Opposition flays increase in discretionary funds

Safdar Baghi walks out of session ‘over discriminatory allocation of funds’

PESHAWAR: The city district administration faced harsh criticism on the second day of the budget session from the opposition members owing to increase in the discretionary funds of the district nazim and naib nazim in the budget.

During the session, Safdar Baghi, an opposition member, tore his shirt in protest against the failure to allocate funds for his constituency and walked out of the house.



On Thursday, the budget session started after a delay of over an hour owing to lack of quorum. Convener Syed Qasim Ali Shah presided over the session, while City Nazim Arbab Muhammad Asim was also present. The budget with total outlay of Rs10.66 billion for the year 2016-17 was presented on Wednesday for approval.

Increase in funds

Opposition members criticised the government over the increase in funds. The discretionary funds of the district council were increased from 30% to 55% by the provincial government after making amendments to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Act, 2013.

Of the Annual Development Programme’s fund of Rs988,593  million, over Rs543.72 million has been set aside for the discretion of district council. Of this, Rs80.28 million has been allocated for city naib nazim, while Rs189.14 million has been allocated for city nazim.

While rejecting the budget presented by the city nazim, opposition member Alamzeb described it as a mere jugglery of figures. He said almost over 50% of the Annual Development Fund will be spent by the nazims on their personal interests. “We reject the budget having that much increase in the discretion funds of the nazims.” He said planning and development department’s guidelines have not been followed in preparing the budget.

Without consultation

Baghi, who is affiliated with Awami National Party, said the budget was prepared without the consultation of the members of the opposition. He asked under what capacity, the discretionary funds of the nazims have been increased.

He lashed out at the district administration by saying that the resolutions to construct hospital in his constituency was passed by the council but funds were not allocated for its construction in the budget.

As a protest, Baghi tore his shirt and walked out of the session which was followed by other opposition members. However, after an hour break, the session again started with only seven opposition members in the hall.

On the other side, members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were seen split into two groups as some have lauded the budget, while a few have criticised it.  Addressing the session, PTI’s Sajad Bangash from the treasury benches said the government has allocated lesser funds for the development of youth and sports sectors.

He maintained, “This [budget session] is an important meeting and we should not make issue of a minor protest by opposition members as protest is their due right.”

PTI’s Abdul Malik said the budget was people-friendly and would redress the issues and problems of those who voted them into power. The budget session was adjourned till Friday (today) whereas the members from the treasury benches are believed to have pass the budget.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2016.