June 16, 2007	Saturday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 30, 1428

KARACHI, June 15: Agriculture sector will receive Rs 1,725 million in Annual Development Plan (ADP) for 2007-2008, which is 55 per cent higher than the allocation of Rs 1,113 million under the same head in 2006-07.

Sindh Senior Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed in his budget speech said on Friday, it is targeted to improve at least 5000 watercourses while 9032 water courses would upgraded in 2007-08.

Installation of additional numbers of tube-wells (as compared to 800 during previous fiscal) at subsidised rates and provision of paddy and wheat thrashers, rotators, disc harrow and laser levelling equipments to promote mechanised farming are also specifically focussed in the budget.

LIVESTOCK: Sindh government has allocated Rs 3,328 million for establishment of cattle colonies duly equipped with modern facilities at various places in the province.

Presenting Sindh budget for fiscal year 2007- 08 on Friday, Sindh Senior Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed said the development initiatives in the fisheries and livestock sectors were aimed at poverty alleviation, attracting local and foreign investment, raising exports and improving hygiene conditions to meet standards of European Union (EU).

He said development funding for livestock and fisheries has been drastically raised to Rs 1,850 million or 636 per cent over the existing allocation of Rs 251 million.

Giving details about the livestock sector, he said a state of the art Dairy Village and Meat Processing Zone is being set up at Bhambhore costing Rs 450 million.

Establishment of fish hatcheries on major public water spots at cost of Rs 335 million and setting up of model villages for fishermen and provision of fishing gears at a cost of Rs 500 million were part of the Sindh government plans, he added.

LAW AND ORDER: The Sindh government has allocated an amount of Rs 19.145 billion for maintaining law and order in the province for fiscal year 2007-08.

Delivering budget speech, before Sindh Assembly, Sindh Senior Minister, Syed Sardar Ahmed, pointed out that for the last few years the government has been able to improve the overall law and order situation in the province, which in turn has visibly encouraged domestic and international investment in the province.—APP