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KOTRI:
The Jamshoro District Council has presented a tax-free budget of Rs549.8 million for the fiscal year 2025-26. The budget was approved unanimously during a council meeting chaired by District Council Chairman Suhail Ahmed Shoro.
According to documents, the Sindh government failed to release the full allocated funds last year, while employee salaries have increased in the current year. During the session, Accounts Officer Pervez Baloch presented the budget breakdown, highlighting that Rs207 million have been earmarked for development projects.
Additional allocations include: Rs40.88 million for pensions, press clubs, social work, cultural events, and national celebrations; Rs97.3 million for engineering and infrastructure works; and Rs252.5 million for salaries of council employees.
For the current year, the Sindh government is expected to contribute: Rs352.1 million under the tax head; Rs7.05 million from property rentals; and Rs994,308 in other rents.
Chairman Shoro remarked that due to a shortfall in govt grants and the non-transfer of funds for SUG (Sindh Urban Governance) employees, the council had to disburse salaries from its allocated budget. Furthermore, the recovery of rent from district council-owned properties-such as shops and housing units-remained below 100%.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Shahnawaz Barfat advocated for greater allocations in development schemes and recommended awarding more council projects to local contractors.
