With emphasis on agriculture, livestock, water and drainage, education and health sectors, the Sindh government is likely to fix at least Rs 126.5 billion for the annual development outlay of the forthcoming fiscal year, Pakistan Today has reliably learnt. Under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2011-12, special attention has been given to the Special Initiatives Unit with an increase in funds of at least 532 percent, and the priority programmes that have been given an increase of at least 90 percent, reliable sources told Pakistan Today.
The ADP 2011-12 was finalised recently at a meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah that gave the go-ahead to the development outlay. However, the final ADP might possibly be revised, as coalition partner, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, is insisting on allocation of more funds for Karachi and Hyderabad districts.
According to the proposed ADP 2011-12 – a copy of which is exclusively available with Pakistan Today – the Special Initiatives Unit is likely to get Rs 20.650 billion, a hefty increase of 532.47 percent from the last year’s allocation.
Similarly, the allocation for projects under priority programmes has been increased by 90.15 percent to Rs 7.720 billion. Substantial increase in funds is also expected in sectors of education (Rs 7.733 billion – 69.23 percent); health (Rs 6.930 million – 69.23 percent); livestock (Rs 1.679 billion -57.08 percent); agriculture (Rs 3.251 billion – 53.85 percent); allocation for directives (Rs 3 billion – 50 percent); water and drainage (Rs 3.660 billion – 40.76 percent); statistical and economic research (Rs 1.971 billion – 31.67 percent); and transport and communications getting Rs 11 billion with an increase of 30.18 percent.
Meanwhile, the food sector is likely to receive Rs 208 million – and increase of 10.29 percent; fisheries Rs 915.103 million (10 percent); forest, wildlife and CDA Rs 697 million (14.15 percent); industries Rs 1 billion (18.68 percent); mines and minerals Rs 358 million (10.01 percent); coal and energy Rs 3.710 billion (11.55 percent); physical planning and housing Rs 4.175 billion (11 percent); sports and youth affairs Rs 402 million (9.96 percent); culture Rs 400 million (10.59 percent); tourism Rs 191 million (10 percent); information and archives Rs 100 million (10.91 percent); Auqaf Rs 240 million (10.69 percent); minorities Rs 110 million (10 percent); social welfare Rs 155 million (10.91 percent); women development Rs 297 million (9.97 percent); environment Rs 195 million (9.15 percent); special packages Rs 9.760 billion (15.36 percent); rural development Rs 312 million (9.69 percent); antiquities Rs 427 million (10.05 percent); human rights Rs 100 million (11.11 percent); matching allocation Rs 2.119 billion (10 percent); cooperation Rs 30 million; devolved projects Rs 3.867 billion and Rs 5 billion for block allocation.
However, some sectors are also likely to get a cut in their funds, with the investment block only receiving Rs 141.915 million – a decrease of 54.51 percent in funds as compared to the previous fiscal year. Similarly, manpower and employment get Rs 114 million (minus 11.42 percent); and special projects Rs 15.985 billion (minus 14.28 percent). Moreover, over Rs 9 billion are likely to be received from international donors and agencies, including Japan, World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The funds include Rs 2 billion as additional financing for On-Farm Water Management Project; Rs 2 billion for Japan-assisted Rural Road Construction Project Phase-II; Rs 850 million from the ADB under the Coastal Community Development Project and Rs 1.9 billion under the Cities Improvement Programme; and Rs 3 billion for the Water Sector Improvement Project, the sources said.
