MUZAFFARABAD: After a week-long debate, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly unanimously passed its budget for fiscal years 2014-15, worth Rs62 billion, on Monday.

Expressing gratitude and felicitations to the opposition and treasury benches for their unanimous approval, Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed vowed to come up to the expectations of the house and implement all of his announcements.

“The consensus, seriousness and sincerity of AJK’s political and parliamentary leadership on national issues will send a positive message across the state and elsewhere in the world. It also reflects the sagacity with which AJK leadership is advancing the political process,” he said.

Stating that the budget had been prepared in accordance with Peoples Party’s manifesto, he proudly said that instead of putting the burden of taxes on the citizens, the government had paid attention towards welfare.

Mr Majeed held out an assurance to the house that he would enforce strict financial discipline in AJK and expedite the pace of work on development projects, without any discrimination. The suggestions from the opposition would be incorporated in the government’s ‘economic action plan’, he said.

He further added that together with the opposition, the government would contact the federal government to get more funds for health and education sectors.

He announced that a six-member parliamentary committee would be constituted for the implementation of packages and policies on health and education, as announced in the budget.

The committee comprises Finance Minister Chaudhry Latif Akbar, Higher Education Minister Matloob Inqilabi, Elementary and Secondary Education Minister Mian Abdul Waheed, PML-N MLAs Dr Najeeb Naqi and Farooq Ahmed Tahir, and Muslim Conference MLA Sardar Mir Akbar.

He said that five kilometre long roads and Rs500,000 dowry fund would be given at the discretion of each MLA.

The AJK premier said that after getting the Bank of AJK recognised as scheduled bank from the State Bank, the government would open its more branches in AJK, as well as in some European capitals.

Pakistani banks operating in AJK would also be formally asked to give 100 per cent employment to locals, besides taking services of legal advisers from here, he said.

Mr Majeed also declared that the minimum age limit of a voter would now be 21 years in AJK.

After computerisation of all electoral rolls, the government would conduct local bodies polls in consultation with the opposition, he said.

Published in Dawn, July 1st , 2014