Multan District Council: Rs1.44 billion budget approved

PTI member hurls abuse at govt reps after not receiving funds

MULTAN: District council of Multan has approved a budget of Rs1.44 billion despite strong criticism from the opposition. As per plans, funds amounting to Rs400 million have been allocated for Annual Developmental Programme 2018-19.

The budget was approved by District Council Convener Sarfaraz Khor, who chaired the session. The approval of the budget came amidst strong opposition from a district representative belonging to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The district government representatives demanded the council chairperson ask the disgruntled PTI representative to leave. However, the convener turned down the demand and adjourned the session.

The financial budget estimates revealed that the local government will generate a revenue of Rs897.6 million. With retained earnings standing at Rs543 million, the current year’s budget will go up to Rs1.44 billion.

While presenting the details of balances for 2018-19, the district council convener said that the annual budget had estimated non-developmental expenditures of Rs457 million and developmental programme expenditures of Rs400 million. He also announced that the district had approved a 10% raise in the salaries and pensions of local government employees.

Over Rs300 million will be spent on development projects which are under way, while Rs150 million will be spent on reconstructing roads.

He maintained that Rs30 million had been allocated for Muharram arrangements, while Rs2 million will be spend on bachat bazars for Ramazan. An additional Rs5 million has been reserved for other festivals.

Similarly, Rs2 million has been allocated in the budget for women welfare activities, while Rs20 million are for disaster management. A budget of Rs32.5 million has been set aside for families of officers who die during service, while Rs1 million is allocated for soft loans.

The district council convener pointed out that other provisions include Rs5 million for water filtration plants, Rs10 million for renovation of government allotted houses, Rs10 million for plantation, Rs292 million for salaries and pensions and Rs248.1 million for other expenditures.

Sources told Express News the district council unanimously passed the budget while its final approval will be given later. After the budget was presented, the union council chairperson belonging to the opposition created an uproar after which the session was interrupted.

An opposition member belonging to PTI, Farooq Khan ,lost his cool for not receiving funds and hurled abuse at the government representatives. Later, the convener Sarfaraz Khor adjourned the day’s session.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2018.