Sindh government would allocate only 6 per cent funds to district governments from its development expenditure a total of Rs 793 billion was allocated as development budget for fiscal year 2015-16 a moot was told.
A seminar titled “Civil Societies Forum for Recommendations on Sindh Budget 2015-16” was organized by National Organization for working communities at a local hotel on Friday evening.
The moot was aimed at spreading awareness among civil society about the important topic of budget and sought recommendations in the light of the previous budget.
The programme was attended by Pakistan Folk Forum’s Zahid Hussain, Aurat Foundations’ representative Mehnaz Rehman, Now Communities Executive Director Farhat Parveen, Ghaffar Malik, Balochistan National Party’s representative Ramzan Memon as well as a large number of people from different walks of life. Renowned economist Fazal Noor was invited to deliver presentation on the Sindh Buget 2015-16.
Fazal Noor defined the budget as a formula of Receipt and expenditure which will be approved by assembly in the month of June and published in July while recommendations will be sought in the month of May for the new schemes. The Sindh government will generate 68 per cent funds from federal government, 17 per cent from provincial taxes, and remaining from other sources for the budget 2015-16.
He said that it is the duty of the government to ensure social and economic well being of the people according to Article 38 of the constitution of Pakistan. He said that this time the Sindh government had kept education as its top priority which was appreciable.
He said that the Sindh government had failed to complete its projects approved in its last budget 2014-15 with estimated worth of Rs 106, 184.02 million for 1,762 ongoing schemes. He said that 590 new schemes with an estimated worth of 35,815.98 millions, would be included in the upcoming budget 2015-16. Government of Sindh has decided to continue with its policy of allocation of 80% of development funds to the ongoing schemes and only 20% for important new schemes and special initiatives.
In the end, the participants recommended that the Sindh government should invest in the agriculture sector which could directly employ 50 per cent of the population of Sindh, urban transportation should be improved for larger benefit of business community and public while more funds should also be allocated for security. The participants urged the government to ensure monitoring system on completed projects.
