The total budget for Gilgit-Baltistan has not been increased despite passage of ten years and it is hampering the uplift of the valley as respective federal governments, including the incumbent regime, have not bothered to enhance the GB budget. This was disclosed by the officials of GB government at a meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs that met here with Senator Sajid Mir in the chair on Thursday.
The officials said that the development budget of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) was more than Rs 10 billion in 2007 and 2008, but the budget of GB is still Rs 12 billion, which speaks volume of the rulers' apathy towards the development of Gilgit-Baltistan. They said that AJK and GB have no share in the National Finance Commission (NFC), which is again one of the major reasons for the backwardness of the two valleys, as they still lag behind compared to other parts of the country due to lack of financial resources.
They said that out of total Rs 200 million for Muzaffarabad Medical College, only Rs 80 million have so far been released. Similarly, over Rs 8 billion were demanded for Mangla Dam upraising project, but around Rs 3.5 billion have so far been released, which are not enough, they added.
The committee was also briefed that there is no new development scheme in the annual development plan (ADP) of the AJK. The AJK government is also looking after the refugees who seek shelter due to Indian atrocities in Occupied Kashmir, for which again the AJK government needs some money.
To a question by Senator Sirajul Haq about Mangla Dam's royalty, the officials said that only ten paisa per electricity unit is given to the local people. The GB officials also presented a similar picture as far as financial resources for the uplift of the area are concerned. They said that at least Rs 15 billion are needed for improving the communication infrastructure in the GB.
They said that formation of special industrial zone under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project (CPEC) may not become possible unless the lingering issue of electricity is resolved on war footing. Senator Salahuddin Tirmizi complained about the unruly behaviour of deputy commissioner Diamer, saying he was not ready to attend his phone call despite several attempts, as he wanted to discuss with him some important issues regarding development of the area.
He said that he even spoke to the chief minister Gilgit-Baltistan on the issue but even then the DC remained inaccessible. He added as a last resort he may think to bring a privilege motion against the top district 'baboo' as he does not know what he is doing by turning down the phone calls of a senator.
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