The Sindh cabinet on Tuesday approved Budget 2022-23 with a total outlay of Rs1.71 trillion and was described by the provincial chief executive as the ‘budget of the poor’, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The provincial budget will be unveiled by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah in the assembly today (Tuesday).

Murad Ali Shah chaired the meeting of the cabinet which was attended by his ministers, advisors, special assistants, chief secretaries, principal secretaries and other concerned officers.

Speaking on the occasions, the chief minister declared “This budget is the budget of the poor.” The budget had stipulated measures for social security and economic stability in the province, he added.

Murad revealed that the budget was a result of collaboration between members of the provincial cabinet and the stakeholders.

During the cabinet meeting, Sindh minister Gyanchand Israni urged the cabinet to provide special packages for health facilities in Kohistan region.

With an increase of over Rs100 billion in the total outlay, the Sindh government is set to present its budget for the next financial year 2022-23. 

According to initial budget proposals, the government has allocated Rs128 billion for law and order, Rs8 billion for mass transit to run around 100 hybrid buses and Rs4 billion have been separately earmarked for the Peoples Bus Service Project.

The Sindh cabinet also okayed a 15 percent raise in the salaries of the government employees, and also in the pensions of the retired government employees, in the provincial budget for the fiscal year 2022-2023.

The cabinet has given its nod to the allocation of Rs1,200 billion for expenditure, whereas, Rs332 billion worth of funds have also been earmarked for provincial development programme.

Funds worth Rs30 billion have been allocated for the district development programme.

The NFC share from the federation has been set at Rs1050 billion.

The target for tax collection in Sindh province has been set at Rs374 billion.

At least Rs8 billion has been allocated in the budget for advertisement.

Funds worth Rs30 billion have been earmarked for development projects in Karachi.

Similarly, Rs326 billion worth of funds have been allocated for education, whereas, Rs220 billion worth of funds have been sanctioned for health.

Funds amounting to Rs132 billion have been allocated for law and order, whereas, Rs115 billion worth of funds have been set aside for Sindh police.

The provincial cabinet has approved Rs33 billion for energy and Rs24 billion for agriculture.

It has also okayed Rs100 billion for highways and other structures.

Moreover, Rs36 billion worth of funds have been set aside for irrigation, whereas, Rs17.5 billion worth of funds have been allocated for health risk allowance.

The cabinet has also okayed Rs13 billion for transport projects, about Rs4 billion for social welfare, Rs12.5 billion for Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, and Rs11.48 billion for PPHI.