Muzaffarabad: The Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Chaudhry Muhammad Rashid has said that the federal government promised to give Rs.5 billion rupees whereas, only Rs 5.9 billion were given to AJK this year.
During a press conference at the Central Press Club here he said that the PC-1of Thothal Hospital has been sent to the Planning and Development Department. It will cost approximately more than Rs two billion, its approval has been sought from the federal government. Efforts are being made to get the approval of the project so that the work might be started at earliest.
“The AJK government is working under the rules of business, and the economic situation of Pakistan affects Azad Kashmir as well. The rules of business to run the affairs are being revised by the AJK government, and soon the ministers will be empowered in government departments”, the minister added.
He said that the AJK government is making a criteria to deal with flour shortage on the basis of on the population. An endowment fund of Rs one billion has been set up for disabled individuals and widows.
Chaudhry Rashid said said that the current budget is the first budget of its kind in history of AJK , meticulously prepared through extreme caution and consultation. The budget focuses on income generation, production, and employment opportunities.
The minister said that after the 13th Amendment, the revenue of AJK has increased, but the state has not become economically self-sufficient so far. It still depends on the federal government.
He said that there is an expectation that AJK government would generate the revenue of almost Rs 4000 million this year, while the government has allocated more than three billion rupees only for pension. According to the formula agreed upon in the last fiscal year.
He said that the Thothal Hospital is not being shifted anywhere, and there is a misunderstanding about this matter.
