GB presents annual budget of Rs63.64bn

GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) government on Thursday presented an annual budget of over Rs63.64 billion for the fiscal year 2018-19 allocating Rs31.64 billion for non-development and Rs32.26 billion for development schemes.

The budget was presented by Senior Minister Akbar Taban in the GB Legislative Assembly session chaired by Deputy Speaker Jafarullah Khan. GB Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman and opposition lawmakers also attended the budget session. The overall budget has increased by 11 per cent from Rs54 billion.

Akbar Taban Finance Minister said that the Public Sector Development Programme has an outlay of more than Rs.7.9 billion. The development budget includes Rs6.59 billion for education.

GB government has set aside funds for construction of new school buildings, provision of basic necessary facilities including drinking water, walls and provision of furniture and up gradation of schools.

The government has also allocated Rs4.23 billion health under which new health centres would be established, hospitals and basic health centres would receive machinery, medicines and other necessary facilities.

Similarly, Rs2.03 have been allocated for tourism to boost the tourist industry in the region. Rs41 millions been allocated for forests. For minerals, the government has earmarked Rs40.82 million and Rs4 billion have been allocated for finance department.

With GB continuing to face an energy crisis, Finance Minister said Rs2.73 billion has been allocated for power generation.

He said that Rs90.80 million have been allocated for agriculture and Livestock. Rs19.42 million for food Department. The federal government had allocated Rs7.9 billion for various ongoing and new schemes in GB for financial year 2018-19.

Rs17 billion block allocation divided in 10 districts of GB on population basis. The distribution ratio is: Gilgit 17 percent, Skardu 15 percent, Diamer 15 percent, Ghezer 14 percent, Ganchay 10 percent, Astore 8 percent, Nagar 6 percent Shegar 5 percent and Kharmang 5 percent.

10 percent adhoc relief has been increased in the salary of government employees and petitioners while their house rent allowances has been increased by 50 percent.