Sindh presented budget for the year 1014-15 in Sindh Assembly today. Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah presented the budget. During budget speech, Chief Minister Sindh said that Sindh Government has created 40000 news jobs in current budget, while Rs. 20 billion have been allocated for energy sector. He told that 65000 people will be provided skill training to earn themselves. According to the budget speech, the minimum wage will be Rs.11000 for labor class.
The total volume of the provincial budget is estimated to be at Rs683.17billion, with Rs168 billion allocation for the annual development programme.
According to the budget documents, a 10 per cent increase in salaries is proposed for government employees. From July 1, 2014, government employees will be provided ad hoc relief of 10 per cent.
For Grade 1 to 15 employees, 10 per cent increase in medical allowances and 15 per cent increase in conveyance allowance has also proposed.
A Rs1,000-increase has also been proposed in pensions, with minimum pension now fixed at Rs6,000.
Minimum labour wage has now been set at Rs11,000, said the chief minister.
Shah also announced that the provincial government has allocated Rs5bn for universities in Sindh.
Shah said that the provincial government was taking special measures to increase access to quality education in Sindh. He said that new public school will be established in 10 remote cities and towns, while 8 towns will get new cadet colleges.
Two special women’s cadet colleges will be established at Benazirabad and Garhi Khuda Bux.
Through a special programme, 65,000 youth of Sindh will be taught different skills to improve their chances of employment, he said.
Among other heads, the chief minister announced an allocation of Rs20bn for energy, excluding Rs13.5bn set aside for the Tharcoal power project.
As the chief minister was in the process of presenting the budget proposals, the Sindh Assembly faced a power outage, leaving lawmakers confused. Power was soon restored through a backup generator.
The budget session was chaired by Speaker Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durrani.