FAISALABAD, Jan 6: The Madina Town in Faisalabad district took lead in the province for preparing and approving the annual budget for the year 2006 here on Friday. The budget session, held here with Town Naib Nazim Sajjad Ahmed in the chair, was attended by Town Nazim Ali Akhtar Khan and other members.

The house has approved the surplus budget of Rs188.8 million with an expenditure of Rs177 million. At least Rs68 million have been allocated for development projects in both urban and rural localities while a huge sum of Rs108 million would be spent on non-development activities, including Rs91 million on salaries of employees.

Presenting the budget, Town Nazim Ali Akhtar Khan said that Rs2.2 million had been allocated for sports and recreational activities, Rs1.7 million for the fuel of official vehicles, Rs10 million for new vehicles, Rs1 million for the setting up of a new slaughter house, Rs1.5 million for the renovation of D-Grounds and Rs2 million for the repair of the TMA Complex.

He said that new streetlights would be installed on roads and streets with a sum of Rs6.5 million while Rs1 million would be spent on the improvement of greenbelts and parks.

Similarly, he said that Rs20 million had been allocated for the developmental projects and schemes recommended by town members. Around Rs500,000 each would be incurred on the schemes of town member in each union council while Rs100,000 each would be spent on the recommendation of members elected on special seats.

Ali Akhtar further said that Rs22.2 million had been earmarked for schemes and projects under the Citizens Community Boards.

Earlier, during a special session, the members approved the by-laws and awarded some contracts.

Three members — Yahya Baig, Nazakat Ali and Dr Hajira Jawed were nominated presiding officers to run the affairs of the house in the presence of the naib nazim.