Sindh CM accuses Centre of committing Rs229b ‘robbery’

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah Thursday said that provinces are suffering from the incompetence of the federation and now the Centre has pinned all the blame on Covid-19.

“The federation is committing a robbery of Rs229 billion and what can I say if I do not call the reduction of Rs229 billion a robbery,” he said.

The chief minister was addressing a post-budget press conference in Karachi on Thursday.

“If the loss is due to coronavirus then it will be Rs4 to 5 billion. The federation has put everything on Covid-19 to hide its incompetence. It is wrong to blame coronavirus for the failure of the Federal Board of Revenue,” he added.

He alleged, “FBR did not do its job and we are not very satisfied with the budget. It is not appropriate to put everything on coronavirus.”

“I pay tribute to the frontline workers who are fighting against the COVID-19,” he said.

Sindh budget for the year 2020-21 was worth Rs1,241.13 billion with a Rs18 billion deficit which was presented amid severe challenges, said Murad who added that the document focused on the poor.

The Sindh government presented the budget amid a severe financial crunch as the Centre had slashed the province’s share by Rs233 billion in the current financial year and the amount is further reduced for the next.

Rs200 billion allocated for the Sindh People’s Programme, Rs300 billion for small businesses, Rs200 billion for poverty alleviation in rural areas, Rs100 billion for subsidy on fertilizers and Rs20 billion for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the budget document, Rs139.5 billion were spared for the health sector keeping in view the massive efforts by the provincial government to tackle the coronavirus spread.

In the health sector, the risk allowance will entail an additional expenditure of Rs1 billion while and amount of Rs1.5 billion has reserved for the Lady Health Workers.