CM Murad Ali Shah unveils Rs2.24 trillion Sindh budget

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, who also serves as Finance Minister, presented the budget for the fiscal year 2023-24 in the Sindh Assembly on Saturday.

CM Murad Ali Shah told the Sindh Assembly budget session that the province’s entire budget spending is anticipated to be Rs2244 billion.

The chief minister began his statement with a couplet from Sindhi poetry, notwithstanding the absence of an MP from the opposition PTI. The Sindh chief minister mocked the opposition party, saying that some parties had been spread like “houses of sand.”

The chief minister announced a wage increase of 35% for Sindh government employees between grades 1 and 16, and 30% for employees between grades 17 and 22 when he presented the budget.

Development

Shah stated that the government has set aside Rs410 billion for development projects. According to Shah, the government has budgeted Rs380 billion for the annual development programme, with a total development budget of Rs689 billion.

“In addition to regular ADP, the Government of Sindh’s Development portfolio under Public Private Partnership mode stands at Rs. 487 billion, of which Rs. 60 billion has already been executed, Rs. 144 billion is currently under construction, and Rs. 283 billion is in the bidding stage.”

According to Shah, the government has budgeted Rs380 billion for the annual development programme, with a total development budget of Rs689 billion.

Transport sector

The chief minister stated that the government has budgeted Rs13.4 billion for the transport sector in 2023-24, a 92 percent increase from the previous budget.

“Rs6.1 billion has been set aside for the Peoples Bus Service (PBS) project, while Rs10 billion has been set aside for the purchase of 500 hybrid buses in fiscal years 2023-24.”

Law and Order

He stated that the PPP-led Sindh government has opted to prioritise law and order in the budget, proposing Rs160 billion for the purpose. Sindh’s budget for 2023-24 includes Rs 2.79 billion for anti-dacoity efforts and Rs 130 million for forensic laboratories.

Rain and Floods

He claimed that the Sindh government, led by the PPP, had chosen to highlight law and order in the budget, offering Rs160 billion for the purpose. Sindh’s 2023-24 budget contains Rs 2.79 billion for anti-dacoity measures and Rs 130 million for forensic laboratories.

Education

The Education Department has been granted Rs 353 billion. The Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) will appoint over 1500 lecturers.

The budget includes Rs 403.3 million for the development of 23 new institutions in various districts across the province. A grant of Rs25 billion has been set aside for public universities, and Rs 3 billion has been set aside for the construction of flood-damaged institutions.

Health

It is intended to set aside Rs20 billion for the health department’s development budget.

During 2023-24, the sales tax collection would be Rs235 billion, while excise and taxation will be Rs143 billion, according to CM Murad Ali Shah.

Non-tax revenue will be Rs32 billion, with Rs21.9 billion coming from the Public Sector Development Programme, he said.

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