ISLAMABAD
The Gilgit-Baltistan government has presented Rs 54.40 billion provincial budget for the fiscal year 2017-18 which included Rs 28.2 billion for non-development and Rs 18.30 billion for development expenditures. Apparently to show the big budget outlay, the provincial government has also included Rs 3.03 billion worth federal annual development program in the area and Rs 7.84 billion as wheat subsidy given by the center, in the next budget, ballooning it to Rs 54.40 billion as compared to Rs 37 billion of the previous financial year.
The budget session of Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly, was held on Wednesday with its Speaker Haji Fida Nashad, presiding the chair. During the session Senior Minister Haji Muhammad Akbar Taban presented the budget claiming that it was second historic budget of his government in GB.
He informed that the new fiscal budget includes Rs 28.2 billion of non-development expenditures and Rs 18.3 billion of Annual Development Program while allocation for food subsidies is 7.84 billion. Out of the non-development budget Rs 19.30 billion were fixed for disbursement of salaries while Rs 3.21 billion were allocated for handling office work. The other no development expenditures included grants of Rs 4.74 billion, Rs 78.4 million for Governor Secretariat, Rs 85.6 million for chief minister secretariat, Rs 4.40 billion for internal security and prisons, Rs 5.66 billion for education department, Rs 4.6 billion for health Rs 5.12 billion for finance sectors and others.
A sum of over Rs 826 million was allocated for livestock and agriculture sector. For the sectors of information, services, administration and cabinet a sum of Rs 280 million was allocated.
For water and power sector a sum of Rs 1.98 billion was allocated. For law and justice a sum of Rs 168 million was allocated. For excise and taxation a sum of Rs 40.3 million were allocated. For physical planning and housing Rs 204 million was allocated.
However for agriculture, animal husbandry sector a sum of Rs 826 million, for forestry, wildlife and environment sector Rs 363 million, for youth affairs, tourism, and sport and culture Rs 93.6 million. For mineral and industries Rs 48 million was allocated.
The minister informed that out of the Rs 18.30 billion development budget 80 per cent will be spent on ongoing development projects while the rest of 20 per cent has been allocated for new projects. The block allocation of development budget would be spent on the basis of 30 per cent on selected projects across GB while 70 per cent would be distributed among 10 districts of the area on the basis of population.
The minister said Rs 2.71 billion has been allocated for Sustainable Development Goals Program (SDGs) in the area. He claimed that his government has completed at least 160 schemes so far in the present financial year.
He informed that at least 117 projects of small power houses worth 74.3 megawatts were introduced by the government out of which 27 projects would be completed by the end of this fiscal year ending June 30 with inclusion of 14.2 MW in the regional grid.
A 10 per cent increase has been made in salaries of provincial government employees and pensioners as announced by the federal government in the next budget. At least 10 per cent increase has also been proposed in pensions
In the education sector adequate fund has been allocated for construction of new buildings of schools, provision of basic necessary facilities to them including drinking water, walls and provision of furniture while the up gradation of schools was among the program. Under the new health budget, new health centers will be established while already hospitals and basic health centers will receive machinery, medicines and other necessary facilities.
Interestingly the revenue target for present financial was set Rs 1 billion out of which Rs 853.1 million were collected so far.
It was PML(N) government’s third budget in Gilgit-Baltistan.
