Sindh Budget 2024-25: All you need to know

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah unveiled a budget of Rs 3.056 trillion for the fiscal year 2024-25, emphasized a major increase in development spending and proposed a 30 percent hike in salaries.

Sindh’s budget 2024-25 has allocated Rs 959 billion for development projects, with a focus on infrastructure and social services. Revenue is estimated at over 3 trillion rupees, with 62 percent federal transfers and 22 percent provincial receipts.

Other sources of income include capital receipts, foreign project assistance, and grants. Key sectors include Rs 519 billion for education, Rs 334 billion for health care and Rs 329 billion for local government.

Social security measures include Rs 34.9 billion for pro-poor programs and Rs 116 billion in subsidies. The budget indicates a comprehensive approach to development, welfare and economic recovery, reflecting the government’s commitment to the welfare of citizens.

• 959 billion rupees have been allocated for development projects with emphasis on infrastructure and social services.
• Revenue is estimated at over Rs 3 trillion, with 62 percent from federal transfers and 22 percent from provincial receipts.
• Breakdown of expenditure: 1.9 trillion rupees for current revenue (63 percent), 184 billion rupees (6 percent) for current capital and 959 billion rupees (31 percent) for development.
• Sector wise allocation: Rs 519 billion for education, Rs 334 billion for health care and Rs 329 billion for local government.
• 58 billion rupees have been allocated for agriculture, including 32 billion rupees for current expenditure.
• The energy sector receives Rs 77 billion, of which Rs 62 billion is for ongoing expenditure.
• 94 billion rupees allocated for irrigation, 36 billion rupees for current expenditure.
• Works and Services gets Rs 86 billion, and Planning and Development is allocated Rs 30 billion.
• Social security: Rs 34.9 billion for pro-poor initiatives and Rs 116 billion in subsidies.
• Major relief measures: Increase in minimum wage by Rs 37,000, increase in salary by 22-30 percent, and increase in pension by 15 percent.
• Latest initiatives: Rs 8 billion Hari Card scheme for farmers, Rs 5 billion enclave in Korangi, Rs 485 million for financial decentralization for police stations, Rs 5 billion solarisation initiative, Rs 5 billion for water supply to Karachi. Hub Canal Project, and the Rs 5 billion Mazdoor Card Programme.
• Investment in human capital: Rs 190 billion in grants for education and health care, including Rs 35 billion for universities.
• The budget reflects a holistic approach to development, social welfare and economic recovery, reflecting the government’s commitment to the welfare of citizens.