Rs31.62bn KMC budget unveiled

Karachi: A Rs31.62 billion tax-free budget for Karachi Metropolitan Corporation for the year 2012-13 was announced on Thursday with total estimated expenditure of Rs31.52 billion thus signifying a nominal surplus of Rs99.98 million.

The current receipts for the fiscal year 2012-13 are pitched at Rs25.66 billion , capital receipts Rs2.95 billion and funds for District ADP Rs3 billion.

Administrator Karachi Muhammad Hussain approved the budget at a ceremony held at KMC head office at Civic Centre.

Irrespective of the massive allocation for Education Department as last year, the huge sum under the head of expenditure of Rs9.16 billion is earmarked for Engineering department for the next fiscal year, followed by Medical and Health Services Rs 3.9 billion, District Annual Development Program Rs 3bn, Education Rs2.75bn, Municipal Services Rs2.16bn, Debt Servicing, Pension Fund & other expenditureRs1.48bn, Transport and Communication Rs 1.6bn, Karachi Mass Transit Cell Rs 1.4bn, Funds for DistrictMunicipal Corporations Rs1.37bn, Parks and Horticulture Rs1.06bn, Revenue Department 876.3 million, Information Technology Rs 680.3mn, Secretariat (including Administrator, Council, Vehicle, Veterinary and HRM) Rs 670.7mn, Recreation, Culture and Sports Rs 584.06mn, Finance and Accounts Rs344.4mn, Master Plan Rs 195.2mn, Law Rs 66.36mn, Enterprise and Investment Promotion Rs 36.72mn and Literacy Department Rs 11.96mn.

In terms of major development projects planned in the city huge allocations are also made. These include Rs850million for Karachi Circular Railway Project, Rs777.52mn for development works of different roads, bridges and roundabouts, Rs750million for construction of Car Parking Plaza at Shahabuddin Market, Rs500mn for Bus Rapid Transport Project, Rs500mn for up gradation of graveyards, Rs500mn for purchase of heavy machinery and equipments, Rs423mn for development of parks, Rs400mn for rehabilitation of inter-city and union council roads, Rs400mn for wireless video surveillance system phase-II, Rs380.99mn for purchase of equipments and machinery for hospitals, Rs350mn for construction of roads, roundabouts and culverts, Rs348mn for development works of KMDC, Rs250mn for development works of Orangi and Landhi Cottage Industrial Zones, Rs74.51mn for repairing and improvement works of 5000 Road Nagan Chowrangi to Sakhi Hasan and Nagan Chowrangi to Surjani Roundabout, Rs50mn for construction of storm water drains and Rs30mn for Karachi Mass Transit Project.

Administrator Karachi said Rs60mn were allocated for installation/maintenance of streetlights, Rs 50mn for installation of fish aquarium in Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim in Clifton, Rs 30mn seed money for Karachi Mass Transit Program, Rs20mn for renovation and improvement of Karachi Zoo, Rs 380mn for completion ofbig and small health projects.

Under Annual Development Program, a total of 85 major projects would be carried out with a cost of Rs3.750bn.

Administrator said despite limited resources KMC tried to allocate adequate funds for each department. (PPI)