THATTA, July 1: The Thatta District Council at its meeting held here on Tuesday passed the 2004-05 budget of Rs1.52 billion presented by District Nazim Syed Shafqat Hussain Shah Shirazi.

The budget showed a deficit of Rs61.578 million. According to the budgetary estimates, Rs281.5 million was allocated for development schemes, Rs628.063 million, including Rs61.06 million for salaries, for the education department, Rs232.150 million, including Rs75.96 million for salaries, for the health sector and Rs394 million for ongoing uplift schemes.

An amount of Rs2 million was fixed for the Makli Gymkhana and Rs39 million for renovation of offices of different departments. A sum of Rs1.8 million was allocated for sports and social welfare activities and Rs600,000 each was allocated for the district's 55 union councils.

Speaking at the session, the district nazim said the district expected to get grants under the Khushhal Pakistan Programme and other programmes initiated by federal and Sindh governments.

About development schemes, he said 11 schemes of roads, 82 schemes of education and eight ongoing schemes of education would be completed during the current year.

He said to promote basic primary education, the district government would open new schools in coordination with the National Commission on Human Development. He said upgradation of many schools to middle level was also under consideration.

The nazim said Rs5 million had been allocated for purchase and installation of modern machinery at the Makli Civil Hospital. He said an intensive care unit was being set up at the hospital. He said dialysis machines would also be purchased and three ambulances would be provided to different hospitals.

He said 250 woman health workers and 10 supervisors would be recruited in the district. He said Rs2 million had been earmarked for holding literary seminars and publish books on Thatta history.

The nazim said a district relief fund had been established with Rs1.5 million. He said Rs10 million had been allocated for purchasing two fire brigade vehicles. Speaking on the occasion, Abdul Aziz Karmati Baloch and other members decried water shortage. They said paddy crops of the Kharif season could not be sown in the district due to non-availability of water.