Rifts deepen: District council passes Rs378.87m budget
Rs94.71 million of development budget left at district govt’s discretion
PHOTO: bluewaterbrands
ABBOTABAD:
Abbottabad district council passed a budget of Rs378.87 million for fiscal year 2015-16 on Thursday amid walkouts by opposition leaders. The afternoon session was held at the district council hall and convened by Abbottabad naib nazim Shaukat Tanoli.
Members of the opposition, led by Ali Khan Jadoon, walked out during Abbottabad district nazim Sardar Sher Bahadur Khan’s speech regarding budget allocation details. But they later joined the proceedings.
No negotiation
Nawanshehr PTI district councillor Iqbal Khan and Bahadur had an argument when the allocation of funds was explained in detail. After a harsh exchange of words, the PTI-led opposition walkout again.
Tanoli wanted to have a discussion and provide an opportunity to the opposition to voice their reservations. However, this was turned down immediately.
The convener offered to constitute a joint committee that would look into the development budget and its equal distribution. However, the opposition did not agree to the suggestion. The house then passed the budget without the opposition but with 40 out of 77 members from treasury benches.
The numbers
According to the budget document, Rs75.77 million, which is approximately 20% of total development budget, was allotted to education. The same amount was reserved for roads.
On the other hand, Rs37.35 million, which is 10% of the total development budget, was allocated to health, drinking water and sanitation schemes each. Around Rs18.94 million, which is 5% of the total budget, was set aside for agriculture. The same percentage was allotted for women development schemes. An equal amount was reserved for youth and sports while Rs94.71 million was left at the district government’s discretion.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 4th, 2016.
Abbottabad district council passed a budget of Rs378.87 million for fiscal year 2015-16 on Thursday amid walkouts by opposition leaders. The afternoon session was held at the district council hall and convened by Abbottabad naib nazim Shaukat Tanoli.
Members of the opposition, led by Ali Khan Jadoon, walked out during Abbottabad district nazim Sardar Sher Bahadur Khan’s speech regarding budget allocation details. But they later joined the proceedings.
No negotiation
Nawanshehr PTI district councillor Iqbal Khan and Bahadur had an argument when the allocation of funds was explained in detail. After a harsh exchange of words, the PTI-led opposition walkout again.
Tanoli wanted to have a discussion and provide an opportunity to the opposition to voice their reservations. However, this was turned down immediately.
The convener offered to constitute a joint committee that would look into the development budget and its equal distribution. However, the opposition did not agree to the suggestion. The house then passed the budget without the opposition but with 40 out of 77 members from treasury benches.
The numbers
According to the budget document, Rs75.77 million, which is approximately 20% of total development budget, was allotted to education. The same amount was reserved for roads.
On the other hand, Rs37.35 million, which is 10% of the total development budget, was allocated to health, drinking water and sanitation schemes each. Around Rs18.94 million, which is 5% of the total budget, was set aside for agriculture. The same percentage was allotted for women development schemes. An equal amount was reserved for youth and sports while Rs94.71 million was left at the district government’s discretion.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 4th, 2016.