QUETTA, June 22: Balochistan Finance Minister Syed Ehsan Shah will present the provincial budget for 2004-05 here on Wednesday. It will be a deficit and tax-free budget with a total outlay of around Rs43 billion, including Rs12 billion Annual Development Programme.

Balochistan will receive around Rs18.5 billion as its share from the federal resources in the next financial year, while foreign grants and soft loans are also expected from various countries and international donors.

The provincial government has also decided not to levy any new tax in the budget. However, increase in the existing taxes could not be ruled out. Sources said the Balochistan government had decided to allocate a sizable amount in the next ADP for the completion of ongoing development projects.

However, some development projects, which could not be started during the current financial year, will not be included in the ADP. "Health, education, communications, provision of drinking water and agriculture will get top priority in the budget." The chief minister has sought Rs10 billion from Islamabad to cover the shortfall in the forthcoming budget.