be paid to development of social sectors including education, health, agriculture and backward areas in the budget. He said that steps will be taken for the welfare of deprived segments of the society. He said that policy of austerity will be continued and additional resources achieved through this policy, would be spent on the programmes of provision of relief to the people.

He said that public welfare programmes of billions of rupees will be continued for providing relief to the people throughout the province. The Chief Minister said that water is life and basic need of human beings. He said that every citizen has right over clean drinking water and Punjab government will ensure this right.

He said that under Saaf Pani Project, provision of clean drinking water will be ensured to rural populace. He said that an example has been set up by saving billions of rupees in development projects and this policy will be forwarded.

He said that resources are a trust of the nation and every penny is being spent on the welfare of the masses.

He said that agriculture is of key importance in national economy and solid steps will be taken for the uplift of agri sector and welfare of cultivators. Shehbaz Sharif directed that all departments and institutions should ensure utilization of development funds in a transparent manner and completion of development schemes within stipulated period. The resources are a trust of the nation and timely and transparent completion of public welfare projects is essential so that fruits of these projects could reach the people in the real sense, he added. He directed to make audit system very effective and added that setting up of Punjab Audit Authority should be considered in this regard and immediate steps be taken by keeping in view rules and regulations. He said that it will not only help ensure correct and timely use of resources but check and balance will also improve. He said that delay in development schemes will not be tolerated at any cost.