QUETTA: The Balochistan government on Thursday unveiled the budget for next fiscal year 2017-18 with a total outlay of Rs325.238 billion.
Adviser to the Chief Minister on Financial Affairs, Sardar Aslam Bezanjo presenting the budget said that Rs86.011 bn have been allocated for developmental expenditure while Rs239.227 bn have been allocated for non-development expenditure.
The adviser said that Rs276.371 bn rupees would be collected from total revenue and capital receipts during fiscal year 2017-18.
He further maintained that education sector has been given top priority in the budget and Rs50.4123 bn have been allocated for this sector. He went on saying that Rs21.640 billion rupees also been kept for promotion of health sector.
The adviser said improvement of law and order has been given great importance and over 31 billion rupees have been allocated for the purpose.
He said Rs8 bn will be spent on agriculture sector, while the energy sector has also been given a considerable significance and over Rs2 bn have been kept to convert water supply schemes into solar energy system.
The advisor said nearly 8000 new vacancies will be created for the unemployed educated youth in the province. He said a special Balochistan Education Enabler Programme will be launched and Rs200 million rupees have been allocated for the purpose.
He also announced 10 percent increase in the salaries and pension of the employees of all provincial departments on the pattern of federal government.
It is worth mentioning here that the provincial government had to reschedule the unveiling of annual budget three times in a year. The budget was due to be presented on June 9 but was postponed reportedly due to disagreement over distribution of development funds between partners in the provincial government.
