Proposals sought from govt entities for FY23-24 budget

For the preparation of the provincial budget for the new financial year 2023-24, the government has invited budget proposals from all the institutions and departments of the Rawalpindi district.

Meanwhile, autonomous bodies including Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA), education board, and Rawalpindi Metropolitan Corporation (RMC) have also been instructed to immediately freeze the non-developmental expenses and to increase taxes and utility service charges to meet their expenses. According to sources, the authorities have also instructed the development agencies not to include projects of more than Rs300 million in the budget proposals.

Mega development schemes will be allowed to be started from the funds allocated in the district's annual development programme after the budget of Punjab is approved.

The provincial finance ministry has also instructed the education, health, local government and social welfare departments to present budget proposals with austerity. Sources said no special or extra funds will be given to any institution in the new provincial budget.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2023.