‘Federal officials jealous of Sindh’


Hafeez Tunio June 25, 2010

KARACHI: Although the provinces’ right to collect the general sales tax (GST) was agreed upon in the NFC meetings, it now seems that officials in the federal finance ministry are jealous of Sindh’s share, said the chief minister.

Delivering his budget speech in the Sindh Assembly on Friday, Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that even after long deliberations had eventually led to the four provinces agreeing upon a multi-criteria NFC award, federal government officials were trying to sabotage the agreement on every step.

“The example can be measured from the fact that they took three months in sending the summary to the president,” he pointed out, “And whenever it [the summary] was forwarded, the clause on distributing the resources on multiple criteria was missing.”

According to the chief minister, the issue of sales tax on services was still pending.

Sindh contributes 70 per cent to the country’s GST collection but it only receives 25 per cent of that share, since distribution is based on population. “But [now] we will get our right at any cost,” the chief minister vowed in the assembly.

Following the passing of the 18th Amendment, the Sindh government is to get 42 departments from the federal government’s authority. The federal government had asked Sindh to make all arrangements for this handover. In preparation for it, the provincial government has formed a committee, which will be headed by Minister for Irrigation Murad Ali Shah. However, they are still working on a strategy to handle the new responsibility.

Qaim Ali Shah said that members from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the opposition will also be taken into confidence and if necessary, legislation will also be made.

The Sindh government has also asked the centre to pay the salaries of the employees in these departments, which are being handed over to them, for the next five years.

The federal government still owes Rs27 billion to Sindh, the chief minister told the assembly, adding that Rs11 billion of these were the province’s share based on population while Rs16 billion were state transfers.

Thar coal

Regarding the Thar coal reserves, Qaim Ali Shah said that some federal cabinet members were vehemently opposing the Sindh government’s authority over these reservoirs. “They want to take control of the reserves,” he said, “But the president of Pakistan has directed them that Sindh will be given rights to that coal.”

An international conference was held in Washington on the same topic, which was attended by representatives of around 35 different countries. During that conference, Pakistan gave a briefing on the Thar coal reserves after which foreign investors promised a 34 million dollar investment for block one of the reserves.

The chief minister said that the Thar Coal Energy Board has been formed and work under it has already started. “It is hoped that 5,000 to 6,000 megawatts will be generated from it [this project],” he said.

Law and order in the province

Shah said that sectarian violence has come to end and  expressed hopes that the land mafia will soon be tackled with. According to the chief minister, one of the bigger challenges for the government regarding the law and order is land grabbing. “People involved in this crime have become billionaires,” he commented.

People forcibly take over land and then sell it off to another party, he said. The Sindh government is trying to fight back and for this, they have set up an anti-encroachment cell, he informed the assembly.

Speaking on the issue of minorities, he said that the budget for minorities has been increased from Rs100 million to Rs250 million.

He lauded the role of media in highlighting the issues and said that they have given plots to journalists in appreciation. The chief minister also said that the president has asked them to establish a journalists’ colony. Moreover, Rs0.5 million have been allocated for district press clubs and Rs0.25 million for tehsil press clubs.

Furthermore, one billion rupees have been allocated for planting mangroves. The plantation will take place 50 miles from the sea, “The mangroves will protect the city from cyclones and sea intrusion,” said the CM.

Meanwhile, Rangers have been given extra powers and the budget of the home department has been enhanced by around 75 per cent from Rs19 billion in 2007-8 to Rs30 billion.  “Three billion rupees have been earmarked only to obtain the latest equipment,” he pointed out.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 26th, 2010.

COMMENTS (2)

Riaz | 13 years ago | Reply Although the provinces’ right to collect the general sales tax (GST) was agreed upon in the NFC meetings, it now seems that officials in the federal finance ministry are jealous of Sindh’s share, said the chief minister and it is said that it is true that Punjab dominated bureaucracy does not want to give genuine rights to provinces. How long Punjab, our big brother, will be blamed for! Federal Bureaucracy may be is Punjabi but Minister is Sindhi! isn't it? Please you all stop propaganda against Punjab and you the PPP please stand for the rights of all. Its your responsibility to crate harmony among the province and people of Pakistan. If it is true, what CM Sindh says, than I remain calm!!! because reconciliation must be upheld!
Ismail Hashmi | 13 years ago | Reply daring stand of sindh government will pave the way to get its rights. It is true that Punjab dominated bureaucracy does not want to give genuine rights to provinces. But time has come that latter should stand up and stage protest as Sindh have been doing. Ismail Khybyer Pakhtonkhwa
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