KARACHI, June 7: Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro has directed all the government departments that the budget for the next financial year should focus on increased employment opportunities, low-cost housing schemes and all sectors of social welfare.

While emphasizing the priorities, the governor instructed the officers of the Finance Department that the next budget should bring about an overall improvement in the standard of life of the common man as all efforts of the government converged on this objective, a press release issued from the Governor‘s House said on Friday.

The governor has directed that housing schemes for the low- income group people be started in each taluka, town and city, employment opportunities be created in government and also cooperation of the private sectors be sought in this regard and merit should be the main criterion.

He also directed that the budget should be made investment- friendly and to lay emphasis on education, health and social sectors. The objectives can be obtained by establishing suitable infrastructure for development works, he added.

He disclosed that every girl student, whether in rural or urban area who passed fifth class and got admission to any elementary school, would be given a monthly scholarship which would continue until they passed the eighth class. According to an estimate more than one million students of government primary schools will be given free textbooks, he added.

The governor disclosed that an endowment fund would be created to finance scholarships to be given to such intelligent but poor students who get admissions to prestigious institutions, like the Aga Khan University, Liaquat Medical University, Dow Medical College and similar other organizations.

As regard the health sector, the governor directed to double the funds meant for purchase of medicines in government hospitals and added that medical facilities be given to the common man and be improved further.

He said special funds be allocated for the training of teachers, government officers and employees as well.

He also directed to accord priority to provision of drinking water, drainage and projects relating to hygiene and general health.

He laid stress on the use of modern technology in agriculture, economy in the use of irrigation water, boosting production and for new irrigation projects.

As for commerce, industry and investment, he pressed for simplification of rules, regulations and procedures and for lessening the number of taxes in these sectors. — PPI