The Sindh government has undertaken several relief measures for the public in the next fiscal budget 2019-20 that include pensions on direct credit system, increase in salaries by 15 percent etc. Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah during the budget presentation told the Sindh Assembly that his government has stepped up to switch all manual pensioners to the DCS (Direct Credit System). "Now onwards, all the pensioners ie. 200,667 in Sindh shall receive their monthly pension payments directly in their bank accounts at their door step with honour and dignity and without any trouble," he said.

Cash Transfers to the Masses: The Sindh government has launched a cash transfer scheme to mitigate the effects of increasing prices of essential commodities and economic shocks. During the current financial year, Rs 4.2 billion are being disbursed as cash transfer amongst chronically poor that have been identified through the Benazir Income Support Program.

"For the next fiscal year [2019-20] an amount of Rs4.2 billion will be disbursed. Under this measure, Rs2,000 cash grant is distributed among the most as a Ramzan / Eid/ miscellaneous relief to the most needy persons registered under Benazir Income Support Programme," he added.

Universal Accidental Insurance Scheme: The government allocated Rs1 billion for its Universal Accident Insurance Scheme to provide Rs100, 000 relatives in case of accidental death of their beloved ones. Scholarships Students Securing A-1 Grade: Scholarships to all Students Securing A-1 Grade in Matriculation and Intermediate: This scholarship shall be provided as an incentive to students for their efforts in securing higher grades, regardless of the family income in include motivation in them. The scholarship amount has been provided to students at different slabs for all educational boards of Sindh. A large number of deserving students will benefit from these schemes.

Abolishment Of Registration And Examination Fee: Abolishment of Registration and Examination fee for all Matric and Intermediate Boards in Sindh: Under this scheme both fee for all matric and intermediate boards have been abolished to benefit the students. This scheme will continue in year 2019-20.

Relief Measures: An increase of 15 percent in salaries of all government employees and pensioners as Adhoc Relief Allowance has been made in the next fiscal year. The Sindh government has also introduced a Special Health Care Allowance and enhanced Health professional Allowance for BPS-17 to BPS-20 for doctors. Police Compensation Package: The compensation package for martyred and injured personnel of Police Department has been doubled from Rs5 million to Rs10 million. Accordingly, an amount of Rs2 billion has been proposed in the budget 2019-20, he said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019