TAXILA: Attock District Council Chairperson Eman Tahir presented the district council budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year with a total outlay of approximately Rs701.1 million, which was passed with a clear majority.

The budget was presented on Wednesday at the Jinnah Hall in Attock, and the session was presided over by Convener Sardar Arif.

Speaking at the session, Ms Tahir said efforts would be made for the development of the district and the prosperity of its two million residents.

She added that those on the opposition benches will be taken shoulder to shoulder, and there will be an equal distribution of funding.

Eman Tahir said budget allocation for development speaks clearly about a vision to uplift the district.

She assured the house that development funds would be provided to all union council chairmen as per the population and area of their respective councils.

She said Rs184 million have been allocated for development after taking opposition members into confidence, and Rs8.7 million have been allocated to sports, Rs7.5 million to the underprivileged and Rs14.4 million to those on special seats.

Ms Tahir said efforts have been made to increase the district council’s income, but not at the cost of raising taxes.

She asked the Punjab government for an increase in the Punjab Finance Commission funds in view of the population and area of the district.

She said an amount of Rs184.6 million has been allocated for the development of union councils.

The chairperson called on the district council members, particularly those on the opposition benches, to come forward and play their role in the development of union councils.

Earlier, opposition members demanded separate seats in the house, which the chairperson refused by saying there was no such provision available.

The budget was later passed with a clear majority.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2017