Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Dr. Hasan Askari presided over the provincial cabinet meeting, here today at Chief Minister’s Office. The meeting gave approval to four month budget of the fiscal year 2018-19. The meeting gave approval to the proposal of ten percent increase in the salaries of government employees besides approving to review the house rent. The meeting also gave approval to ten percent increase in the pension of retired government employees. Caretaker government gave approval to the development budget for four month for the new fiscal year 2018-19. The meeting also approved the estimates of recurring expenditures of four month of the upcoming fiscal year.
Addressing the meeting, Dr. Askari said that caretaker government has presented four month budget for the year 2018-19 adding that this budget has been presented in accordance with the constitutional requirements. He said that government has made an effort to provide necessary relief to the people while remaining within the limited mandate and constitutional responsibilities. Funds for education, healthcare, agriculture and social sectors have been increased, he said. We have to serve the people of the province while remaining within the mandate, he further said. All the decisions are being made with the consultation of the cabinet and today’s budget has been approved with consensus. Performance of Punjab Revenue Authority was appreciated in the meeting. Earlier, Secretary Finance gave the briefing about the salient features of new fiscal year’s budget. Provincial ministers, chief secretary, inspector general of police and senior officials attended the meeting.