MANSEHRA, June 28: The district council on Saturday approved Rs2.244 billion budget for the fiscal year 2008-09 with overwhelming majority.

The session was held here with convener Attiqur Rehman Jahangery in the chair. The councillors strongly opposed the huge non-developmental expenditures in the budget and asked the district nazim Mansehra to cut or minimise the proposed expenditures.

They said that if Rs1.66 billion was spent on the salaries of employees, what would be left for the victims of the October 8, 2005 earthquake and developmental works in the district.

Most of the councillors appreciated the levy of fresh taxes and proposed new taxes on petrol pumps, CNG stations, private schools, poultry farms and flourmills.

Some of the councillors, during speeches, strongly criticised the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra), Provincial Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Perra) and District Reconstruction Unit, saying that the authorities failed to help the earthquake survivors to be self-reliant and restore the damaged infrastructures in health and education sectors, particularly roads and government buildings in the region.

They alleged that thousands of families were still deprived of their housing compensation instalments and they were unable to rebuild their damaged houses. They demanded establishment of an inquiry committee to unearth corruption in various government departments.

Speaking on the occasion, District Nazim Sardar Mohammad Yousaf thanked the council for approving the budget and assured the members to follow their suggestions.