The Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah, on Tuesday, unveiled Rs1.4 trillion budget for the Financial Year (FY) 2021-22 in the Sindh Assembly.  

Beginning the budget speech, CM Murad said that witnessing the trends of 41.3 percent increase since last year, the budget allocation for provincial development has been finalised to Rs329.032 billion.

He said, “The development expenditure includes Rs.222.5 billion for Provincial ADP and Rs.30.0 billion for Districts ADP, foreign project assistance of Rs.71.16 billion and Rs.5.4 billion from Federal PSDP Grant for schemes being executed by Government of Sindh.”

The total outlay of the budget for the province is estimated at Rs1.477 trillion, witnessing an increase of 19.1 percent from the previous year. The total receipts of the province for financial year 2021-22 are estimated at Rs.1.452 trillion as against a budget estimate of Rs.1.22 trillion for CFY, showing an overall increase of 19 percent.

In the financial year 2021-22, 1033 schemes have been identified for completion in the first and second quarter and maximum resources will be provided for their timely completion.

In addition to this, he announced a 25 percent increase in salaries of the government employees besides increasing the minimum wage from Rs17,000 to Rs25,000. “Other than the police constables, an allowance has been introduced for the government employees,” he said.

Referring to the allocation of the budget for the education department, it was  raised by 14.2 percent for the next year, earmarking Rs277.56.  

“Rs26 billion has been earmarked for development in the education sector,” he said.

Murad Ali Shah said that Rs172.08 billion have been allocated for the provincial health sector, including Rs24.73 for tackling infectious diseases, Rs 8.2 billion for PPHI, Rs2 billion for expansion of Indus Hospital, and Rs7.12 billion in terms of a grant for SIUT.

He said, “Rs18.50 billion have been earmarked for development projects in the health sector.” 

Rs119.97 billion was earmarked for maintaining the law and order situation in the province, he said besides also announcing an Rs7.64 billion for the transport department that also included the purchase of 250 diesel hybrid electric buses.

The transport and mass transit department also has an allocation of Rs8.2 billion in the provincial ADP.

Moreover, the Sindh government has specified a budget of Rs10.48 for the local bodies department besides also earmarking Rs82 billion for local councils and Rs 25.5 billion for the uplift projects in the local bodies department.

The CM Sindh announced the allocation of Rs1.70 billion for the IT sector, Rs3 billion for industrial development through small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Rs2 billion for low-cost housing units, and Rs 16 billion for social welfare projects for the citizens.

The Sindh cabinet, earlier today, approved the provincial budget for the fiscal year 2021-22 with an overall outlay of Rs1.47 trillion.

The CM has presided over a special meeting for the provincial cabinet in order to further discuss and get the budget 2021-22.

It is pertinent to mention here that the final proceedings will be unveiled in the session of Sindh Assembly later today.