April 25, 2008	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 18, 1429

KARACHI, April 24: The draft budget of the city government for the financial year 2008-09 was presented amid uproar in the City Council on Thursday.

Despite the commotion created by the opposition benches, the house managed to adopt the draft budget resolution within 10 minutes, which will be presented to the City Council’s finance and planning committee.

The committee, after receiving proposals from the members by April 29, will submit its report to the city naib nazim on May 2, to be taken up by the council meeting on May 5.

The opposition members in the City Council were protesting against the suspension of union council’s funds. Initially, Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil, who presided over the session, tried to calm down the opposition benches but in vain. Finding no way to restore order to the house, she had to suspend the proceedings.

The draft budget will be deliberated upon in the house on May 5 when the members will put forward their proposals and those approved by the house committee will be incorporated in the final document.

The budget document shows a surplus of Rs110 million with a total expected receipts standing at Rs47,662.06 million as against the total expenditure of Rs47,552.06 million. No new taxes have been levied in the budget.

The summary of the budget document shows grants and releases from the Sindh government as the City District Government Karachi’s major receipts which stand at Rs9,815.89 million. Its major expenditure is Rs11,484. 68million for works services, followed by education Rs9,060.75 million.

Earlier, when the house began its proceedings, opposition members led by Juman Darwan of the Awam Dost panel and Rafiq Ahmed of the Al-Khidmat stood up and raised the issue of restoration of union councils’ funds before the convener could announce the commencement of the day’s proceedings of the budget session.

They continuously raised slogans for the restoration of UC funds and for the dismissal of the city nazim. Later, they also tore the copies of the budget document.

There was complete chaos and confusion in the house when the draft budget resolution was tabled as all opposition members started thumping the desks and raised anti-city government slogans.

The treasury members gave their approval to the draft budget by raising their hands when the convener sought the views of the house. Later, she adjourned the house session till May 5.