KARACHI, June 17: Town Nazim of Gulshan-i-Iqbal on Thursday presented Rs757 million budget of the town for the year 2004-05 showing a surplus of Rs0.5 million.

Presenting the budget in the town council, Town Nazim Mohammad Abdul Wahab said that the town's estimated receipts would come to Rs757 million whereas the total expenditures would stand at Rs756.5 million.

The major share of receipts of Rs300 million will come from Sindh government under the head of property tax whereas town will receive Rs185 million from the City District Government as matching grant.

The town will generate Rs272 million from its resources - Rs50 million as conservancy tax, Rs30 million as local tax on services, Rs50 million from property transfer, Rs29 million from trade license and permits, etc.

On non-development expenditure side, the major share of Rs136 million will be spent on establishment and contingencies each whereas Rs6.4 million on maintenance. An amount of Rs478.1 million, which makes 63.15 per cent of total expenditures, has been earmarked for development sector with the big chunk of Rs173 million for construction of roads, streets and footpaths.

A sum of Rs18 million has been earmarked for street lights, Rs20 million for solid waste management, Rs28 million for development of parks, Rs20 million of cleaning nullahs, Rs69 million for machinery, Rs22.50 million for development and improvement works recommended by council members, etc.

The town nazim, highlighting the salient features of the budget said that the a considerable amount had been allocated for development of infrastructure. He said the budget was based on the findings of a pre-budget survey conducted on scientific lines.

He told the council that residents of the town were interviewed during the survey to ascertain their views on different civic issues and performance of the town officials and other staff. -PPI