KARACHI – Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah presented the provincial budget for the next financial year 2023-24 with total outlay of Rs2,420 billion.
The budget was tabled in a calm environment as lawmakers of the major opposition party, PTI, did not attend the session.
The chief minister announced an increase of 35% in salaries for the Sindh government employees between grades 1 and 16 and 30% for the employees between grades 17 and 22.
Salaries and Pensions
The chief minister said 35% increase has been proposed in salaries of employees of Grade 1 to 16 while 35% surge has been proposed for officers of Grade 17 and above.
He said 17.5% increase has been proposed in pensions of retired government employees.
Annual Development Programme
The chief minister said the government has set aside funds for 1937 new projects. He said the government has allocated Rs380 billion for the annual development program while the total development budget is estimated at Rs689 billion.
A note in the budget documents explained that “in addition to regular ADP, Government of Sindh’s Development portfolio under Public Private Partnership mode stands at Rs. 487 billion whereby Projects of Rs. 60 billion have already been executed, Projects of Rs. 144 billion are presently at different stages of construction and Projects amounting to Rs. 283 billion are at the bidding stage.”
Education
Rs 353 billion has been set aside for the Education Department, he said, adding that development budget is Rs 45.33 billion and Rs 308 billion for the non-development budget of education. About, 1500 lecturers will be appointed through the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC), he announced.
The chief minister said about 23 new colleges will be established across the province, adding that Rs 403.3 million has been allocated in the budget for this purpose.
Law and order
The Sindh government has decided to pay special attention to law and order in the budget and proposed allocation of Rs160 billion for the purpose. Rs 2.79 billion have been allocated for fighting dacoits and Rs 130 million for establishing forensic laboratory, he said.
Rain and floods
In the budge, he said Rs12 billion has been proposed for mega projects in Karachi, Rs90 billion for the works services department, and Rs160 billion for rain and flood victims.
More to follow…
Pakistani rupee inches up against US dollar in the open market on 28 March, 2024.
In the open market, the US dollar was being quoted at 278.4 for buying and 281.4 for selling.
Euro moves down to 299.75 for buying and 302.75 for selling while British Pound hovers around 353.75 for buying, and 357.25 for selling.
UAE Dirham AED remains stable at 75.55 whereas the Saudi Riyal saw minor increase, with new rates at 73.70.
Currency | Symbol | Buying | Selling |
---|---|---|---|
US Dollar | USD | 278.4 | 281.4 |
Euro | EUR | 299.75 | 302.75 |
UK Pound Sterling | GBP | 353.75 | 357.25 |
U.A.E Dirham | AED | 75.55 | 76.3 |
Saudi Riyal | SAR | 73.7 | 74.4 |
Australian Dollar | AUD | 182.9 | 184.7 |
Bahrain Dinar | BHD | 739.61 | 747.61 |
Canadian Dollar | CAD | 204.25 | 206.45 |
China Yuan | CNY | 38.74 | 39.14 |
Danish Krone | DKK | 40.30 | 40.70 |
Hong Kong Dollar | HKD | 35.55 | 35.9 |
Indian Rupee | INR | 3.33 | 3.44 |
Japanese Yen | JPY | 1.86 | 1.94 |
Kuwaiti Dinar | KWD | 901.14 | 910.14 |
Malaysian Ringgit | MYR | 59.25 | 59.85 |
New Zealand Dollar | NZD | 168.56 | 170.56 |
Norwegians Krone | NOK | 26.19 | 26.49 |
Omani Riyal | OMR | 724.36 | 732.36 |
Qatari Riyal | QAR | 76.57 | 77.27 |
Singapore Dollar | SGD | 206.25 | 208.25 |
Swedish Korona | SEK | 26.89 | 27.19 |
Swiss Franc | CHF | 313.78 | 316.28 |
Thai Bhat | THB | 7.76 | 7.91 |
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