A Rs2,600 billion budget for the fiscal year 2021-22 will be presented in the Punjab Assembly on Monday (today).

According to the budget document, Rs560 billion will be earmarked for the development sector.

The provincial government had recommended setting aside around Rs250 billion for the ongoing projects.

Punjab Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakht will present the budget.

The development budget for education and health will be raised by 1.5 percent, while Rs60 billion had been recommended for Sehat Card.

For road infrastructure, the Punjab government will set aside Rs30 billion under PSDP and for Covid-hit business sectors, a package worth Rs50 billion is being suggested.

For south Punjab development programmes, Rs196 billion had been earmarked.

According to a spokesman for the Punjab Finance Department, a special package for industries and a number of public welfare schemes will be announced in the budget.

He said provision of Health Sahulat Cards will be ensured to 100 percent of the population by December this year.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has summoned a special session of his cabinet ahead of the budget.

Insiders said that the cabinet will approve budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. The cabinet meeting will also give its nod to the revised budget estimates.

Provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants, chief secretary and secretaries concerned will attend the meeting.

OPPOSITION MEMBERS MEET BUZDAR: More than 10 members of the opposition PML-N and PPP met with Chief Minister Buzdar on Sunday.

They included Jalil Sharaqpuri, Chaudhry Ashraf Ansari, Muhammad Ghayasuddin, Faisal Khan Niazi, Raees Nabeel Ahmed, Azhar Abbas, Syed Abbasi Ali, Tahir Bashir Cheema, Younus Ansari and Masood Majeed.

They apprised the chief minister of the problems in their constituencies and he assured them his help.

He said that the Punjab budget will open a new chapter for progress and prosperity in the province.

The chief minister promised greater allocations for education, health, agriculture, infrastructure and other sectors this time around.

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