'Finance Commission' to be set up to distribute funds among Sindh, local governments

YASIR BABBAR KARACHI: Under the PLGO 2012, a Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) would be authorised to distribute resources between the Sindh government and local councils out of the proceeds of the Provincial Consolidated Fund into a Provincial Retained Amount and a Provincial Allocable Amount. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan would constitute this Provincial Finance Commission for the province "hereinafter referred to as the Finance Commission". According to Chapter XII-A of PLGO 2012: "On coming into force of this chapter, the Governor forthwith shall constitute a Provincial Finance Commission for Sindh hereinafter referred to as the Finance Commission. "The Finance Commission shall be headed by the Minister for Finance and shall comprise of such other members as may be prescribed. "The functions, duties and powers of the Finance Commission shall be to make recommendations to the Chief Minister for a formula for distribution of resources including distribution between the Government and the Local Councils out of the proceeds of the Provincial Consolidated Fund into a Provincial Retained Amount and a Provincial Allocable Amount respectively. "Provided that in no case shall the Provincial Allocable Amount be so determined that it is less than the funds transferred to local councils in the financial year 2012-2002 and the establishment charges budgeted for the functions of the Local Council in the same year, excluding transfers in lieu of Octroi and District Taxes. "Provided further that all the monies received by the Government in lieu of Octroi and District Taxes shall be added to the Provincial Allocable Amount separately. "Distribution of the Provincial Allocable Amount amongst the District Council, Taluka and Town Municipal Administration and the Union Administration as shares: "The making of grants in aid by Government to the Local Councils from the Provincial retained Amount and any other matter relating to finance for and of the Local Council referred to the Finance Commission by the Chief Minister or Government or by a Local Council. "The recommendations shall be based on the principles of fiscal need, fiscal capacity, fiscal effort and performance. Before finalisation of the recommendations under Sub-Section (1) the Finance Commission shall hold consultations with the relevant departments of government, Local Councils and, in the discretion of the Finance Commission, with any other body or persons and this process may carry on during the currency of an Order made by the Chief Minister under Sub-Section (5) of this section. "PFC shall forward the provisional recommendations prepared under Sub-Section (1) to the cabinet, which shall provide its views within two weeks failing which the finance Commission shall make its recommendations to the Chief Minister. "PFC may review the recommendations on receiving the views of the Cabinet if any, and on finalisation of its recommendations shall forward them to the Chief Minister. "As soon as may be after receiving the recommendations of the PFC, the Chief Minister shall by Order specify in accordance with the recommendations of the commission under clause (a) of Sub-Section (1), the Provincial Retained Amount and the Provincial allocable Amount, and in turn the shares inter se of the Local Councils and that share shall be paid directly to the Local Council concerned promptly in accordance with the laid down procedure. "Chief Minister may, by Order, also make grants in aid of the revenues of the Local Council in need of assistance and such grants shall be an additional charged expenditure upon the Provincial Consolidated Fund after deduction of Provincial Allocable Amount. "Certain Institutional process of the Finance Commission: (1) In every financial year, at least three months before the finalisation of the Provincial Budget the Finance Commission shall require the Finance Department to submit a statement of estimated revenues and expenditures of Government for the following financial year and shall also require a statement of the Provincial Allocable Amount and its distribution prepared in the light of the Order under Section 120-D(6). "Finance Department shall provide the PFC with a statement of Provincial Allocable Amount and its distribution, prepared in accordance with Order under Section 120-D(6), on approval of the Provincial Budget. "PFC may cause any information required for making assessments and decisions on fiscal transfers to be placed before it from any organisation or office of the Government, or Local Council. It would take all decisions by a majority of members present and voting." September 12, 2012 (Daily Business Recorder)

