Preparations: Karachi likely to get Rs50b or more in upcoming budget

CM says allocation of funds depends on amount released by the federal govt.

KARACHI: As the Sindh finance department started its preparations for the fiscal budget for the year 2015-2016, it was learnt that Karachi will be given Rs8 billion more than the current allocation of Rs42 billion.

"Initially we have earmarked Rs50 billion for Karachi. This amount can be increased," said a finance department official.

According to the initial proposal by the finance department, the budget for the development portfolio will be increased from Rs165 billion to Rs175 billion.

The final date to present the budget has yet to be decided but officials said it may be presented either on June 12 or June 19. "Ten per cent increase is likely in [the budgets for] education and health sectors and 20 per cent in [that of] law and order," said a senior finance official.

Depending on federal govt

Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said that the annual development programme budget will be increased but funds will be allocated considering the federal receipt — the amount the federal government releases to the provinces.

"The federal government owes Rs71 billion to Sindh," he said. "Despite our repeated requests, the federal government has not released our due share from the divisible pool."

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2015.