The Sindh government has increased the allocation of funds for local government institutions through the Octroi Zilla Tax (OZT), raising the amount for union councils and committees from half a million rupees to Rs1.2m. Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab Siddiqi announced the 140% increase in monthly funding for UCs on social media, stating that it would help address basic issues. The move, effective from July 2024, aims to boost the financial support for municipal corporations, district councils, and town committees in the province.
Karachi, with 25 towns and 246 UCs, is among the 1,870 local body institutions in Sindh. The All Pakistan Local Government Workers Federation and Sajjan Union praised the government’s decision, anticipating improved salaries and pensions for workers. Sajjan Union leader Syed Zulfiqar Shah credited the union’s advocacy for pressuring the government to release the budgeted funds.
This development signifies a significant step towards empowering local bodies and enhancing service delivery in Sindh.
Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2024
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