PESHAWAR:
The caretaker authorities of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (Ok-P) introduced an austerity funds of Rs462 billion for the subsequent 123 days, with a view to sustaining the present stage of taxes till the brand new elected authorities took over within the province.
The funds for July 1-October 31, 2023 interval, was unveiled at a joint press convention by Himayatullah Khan, adviser to the chief minister on finance, and Data Minister Firoz Kakakhil and Planning Minister Hamid Shah in Peshawar.
The funds was permitted by the provincial cupboard in a particular assembly, Himayatullah Khan instructed the press convention. He added the provincial expenditure for the primary 4 months of the subsequent fiscal yr had been estimated at Rs462.426 billion.
“Authorities expenditure has been minimize by one other 25%,” the adviser stated. “No new tax has been imposed within the funds, whereas the tax levied through the present monetary yr will stay in pressure on the similar charge,” he added.
Out of the whole funds outlay, the adviser stated, Rs350.041 billion had been allotted for the present expenditure, together with Rs40.543 billion for the merged districts of former Federally-Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and Rs309.498 billion for the remainder.
On the income aspect, the federal government anticipated to obtain Rs871 billion from the Centre within the subsequent fiscal yr, which embrace Rs84 billion by way of hydel revenue and arrears; Rs90 billion for the conflict towards terrorism, and Rs85 billion in its share in taxes and others.
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In addition to, the provincial authorities additionally anticipated to obtain Rs93 billion from overseas assets for the aim of growth works through the subsequent monetary yr, the finance adviser instructed the reporters.
When it comes to the annual growth Plan (ADP), Rs112.385 billion had been allotted, together with Rs20.263 billion for the merged districts and R43.333 billion for different districts, the provincial finance adviser instructed reporters.
In step with the federal funds, the province additionally introduced 35% advert hoc aid within the salaries of provincial staff from grade 1 to 16 and 30% advert hoc aid for from grade 17 to 22 officers. A rise of 17.5% within the pension was additionally permitted.
Pays and pensions enhance amounted to Rs5 billion. “We’ve got elevated the salaries and pensions of the federal government staff regardless of an absence of assets and different monetary difficulties,” Khan stated.
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Alongside the pay elevate, the funds additionally elevated the touring allowance and deputation allowance by 50%; doubled the particular conveyance allowance for disabled staff and the secretariat efficiency allowance.
The principle spotlight of the funds is the strict austerity measures. The adviser stated that every one posts mendacity vacant for the previous three years can be abolished; and there can be a complete ban on new growth tasks.
Himayatullah Khan stated that the matter of blocking the implementation of the promotion given to 130,000 lecturers by the earlier Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) authorities within the province had been referred to the related committee.
In addition to, the federal government additionally banned the acquisition of bodily property, new automobiles and renovation of presidency places of work and residences; participation in seminars overseas on authorities bills; and medical therapy overseas on the federal government bills.
The funds additionally sought to streamline the mandatory funds and launch of funds through the subsequent 4 months. Khan stated that solely 10% of the allotted funds can be launched for ongoing growth schemes.
“We’ve got managed the funds of the present monetary yr below very tough circumstances,” Khan stated. “We didn’t take any mortgage or overdraft from the State Financial institution [of Pakistan] from March to June,” he added.
“We’ve got requested 100 MMFC of extra gasoline from the Centre in order that we will provide gasoline to our industries,” he stated, including that imposition of federal excise obligation (FED) on the petroleum reserves discovered within the province had additionally been demanded of the Centre.