Daily Times

KARACHI: Sindh government has increased its budget by Rs 5 billion for development projects in the province in the next fiscal year budget for 2017-18.

The fresh proposed allocation now stands at Rs 71 billion including Rs 5 billion for development schemes to be undertaken by Local Councils of Sindh.

The Sindh government has also allocated Rs 5.5 billion for Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB), which is in addition to the Rs 71 billion earmarked for Local Councils.

The total outlay of the Sindh budget 2017-18 stands at Rs 1043.18 billion, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah announced the budget as he also had the finance minister’s portfolio.

For next financial year, Rs 28.78 billion is allocated for 411 development schemes for the Local Government Department. For Greater Karachi Water Supply Project (K-IV) and Greater Karachi Sewerage Project (S-III) federal government has committed Rs 9.95 billion for the project and the government of Sindh will provide Rs 6.4 billion for the timely completion of the project.

Similarly, for S-III an amount of Rs PKR 1.5 billion has been earmarked.

The Development Portfolio of the Local Government Department for the current financial year was Rs 20.73 billion for 422 development schemes. Out of the total allocation, Rs 16.271 billion was the allocation against 409 (230 on-going plus 179 new) schemes of Local Government wing.

Rs 2.0 billion for the new scheme for improvement of cities and towns and Rs 2.460 billion for 12 schemes of Solid Waste Management have been earmarked.

The distribution mechanism amongst local councils of Sindh is to be determined by the Provincial Finance Commission which has started its deliberation on a resource sharing formula. Another important proposal that is being considered is the devolution of collection of Urban Immovable Property Tax. Devolution of collection of taxes at the appropriate levels increases efficiency and transparency.

Two districts of Karachi have been contracted out for collection and disposal of Solid Waste at a cost of Rs 1.25 billion.

The Federal government will provide Rs 14.72 billion against its previous amount of Rs 12.92 billion on the head of Octrio Zila Tax to Sindh government for further distribution of funds to local councils.

In the next financial year, a World Bank funded Karachi Neighborhood Improvement Project will be rolled out.

Through this Rs 10.5 billion project, infrastructure will developed in the old city area of District South, parts of District Malir and District Korangi.

Hyderabad Division consists of Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Thatta, Sujawal, Matiari, Badin, Dadu and Jamshoro. Rs 37.13 billion has been allocated for the development of Hyderabad Division.

The four districts of Mirpukhas Division i.e. Mirpukhas, Tharparkar and Umerkot will be provided Rs 18.72 billion through an annual development programme (ADP).

For the next financial year ADP for Division is pitched at Rs 15.59 billion

Shaheed Benazirabad Division consists of Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar and NausheroFeroze.

Larkana Division consists of districts Larkana, Kamber-Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, Shikarpur and Kashmore. Around Rs 18.15 billion has been allocated for development work in Larkana Division.

Sukkur Division comprises of three districts Sukkur, Ghotki and Khairpur. For the next financial year, Rs 14.52 billion has been earmarked for development schemes in Sukkur Division.

During the current financial year, major development schemes in Karachi will be completed. There will be widening of bridges at Shafiq Moor, Shah Waliullah Road at a cost Rs 140 million, construction of an underpass at Golimar Intersection Nazimabad 1 at Rs 450 million, rehabilitation/construction of major roads of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation at a cost of Rs 197 million.

There will also be construction of University Road from Hasan Square to NIPA at a cost of Rs 770 million, rehabilitation and reconstruction of Tariq Road from Shaheed-e-Millat at Shahrahe-Quaideen at Rs 550 million, reconstruction/rehabilitation of road from Surjani to Madinatul Hikmat at a cost of Rs 750 million, construction of Hub River Road from Sher Shah Bridge to Murshid Hospital at a cost of Rs 500 million, remodeling of Baloch Colony Flyover and construction of road at a cost of Rs 120 million and construction of Manzil Pump Flyover at a cost of Rs 600 million.

During the next financial year, construction of University Road from NED University to Safoora Chowk at a cost of Rs 770 million. reconstruction/rehabilitation of Mosamiyat Road from Madras Chowk to Super Highway at a cost Rs 200 million, widening of Shahrah-e-Faisal on both sides from Metropole to Star Gate at a cost of Rs 850 million and construction of underpass at Submarine Chowrangi at a cost of Rs 500 million.

Rs 1.2 billion is allocated for construction of 24 feet wide road at either sides of Gujjar Nala, construction of new 1000 MDG pump house at Dhabeji at a cost of Rs 1.6 billion and supply of 65 MDG additional water from Haleji Lake to Karachi at Rs 1.4 billion.

Budget proposals have also been put in place for establishment of 5 Combined Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) for industrial areas of Karachi. Rs 500 million for establishment of new landfill site for Karachi at Dhabeji. Rs 1.5 billion for construction of Bridge at Tipu Sultan and Khalid Bin Waleed intersection at Shaheed-e-Millat Road and construction and remodeling of 12000 Road Landhi, Korangi at a cost of Rs 1.5 billion has been proposed.