KARACHI, June 8: The 23 districts of Sindh will get Rs4 billion more in their 55 per cent share of net divisible pool of the province during the fiscal year 2005-06. Besides this, an amount of Rs6.78 billion is being proposed for the annual development programme.

The decision was taken on Wednesday in a meeting of the Provincial Finance Commission chaired by Senior Finance Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed to deliberate upon financial award of 23 districts, 102 towns taluka municipal administration and 1,049 union administrations.

A press release issued here said the commission had decided that under the head “district tax”, the allocation of funds for district governments, union councils and the employees of pension fund, local government board, would continue to be made as per existing rates. A pool of Rs50 million will be created on the basis of performance.

An amount of Rs50 million was being earmarked for running the affairs of four new districts.

The share of taluka and town administration is being enhanced to Rs90 million.

The commission was informed that the provincial government had recently liquidated Rs853.85 million dues of KESC and Hesco and an amount of Rs116.68 million towards pension dues.

Moreover, an amount of Rs584 million has been proposed for payment of salaries to the staff of taluka administration and public health engineering department.

The commission has decided that in future a considerable amount will be kept and disbursed on the basis of performance of district governments.