BAHAWALPUR, June 25: District Nazim Tariq Cheema presented on Wednesday a tax-free budget for 2003-04 here at the council’s session.

The Nazim informed the house that a revenue of Rs2025.37 million, which was expected against the estimated expenditure, had been earmarked for the next financial year.

According to the breakup, a sum of Rs1,042 million has been earmarked for the education sector. This amount is Rs817 million in excess of the current year’s allocation for education.

A significant share of this allocation will be spent on the elevation of 10 middle schools to high level and 20 primary schools to the middle standard in the district. Besides, an additional amount has also been provided for the repairs of college and school buildings. The government has restored 3,180 vacancies for teachers.

Under the ADP head, Rs243 million and Rs135 million have been reserved for the ongoing development schemes and new welfare projects, respectively.

A sum of Rs1576.937 million has been estimated to be utilized for non-development purpose, including Rs1,311 million for the salaries of the district government employees.

In his post-budget press conference, Mr Cheema said despite the government’s limited resources, a balanced and tax-free budget had been presented for the welfare of the people. He added that the local government had waived taxes from the education and the construction (works) sectors.

The Nazim also told the newsmen that allocation for the health sector had been enhanced from Rs160 million to Rs178 million for the upcoming fiscal year. Supply of medicines and surgical equipment, and posting of specialists at the tehsil headquarters hospitals, especially at Ahmadpur East, would be ensured, he said.

He said around 2,083 vacancies had been restored in various government departments for which Rs192 million had been obtained from the provincial government. Besides, the Punjab government had provided Rs83 million grant for the district.

Replying to a question, he said Rs1.138 million had been allocated for the IT sector in the budget.