Staff Reporter Islamabad
The Upper House (Senate) resumed its discussion on the budget proposals for next fiscal year 2021-22 on Friday.
The House offered fateha for the martyred soldier in Turbat before the resumption of the budget debate. Senator Mushtaq Ahmed led the prayer.
Participating in the budget debate, Senator Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhary said due to prudent policies of the government, farmers have earned profit in all crops.
He said that more than 65% people in Pakistan are associated with agriculture which makes this sector immensely important.
He said this budget will provide an opportunity to the farmers to avail easy loan facilities for purchase of tractors and other agricultural tools.
Senator Mushtaq Ahmed termed the current budget risky and based on assumptions. He said this is not a budget which supports the poor segment of the society.
He said that government has taken record loans and 60% of country’s revenue will be spent on the payment of loans. He said people are struggling to afford even the essential commodities.
Special Assistant on Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar said there is no new tax on salaried class and minimum wage has been fixed at 20,000 rupees. She said unprecedented facilities have been provided in budget industry.
She further said Rs 260 billion have been allocated for Ehsaas program. She said 100% utilization of funds was made in budget 2019-20 whereas 97% utilization of funds was observed in the budget of fiscal year 2020-21.
The special assistant said stipend for the poor has been increased to 13,000 per family. She said total number of enrolled families have been increased from seven million to 10 million.
Dr Sania Nishtar said governance reforms have been introduced to make Ehsaas program transparent. She said that Ehsaas Nashonuma program will be expanded to 50 districts.
