CDPI coordinator says districts sans trained staff to understand financial instrument. PHOTO: FILE
Sharing the analysis of a study carried out in the two districts by CPDI, Hadi said, “The budget is one of the most powerful fiscal instruments at the disposal of incumbent governments to implement their political commitments and development agenda.” He added, “Unfortunately, the district administration is overly focused on allocations and expenditures, and rarely on the critical issues of transparency and accountability of the budget-making process.”
He said, “Only a transparent and accountable budget-making regime can ensure budgets achieve their results.”
According to the handout, Hadi said, “The budgetary process is one of the key elements that help a government provide quality public services to its citizens, utilising funds for development goals, poverty reduction objectives and growth-oriented plans,” commented the CPDI official.
He said budget-making required a comprehensive set of steps, including timely circulation of budget call-letters, submission of budgetary proposals and report on consultation with the stakeholders concerned. “Although it is an important policy and procedural requirement, the practice of maintaining secrecy of budget documents and public consultations on proposed budgets and expenditures are not held.”
Hadi criticised the provincial finance department, which is responsible for budget preparation, coordination, monitoring, compilation, and release of funds. He said it has been working under a rule of increasing the budget of each department every year by a certain percentage without reflecting on its needs.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 5th, 2015.
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