Imran Adnan

LAHORE

With general elections looming, Chief Ministers special initiatives are playing first
fiddle in budgetary allocations for 2017-18. Punjab Finance Minister Dr Aisha Ghaus
Pasha will present a development budget of around Rs635 billion allocation for in
provincial assembly today (Friday).

Official numbers made available to The Express Tribune highlight that development
budget for upcoming fiscal year allocates Rs452 billion for Annual Development
Programme (ADP), Rs93 billion for Lahore Orange Line Metro Train and Rs90 billion
other development schemes that will likely be announced close to general elections
next year.

After Rs172 billion for on-going development schemes, data reveals, the highest sum
of Rs93 billion has been allocated for the Lahore metro train, a project very dear to
Punjab chief minister. Foreign assisted schemes get Rs24 billion, clean drinking water
projects by Punjab Saaf Pani Company get Rs30 billion and Khadim-e-Punjab Rural
Roads Program (KPRRP) gets Rs18 billion, official data shows.

Numbers highlight the government has earmarked Rs15 billion for Lodhran Khanewal
Highway, Rs10 billion for Multan Road Bypass and Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, Rs11 billion
for Punjab Safe Cities projects, Rs9 billion for skills development, Rs2 billion for Punjab
Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA), Rs10 billion for Pakistan Kidney and
Liver Institute, Rs2.5 billion for Recep Tayyip Erdogan hospital, Rs1.5 billion for health
insurance program, Rs5 billion for revamping of district and tehsil headquarter
hospitals and Rs16 billion for Punjab Education Foundation (PEF).

The government has also allocated Rs4.5 billion for Chief Ministers Laptop Scheme.
Data indicates Rs17 billion has been allocated for addition classrooms, Rs4 billion for
reconstruction and repair of dilapidated school buildings, Rs4 billion for Punjab
Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF), Rs1 billion for Lahore Knowledge Park (LKP) and
Rs5 billion for Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for projects being executed under public-
private-partnership model.

Data highlights Rs15 billion has been allocated for local government development
schemes, Rs14 billion for balance payment for completion of CMD scheme, Rs15 billion
for Prime Ministers Sustainable Development Goals programs and Rs10 billion each
for priority programs and special development packages.

The government has declared all above allocation as essential requirements of Rs535
billion including Rs172 on-going schemes. The government as also earmarked Rs100
billions for new schemes.
Numbers show that the government has increased allocation for development budget
by 15% when compared to previous years Rs550 billion ADP. However, historic data
shows the government always fail to release and utilise allocated development
budget. Data highlights in FY 2013-14 the government announced ADP of Rs290 billion
but it released only Rs217 billion and utilised Rs199 billion. Similarly, in 2014-15
allocation was Rs345 billion and utlisation was hovering around Rs250 billion. In 2015-
16, Rs400 billion development plan was announced and the government hardly spent
Rs316 billion.

During current fiscal year (2016-17), the government have announced Rs550 billion
ADP but it released Rs342 billion of which Rs207 billion have been utilised for
development in the province. Data highlights construction of new and existing roads
is at the top of development priorities on government development list since 2013
while agriculture and livestock on the bottom.