LAHORE, June 22: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi on Thursday said the government had diverted its resources towards the development of south Punjab and other backward regions, and the new police system would help improve law and order in the province.

Speaking at a news conference here in his secretariat, he congratulated Law Minister Raja Basharat, Finance Minister Hasnain Bahadur, members of his cabinet and MPAs for the approval of the provincial budget 2006-07. He also thanked the opposition MPAs and said employees of the assembly would be given an additional salary.

Referring to southern Punjab, the chief minister said a mega urban development project costing Rs7.5 billion had been initiated in its 21 tehsils. The project included provision of clean drinking water, improvement in the sewerage system, construction or repair of roads, purchase of machinery for better solid waste management and construction of slaughterhouses.

He said the region had 35 per cent of the total population in Punjab whereas it had been given 46 per cent funds during the past three years.

He said only Rs2.5 billion were earmarked for southern Punjab in 1999-2000 which was reduced next year. But, the present government had sanctioned Rs5.48 billion for the region in 2002-03, Rs7 billion in 2003-04, Rs14.84 billion in 2004-05 and Rs19.26 billion in 2005-06.

The region had been given Rs25 billion for the year 2006-07. These funds were over and above the population ratio of the region and the government would continue to provide resources to such areas till their development at par with major cities, he added.

The chief minister said the government had given the best budget for the welfare of the people. As against the past practice, it had provided funds for the completion of development projects to all areas without considering political affiliations.

He said like in the last year, the government would spend its savings to be obtained through financial management on the welfare of people and development projects. “Because of the best financial management during 2005-06 the size of Punjab’s ADP increased from Rs54 billion to Rs80 billion.”

The chief minister said funds for social sector had been increased by 82 per cent in the ADP, allocating additional 55 per cent for education, health and sewerage. The province was increasing its income through its own resources.

Talking about police, he said punishment of culprits and return of the looted valuables to their rightful owners would be the sole yardstick of checking performance of police officers. “I personally review police performance every month, and have removed many officers for furnishing wrong figures,” he said.

The chief minister said special attention was being paid to the training of police. Steps had also been taken for restoring the confidence of people in police and improving the working capacity of the force.

He said 47,881 fugitives were arrested in 2005 whereas 23,116 were nabbed during the first five months of the current calendar year.