LAHORE: Instead of allocating more funds out of its annual development budget of Rs 250 billion for adequate urban services in the big cities Punjab government has reduced it by 45 percent.

In 2010-11 budget, Rs 9.160 billion were allocate for efficient urban facilities in cities, in 2011-12 8.5 billion and in 2012-13 FY budget Rs 5.3 billion have been earmarked, Rs 3.2 billion less than the last year.

It may be added that Urban Development Sector covers development projects sponsored by WASAs and Development Authorities (DA) of the densely populated cities of Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Multan having a population of around 28 million.

Planning and Development department sources told Business Recorder that the government has earmarked Rs 2.176 billion for the on going scheme in the five big cities of the province and Rs 3.183 billion for the new schemes including Rs 2.2 billion for block projects.

They said of the on-going schemes, Rs 313 million have been given to WASA Lahore projects, Rs 511 million to Faisalabad Development Authority. Rs 528 million to WASA Faisalabad, Rs 135 million to WASA Rawalpindi, Rs 101 to Gujranwala Development Authority, Rs 40.291 million to Multan D.A. and Rs 121 million to WASA Multan. Only Rs 977 million have been allocated for new schemes of these five big cities.