Balochistan CM orders immediate implementation over proposed budget schedule

Finance depart shares formula of funds for development projects in strategy meeting

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Aliyani on Wednesday ordered the planning and development and finance departments of the provincial government to start immediate implementation over the newly-proposed budget schedule while chairing a budget strategy paper meeting for the upcoming fiscal year.

The finance department tabled the strategy paper for the budget of FY 2019-20 and shared the formula of funds for scheduled, continued and future development projects in Balochistan.

During the meeting, it was agreed to launch skill development and departmental reforms programmes in the province in order to end poverty through development programmes planned in the upcoming fiscal year.

In line with provincial requirements, the meeting decided to adopt an effective strategy to balance provincial resources and expenditures, while also stressing the importance of maintaining the allocations to development during the next financial budget.

“We need better planning for Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) funds as it is pivotal for development in the province,” he said, adding that there should be complete transparency in its allocation and usage so that there aren’t any complaints against it.

The meeting also decided to go for necessary amendments to the Local Government Act in order to ensure better utilisation of funds allocated to local government councils.

Furthermore, the chief minister directed all departments to share data of the land they possess in order to ensure proper utilization of government land to increase provincial revenue.

Finance Secretary Noorul Haq Baloch informed the meeting regarding provincial financial expenditures and expected resources for next year’s fiscal budget.

Kamal also instructed department heads to ensure development projects are selected on merit and not on personal preference or bias. “Unfortunately, during the tenures of previous governments, projects had been inducted in the provincial PSDP on the basis of personal connections,” he lamented.

“The government has the responsibility to share its vision for public development which starts with the bureaucracy,” Kamal added, stressing upon the role of government servants in ensuring that provincial development remains on the right trajectory.