KARACHI, May 14: Sindh government is expected to offer over 20,000 jobs during next fiscal year by putting into operation the 2,400 constructed schools and 450 health units in the province.

Officials expect an yearly recurring expenditure of Rs700 million of which Rs500 million is expected to be taken by teachers and allied staff to be recruited for schools and Rs200 million for the employees in 450 health units scattered in all parts of the province.

Officials in Sindh government count 3,419 primary schools in the province with no students enrolment. As many as 4,322 schools are without teachers.

Similarly there are 90 rural health centres and 678 basic health units in all parts of the province but access to medical services remain poor in terms of qualitative services.

Officials say that Sindh cabinet is expected to decide either next Tuesday or later the budgetary proposals for next fiscal year and take a decision to put into operation the constructed schools and health centres.

What is worrying the officials and planners in Sindh is the fact that federal government does not intend to offer any grant assistance for either any component of development programme or for the non-development expenditure.

They indicate total size of Sindh budget at about Rs90 billion for the next fiscal year which would include development outlay of about Rs15 billion.

The only consolation is that improvement in tax collection in the current fiscal year should increase Sindh government’s share in the divisible pool of taxes.

Sindh will know its share in development efforts next Monday when Annual Planning Coordination Committee meets in Islamabad. There are indications that the APCC is taking up a total public sector development programme of Rs160 billion. Sindh is expected to be given a share of Rs8 billion as against Rs7 billion in the current fiscal year with a provision that it would be financed entirely by provincial resources.

Furthermore, there would be poverty alleviation, drought and rehabilitation and Khushhal Pakistan programme. Bulk of about Rs7 billion would have to be raised by the Sindh government.

Not only this, the federal government is asking Sindh to finance 37 per cent of settlement programme under Lyari Expressway project from its own resources.