FAISALABAD, June 20: City District Nazim Rana Zahid Touseef unveiled a Rs12.93 billion tax free budget for 2007-08 in the district council on Wednesday. The nazim informed the assembly a grant of Rs1 billion was expected this year from the provincial government, which would be earmarked for development projects. The district government has allocated Rs1 billion for citizen community board projects.

Up to Rs44 million will be set aside for development works and Rs500,000 each for sports activities in rural union councils. The district government will provide Rs50 million to special education schools.

The nazim said a divisional public was also being established in Jaranwala Town and the project would cost Rs5 million. About Rs900 million will be spent on roads.

Mr Touseef said that Rs50 million would also spent on the construction of parking plazas while funds would also be spent on the improvement of sanitation system.

He also presented the budget of Rs3.94 billion of the Faisalabad Development Authority and Rs2.61 billion budget of the Water and Sanitation System. The district assembly also approved a resolution against Rushdie’s knighting.