Sindh education department needs 25,000 more teachers

YASIR BABBAR KARACHI: In a move to fulfil the requirements of state-run schools, Sindh's Education and Literacy department has the need of 25,000 more teachers (PSTs, JSTs, HSTs) excluding the recently advertised 19,000 vacancies, Business Recorder learnt on Saturday. The Education and Literacy department is working to recruit teachers since the last many years under the Sindh Reform Program (SRP) supported by the World Bank and the European Union (EU). Under the SRP program, sources said that the education and literacy department advertised vacancies of PSTs, JSTs and HSTs in 2009. And, 5500 candidates were selected following the tests and interviews. Only, eligible candidates, about 2000, were regularised. Later, in round two of this program, the department advertised vacancies of PSTs, JSTs and HSTs in 2010. Around 8,000, candidates were selected but about 4000, were regularised on their performance basis. Sources added that the education and literacy department moved a bill in the Sindh Assembly for the regularisation of the said teachers and the bill was passed unanimously. Currently, the education and literacy department advertised 19,000, vacancies of PSTs, JSTs and HSTs in April 2012, the last date of application submission was June 20, 2012. Sources said that the Reform Support Unit (RSU) of the department is looking after this vacancy issue. The staff of this unit is compiling the data of applications submitted in this regard. More than 0.5 million applications were submitted at the concerned offices in all districts, which were forwarded to the RSU for making all records computerised, they added. In this connection, one of the officers of the RSU told Business Recorder that the data of applications has been completed almost and they would submit the report to the Senior Minister for education and literacy very soon in this regard. "After the final approval by the minister, advertisements would be issued to newspapers for the tests of candidates. It is most likely that tests would be held under the supervision of the IBA Sukkur", he added. He said that PSTs would be hired on a general basis while, JSTs and HSTs would be recruited on Science and General basis. However, adding this, Additional Secretary education and literacy department told Business Recorder that with a recruitment of 19,000 teachers, the department needs 25,000 more teachers for schools all over the province. He said that if the World Bank and the European Union continue their program, the department would announce vacancies soon after the recruitment of 19,000 teachers, if not, it would take more time, he added. September 23, 2012 (Daily Business Recorder)

Over 0.2 million houses damaged in 16 districts of Sindh: report on losses caused by rains

September 28, 2012 (Daily Business Recorder) YASIR BABBAR KARACHI: "More than 0.2 million houses have been damaged (fully/partially) in almost 16 districts of Sindh during the recent heavy rains/flood", Business Recorder learnt on Thursday. This has been mentioned in the report of Relief Department, available to Business Recorder stating that: recent heavy spell of late-monsoon rains started from September 9 broke 25 years record in six districts of province by heavy downpour. However, these rians/flood badly affected almost all 19 districts including Khairpur Mir's, Ghotki, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore-Kandhkot, Shahdadkot-Qambar, Dadu, Naushehroferoze, Benazirabad, Matiari, Tando Allahyar, Hyderabad, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar and Umerkot. Report mentioned that 2,17,082 houses have been destroyed in all over the province. According to portion of a report regarding partially damaged houses, 32,500 (katcha) and 29,800 (pakka) houses have been damaged in only district Jacobabad, 6,192 (katcha) and 9,289 (pakka) houses damaged in district Shikarpur, 5,135 katcha houses damaged in district Larkana, 5,200 (katcha) and 5,300 (pakka) houses damaged in Kashmore-Kandhkot, 10,347 (katcha) and 2,077 (pakka) houses destroyed in district Qambar-Shahdadkot and 32,420 (katcha) and 9,526 (pakka) houses have been damaged in district Ghotki. Heavy rains caused damages of 13,380 (pakka) and 1,750 (katcha) houses in district Khairpur Mir's, 10 pakka houses damaged in district Dadu, 120 katcha houses damaged in district Matiari, 124 (katcha) and 60 (pakka) houses damaged in district Hyderabad, 1,035 (pakka) and 167 (katcha) houses damaged in district Sanghar and only 331 katcha houses have been damaged partially in district Umerkot, report stated. Regarding the fully damaged houses, report mentioned that 16,800 (katcha) and 8,350 (pakka) houses damaged in district Jacobabad, 2,654 (katcha) and 2,981 (pakka) houses damaged in district Shikarpur, 100 katcha houses damaged in district Larkana, 3,090 (katcha) and 1,560 (pakka) houses damaged in Kashmore-Kandhkot, 918 (katcha) and 177 (pakka) houses destroyed in Qambar-Shahdadkot and 9,423 (katcha) and 1,022 (pakka) houses damaged in district Ghotki. Report further added that heavy rains caused damages of 4,300 (pakka) and 270 (katcha) houses in district Khairpur Mir's, 120 katcha houses destroyed in district Matiari, 236 (katcha) houses damaged in Hyderabad, only 30 pakka houses damaged in Tando Allahyar, and 303 (katcha) and 105 (pakka) houses damaged in district Sanghar. In this connection, Haleem Adil Shaikh Advisor to CM for Relief told BR that he is in touch with all higher authorities of provincial and federal government so that government would take special efforts for the rehabilitation of all damaged houses.

