Punjab Finance minister calls for monthly contributions

Chandigarh, June 20 (UNI) Painting a grim picture of Punjab's economy, state Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal today proposed a monthly contribution of Rs 1000 from the salaries of all ministers, including the Chief Minister to the state excehquer for financing schemes for the weaker sections of society.

Presenting his maiden budget for the remaining nine months of the current fiscal year in the state Vidhan Sabha here, the young minister said such a merger contribution would help in improving the states'' finances.

'' Switching off an electric bulb helps the family save energy and this effects the monthly power bill,'' he said addressing a media conference outside the House.

Making a similar gesture to the government servants, including the IAS and IPS officers. Mr Badal proposed that the monthly contributions from Class-I, Class-II and Class-III officers could be to the tune of Rs 1000, Rs 600 and Rs 400 respectively.

''However, we will put forward this proposal to the respective employees unions and seek their views,'' he said, while making it clear that this was just a suggestion.

Resources from such contributions could be useful for various schemes including paying the premium for the proposed health insurance scheme for the BPL families, he added.

UNI