Sindh CM tables 'tax-free' Rs1.714t budget for FY23

“Despite that, the Government of Sindh vows to leave no stone unturned to ensure economic and political stability in the province, contributing its shares in the common national effort, which is in line with the vision of the PPP,” CM Shah said.

The chief minister prayed that Pakistan and its democracy be protected from the dangers and challenges that it is facing.

“May democratic forces always rise and shine in this country. May Almighty Allah bestow us with courage and ability to serve the people of our motherland.”

-- Revenue receipts --

The CM said the revenue receipts would include Rs1.055 billion federal transfers, Rs374.5 billion provincial receipts (Rs167.5 billion provincial tax receipts excluding GST on services, Rs180 billion provincial sales tax on services and Rs27 billion provincial non-tax receipts), Rs51.1 billion current capital receipts, Rs105.5 billion other transfers such as foreign project assistance, federal grants and foreign grants and Rs20 billion carry over cash balance and public accounts of the province.

He added the provincial tax collecting organisations would achieve their collection targets such as Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) Rs180 billion, Excise and Taxation Rs1.20 billion and Board of Revenue Rs30 billion.

-- Expenditures --

Regarding the expenditures, CM Sindh said that the current revenue expenditures for the next financial year would be Rs1.19 trillion, current capital expenditures will be around Rs54.48 billion, development portfolio Rs459.65 billion, including Rs332.165 billion provincial ADP, Rs30 billion district ADP, and RS91.467 billion Foreign Assistance Project (FAP) and Rs6.02 billion other federal grants.

According to the CM the provincial government, during the 11 months (July to May) of the outgoing financial year, has received Rs716 billion against a share of Rs732 billion which shows a shortfall of Rs16 billion.

Shah added that his government during the said period received Rs45 billion in straight transfers and in Octroi and Zilla Tax (OZT) by receiving Rs18.9 billion against a share of Rs19.7 billion.

-- ADP --

The Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2022-23 size has been kept at Rs30 billion as was done during the current financial year.

The chief minister disclosed that 4,158 schemes, including 2,506 ongoing and 1,652 new schemes have been given an allocation worth Rs332.165 billion. He added that the ongoing 2,506 schemes have been given 76% funds or Rs253.146 billion allocation and 1,652 new schemes have been allocated 24% funds or Rs79.019 billion.

-- Education --

Shah said that the government of Sindh has kept Education sector at its top priority by allocating Rs326.80 billion which forms more than 25% of total budget outlay of Government of Sindh.

The non- development budget has been enhanced from Rs. 268.41 billion during CFY 2021-22 to Rs292.639 billion for the next financial year, he added, saying that an amount of Rs.34.22 billion have been earmarked as development budget for School Education department for next financial year 2022-23.

Chief Minister informed, this reflects the commitment and seriousness of Sindh government towards betterment of the School Education Department.

School education department is working with a number of international donor agencies such as World Bank and Asian Development Bank and a number of NGOs and we have initiated a number of projects collectively during the current year which are aimed at imparting quality education in public school and brining it at par with the private sector, he told.

The major achievements during FY 2021-22 and past three years to reform the Education sector included rehabilitation and expansion of high priority 4,560 schools, he informed.

In order to provide essential facilities to Government Primary/ Elementary/High & Higher Secondary, schools have been carefully selected on merit in all districts of Sindh. So far

“4,000” Schools have been rehabilitated and the rest will be completed up to June 2023, CM Sindh told.

Moreover, the allocation for college education is increased in non-development budget from Rs. 22.860 billion in the year 2021-22 to Rs. 26.768 billion in next financial year 2022-23.

The grant to universities has been enhanced from Rs. 9.4 billion during CFY 2021-22 to Rs. 14.3 billion for next financial year, he articulated.