Budget analysis: Lack of basic utilities due to mega-projects

The report says that the link between increased spending and improved results is missing


Our Correspondent August 05, 2015
The report says that the link between increased spending and improved results is missing. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI:


The National Organisation for Working Communities (NOWCommunities) presented an analysis of the Sindh Budget 2014-15 and cited the allocations of resources on mega-projects as the reason for the lack of basic utilities for citizens. In its analysis, the organisation reports a recurrent pattern in the previous three budgets, hence, stressing the need for revision and reformation.


The report says that the link between increased spending and improved results is missing. It says that the hard sectors, security and government expenditure, have been eating the social sector budget allocation, adding that middle class and urban biases are part of the budget making, therefore, those who are part of this process are not of the working, marginalised communities.

Omar Abbas, finance secretary of NowCommunities, said that the focus on mega-projects is a major hindrance in providing people with basic necessities such as education, health and justice. "There is a need for the government to revise and scrutinise its previous year's spending instead of simply shuffling money from one department to another," he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6th, 2015. 

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