Korangi district also announces Rs2.3b budget

Development funds increased, along with 10% rise is workers' salaries.

KARACHI: The city administration announced a Rs2.3-billion budget for Korangi district for the financial year 2014-15 on Friday.

This time around the development funds have been increased along with a 10% increase in the salaries of the employees. The authorities also gave preference to their health insurance policy.

The Korangi district municipal corporation (DMC) administrator, Imran Aslam, said the budget was prepared with the help of prominent political personalities, MNAs and MPAs. After discussions, they decided to reduce non-development funds to Rs1.67 billion. Only 17% of the budget has been allocated for contingency, which Aslam said, reflects that the district administration was willing to take steps to provide all facilities to the masses.



The residents of Korangi district, which comprises Landhi, Korangi and Shah Faisal towns, face several infrastructure problems. "We are trying to ensure the completion of works despite our limited resources," assured Aslam.

Highlighting the features, he said that Korangi's budget was a surplus one with Rs88,000 saved. Under the head of defunct Octroi Zila Tax, the DMC expects to receive Rs1.42 billion, Rs190 million from its share in property taxes and it expects to clear arrears worth Rs360.5 million. "The total income from our resources is estimated at Rs320.6 million and our total revenue is expected to be Rs2.30 billion," said Aslam.

The development budget is Rs630 million, which is 24% of the total budget. An amount of Rs30.5 million have been allocated for storm-water drainage, Rs60.9 million for roads, streets and footpaths, Rs40 million for parks, Rs20.7 million for buildings, Rs5 million for dustbins, Rs180.6 for the ongoing development schemes, Rs10 million for deposit works and Rs30.8 million for other works.

To keep the streets clean and to improve the environment, the DMC was trying to get streetlights fixed, said Aslam. "We are also making efforts to provide better facilities to the youths by maintaining parks and play grounds," he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2014.