ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has sought additional funds of Rs 13.4 million to clear media dues incurred for campaign on "Kashmir Siege Day" observed on August 5, 2020, official sources told Business Recorder.

Pakistan observed "Kashmir Siege Day" on completion of one year of illegal Indian occupation of Kashmir. Indian atrocities in Indian illegal occupied Jammu and Kashmir were highlighted in local and international media through Press Information Department (PID) and the Press Sections Abroad. Expenditure amounting to Rs. 13.4 million has been incurred.

The Ministry moved a summary to the Prime Minister on July 28, 2020 for release of funds for media campaign on the occasion amounting to Rs.17.5 million to the national media. Finance Division advised that Ministry of Information and Broadcasting may meet the immediate fund requirement through re-appropriation from its allocated budget provision of fiscal year 2021 and any shortfall generated because of the suggested re-appropriation during the year will be met through supplementary or technical grant, when required.

Another summary of July 23, 2020 was also moved for approval of the Prime Minister for allocation of an amount of Rs.55 million through supplementary Grant (SG) or Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) of lump-sum provision of the Finance Division against publicity campaign to be launched by the Press Sections in Pakistan's Missions Abroad but the Prime Minister observed that ECC of the Cabinet is the competent forum for grant of TSG/SG.

The Finance Division issued Indicative Budget Ceiling amounting to Rs. 9.003 billion and Budget Orders/ new item statements were prepared and submitted to the Budget Wing of Finance Division which were duly endorsed by the respective Joint Secretary-Exp of the Finance Division but final allocation of Rs.8.835 billion has been made to Information Ministry for the current financial year 2020-21 - a difference of Rs. 168 million.

Thus, budget allocated to Information Ministry is already "too meager" to meet its actual requirements. Ministry of Information has proposed that additional funds amounting to Rs 13.4 million may be allocated to it through a supplementary grant or technical supplementary grant out of lump-sum provisions of the Finance Division to meet the expenditure on media campaign.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020