Karachi, In a significant move, the Sindh cabinet has approved substantial financial allocations for several development projects, including a massive Rs. 29.379 billion for the payment of government electricity bills. The decision was part of a series of approvals aimed at enhancing infrastructure and civic amenities in the region.
According to Chief Minister Sindh, the cabinet, chaired by Caretaker Chief Minister Justice Maqbool Baqar, sanctioned funds for a range of initiatives. These include Rs. 768.6 million for the operation of 50 electric buses in Karachi, Rs. 579.756 million subsidy for intra-district people’s buses, and Rs. 1.1 billion for constructing a Link Road Interchange.
The meeting also saw the approval of Rs. 33.956 million for boundary demarcation at Khirthar National Park and Rs. 1424.720 million for the reconstruction of three schools in the West district. Additionally, the cabinet sanctioned Rs. 115 million for the restoration of the Hindu Gymkhana, a significant cultural landmark.
Chief Secretary Dr. Fakhre Alam informed the cabinet about the allocation of Rs. 300 million for election expenditures, with Rs. 10 million provided to each of the 30 Deputy Commissioners. Furthermore, Rs. 168 million was approved to clear old liabilities from local bodies’ elections.
The cabinet discussed the issue of rising electricity costs and the increase in government connections, which have made the allocated budget of Rs. 41.5 billion insufficient. As a result, an additional Rs. 29.376 billion was approved to settle power bills of the Sindh government up to April 2024.
For the Electric Bus Service operated by Telephone Industries of Pakistan (TIP), the cabinet approved a ‘Rent to Own Financial Model.’ Under this model, TIP will invest the funds required to supply and operate EV buses. The Sindh government will provide a monthly lease payment for eight years, after which the ownership of the buses will be transferred to the government.
The cabinet also reviewed the fare structure of the BRT Green Line and Intra-District Peoples Bus Service, deciding against an increase in fares. Moreover, a subsidy for the Peoples Bus Service was approved to accommodate the addition of 30 new buses.
In education, the cabinet approved additional funds for medical charges reimbursement and financial assistance to families of deceased employees of the School Education department. They also sanctioned funds for the repair and maintenance of three schools in District West, Karachi, which are adopted by the Pakistan Navy.
Addressing agricultural concerns, the cabinet approved Rs. 4.012 billion for imported urea, highlighting the issue of urea shortage despite Sindh producing 70% of the national gas.
The meeting also discussed the condition of the Hindu Gymkhana, directing a project for its restoration, and allocated Rs. 40 million for the newly constructed Rural Health Centre Hala Old.
Lastly, the cabinet approved funds for the demarcation of Khirthar National Park’s boundary, emphasizing the need to preserve the park’s notified boundary as per Sindh High Court’s directions.