Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has announced an allocation of Rs30 billion for rehabilitation of flood victims.
Addressing a post-budget press conference at the Sindh Assembly Auditorium, the CM claimed that his government has presented a people-friendly budget, with Rs10 billion earmarked for new schemes in Karachi and over Rs1 trillion set aside for development projects.
He stressed that the development budget for Sindh surpasses that of other provinces.
He disclosed that 75,000 jobs will be created in the education department and 50,000 in the police, marking a significant increase in employment opportunities. He also highlighted the largest increment in provincial employees' salaries.
Stressing the need for a new National Finance Commission (NFC) award every five years, CM reiterated Sindh's support for the federal government while claiming that they are not part of the PML-N government's alliance. He urged the federal government to consider Sindh's development projects as integral to Pakistan's overall progress.
The total budget volume for Sindh is Rs3.56 trillion, an increase from the previous year. He detailed that 31% of this budget is allocated for development, including Rs493.092 billion for provincial ADP, Rs55 billion for district ADP, Rs334 billion for Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP), and Rs76.971 billion for federal ADP.
Despite the caretaker government's decision to halt development projects, which has impeded progress, the Sindh government has committed substantial funds to development. Murad explained that out of the current revenue expenditures of over Rs1,900 billion, 70% is allocated for salaries, including 38% for current salaries, 14% for pensions, and the remainder for local government grants. Only 21% is spent on non-salary expenses.
The province expects to receive Rs1,900 billion from the federal government, Rs619 billion from provincial taxes, Rs43 billion from non-tax revenue, and Rs27 billion from capital receipts, totaling Rs2,590 billion. The funding gap will be addressed through foreign assistance projects.
Praising Chairman Bilawal Bhutto's efforts for flood victims, the CM stated that while Rs100 billion was allocated for flood relief, the federal government did not fulfill its share last year.
This year, Rs30 billion has been allocated by the federal government for flood relief, with a promise from the prime minister to release the funds within the first six months of 2024-25.
The CM was hopeful but cautious about the actual disbursement of these funds.
Regarding the K-IV project, which aims to bring water from Keenjhar Lake to Karachi, the federal government has allocated Rs25 billion, with the Sindh government committing Rs180 billion. However, the project awaits approval from the ECNEC, expected within a week.
The chief minister highlighted the Sindh government's success in improving law and order and their commitment to further progress. He noted the increase in government employees' salaries, with the minimum salary proposed to rise to Rs37,000. The Excise and Taxation Department aims to collect Rs 204billion next year, and efforts are underway to strengthen the Board of Revenue, with Rs61 billion allocated for this purpose.
According to the chief minister, the Sindh government's budget reflects a commitment to development, employment, and rehabilitation, aiming to address the province's challenges and drive progress.
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