ISLAMABAD: The annual budget of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has been increased by around 10pc to Rs99.63 million. The increase is mainly due to the increase in salaries, and the government has also decided to reduce the allowances of council members.

The budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year shows that salaries of 133 CII employees have been earmarked at Rs35.28 million, including Rs23.08 million for 52 officers, while salaries of 81 employees have bee designated at Rs12.20 million.

Meanwhile, allowances – which relate mainly to council members and the chairman – have been reduced. The allowances to be enjoyed by the council members and the chairman for the next fiscal year are Rs34.64 million.

In the last budget, Rs37.46 million were allocated to allowances, but the council utilised another Rs407,000 above the allocation in the outgoing 2015-16 fiscal year.

Travel and transportation expenses of council members have also been reduced in the upcoming fiscal year to Rs6.79 million from Rs6.98 in the outgoing fiscal year. Council members spent the same amount during the year.

Apart from the increase in salaries, operating expenditures have also been increased to Rs23.88 million, from Rs23.32 million in the previous budget.

However, the CII exceeded its general expenditures by Rs840,000 by the end of 2015-16.

The repairs and maintenance budget has been increased by Rs380,000 to Rs1.78 million, including Rs200,000 for new construction.

The council has a minimum of eight and maximum of 20 members including the chairman, representing various schools of thought. Following the retirement of 10 members, there are currently nine members including the chairman.

There is no development project related to the council.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2016