Sindh CM presents budget recommendations for current fiscal year

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Monday presented recommendations for budget of current fiscal year following the provincial cabinet's approval.

"The caretaker government had presented budget for three months," the chief minister said while speaking on the floor of the Sindh Assembly.

"We have curtailed the provincial development budget," he said. "An earlier allocation of Rs50 billion for new schemes has been cut down to Rs26 billion."  

The Sindh CM added, "The development budget has been reduced due to financial issues."

"Taxes of more than Rs598 billion have been accumulated," he added.

Earlier, Shah while presiding over the cabinet meeting said provincial government had presented a budget of Rs1,144 billion for financial year 2018-2019 before the previous government's term ended.

Approval of budget proposals for first quarter of the current financial year from July 2018 to September 2018 was accorded, Shah said. 

"A budget for the remaining nine months of current financial year will now be approved by the House," he added.

The Sindh chief minister further said that 31 trauma centres out of a total 49 will be completed during current financial year in the province. He said some new projects will be included in the developmental programme.    

3-member committee constituted to probe use of luxury vehicles

Earlier today, the Sindh chief minister constituted a three-member committee to probe the use of provincial government's luxury vehicles.

The committee comprises three provincial ministers, including minister for excise and taxation.

Addressing the cabinet meeting, Shah said, "Only three luxury vehicles are under my use and reports stating otherwise are surprising."