Rs 147.68 billion budget presented in Sindh Assembly amid protests: deficit estimated at Rs 8.99 billion.

(From Business Recorder)

Byline: WIRASAT HUSSNAIN

Sindh Finance Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed on Friday presented before the provincial assembly Rs 147.68 billion provincial budget for 2005-06 amid protests from opposition on law and order situation and a pandemonium of the worst kind. The budget includes Rs 28.75 billion on account of development expenditure. Deficit on both accounts, revenue and capital, has been estimated at Rs 8.99 billion. After his budget speech, the finance minister presented the Finance Bill, discussion on which would begin from Monday and may last for ten days.

Speaker Muzaffar Hussain Shah was in the chair. He immediately after the presentation of Finance Bill adjourned the session to meet again on Monday at 9:30 am.

Sardar said that the province has great hopes that the Sixth National Finance Commission would provide the needed resources. "Unfortunately, the diversity of views on distribution criteria has proved a stumbling block in arriving at a decision." Sindh continues to adhere to its principled stand and advocates …