Sindh Assembly on Sunday passed the Rs 851.9 billion fiscal budget for next nine months of current financial year in which allocations for development schemes have been cut due to payment of much less than provincial share by the federal government, according to the Chief Minister.
"Sindh government has received some rupees 50 billion less from the Centre," Shah told the house, winding up the budget debate on its seventh day. He argued that low federal releases always hampered prospects for uplift schemes in the province. Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah further said he had pointed out three months ago that the federal government did not release the funds to Sindh that may result in cuts to the uplift projects.
He said that FBR holds up provincial funds to show its high collections. He accused the FBR of 'stealing' provinces money, saying FBR does not pay its taxes. He asked the federal government to correct the FBR. He said about 956 continuing scheme would be completed this fiscal year. He said Rs 1.4 billion were earmarked in this budget for education development.
"Education minister is new [in office], who has asked everyone to help contribute in the education development," he said, urging that everyone would have to work for the development of education sector. The Chief Minister said Sindh government has also worked on developing the healthcare sector.
He said that so far, 80,000 doctors have been appointed and more to be hired in future. He said NICVD was established in Sukkur. He said his government set up cyberknife at Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre that carried out 18 surgical operations. It is the Asia's largest facility to provide services free of cost.
Murad Shah noted that Rs 11.5 billion shortfall hit the construction of emergency complex at the NICVD which his government would provide to complete the development of the facility at earliest.
"Sindh government has completed construction of seven chest centres while 10 more will be established soon," he said, adding that power generation from Thar coal plants would begin by end of current year. He said those projects were chalked out that would help the entire country. Sindh CM said completion of K-IV water project is imperative for the city's needs.
"There are issues of kidnapping. Some 146 cases have been lodged. Police are investigating," he said. Later, opposition members withdrew their all remaining moves to register protest against continued rejections of their cut motions by the treasury. Leader of the Opposition Firdous Shamim Naqvi told the speaker they would have to take back all motions if they are for rejection without any cogent reason.
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