ECC clears only Rs2b for local polls

Cabinet's Economic Coordination Committee cleared Rs18.5 billion for local government polls, chiefly in Punjab and Islamabad, yet released only Rs2 billion. The ECP had asked for the entire sum, and Express Tribune reported that the same meeting granted Rs300 million for repairs to the Prime Minister's Office and its staff colony, despite an austerity ban on purchases. The committee's approvals for the fourth month of this fiscal year totalled close to Rs57 billion in supplementary grants.

Finance ministry officials said the ECC had not cut the ECP's demand and that paying in tranches would not affect spending, though the ECP believes it needs about Rs12 billion for Punjab polls in December. Some participants said the meeting was rushed, with too little time spent on agenda items including the election funds. The ECC also approved Rs2 billion for Smeda, Rs8 billion for the Public Private Partnership Authority and Rs10 billion for the Ministry of Railways to fund the Thar Coal Rail Connectivity Project.

The committee set aside Rs11.3 billion for Utility Stores Corporation to complete its closure and approved Rs4 billion for Pakistan Revenue Automation to support FBR's Transformation Plan. It also imposed 11% additional customs duty on tyre imports to protect local industry, along with 11% on motorcycle parts, rising to 31% where makers import those parts rather than produce them locally.