The provincial cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan, recently convened a special session to address various matters concerning the upcoming financial year. During the session, the cabinet expressed its approval for estimating the expenditures from July 1st to October 31st, 2023.
With an allocated budget of Rs. 462.426 billion, the provincial government aims to prioritize development programs and implement austerity measures to ensure efficient resource allocation. This article provides an in-depth overview of the estimated expenditures, development initiatives, pay and allowances, as well as the austerity measures approved by the cabinet.
Estimated Expenditures for the First Four Months:
The provincial cabinet has allocated Rs. 350.041 billion from the current budget for the first four months of the financial year 2023-24. Among this allocation, Rs. 309.498 billion has been designated for settled districts, while Rs. 40.543 billion has been allocated for merged districts’ expenses. This investment demonstrates the government’s commitment to the balanced development of both settled and merged areas, fostering progress and inclusivity throughout the province.
Annual Development Program:
To accelerate development efforts, a total of Rs. 112.385 billion has been allocated in the development budget for the first four months of the financial year 2023-24. This allocation aims to support various development projects across the province. Within the settled districts, Rs. 92.122 billion has been approved for the development program, which includes funding for the Provincial Development Program, District ADP (Administrative District Police), Settled FDA (Frontier Constabulary Development Authority), and Settled PSDP (Public Sector Development Program). Similarly, the estimated expenditure for the Annual Development Program (ADP) of tribal districts is Rs. 20.263 billion, which encompasses merged districts ADP, API (Action Plan Implementation), and FDA.
Pay and Allowances, and Pension:
To address the welfare of employees and pensioners, the provincial cabinet has made several notable decisions regarding pay and allowances. The estimated expenditure for salaries includes a 35% increase for grade 1 to 16 employees and a 30% increase for grade 17 to 22 employees, totaling Rs. 29,677.883 million for the next four months. Additionally, a 17.5% increase in pensions for provincial government pensioners has been approved, amounting to an estimated expenditure of Rs. 5,015.884 million. The cabinet also sanctioned a 50% increase in Traveling Allowance (TA) for provincial employees, resulting in an expenditure of Rs. 133.874 million. Furthermore, specific allowances for disabled employees, hardship allowances, deputation allowances, and Secretariat Performance Allowance have been increased, ensuring improved remuneration for various sectors of the workforce.
Austerity Measures to Promote Efficiency:
In a bid to promote austerity and reduce unnecessary expenses, the provincial cabinet has introduced several measures. These measures include a restriction on new recruitments for the next four months and a limitation on the purchase of new vehicles, excluding those essential for emergency services. Furthermore, the use of government funds for attending international seminars and workshops, particularly in 5-star hotels, will be restricted. Seeking medical treatment abroad using provincial government funds will also be subject to limitations. The cabinet has emphasized the need for prior clearance from the Finance Department for development schemes involving new positions, vehicle purchases, machinery, equipment, and furniture. Additionally, vacant posts that have remained unfilled for the past three years in various departments will be abolished, streamlining the administrative structure.
Efforts for the Betterment of the Province:
The responsible government is actively working towards securing shares in the NFC Award for the inclusion of districts. Moreover, endeavors are being made to obtain funds from the federal government in terms of net benefits from electricity. To enhance financial transparency, no department will be allowed to retain government revenues in its own bank account. Furthermore, the provincial government is diligently pursuing remaining funds from the federation to meet other essential expenditures, underscoring its commitment to the welfare and progress of the province and its people.
Conclusion
The approval of estimated expenditures for the first four months of the financial year 2023-24 reflects the provincial cabinet’s commitment to equitable development, efficient resource allocation, and the well-being of employees and pensioners. By prioritizing development programs and implementing austerity measures, the government aims to promote economic growth, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. These initiatives will contribute to a prosperous and progressive future for the province and its residents.