KARACHI, June 29: A Rs319.262 million development oriented budget of Jamshed Town for the year 2003-04 was presented on Sunday at its council meeting.

For development projects in the town, around Rs139.11 million, which is 43.57 per cent of the budget, has been earmarked while Rs180 million (56.39 pc) has been kept for non- development expenditures.

The allocations made for other major heads include Rs122.552 million (38.38 pc) for establishment, Rs53.526 million (16.77 pc) for contingencies, Rs3.945 million (1.24 pc) for maintenance expenditures.

The budget documents of the town show an anticipated income of Rs319.262 million from various sources, including Rs151 million from city government and Rs110 million under the head of property and entertainment tax. Other sources of income include Rs1 million from trade license fee, Rs29.815 million from regulation and licence department, Rs1.11 million from finance and computer departments, Rs0.55 million from infrastructure and services department, Rs0.207 million from parks and services, and Rs25.58 million from solid waste and sanitation.

Highlighting the salient features of the budget, acting nazim of the town, Ashfaq Ahmed Mujahid, told the council members that despite 15 per cent increase in town’s employees salary, the non- development expenditure in the next fiscal have been curtailed by 5.48 per cent, whereas the allocations made under the head of development works for 2003-04 had been increased by 5.57 per cent as compared to the last fiscal.

About the proposed development works, he said that the sub- way road which links Mehmoodabad and other adjoining localities with Sharea Faisal would be repaired and improved, PECHS Jheel Park would be improved with the cooperation of the city government, a number of roads in the town would be repaired and carpeted, besides proper lighting arrangements would be made along various roads and streets.

He said that from the next year there would be separate vehicles for disposal of garbage and for removing debris.