With severe financial constraints, experts in the Sindh Finance Department have suggested that the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the fiscal year 2011-12 should not exceed Rs 90 billion, Pakistan Today has learnt. Sources said that the budget makers are currently working on various options to finalise a balanced budget for the fiscal year 2011-12. However, the schemes that are near completion would be provided with full funding, so that the fruits of development could be passed on to the masses.
They said that the Sindh government had reduced the current ADP of Rs 115 billion to Rs 77 billion after the flood caused serious damages to the province. They added that the schemes, which have been completed up to 75 percent, would be given preference by providing full funding, whereas the short-term projects would also be included in the ADP. The short-term projects, which would expectedly be included in the forthcoming ADP, include provision of potable water, laying a wider road network, establishment of a housing society – Satellite Town – in all district headquarters, etc. Besides, the majority of the funds would be utilised for the rehabilitation of the flood-hit areas, the sources said.
Adviser to Chief Minister on Planning and Development Kaiser Bengali told Pakistan Today that the upcoming budget would be different. Special focus would be given to the schemes that have been completed up to 75 percent; however only a few short-term projects would be included, he added. He said that although the financial position of the province is critical, the authorities are ascertaining the nature of the schemes and their benefits before including them in the upcoming ADP. However, priority would be given to the rehabilitation of Indus dykes and the villages damaged by the flood, including the civic infrastructure, he added.
Moreover, priority would also be given to the education, health, agriculture, livestock, transport and irrigation sectors, the adviser said, adding that even though the financial experts had proposed that the ADP 2011-12 must not exceed Rs 90 billion, it is also being considered to set the ADP at Rs 150 billion. The adviser said that the schemes submitted by the administrative departments for the forthcoming ADP have been drastically curtailed in line with the government policy of ensuring maximum allocation of funds for ongoing schemes and lesser funds for new schemes. A meeting would be held with Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah in chair tomorrow (Sunday) to finalise the ADP 2011-12, he added.
