Another Rs10b to be allocated for Karachi Package

Almost all 18 schemes will be completed by end of June

KARACHI: Almost all of the 18 schemes launched under the Rs10 billion Karachi Package in 2016-17 will be completed by June this year, with the exception of two projects – construction of an underpass at Submarine Chowk and a road from NED University to Safoora Goth – which will be completed in August.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah was informed of this on Saturday during a meeting. Due to this, the government has decided to allocate another Rs10 billion for the Karachi Package in the upcoming budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year. "In the next package flyovers and underpasses will be constructed specially in those areas where citizens face severe traffic congestion. The roads will also be widened," said a participant of the meeting.

The official informed the CM that 90% of the development work on University Road from Hassan Square to NIPA Chowrangi has been completed and the project will be finished by the first week of June. "I have to inaugurate this road on June 10 so it must be finished by the deadline," said Shah, adding that he plans to inaugurate dozens of schemes in the city during the next financial year.



During the meeting on the upcoming budget, officials said the reconstruction and renovation of the Karachi Zoo will be completed by December but this was unacceptable for the CM. "I want you to complete the project as soon as possible,” he said.

Planning and Development Chairperson M Waseem briefed the chief minister about the scope, funding position and funding requirements of different schemes. Shah decided to hold several meetings before finalising the schemes and size of the next Annual Development Programme (ADP).

Revenue

Regarding revenue and tax collections, Shah said the government was working hard to improve the efficiency of revenue collecting institutions to strengthen financial state of the province. "Instead of imposing new taxes, my goal is to improve the collection system," he said.



Representatives of the Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) told the CM that they have a collection target of Rs78 billion, which they can achieve with a slight surplus or shortfall. The SRB chairperson said they had announced a tax incentive scheme that received a good response. SRB Adviser Mushtaq Kazmi said they have collected Rs8.5 billion record recoveries during the current month. The CM appreciated SRB’s performance in strengthening the government’s financial position. He urged them to focus on compliance of SRB levies as it would help to improve recoveries.

Excise and Taxation Secretary Haleem Shaikh briefed the chief minister and said they have a target of Rs52 billion against which 90% recoveries were achieved by the end of April. Excise and Taxation Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla informed the CM that on the orders of the high court liquor shops remained closed for two months and as a result the government incurred a loss of Rs500 million.

The Board of Revenue set a collection target of over Rs12 billion for the current financial year and Chief Secretary Rizwan Memon said they have collected over Rs11 billion and expect to meet their target by the end of the year.



It may be noted that the major collections of BOR includes Registration Fee on transfer of property, capital value tax and stamp duty.

ADP 2017-18

Shah said his focus for the ADP was to complete on a priority basis ongoing schemes that are either near completion or have great utility for the public. Otherwise it would be quite difficult to continue uplift works with huge throw-forward, he said.

The CM said he was giving particular attention to the development of infrastructure, completion of health, education, sports and cultural facilities by completing hospitals, schools, playgrounds, stadiums and developing performing art institutions.



He said the canal lining is also an important initiative taken for water conservation. "Canal seepages have wreaked havoc with the agricultural lands of the province and the lining of major portions of the Rohri Canal has produced great results," he praised. Shah went on to say that the remaining portions of the canal would be lined next year and the lining of the Jamrao Canal would also be taken up.

In 2017-18 ADP over 780 schemes of provincial highways roads, bridges, connecting roads, water supply, drainage, hatcheries and cattle colonies will be completed.