Muzaffarabad: (Parliament Times) The AJK Minster for Finance Dr. Najeeb Naqi has said that incumbent PML-N government in the region has the honour of presenting biggest ever historical development budget saying that the budget with a total outlay of Rs. 94.41 have been allocated for Annual Development Programme of the next fiscal year.
Addressing post-budget news conference in Muzaffarabad on Friday, Naqi said communication, tourism and hyrdro-power sectors have been given special attention to make the state economically stable and overcome unemployment. Terming it as a great achievement the finance minister said, “Due to keen interest of the prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif and tireless efforts of AJK PM his team that we have been able to cross this important milestone todayâ€. He said that the normal budget for the AJK was 75% whereas the development budget for the region has been fixed at 25%. He said that as per the PML-N election manifesto special amount has been allocated for holding local body elections in AJK. He said that the budget also focused on the construction of road infrastructure under which main highways would be upgraded.
In order to provide better medical facilities to common masses the Finance Minister said that the incumbent regime under national health program had setup emergency centers in 10 hospitals across Azad Kashmir including the Abbas Medical Institute. He said that 297 new posts were created for these emergency centers. He said that the government has set up 250-bed hospital at New City Mirpur that would benefit the people who were rendered homeless due to Mangla Dam Upraising Project.
He said like other district headquarters rescue 1122 service was started in Muzaffarabad to provide swift round the clock emergency services to the masses, whereas, family courts were established with a view to address the problems faced by the women folk in Azad Kashmir. He said that due to cash-shortfall and other financial restraints the government had stopped house-loan and other schemes but after a break of six years the PML-N government has allocated a hefty amount worth one billion rupees for this purpose [House Building Finance]. To provide health care facilities to the women at their doorstep Naqi said that 752 posts have been created under different population welfare schemes.
The minister said that keeping size of cabinet small was the incumbent government’s first step towards austerity. He said that the government would accordingly put an end to corruption and nepotism besides ensuring merit at all levels of the administration. About lady health workers, water usage charges and increasing daily allowance of Kashmiri migrants the minister said that the issues have been taken up with the federal government and would hopefully be resolved soon.
The Minister said under the first phase of CPEC, Mansehra-Muzaffarabad-Mirpur-Mangla Expressway will be constructed at a cost of 142 billion rupees. He said Lower Toppa Kohala Expressway is part of Federal Development Program costing over 20 billion rupees. The Minister said Special Economic Zone status has been given to Mirpur under CPEC.
