Allocations for PSDP may be increased

NAVEED BUTT

ISLAMABAD: The allocation for federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the year 2012-13 may be increased to Rs 350 billion, which is Rs 50 billion more than the allocation made in 2011-12, it is learnt on Tuesday.

Sources said the provincial PSDP in the current year was Rs430 billion, which had been downgraded to Rs410 billion; however, in 2012-13, the allocation was expected to be around Rs475 billion. In 2011-12, the federal and provincial PSDP was Rs730 billion while in 2012-13, the cumulative PSDP is expected to be from Rs800 to Rs825 billion.

A total of Rs10 billion would reportedly be earmarked for Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra), Rs15 billion for Fata and Rs20 billion for AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.

According to sources, the Planning Commission has commenced preparation for the forthcoming budget and has requested the concerned committees of all ministries to begin prioritising their projects for allocation from April 9 and complete the process by April 15. The recommendations of the priority committees would be considered by the Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC), headed by Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission.

In its first meeting, the APCC would discuss the demands of various ministries including petroleum and natural resources, water and power, and finance.

The National Economic Council (NEC), headed by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, while keeping in view the recommendations of APCC, would finalise the development outlay for the next fiscal year.