FAISALABAD, Jan 30: Amid opposition protests, the Jinnah Town municipal administration approved a surplus budget for a period of six months with a hefty Rs91 million for the development works in all its 39 union councils.

The budget session held with convener Sheikh Zulfiqar in the chair on Monday was attended by scores of observers. Nazim Shahzad Malik presented the budget for January to June.

He said Rs1,705.2 million were expected to be the income while Rs165 million would be spent on different tasks, including Rs53.5 million on employees’ salaries.

He said besides provincial government grants, a handsome amount would be generated through the contracts awarded by the defunct tehsil councils.

He said Rs20.1 million had been allocated for miscellaneous expenditures, including payment of electricity, telephone bills, petroleum products and repair and maintenance of official vehicles, Rs1.4 million for the purchase of two vehicles for tehsil officers, Rs5 million for the beautification of green belts and Rs3.1 million for the purchase of machinery.

He said Rs22 million had been allocated for the projects being undertaken by the citizens community boards, Rs7 million for a new hall in the Jinnah Town complex, Rs3 million for the purchase of streetlights and Rs2 million for the maintenance of traffic signals.

He said Rs500,000 would be spent on development schemes of each naib nazim of the UC while Rs200,000 on projects recommended by members elected on special seat.

He said Rs800,000 had been allocated for the purchase of a new vehicle for town nazim but he would not allow it. Instead, the amount would be spent for the purchase of a streetlights vehicle. He also refused to receive other financial benefits.

The convener presented the budget before the house which was approved instantly. However, the opposition members continued their protest and also walked out of the session for some minutes.

They were of the view that at least three days should be given for studying the budget document so that they could debate over the issue. —Staff Correspondent