ISLAMABAD:Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) from both sides of the aisle on Friday held a debate on the Federal Budget 2021-22 with special focus on controlling inflation and making more corrective measures to strengthen the agriculture sector, which was considered as the backbone of the national economy.
Taking part in the budget debate, Asad Mehmood of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Pakistan (MMAP) claimed that no relief was given in the budget for the masses. An amount of Rs 54 billion was allocated for the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas while the budget for Higher Education Commission (HEC) had been reduced, he added.
Endorsing the suggestions given by Leader of the Opposition Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, he called for abolishing taxes on essential items, including milk for children.
He also demanded more increase in the salaries of government employees and fixing minimum wages at Rs 25,000.
Ghous Bakhs Mehar of Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) called for more subsidies on fertilizers so that the farmers could increase agriculture production.
He said the agriculture was considered as the backbone of a country’s economy and without giving incentives self-sufficiency of agri production could not be achieved.
He stressed the need to provide solar technology for running agri tube-wells. He also called for lining of canals to control water logging and water wastage.
He appreciated the government for giving better budget in the current scenario. However, he demanded more allocation for the agriculture sector in the budget.
Dr Ayesha Ghous Pasha of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) claimed that indirect taxation would further overburden the masses, and cause inflation.
Muhammad Yaqoob Sheikh of the Pakistan Thehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said the government gave equal attention to provide basic facilities, including health, education and electricity to all areas.
He expressed the hope that the government would launch the Chashma Right Bank Canal (CRBC) project in next year which would usher a new era of progress and development in less developed areas.
Prof Dr Shahnaz Baloch of Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) said assembly seats should be enhanced for Balochistan. She said Balochistan was a under developed province, which needed special attention to bring it par with other development parts of country.
Sardar Talib Hussain Nakai of the PTI said the incumbent government inherited $ 19.8 billion current account deficit and over $35 billion trade deficit. The country had foreign reserves enough for only two weeks when the PTI came into power, he added.
However owing to the visionary policies of Prime Minister Imran Khan, he said, the country had been put again on right track of progress.
He suggested that the agriculture sector should be given the status of an industry to bring a green revolution in the country.
He said the government introduced Health and Kisan Cards to provide relief to the common people and farmers.
He appreciated the government’s Ehsaas Programme and stressed the need to further expand it.
Nawab Yousaf Talpur of the PPP said Sindh generated 70 per cent of the country’s total revenue and demanded more funds for the province.
Ghazala Saifi of PTI the termed the budget visionary as it would change the mindset of the people.
She said the budget for Ehsaas Programme had been tripled in order to give massive relief to the poor class.
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