Rains, floods claim 210 lives in Sindh

September 29, 2012 (Daily Business Recorder) YASIR BABBAR KARACHI: As many as 210 people have been killed in recent rains/floods in 19 districts of Sindh, a report compiled by the relief department has said. According to the report, 238,993 people were still living in relief camps. It said recent rains, which started from September 9, broke a 25-year-old record in six districts of the province. Rains/flood had badly hit as many as 19 districts, including Khairpur Mirs, Ghotki, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore-Kandhkot, Shahdadkot-Qambar, Dadu, Naushehro Feroze, Benazirabad, Matiari, Tando Allahyar, Hyderabad, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar and Umerkot. According to the report, 19 people had been killed in district Jacobabad, 43 in Shikarpur, four in Larkana, 53 in Kashmore-Kandhkot, 14 in Qambar-Shahdadkot and 14 people had been killed or washed away during rains in Ghotki. As many as 13 people had been killed in Khairpur Mirs, one in Naushehro Feroze, 80 in Khairpur, 10 people in Benazirabad, one in Dadu, three in Matiari, seven in Hyderabad, one in TandoAllahyar, two in Badin, four in Thatta, one in Mirpurkhas, six in Sanghar and six more people had been killed in Umerkot, the report stated. Another portion of the report mentioned that 238,993 rain-hit people were living in relief camps set up in Khairpur Mirs, Ghotki, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore-Kandhkot and Shahdadkot-Qambar. Relief department had established 374 relief camps in these districts, the report said. Haleem Adil Shaikh, the Adviser to the Chief Minister for Relief, told Business Recorder that the relief department's report was based on findings submitted by deputy commissioners concerned. According to him, the Sindh government was planning to provide compensation to the heirs of those who had been killed in rains/floods. More than 200,000 houses had been damaged (fully/partially) in almost 16 districts of Sindh during the recent rains/flood.

Sindh reluctant to clear Rs 885 million KWSB dues

September 20, 2012 (Daily Business Recorder) YASIR BABBAR KARACHI: The Sindh seems reluctant to pay dues exceeding Rs 886 million to Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), citing serious financial crisis, Business Recorder learnt on Wednesday. The water utility has time and again launched recovery campaign. However, the desired target could never be achieved due to bureaucratic and political pressure, sources in the finance department told Business Recorder. Sources said that both the federal and the Sindh governments had to clear the departments dues of more than Rs 36 billion, adding that the Chief Minister House and Governor House were also defaulters of more than Rs 30 million. Sources said that the Governor House owed Rs 24 million while the Chief Minister House Rs 1 million. The Sindh Assembly had to pay Rs 9 million to the KWSB. Other defaulting Sindh government departments are: Transport Department Rs 1.8 million, Sindh Small Industries Corporation Rs 1.9 million, the Sindh Government Printing Press Rs 1 million, PWD Rs 130 million, Welfare Department Rs 29 million, Revenue Department Rs 19.4 million, Public Health Engineering Department Rs 193 million, Law Department Rs 40 million, Education Department Rs 288 million, Home Department Rs 304 million, Health Department Rs 132 million and Livestock Department Rs 74.7 million. Moreover, the federal government departments have never bothered to pay KWSB bills. According to sources, the Bureau of Statistics has to pay KWSB, at least, Rs 446,000, the Central Board of Revenue Rs 10.8 million, Civil Aviation Authority Rs 160.8 million, Export Promotion Bureau Rs 30.3 million, Ministry of Commerce Rs 680,000, Ministry of Culture and Tourism Rs 145 million, Ministry of Defence Rs 4.9 billion, Ministry of Education Rs 18.6 million, Ministry of Finance Rs 73.5 million, Ministry of Food Agriculture and Livestock Rs 49.7 million, Ministry of Health Rs 110.1 million, Ministry of Information Rs 36.8 million, Ministry of Interior Rs 5.5 million, Ministry of Ports and Shipping Rs 1.5 billion, Ministry of Production Rs 4.5 billion, Ministry of Revenue Rs 0.99 million, Ministry of Science and Technology Rs 43.7 million, Ministry of Works Rs 340.1 million, Pakistan Postal Services Rs 6.6 million, Pakistan Railways Rs 225.3 million, Pakistan Telecommunication Rs 130 million, Social Welfare Rs 4.1 million and Ushr and Zakat Rs 16.6 million.

