LAHORE (APP) - Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that hefty amount has been allocated in the provincial budget 2008-09 to provide relief to the poor segment of the society. Talking to newsmen after the budget session at the Punjab Assembly chamber here Monday, he said that the government has allocated Rs 17 billion to provide subsidy on the basic commodities and healthcare facilities. He said that the government was committed to provide best facilities in education and health sectors for which funds have been increased in the provincial budget 2008-9. The government would provide free transport facility to students in the big cities as well as free education at matric level, he said and added the government has planned to upgrade 450 schools in the province to provide modern education. Shahbaz said that agriculture sector was given top priority and a number of steps have been initiated in the budget for the up-gradation of this sector. "The government will provide 10,000 tractors to the farmers on less price and Rs 1,00,000 subsidy will be given on each tractor," he added. To a question, the CM said that the government was committed to improve law and order adding that funds have been allocated in the budget for the purpose.