No compromise on implementation of coronavirus SOPs, says Buzdar

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said that 2020 is an unusual year when coronavirus has affected the country and Punjab government had to take emergency steps to deal with the pandemic. Chairing provincial parliamentary party meeting here on Monday, he said that 356,000 people have been tested in Punjab and the testing capability has reached to 12,000 a day. Meanwhile, Rs 25 billion has been paid for dealing with coronavirus pandemic. The chief minister said that he has visited more than 20 cities to review treatment facilities and steps are being taken on an emergent basis to increase the number of ventilators and high dependency units in hospitals. During this month, one thousand high dependency beds will be provided to Punjab government by NDMA and more beds will also be given next month, he added. He said SOPs will be got strictly implemented and more affected areas will be sealed to overcome the spread of coronavirus. On the other side, the chief minister informed the participants that funds have been provided immediately to save crops from locust attack and crops have not been much damaged due to the timely governmental steps. There is a threat of another locust attack in coming days and line departments have been directed to take prior steps, he said. Usman Buzdar said that Punjab government has issued directions to Irrigation Department, PDMA and administration as the monsoon season is about to start next month and there is a possible threat of flood and dengue. The development budget is being increased but undue expenditures will not be allowed at the official level. The government is promoting ease of doing business and the provincial economy will prosper due to the steps proposed in the budget, he added. The chief minister said that record wheat procurement has been made in Punjab after ten years and the government has ensured food security. Difficult decisions are taken in the larger public interest during a difficult time. The assembly members’ problems will be solved on a priority basis, he added. The meeting was briefed about budget and ADP details along with anti-coronavirus, anti-locust and wheat procurement arrangements. The Law and Finance Ministers also addressed the participants and the meeting offered Fateha for the departed souls of patients of coronavirus. Earlier, the chief minister chaired the 30th provincial cabinet meeting at his office here on Monday to approve the budget proposals for the financial year 2020-21 with consensus. It also approved financial bill 2020 along with supplementary budget and revised estimates for 2019-20. The meeting also endorsed decisions made in 29th cabinet meeting along with the approval of decisions made in the 32nd, 33rd and 34th meetings of cabinet standing committee on financial development. Similarly, decisions made in the 23rd, 24th and 25th meetings of cabinet standing committee for legislative business were also approved. Secretary Finance apprised the participants about salient features of provincial budget and annual development program. Ban on transferring southern Punjab’s development funds to some other project or city will remain intact as the cabinet approved ringfencing of three southern Punjab division’s development funds in the new financial year. The CM congratulated Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakht, Advisor Dr Salman Shah, Chief Secretary, Chairman P&D, Secretary Finance and others for their role in budget making. Steps have been proposed for public relief despite difficult circumstances resulting due to coronavirus pandemic and in this backdrop, it is very balanced and a public-friendly budget, he added. The CM maintained that realistic targets have been fixed and priorities have been identified according to public needs. It is a realistic document for balanced development and not jugglery of worlds, he said. On the other side, he lamented that the opposition is only engaged in making hue and cry and left the people alone. The CM assured that continuous liaison will be maintained with the assembly members. Ministers, advisors, special assistants, CS and administrative secretaries attended the meeting.