The Sindh government has written yet another letter to the federal government to release its shares from the NFC Award worth Rs34 billion.
Apart from the outstanding dues, the provincial finance department has also asked the federal government to devise a mechanism to transfer funds to the Sindh government accounts regularly. “As per the budget estimates for 2013-14, our federal transfers were Rs409 billion,” said the chief minister’s finance adviser, Murad Ali Shah. “The financial year has come to an end but we are still waiting to receive the complete amount.”
Shah added that the provincial government was facing financial crunch, therefore, its funds should be cleared without any further delays.
On the other hand, the provincial government has also reminded the federal government about the pending issues of the collections for Zakat, Employees’ Old-age Benefit and Workers Welfare Fund. “After the 18th Amendment, these subjects have been devolved to the provinces but the implementation is being delayed despite several requests,” said Shah.
The Sindh government had also expressed its concern over the levying of the gas infrastructure development cess. This tax is unconstitutional and should be immediately withdrawn, the government has demanded. The government has also written to the federal finance department to impose all revenues and taxes on gas after consulting with the provinces first.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 9th, 2014.
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