KARACHI, Dec 15: Issues related to funds for various development schemes came under consideration at a high-level meeting held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, on Wednesday.

The meeting was informed that the annual revenue income of the federal and provincial governments in the annual budget had been estimated at Rs100 billion and the expenditure at Rs103 billion. About Rs1 billion were allocated each for Hyderabad, Karachi and rural areas.

The Sindh Senior Finance Minister, Sardar Ahmed, told the meeting the Sindh government had set a target of Rs14 billion last year, and some Rs12 billion had been received in that regard. While the target set for the current year was Rs16 billion and revenue is expected to be achieved at Rs 14 billion.

He informed that Rs 800 million had been earmarked for roads out of which Rs 400 million have been released. Addressing the meeting Chief Minister said that Government's foremost policy is to improve the law and order situation and no slackness in this regard will be tolerated.

He directed that development schemes be completed on time without compromising on quality of the work. The meeting was told that construction of 80 roads and one building scheme had been approved but work has not yet started while funds have not been released for the new ADP.

It was informed that schemes in the road sector for Thar Coal infrastructure are under implementation while it has been decided that funds provided by Federal Government will be released through Finance department.

It was stated that Rs 55.850 million have already been released for police stations and check posts at Sindh border with Punjab and Baluchistan and 80 percent work has been completed so far. The meeting decided to have a review of financial issues in January 2005. -APP