KARACHI, 11 JUNE (DNA) – The Sindh government has reduced General Sales Tax by one percent for the financial year 2016-17 while salaries and pensions have been subjected to ten percent upward revision. Financial minister Murad Ali Shah presented the provincial budget worth Rs 869 billion in the assembly today. A budget, swelled by 17 percent was presented for the year 2016-17.

The government has allocated Rs 265 billion for development projects which is around 25 percent more than the last fiscal year. Shah, during his speech in the Sindh Assembly was confident that the government would achieve its tax target this year.

The government will introduce new law to boost income through agriculture, he said. Shah announced hiking labourers’ minimum monthly wages by Rs 1,000 taking the amount to Rs 14,000. The government has announced 10,000 jobs in education sector, 20,000 in police and 50,000 on the whole.

Shah informed that the funds allocated for projects aimed at uplifting the women have been increased by at least 149 percent. For the wellness of different minorities in the province, Rs 300 million have been reserved.

Education sector would get Rs 160 billion while health Rs 60 billion, he said. Murad Ai Shah said that the government has not imposed a single new tax in the fresh budget. Sindh has the lowest ratio of tax compared to other provinces, Shah said.

Shahra-e-Faisal’s expansion, development for Star Gate and underpass construction at Punjab Chowrangi have been included in the development package announced for Karachi, the provincial capital.

Shah also announced allocation of Rs 800 million for construction of flyover at Shaheen Complex. During Shah’s speech, opposition benches strongly reacted to the budget and chanted ‘No No’ and ‘Go Go’ against the government machinery. DNA