KARACHI – Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday presented Rs3.352 trillion budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 with a record outlay of Rs959 billion for the Annual Development Program (ADP), amid rumpus from the opposition legislators.
As per the budget speech, salaries of employees have been raised by 30% for BPS-1 to BPS-6 employees, by 25% for BPS-7 to BPS-16 and 22% for BPS-17 and above. A 15% increase in pensions has been proposed. The minimum wages have also been increased to Rs37000 in line with the federal and Punjab governments.
The proposed allocations included Rs334 billion for Health, Rs329 billion for local governments, Rs322 billion for Education, Rs260 billion for pension, Rs56 billion for Transport, Rs55 billion for districts ADP, Rs34 billion for universities grants, Rs30.6 for Higher Education, Rs28 billion for solid waste management, Rs25 billion for free solar panels for 2.6 million households, Rs12.72 billion for rehabilitation of Hub Canal, Rs10 billion for potable water supply schemes in cities, Rs8 billion for Benazir Kissan Card scheme, Rs5 billion for Mazdoor Cards, Rs3.66 billion for People’s Bus Service, Rs3 billion for 300 hybrid buses, Rs12 billion for Karachi mega schemes, and instead of new schemes, a new portfolio will be introduced in the provincial development program.
The target for provincial revenue collection has been increased, and there is a proposal to adjust various tax rates.
Austerity policies will also be adopted for the purchase of furniture and other items. To reduce expenses, proposals include promoting video conference meetings to decrease official foreign trips. Sindh has decided to reduce vehicle purchases in the upcoming fiscal year.
