People-friendly, tax-free and development-oriented Azad Jammu and Kashmir budget for financial year 2009-10, with a total outlay of Rs 35.406 billion, was presented before the AJK Legislative Assembly here on Saturday. Presenting the budget, Finance Minister Latif Akbar said that Rs 10.750 billion has been allocated for developmental projects.
He said that the main focus of the budget was on rehabilitation of people affected by the earthquake, road-communication and hydel power projects, besides overall socio-economic development programmes. He said that total income from home resources is estimated at more than Rs 19.870 billion, and Rs 20.380 billion would be derived from Mangla Dam royalty, Azad Kashmir Council revenue, and Federal taxes.
The Finance Minister said that total budget showed over Rs 4.770 billion deficit, which would be met by financial assistance from Pakistan government. He said that the budget provides solid foundation for the socio-economic uplift of the area with provision of infrastructure services and accelerating the pace of developmental activities, particularly in the quake-hit areas and other parts of the region.
He said that Pakistan government has provided Rs 10.750 billion for annual developmental program to the Azad Kashmir government, which is also 13 percent more than provided in the current financial year. The Finance Minister said that the highest amount, of Rs 16 billion, would be spent on reconstruction and rehabilitation program in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Similarly, Rs 6.390 billion has been allocated for completion of 11 mega projects under the ADP, over Rs 3.520 billion has been allocated for road communication sector, Rs 7.870 billion for hydro power generation, and Rs 1.720 billion for local government and rural development programs.
The AJK Finance Minister said the new budget envisages completion of various development projects in health, education, agriculture, irrigation and drinking water facilities besides a comprehensive environment protection program. Rs 100 million will be spent on extension of Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences in Muzaffarabad and construction of 150-bed District Hospital in Plundri.
He said that Rs 350 million has been allocated for the Forest Sector, Rs 620 million for Physical Planning and Housing schemes, and Rs 360 million for the Public Health Engineering sector. Over Rs 720 million will be spent on completion and extension of various schools and colleges projects. He said another Rs 350 million has been earmarked for promotion of information technology and technical education in AJK.
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