Lahore: The Punjab Finance Department has turned down a summary from the Transport & Mass Transit Department that requested Rs. 1 billion for inauguration and media campaigns of eco-friendly bus and depot projects, terming the proposal “highly inflated” and lacking a detailed cost breakdown.
The FD notes it has already released Rs. 5.7 billion to build bus depots in Bahawalpur and Faisalabad, on the advice of the Planning & Development (P&D) Department.
Out of this amount, Rs. 99 million was set aside under a category called “Others (A05270)”, which can be used for events such as inaugurations or related activities in those areas.
The Finance Department instructs the Transport Department to utilize the funds already allocated for these projects, including the portion listed under the “Others” category, in coordination with the Planning & Development Department (P&D).
In the document, the Finance Department further added that the Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR) already has Rs. 1.6 billion this year for advertising and publicity, under budget head A03907 – Advertising & Publicity. It advised the Transport Department to utilize the budget and coordinate transport-related media plans through DGPR after reviewing the costs.
It also pointed out that Punjab is under IMF spending limits and facing flood-relief expenses, with Rs. 1.7 billion has already been released to PDMA.
Given these pressures, the FD said the Rs. 1 billion request for media and inauguration events was excessive. It urged the Transport Department to cut unnecessary costs and work within existing funds.
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