QUETTA, July 26: A budget of Rs1.016 billion for the financial year 2002-03 of Quetta Development Authority was presented on Thursday.

QDA Director-General Mohammad Zakir announced the budget at the governing body meeting of the authority presided over by its chairman, Quetta District Nazim Mohammad Rahim Kakar.

An amount of Rs146.873 million was allocated for ongoing development schemes under the provincial Special Development Programme and Rs589.775 million would be spent on new schemes.

In the budget, 21 new development schemes were announced, including construction of link roads, construction of parks, stadium, bridges and Haji camp.

The governing body approved the budget after incorporating some suggestions in it. However, in view of reservation by some members it was decided that those would be removed in the next meeting an the members would be allowed to express their views on the budget.

Rahim Kakar said that after establishment of district governments the participation of people had increased in the development process.

The members of the body later visited the bus stand in Hazar Gangi and were briefed about the project.

Quetta Station Commander Brig Asif Sarhandi, District Coordination Officer Shahbaz Khan Mandokhel, Chiltan Town Nazim Mir Mohammad Ismail Lahri, Zarghoon town nazim and Water and Sewerage Authority DG also attended the meeting.