The Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Qamar Zaman Kaira, has presented Rs 6.775 billion AJK Council budget for 2009-10 with development and non-development expenditures amounting to Rs 2 billion and Rs 872 million, respectively. The Minister also presented revised estimates of Rs 5.127 billion for the year 2008-09 before adjourning the session of the Kashmir Council till December 19.
The session was presided over by AJK President Zulquarnain at Kashmir House here on Tuesday. The budget of the Council would be approved by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in a meeting of the AJK Council to be held in the Prime Minister House and to be jointly chaired by PM Gilani and Chairman of AJK Council soon.
The Minister said that pay and allowances and pension of the AJK Council Secretariat have been increased whereas scholarship programme has been launched for Jammu and Kashmir students. Moreover, presenting current year's budget, the minister proposed revenue receipts target of Rs 6.75 billion for this financial year. This target includes Rs 3.850 billion Income Tax collection out of which 80 percent will be transferred to AJK government.
The development expenditure has been estimated at Rs 2000 million, non-development expenditure at Rs 807.273 million and 80 percent net share of Income Tax to be returned to AJK government ie Rs 2948.282 million. Besides, out of the revenue receipts, payment of Rs 800 million as difference of their 80 percent net collection of Income Tax for the year 2008-09 and Rs 200 million as refund of deductions made against the loan of Rs 1.4 billion will also be made.
Total expenditure has, therefore, been estimated at Rs 6755.555 million for the year 2009-10. The AJK government fixed the targets of central excise duty, education cess, sales tax and other provincial taxes and duties and the proceeds from these taxes/duties would be deposited directly into the account of AJK government without deduction of any service charges.
The Council would bear the operating expenses of the department from its own budget. It is a matter of pleasure that an amount of Rs 2104.608 million has been realised against the target of Rs 1591.00 million through the dedicated efforts of our tax collectors.
Kaira said the financial incentives and relief given to the employees of the government of Pakistan are invariably allowed to the employees of the AJK Council. The government of Pakistan has revised the Pay and Allowances of its employees w.e.f. July 1, 2008. Hence, the AJK Council has adopted the same for its employees from July 1, 2008.
He said the AJK Council Secretariat has launched a merit-based scholarships/stipends programme for the J&K State students. In all 230 students in 14 disciplines would be awarded scholarships/stipends of Rs 10,000 per student from this programme on annual basis. The 207 J&K State students studying in various educational institutions of Pakistan/AJK have, therefore, been granted scholarships/stipends amounting to Rs 2.07 million for the academic session 2008-09.
He said the Council would shortly launch another project called 'Acquisition of Land for the Construction of Colony for 2000 Kashmiri Refugee Families in District Narowal Punjab' on the directives of the Prime Minister of Pakistan. A token allocation of Rs 10 million has, thus, been made for the purpose. He also proposed to repeat the development outlay of Rs 2000 million for the Financial Year 2009-10 due to financial crunch.
The Development Programme for AJK Council members has, however, been increased from Rs 205 million to Rs 310 million. This amount includes Rs 28 million for the Prime Minister of AJK for the first time. An amount of Rs 56 million has also been allocated for the schemes to be identified by the Advisors to the Chairman of AJK Council. President and Prime Minister of AJK, and members of the AJK Council also attended the session.