Over Rs 23.8 billion KMC budget approved amid walkout

The City Council approved Rs 23.8 billion budget here on Tuesday for the remaining 9 months of this fiscal year amid opposition's walkout. With Deputy Mayor Dr Arshad Vohra in chair, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) dominant council adopted a budget passage resolution with a majority vote at its fourth session but left the small opposition bulldozed.
"How this budget was evolved and presented in the house without taking the opposition into the confidence," Parliamentary Leader of Jamaat-e-Islami in the council, Junaid Mukhati said on the floor soon after the MQM tabled the budget for approval.
Shamim Firdouse Naqvi of PTI expressed concerned over City Mayor Waseem Akhtar's sudden departure from the council hall minutes after the starting of session without informing the members.
However the Deputy Mayor Arshed Vohra told the floor that the Mayor has been called for a high official meeting pertaining to the KMC.
The PTI leader also objected the budget and said, "Making of a finance committee is one of our primary demands which is still inexistent despite budget is presented," he said.
"I was thinking that the resource-constrained city council would show a huge shortfall in this budget and would demand funds from the Federal Government. But, I am surprised to see Rs 220 million surplus budget." he said. He left the house in protest along dozens of councillors.
Meanwhile Arshad Vohra said the budget was approved by the administrator KMC using his powers as granted by the Sindh government under the Sindh Local Government Ordinance (SLGO 2013) in June 2016.
Later on, the KMC leaders with mutual consultation have made some mandatory amendments/changes on different budget allocations, and the same is presented here before the council for approval, he added.
The council through passage of a resolution demanded the government to ensure foolproof security to the Mayor Karachi as he was currently facing life threats.
Adopting another resolution, the City Council requested PPP-led Sindh Government to return all the devolved departments including Solid Waste Management, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board and Building Control Authority etc to the KMC.
The council also demanded monthly salary of Rs 100,000 to the City Mayor, Rs 75,000 to Deputy Mayor, Rs 60,000 to District Chairman, Rs 45,000 to district vice chairman, Rs 40,000 council members, Rs 30,000 to district municipal corporation member, and Rs 15,000 to union committee members.
The council approved total 10 resolutions either unanimously or with a majority vote.
The opposition members staged protest demonstration outside the Old KMC Building, chanting slogans against passage of resolution.
"The approval of budget despite strong criticism of all opposition parties in the council exposed Waseem Ahtar's tall claim of being the Mayor of entire Karachi," said a female member of opposition side.