Lyari Town Nazim Mahmood Hashim announced Rs608.3 million annual budget for 2009-2010 on Monday.

Hashim said that due to the limited sources of income, the town requires the support of the provincial and city governments. He said that the major source of income of the town is the allocation of funds by the provincial government through the Octroi Zila Tax (OZT). He said that the major chunk of this amount is utilised in paying the salaries of their staff, which in turn affects the development process. In terms of rating, however, the town is ranked second, he said.

Escorted by the town Naib Nazim, town municipal officer (TMO) and councillors, Hashim appeared uneasy while responding to questions posed by the media personnel regarding the little allocation of funds for better health, cleanliness, providing potable water and sanitation facilities, issues by the people of the people residing in the most congested neighbourhood are facing.

The Nazim told media personnel that they plan to beautify the area with the more parks and by renovating playgrounds; however, the town is still expecting funds from the provincial government. If they receive funds they may be able to resolve sanitation, water supply, improving libraries and other issues, he added.

As far as the source of income is concerned, the Nazim said that the town would receive Rs433.4 million as a share from divisible pool (octroi tax), Rs10 million from CDGK on local taxes, Rs32 million special grant from federal and provincial government while other amounts would be generated through different sources.

He vowed to resolve the problems of the area people. Regarding an announcement of grants to rehabilitate old libraries, which in the past played key in providing textbooks to the area students and the outcome was visible, he said “it would be our priority in the future.”

APP adds: A record Rs1.16 billion surplus budget of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town for fiscal year 2009-10 was presented by town Nazim Wassey Jalil on Monday, and was approved unanimously.

The budget showed major sources of income as Zila Tax from Sindh Government, from where it will get Rs450 million while it will receive Rs470 million from Property Tax and raise Rs240 million from TMA’s own sources. This year, the expenditure has been estimated at Rs 797 million while Rs 255.50 million has been allocated for Solid Waste and Rs135.60 million for parks and playgrounds.

According to the budget, Rs11.80 million will be spent on repair and maintenance, Rs275.50 million on construction of roads and footpaths, Rs46 million on street lights, Rs61.40 million on repairs and maintenance of water and sewerage system and Rs26 million on purchase of machinery.

The town Nazim said that town infrastructure has improved a lot with the construction of major roads including Alamgir Road, Tipu Sultan Road, Haider Ali Road, Dr Nishat Malik Shaheed Road, Sehba Akhtar Road, apart from a number of side roads.