LAHORE: The Punjab government will not support any tax, which will affect the already affected and the formula of equal taxation rate on the poor and the rich will not be accepted, says Punjab Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakht.

Chairing the final meeting of the resources miblisation committee here on Tuesday, he insisted that the Punjab government would not further burden the poor segment of society in the forthcoming budget, but would tax the taxable while property tax would be evaluated on the basis ofthe valuation.

The meeting discussed various proposals for resource mobilisation. The ministers of respective departments and secretaries put up their proposals, including adopting the KP model for revenue generation from the health sector. The excise department proposed surveying the proper-ties on modern lines besides changing the rules and regulations to bring everyone in tax net.

The irrigation department suggested revisiting the Abiana (water cess) policy and the police department came up with increase in traffic challan rates along with licence fee.

The minister said relief would be given to small farmers and traders. However, test fee [in public hospitals] would be imposed on the patients who afford it. He said the government would provide incentives to entertainment and IT industries to promote the art and culture and digitalisation.

He said challens fee would be increased to discourage violations while facilities would be given to licence holders and law followers.

The meeting was attended by Excise and Taxation Minister Hafiz Mumtaz, Revenue Minister Malik Muhmmad Anwar, Irrigation Minister Mohsin Laghari and secretaries of the departments concerned.