Rs243bn budget presented in Balochistan assembly

QUETTA: The Balochistan budget for 2015/16 with a total outlay of Rs 243 billion was presented in the provincial assembly in Quetta on Wednesday.

Presenting the budget, Adviser to the Chief Minister Balochistan on Finance Mir Khalid Langau said the deficit of the budget was estimated at Rs 26 billion.

He said Rs 189 billion have been allocated for non-development expenditures, while Rs 54 billion have been earmarked for development projects.

Rs 3.8 billion have been allocated for the education sector, over Rs 6 billion for agriculture, and Rs 2.6 billion have been set aside for the law and order situation in the province.

Giving more details of the budget, the advisor said 1741 new posts would be created in the education sector.

He said the provincial government has decided to increase salaries and pension of government employees by 7.5 percent.

The adviser said Rs 14.33 billion will be spent on energy sector, over Rs 1.11 billion have been set aside for generation of commerce and industries in the province.

He went on to say that about 5000 vacancies will be generated in the new budget.

He further said that a new Gwadar International Airport would be constructed with the help of the federal government.

The PhD allowance has been increased from Rs 7000 to Rs 10,000 while M. Phil allowance has been increase from Rs 750 to Rs 5000.

Langau also said that Rs 1.3 billion were distributed among the families of those who were affected by terrorism in the province.

Moreover, compensation amount to the heirs of martyred personnel of forces and other government employees has also been increased from Rs 2 million to Rs 4 million and the maximum to Rs 50 million.