LARKANA, May 28: Larkana District Nazim Khursheed Junejo, presenting his district’s deficit revised budget of Rs60.934 million here on Tuesday, hinted at introducing new taxes.

Speaking at the district council session, he hinted at increasing rents of shops and properties belonging to the district government and also seeking financial support from the Sindh government to bridge the deficit gap.

“We are consulting trade bodies and experts to finalize the proposal of new taxes”, the Nazim said.

Interestingly enough, a budget document released in Sindhi language, the deficit was shown at Rs60.934 million while in another document in English, it was estimated at Rs64.5 million.

The total income estimates for 2001-2002 were shown as Rs17 million and the total expenditure estimates as about Rs81 million. The total liabilities stand at around Rs37 million.

The Nazim said the district government had decided not to spend on liabilities and new expenditures annexed in local fund budget if the Sindh government failed to extend special grants.

He said the district government had sought clarification from the provincial government as to how the 23 newly created union councils in Larkana district could be funded.

He said they were exploring why Rs20 million of Larkana district government were being cut under “at source deduction” and the provincial government was moved to seek clarification in this context also.

He said under Drought Emergency Relief Assistance programme, Rs122 million had been allocated for Larkana district and so far Rs22 million had been released.

Mr Junejo said under Sindh Reforms’ Programme initiated by the Sindh government with the assistance of World Bank, Larkana had received Rs88.941 million in the current financial year.

The revised budget was tabled before the house that unanimously passed it.