KARACHI, June 17: The Sindh government on Monday announced to spend Rs185 billion for development projects in 2013-14.

Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah in his budget speech said that the historically high allocation for the Annual Development Plan for the upcoming fiscal year would have a provision of Rs8.6bn for high priority schemes to be identified in the next financial year.

He said that the government’s top priorities revolved around providing security and improving law and order, attracting investment to create employment opportunities and poverty alleviation initiatives.

He further said that education, health, energy and agriculture sectors would also be focused for uplifting the rural sector.

The chief minister however noted that the revised estimates for ADP for outgoing fiscal year were Rs97.5bn against the budgetary estimate of Rs181bn. This significant downward revision was on account of huge shortfall in federal transfers during this fiscal year.—APP