June 27, 2003	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 26,1424

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ISLAMABAD, June 26: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Thursday unveiled Rs4.70 billion budget for the fiscal 2003-2004.

The budget was announced by the member finance, Masud Muzaffar, at the CDA board meeting, which was presided over by the Authority’s chairman, Chaudhry Abdul Rauf.

Though, no new tax has been imposed in the budget, it was decided that the new avenues will be searched to generate more revenue for meeting the annual deficit of Rs200 million Of total allocations fixed for development expenditures, Rs802.164 million would be utilized under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and Rs1.536 billion would be spent by the CDA’s own resources under self-finance scheme.

Some 43 per cent of the total budgetary allocations has been fixed for non-development expenditures while 57 per cent for development activities.

It was decided that three new sectors, D-12, I-14 and I-16, would be developed in the fiscal year 2003-2004 for which Rs163 million had been earmarked.

The meeting observed that only one-third of the total amount, allocated for the Annual Works Programme, could be utilized in the last fiscal as a result of which various uplift schemes could not be executed

The budget projects’ net revenue expenditure for the year is Rs2.018 billion as compared to the actual expenditure of Rs1.729 billion.

The budget has kept provision of increase in salaries and pensions, as announced by the government for the Authority from July, 2003 onwards.

The CDA has cut down non-development budget by taking austerity measures, which include cutting down on gas subsidy, conversion of the CDA vehicles from petrol to CNG and streamlining of other systems.

The annual deficit of the Authority has been reduced to Rs206 million against last years’ deficit of Rs292 million. The authority succeeded in balancing and narrowing down the deficit between expenditure and revenue receipts.

It was decided in the budget meeting that new development schemes would be prepared after scrutiny. Special allocations have been made for G-series sectors and adequate funds have been provided for the development of major roads and water supply schemes for sectors I-14, I-16 and D-12.

Computerization of property records, billing system and personnel data are likely to be operative this year for which Rs4 million has been allocated.

The meeting decided that no new posts would be created in the current budget.

The budget emphasized the development of proper database for effective decision-making with planning wing of the Authority as its focal-point.

Highlighting some projects to be commissioned in the financial year 2003-2004, the member finance said for dualization of I.J Principal Road, Rs400 million has been allocated. In the second phase, the road from Pir Vadhai Bus Stand to Faizabad would be constructed.

A sum of Rs300 million has been earmarked for the improvement of phases I, II and III of Sewage Treatment Plant and construction of its fourth phase at I-9 area. Of total allocation, Rs200 million would be utilized under French aid. The total cost of the project is Rs1.222 billion.

An amount of Rs8.2 million would be utilized for the dualization of Islamabad Highway from Gumrah bridge to Rawat. However, Rs625.4 million has been spent on the project against its total cost of Rs633.5 million.

For additional works for the safety of Simly Dam, Rs31.962 million has been earmarked. The total cost of the project is stated to be Rs95.9 million of which Rs63.9 million had been utilized.

Repair of government houses in sector G-6 would also be done for which Rs7.8 million has been allocated in the budget. The total cost of the project is Rs19.3 million of which Rs11.5 million had already been spent.

An amount of Rs51.503 million has been allocated for the conversion of old jail at Rawalpindi into a public park. The CDA had already spent Rs168.1 million on the project against its total cost of Rs219.6 million.

For the construction of some portion of already constructed convention centre, Rs10 million has been earmarked. Rs853.4 million had already been spent on the project against its total cost of Rs900.8 million.

The CDA will spent Rs1.340 million for the installation of gas meters in government houses.

An amount of Rs136 million has been earmarked for the procurement of fire fighting vehicles and Rs33.688 million has been allocated for security arrangements at Diplomatic Enclave. For police personnel’s accommodation at presidential estate colony, Rs5 million has been allocated.

Under self-finance scheme, Rs1.2 million has been allocated for sector E-7, Rs11.800 for sector F-6, Rs1.260 million for sector F-7, Rs14.970 for sector F-8, Rs2.6 million for F-9 Park, Rs15.3 for F-10, Rs5.5 million for sector F-11, Rs4.9 million for sector G-6, Rs6.250 million for sector G-7, Rs8.8 million for G-8, Rs9.480 million for G-9, Rs9.602 million for G-10, Rs10.100 million for G-11, Rs11 million for H-8, Rs4.15 million for H-9, Rs1.50 million for H-11, Rs19.486 million for I-8, Rs4.8 million for I-9, Rs8.5 million for I-10, Rs20.8 million for I-11, Rs13 million for Jinnah Avenue, Rs8.4 million for Diplomatic Enclave, Rs16.300 million for model villages, Rs5.690 million for National Park Area and Rs48.590 has been earmarked for miscellaneous works.