Karachi: The Sindh government recently unveiled its Budget 2020-21 worth PKR 1.241 trillion — with the plan featuring no new tax impositions for the coming fiscal year, a news source reported. Specifically, the budget is characterised by a roll-over of the government’s development outlay allocations, as well as a diversion of funds towards the province’s health sector to counteract the ongoing pandemic situation.
The budget was tabled by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, who is also the provincial finance minister. Some of the salient features of the budget are as follows:
No new taxes have been imposed
Budget deficit stands at PKR 18.38 billion
Increase in non-development expenditure restricted to 7%
10% salary increase for government employees between grade 1 to 16, and a 5% raise for officials between grade 17 to 22
A total of 1,414 employees to be hired in various government departments
Non-development expenditure estimated to be PKR 968.99 billion
Annual Development Plan (ADP) budget set at PKR 170 billion — with the funds divided between PKR 155 billion for provincial ADP and PKR 15 billion for district ADP
Total revenue has been estimated at PKR 1.222 trillion, including PKR 760.3 in federal receipts
Introduction of social and economic packages worth PKR 34.2 billion to offset the impact of the coronavirus pandemic
PKR 3 billion has been earmarked for a Poverty Alleviation Programme aimed at small businesses in urban areas
PKR 2 billion allocated for a Poverty Alleviation Program aimed at small farmers/communities in rural areas
PKR 20 billion allocated for cash transfers under the ‘Sindh Peoples Support Programme’.
PKR 3 billion allocated for agricultural subsidies
PKR 5 billion allocated for soft loans for Small and Medium Enterprises
PKR 1.3 billion allocated for the IT sector
PKR 139.18 allocated to the health department, raising its budget by 16.1%
The introduction of a Health Risk Allowance at the rate of one basic pay for all health personnel
