FAISALABAD, June 29: The district government has formally approved the annual budget for the year 2004-2005 amid rowdy scenes here on Tuesday.

Councillors belonging to opposition group severely criticized the budget document and said that no relief package had been announced for the farming community as well as poor industrial workers of the district.

They claimed that huge funds had been allocated in the areas falling under the constituencies of District Nazim, his brother and wife and some aides. They regretted that a little time had been given to discussion

Treasury councillors on the other hand termed the budget balanced and realistic. They said that for the first time in the history of the district, equal allocation of Rs1.5 million had been set aside for each union council.

Speaking on the occasion, District Nazim Zahid Nazir withdrew toll tax from 10 different roads of the district. He promised same relief in case of Narwala and Millat roads next month. The withdrawal would cost the district government Rs20 million, he said.

On a point of order raised by a councillor, the nazim constituted a four-member committee headed by the DCO to look into the affairs of a commercial construction project, Kohinoor City.