PRIME Minister Nawaz Sharif recently announced a Rs341bn package for farmers to promote agriculture. It is meant to subsidise inputs, reduce duty on agricultural machinery, etc.
Since this was an afterthought, the amount was not included in the 2015-2016 budget except for an amount of Rs20bn that was 1(ept aside for fertiliser subsidy. Where will this large funding come from since it is outside the parliament-approved budget? The government has carefully avoided explaining this.
At least, the finance minister, who is adept at doctoring figures, will again get a chance to prove his skill at digital jugglery.
