Rs2.244tr Sindh budget unveiled

KARACHI:  The Sindh government on Saturday unveiled a Rs2.244 trillion budget for the next fiscal year 2023-24 with a main focus on the rehabilitation of flood-hit areas and people.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, who also holds the portfolio of provincial finance minister while presenting his 12th budget in the assembly said that the natural calamities had further burdened the provincial government with an extra Rs100 billion, however, Rs87 billions had been allocated for the rehabilitation of the flood areas and people.

According to the budget documents, revised estimates for development expenditure stand at Rs406.322 billion. It includes Rs226.00 billion for provincial ADP and Rs20.0 billion for district ADP, Rs147.822 billion for Foreign Projects Assistance (FPA) and Rs12.5 billion for federal PSDP schemes.

The provincial ADP 2022-23 comprises 4,158 schemes, including Rs253.146 billion for 2,506 ongoing schemes and Rs79.019 billion for 1,652 new schemes.  Budget estimates for development expenditure have been estimated at Rs689.603 billion. It includes Rs380.5 billion for provincial ADP and Rs30.0 billion for district ADP, Rs266.691 billion for Foreign Projects Assistance and Rs22.912 billion for federal PSDP schemes under the Sindh government.

The provincial development portfolio comprises 5,248 schemes containing 3,311 ongoing schemes with a provision of Rs291.727 billion and 1,937 new schemes with a provision of Rs88.273 billion. An amount of Rs312.245 billion has been earmarked for the education sector in the budget, which is a 7% increase over last year’s budget.

Budget allocations will be utilized on following activities.

In the budget, Rs.214.547 billion have been proposed for the health sector and Rs196.454 billion for non-development expenditures.  In the budget, Rs6.9 billion have been proposed for mass transit with a 92% increase of the amount this year.

In the budget, Rs10.987 have been proposed for the livestock and fisheries department.

A provision of Rs2.78 billion has been earmarked for the Forest and Wildlife Department.

A provision of Rs22.02 billion have been earmarked for the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department. A provision of Rs94.091 million have been allocated for the newly established High Court Circuit Court at Mirpurkhas.

An amount of Rs25.703 billion have been earmarked for the rehabilitation of the irrigation system damaged by last year’s devastating floods.

It includes Rs.900 million for silt clearance, Rs 5.0 billion for overall repair and maintenance of the system and Rs.750 million for the Salinity Control and Reclamation Program (SCARP).

Salient features

•         Rs 1.83 billion allocated for Sports and Youth affairs.
•         Rs 7.500 billion has been kept for tourism promotion.
•         Rs 144.95 billion allocated for procurement of wheat and allied activities at a minimum support price of Rs 10,000/ 100 kg to farmers.
•         Government will bear the burden of interest payment of Rs 29.925 billion in 2023-24.
•         Budget Estimates for Excise and Taxation from Vehicle Registration and Taxation have been proposed at Rs7.108 billion.
•         Budget estimates for land revenue management have been pitched at Rs5.8 billion.
•         Budget estimates for the information technology sector stand at Rs1.24 billion against current year’s allocation of Rs 361 million.
•         Rs500 million has been allocated for the development and promotion of SMEs & Cottage Industries in both rural and urban are under Pro-Poor grants portfolio.
•         Budget estimates of Rs 23.47 billion fixed for improvement of roads network and government buildings for Works and Services.
•         Rs9.47 billion have been allocated for Information, Advertisement & Publicity Budget.
•         A provision of Rs62.13 million has been kept for Broadcast & Social Media Monitoring services through NTC Platform.
•         Rs195.269 billion have been allocated to address the genuine grievance of pensioners
•         A provision of Rs96.0 billion has been kept for repayment of principal amount of loan and interest charged on it.
•         The Budget Estimates for Grants to Local Bodies have been proposed to be Rs.88.00 billion.