No relief for masses in budget, admits Qamar

The poor will be supported through the existing programmes of Baitul Mal, and food items at subsidized rates will continue to be provided through the Utility Stores whose network will be expended to 6000 stores, he added.

He made it clear that schemes under Zakat and Baitul Mal system will continue, however, reforms will be brought in these systems.

Responding to a question, he said the government will make all-out efforts to make the selection process clear and transparent, adding, the lists of households will be displayed at Union Councils.

Naveed Qamar said that government will construct one million low-cost housing units for low-paid federal government employees and the poor. Addressing post-budget press conference here, he said the housing units were being constructed under Prime Minister's Special Initiatives for Housing Programme.  

The Minister said that Rs 2 billion has been allocated in the fiscal budget 2008-09, for the programme as a revolving fund, which will be further expanded.

He said the Ministry of Housing and Works will play the role of facilitator and invites both local and foreign investors to successfully execute the project.

He said the work on the project will be started very soon to meet the shortage of housing units in the country. Federal government will continue and expedite to provide houses to federal government employees on ownership basis on their retirement.

Syed Naveed Qamar said Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto gave the slogan of Roti, Kapra and Makan to Pakistani people and to uphold this commitment, the Prime Minister in his 100-day's programme had announced that one million housing units will be added to country' housing stock for low-income groups and government employees.

Agencies add: Naveed Qamar said the government has not provided as much relief to the masses in the annual budget as it has promised due to tight financial position.

He said the proposed relief was not as per the wishes of the slain PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto but vowed that better financial accommodation of masses would be possible in the next budget because the present annual financial plan would bring about economic stability across the country.

Replying to a query, the Minister said that withdrawal of subsidies on oil, electricity, gas, etc would definitely result in the price-hike and added that it would be a real big challenge for the government to contain the rate of inflation.

Qamar said the National Finance Commission would be constituted soon, once the Federal Government receives the nomination from all the four provinces.

He  said the government had received nominations from only two provinces and the Commission would be constituted after receiving the nomination by two other provinces.

He said the Schedule-6 of he Constitution would be repealed to restore sovereignty of the Parliament.