Karachi Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday presented an Rs1,217 billion budget for the Fiscal year 2019-20.
Chief Minister Murad said that the People of Sindh have generously reposed their trust in the policies of the Sindh government.
“The selfless devotion of our leaders, their teachings, and their love for the people of this country are the guiding beacon for every member of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party. We draw inspiration from the teachings of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto,” he added. ARY News reported.
According to details, the expenditure budget is estimated at Rs.870.217 billion which shows an increase of 12.5pc over the current year allocation of Rs.773.237 billion. The 12pc increase in expenditure is primarily in the employee-related expenses which could not have been avoided.
“Our austerity policy shall continue during the next financial year. We have introduced major cuts in operating expenses,” he added.
Chief Minister said that the provincial revenue targets have been revised from Rs.243.082 billion to Rs.240.746 billion. As a result, against an estimated budgetary amount of Rs.1.123 trillion, the revised receipts for the Current Financial Year stand at Rs.940.777 billion.
http://fdsindh.gov.pk/site/userfiles/Budget%202019-20/BUDGET%20AT%20A%20GLANCE%202019-20copy.pdf
The Development portfolio for the next financial year is Rs.283.5 billion which includes Rs.228 billion on account of Provincial and District ADP.
Education: The allocation for school education is increased in the non-development budget from Rs.170.832 in the year 2018-19 billion to Rs.178.618 billion in the next financial year 2019-20. Whereas, on the development side, Rs.15.15 billion are allocated in ADP 2019-20.
The allocation for a college education is increased in the non-development budget from Rs.15.777 billion in the year 2018-19 to Rs.18.094 billion in the next financial year 2019-20.
The School Education portfolio has been allocated Rs.15.15 billion for 279 schemes (188 on-going and 91 new schemes). Further, the major initiatives incorporated for next year are:
Health: The Sindh Chief Minister said that Health is a high priority with the Government of Sindh.
“Significant investments have been made over the years in the preventive program; primary health largely through PPHI,” said Murad.
The current revenue expenditure of the Health Department excluding medical education has been significantly increased by 19pc from Rs.96.8 billion in CFY 2018-19 to Rs.114.4 billion in FY 2019-20.
For FY year 2018-19, Rs.13.5 billion was allocated for 170 schemes, and by June 3, 2019, Rs. 4.61 billion were expended against a release of Rs.8.01 billion.
LAW AND ORDER: The allocation for Law & Order Sector is increased in the non-development budget from Rs.100.483 in the year 2018-19 billion to Rs.109.788 billion in the next financial year 2019-20.
SOCIAL PROTECTION AND POVERTY REDUCTION PROGRAM:
The Government of Sindh has allocated Rs.12.3 billion for the Social Protection and Poverty Reduction program in the development budget of 2019-20. Under this, there will be a focus on 3 major interventions (i) Peoples Poverty Reduction Program (PPRP), (ii) Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), and (iii) Social Protection.
WATER SUPPLY& SEWERAGE AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT: In the fiscal year of 2018-19, GoS provided Rs.37.73 billion for 267 water supply & sanitation schemes of Public Health Engineering and Local Government, of which 27 schemes have been completed. Overall releases and expenditures remained low due to the recent fiscal crunch. Rs.15.90 billion was released and Rs.7.87 billion could be spent by June 2019.
http://fdsindh.gov.pk/site/userfiles/Budget%202019-20/VOL-I/VOLUME-Icopy.pdf
ROAD SECTOR: Around 559 schemes included in the ADP 2018-19, including 210 Road Sector schemes under the Local Government Department. Total expenditure incurred by Local Govt. and Works & Services departments was Rs.28.0 billion and 182 schemes are expected to complete in June 2019.
ENERGY: The allocation for Energy Sector increased in the non-development budget from Rs.23.883 in the year 2018-19 billion toRs.24.920 billion in the next financial year 2019-20.
For the coming year, an allocation of Rs.590.0 million has been earmarked for Electrification.
IRRIGATION: The allocation for Irrigation Sector is increased in the non-development budget from Rs.22.744 billion in the year 2018-19 to Rs.23.070 billion in the next financial year 2019-20.
AGRICULTURE
LIVESTOCK & FISHERIES: Under ADP 2018-19,46 schemes including 02 new initiatives were taken-up. The amount released for this component was Rs.652.5 million; against which Rs.310.8 million were spent
CLIMATE CHANGE & FOREST: For FY 2019-20, an allocation of Rs.1 billion has been earmarked. Tree plantation and enhancing green cover will be the major focus in the coming year. Irrigated Plantation will be done over 20,000 acres, reforestation in riverine forest on 80,000 acres, Roadside, and Canalside plantation on 600 km, raising of 40 million nursery plants.
SCHOLARSHIPS STUDENTS SECURING A-1 GRADE: Scholarships to all Students Securing A-1 Grade in Matriculation and Intermediate: This scholarship shall be provided as an incentive to students for their efforts in securing higher grades, regardless of the family income in include motivation in them.
ABOLISHMENT OF REGISTRATION AND EXAMINATION FEE: Abolishment of Registration and Examination fee for all Matric and Intermediate Boards in Sindh: Under this scheme Finance Department, Government of Sindh, fees for all matric and intermediate boards have been abolished to benefit our students. This scheme will continue in the year 2019-20.
RELIEF MEASURES:
Increase in Salary of Govt Employees:
For the next financial year 2019-20, the government proposed an increase of 15% in pay as Adhoc Relief Allowance of all Government employees and pensioners.
The compensation package for martyred and injured personnel of the Police Department has been doubled from Rs.5 Million to Rs.10 Million.
The minimum wage rate has been kept at par with the Federal Government at the rate of Rs.17, 500 per month.
Sindh CM at the end of his speech added: “We have always advocated for a balanced and responsible budget. That is what we believe in and that is what we presented today. We are aware that we have challenges ahead.”
“The theories, the dogmas, and the scripts stand outside the gates of history. The dominant factor is the aspiration of the people and the ability to seek total identification with it.”
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