AJK earmarked Rs500m for local bodies elections, says Dr Naqi

AJK finance minister says record sums set aside for roads, health, education

MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Minister for Finance and Development Dr Najeeb Naqi on Friday said that his government is committed to bring about social and economic development of the people which is evident from the allocations for the development and social sectors in the Budget 2017-18.

“Budget for fiscal year 2017-18 is quite focused on development and social sectors besides huge allocations have been made for roads and communication sectors which show our commitment to fulfil promises made to the  people during election campaign,” Dr Naqi said while elaborating key features of the budget.

The minister said that his party had made a commitment to people during the elections to hold local bodies’ elections and allocated Rs500 million in the budget for the polls.

He said the allocations under the heads of education, health, tourism, power generation and communication sectors were reasonably increased in the budget which reflects the government’s vision of development.

He said the allocations for development had been increased to 25 per cent from 15 per cent of the current expenditures in the coming fiscal year budget and a positive impact of that could be witnessed in the development sector in the coming years.

Dr Naqi said new roads connecting different districts and link roads and bridges will be constructed besides the present ones will be repaired in the coming fiscal year to facilitate the people.

Regarding the health sector, the finance minister said that emergency health services in 11 hospitals of the territory had been started during the current fiscal year by the government and a reasonable amount had been allocated in the coming fiscal year budget for this purpose.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 17^th, 2017.