Wasim seventh administrative head of Home Department in two years

September 21, 2012 (Daily Business Recorder) YASIR BABBAR KARACHI: In the worsening law and order situation of Karachi and other parts of Sindh, Wasim Ahmed, recently appointed on contract as Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) is the seventh administrative head of the Home Department in the last two years, Business Recorder learnt on Thursday. Sindh Government appointed Wasim Ahmed, a retired officer as ACS for the Home Department on a one year contract, while he had served the Sindh government in this position earlier as well. Sources inside the department told Business Recorder that Wasim Ahmed is the seventh administrative head of Home Department in the last two years as he replaced Younis Dhaga, Secretary who was posted a few weeks back. Earlier, Younis Dhaga replaced Rizwan Memon who was posted as secretary Home Department in August 2012. Memon served as Secretary Labour for a long time. In 2010, according to sources, Arif Ahmed Khan was the Secretary Home Department. Riazudin Qureshi replaced him as he went on official training. Currently, Arif Ahmed Khan is serving as provincial Secretary Finance department. Later, Riazudin Qureshi had to leave this post as Wasim Ahmed was re-appointed as ACS Home department for one year. But, Wasim could not complete his tenure due to certain reasons and he left the Home Department, sources said. After his (Wasim Ahmed)'s removal, the Chief Minister's secretary Sohail Akbar Shah was posted as ACS Home department, later he was replaced by Rizwan Memon. Currently, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah is In-charge minister of Home Department as Manzoor Hussein Wassan has gone on long leave as Home Minister a few months back. Sources further stated that only two provincial secretaries served the Home Department during the ministership of Dr Zulifqar Ali Mirza while two secretaries also worked on this very important post during the era of Manzoor Hussein Wassan. In this connection, a senior official of the Home Department told Business Recorder that high-ups of the provincial government should re-think their policy of transfer of postings. He added that merit should be counted and postings be given on performance basis. He said that every provincial department has its own structure and culture, so the newly posted secretary needs time to understand things. If he or she is transferred within a short period, how could he or she resolve the issues and improve the performance of any department, he added. He said that the Home Department is a very important and sensitive department of any province. And in Sindh, its role is very important to improve the law and order situation. The high-ups posted should be very efficient and honest officers especially those on the seat of secretary.

Growers in Sindh face loss of billions: Kharif crops in 10 districts washed away

September 30, 2012 (Daily Business Recorder) YASIR BABBAR KARACHI: Recent heavy rains/flood has damaged billions of rupees Kharif crops of rice (paddy), cotton, banana, chillies and others standing on more than 0.8 million acres in 10 districts of Sindh, Business Recorder learnt on Saturday. It was mentioned in a report compiled by Relief Department available with Business Recorder stating that heavy spell of late-monsoon rains started from September 9 broke 25 years record in six districts of province by heavy downpour. However, these rains/flood badly affected almost all 19 districts including Khairpur Mir's, Ghotki, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore-Kandhkot, Shahdadkot-Qambar, Dadu, Naushehroferoze, Benazirabad, Matiari, Tando Allahyar, Hyderabad, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar and Umerkot. Report mentioned that standing crops on 892,446 acres have been washed away resulting thousands of farmers of province facing great financial losses constantly from 2010. According to portion of a report regarding crops damaging, various crops standing on 178,253 acres have been washed away in district Jacobabad, crops 8,550 acres damaged in district Larkana, crops standing on 132,650 acres washed away in Kashmore-Kandhkot, crops on 599,44 acres damaged in district Qambar-Shahdadkot and crops standing on 285,487 acres washed away in district Ghotki. Heavy rains caused the fully damages of crops standing on 355,056 acres in district Khairpur Mir's, crops standing on only 212 acres damaged in district Dadu, crops standing on 37,50 acres damaged in district Hyderabad, crops standing on 22,900 acres washed away in district Sanghar and only crops standing on 50,48 acres have been damaged in district Umerkot, report stated. It may be noted here that cotton has been sown on 89 per cent of the target of 650,000 hectares. Last year's sowing was reported on 660,782 hectares, one of the senior officials of Agriculture department told. "With this great loss, farmers are once again having a hard time especially in upper Sindh where their rice crop has been badly damaged in the recent monsoon. The cotton in upper Sindh has also been affected", he told. He said that Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Qambar-Shahdadkot and Kashmore-Kandhkot districts have borne the major brunt of these damages. For last three years, farmers are facing difficult times due to successive rains and floods. Super Flood 2010 had devastated rice crop and then again 2011 rains ruined Kharif crops, he added. "Around 30 to 40 per cent of the crop is going to be hit as water is standing in rice fields and we do not see any chance of draining the water out because our area lacks drainage system," he informed. It may be noted here that at the beginning of Kharif season, growers were crying hoarse against non-availability of irrigation water because of shortage in the Indus river system. And, now they are crying for compensation and rehabilitation.