LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that public welfare schemes are being executed in the province on priority basis and funds saved through financial discipline and austerity policy are also being utilised for the progress and prosperity of citizens. The CM said this while presiding over a meeting held to review the targets of the budget of the new fiscal year and Annual Development Programme 2015-16.
“The provincial government is following a policy of balanced development of all areas and more funds will be allocated in the new budget for the uplift of South Punjab districts than the ratio of their population,” the CM held. The chief minister said that more funds would be provided for raising the living standard of masses and development of less developed areas. He directed that priorities should be set on realistic basis under ADP of the new fiscal year for strengthening of economy of the province and all departments should fix short, medium and long term targets.
Shahbaz Sharif said that special attention should be paid to achievement of the objective of a stable economy and durable development while third-party audit policy should be strictly implemented in development projects.
He further directed that the targets should be set for increasing growth rate in the province and vigorous efforts should be made for their achievement.
He said that proper and transparent utilization of funds should be ensured like the previous years. He said that an effective mechanism should be adopted for the provision of best services to the citizens.
The chief minister directed that implementation of the policy of empowerment of youth through imparting them various skills should be continued. He said that attention would have to be paid to value addition for the progress of livestock, dairy development and other important sectors.