Salaries, pensions in doldrums as Punjab yet to pass next 3-month budget

The Finance Department in the Punjab caretaker setup is still sleeping on the matter of budget passage for the next three months as the current 3-month long fiscal estimate is expiring on October 31, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.

The financial experts have expressed their concern that there is no movement on the part of the caretaker government vis-a-vis the passage of the next three-month budget as the expiry date of the current 3-month financial plan is drawing near i.e. October 31.

If the caretaker administration fails to pass the budget for the next quarter, then the government offices will not be able to pay salaries and pensions.

Besides, no funds will be available for development and all uplift schemes will have to be stopped.

It is to be noted that the caretaker governments are mandated to pass budgets only for three months, and no more than that.

Finance Dept makes a move

Meanwhile, the Finance Department has sent a summary seeking permission to present provincial budget for the next quarter to the office of Advocate General Punjab.

The Advocate General would give his opinion on the matter whether the caretaker setup could present next four months’ budget or not.

After the nod of the Advocate General and Law Department, the Finance Department would present the provincial budget for the next quarter.

But if the legal opinion will be against it, then the caretaker administration could resort to the court.

 

Reporter Qaiser Khokhar