JACOBABAD, June 30: District Nazim Mir Shabbir Bijarani presented a Rs1.53 billion budget for 2004-2005 at a district council session here on Monday. The budget was passed by the council.

As soon as the session started, some members, led by Mehboob Ali Soomro, staged a walkout to protest against alleged favouritism of the district nazim in undertaking development schemes.

The members ended their protest after DCO Mir Shafqat Talpur held talks with them. According to budgetary estimates, Rs870 million was allocated for education, Rs170 million for health, Rs74 million for sewerage and Rs0.5 million for provision of potable water. Naib Nazim Asghar Panhwar presided over the session.

TALUKA: A surplus budget of the Jacobabad Taluka Council was presented at its session here on Wednesday. There will be total income of Rs73.036 million, while expenditures are estimated at Rs72.572 million. It is claimed that there will be a saving of Rs465,706.