- CM Khan says local govt system should get resources on time
PESHAWAR: The provincial cabinet met with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair here on Monday approved the budgetary proposals for the current fiscal year 2018-19 and revised estimates of the previous fiscal year 2017-18.
The cabinet was briefed about the budgetary estimates, the revised estimates, financial bill including the current ADP and the ongoing schemes, the sector-wise distribution of resources, the annual development plan, ongoing schemes and the transfer of 30 percent resources to the district governments.
The cabinet was also informed about austerity measures, mega projects, the welfare and developmental expenditures, the revitalisation of productive sectors, the federal transfers to the province, and the recommendations of the Finance Department for the smooth flow of resources to different sectors.
The cabinet approved the overall budgetary proposals, the Finance Department’s recommendations related to the development and non-developmental expenditures. The cabinet was also briefed about the seven newly-merged districts of the erstwhile tribal areas, the ADP of these districts, the early completion of ongoing schemes.
The FATA ADP has prioritized small dams, technical education for skilled development, industrialisation and mineral development which the cabinet approved. Addressing the cabinet, Chief Minister Khan said that the current budget had two dimensions that included reforms initiatives and realistic developmental strategy for the development and welfare of the people.
He appreciated the finance and other departments of the provincial government for working round the clock for realistic preparations of the budgetary estimates, the reforms and the development strategies in their respective domains. He agreed to the widening of fiscal space of the province and stressed for early transfers of resources from the federal government.
“We have a 100-day plan to have a clear direction for the next five years and tracking down the avenues for resource generation was inevitable for the sustained development of the province,” he said. Agreeing to the cost-cutting and redundant kind of services, the chief minister agreed to the austerity measures that included ban on new vehicles, medical expenditure abroad and non-re-appropriation for the second time in the current year.
However, the projects to be put on fast track needed resources and that should be taken care of, for the benefit of the people. The local government system should get resources on time and the local government should prioritise the completion of the ongoing schemes. He stressed on the expeditious development of different sectors for efficient services in the newly-seven merged districts.
The backward districts among them should be the focus of attention, he said. However, he stressed for the rapid boost of tourism in Malakand, Swat, Dir, Hazara, and other parts of the province. “Our developmental strategy would generate economic activities and creating space for the youth employment leading to the overall development and prosperity of the province,” he added.
