HYDERABAD, June 22: The district government is focussing on health sector and establishment of District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in it’s over Rs3 billion budget estimates for 2007-08.

The document will be presented before district council on Monday by Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil.

Sources in district government said the nazim was giving priority to health as he wanted to provide maximum facilities to health units in rural and urban areas. It would be surplus budget with a total outlay of over Rs3 billion against the revenue receipts of around Rs3.36 billion with no new taxes. Non-salary expenditures were estimated at Rs300 million.

For last one year, the provincial government had been transferring one line budget to district governments in non-lapsable account-IV which included funds of the Annual Development Programme (ADP), salary and non-salary expenditures.

Health sector caught attention of district government which committed around Rs150 million rupees against Rs60 million of last year.

In Hyderabad, sources said, this sector received an allocation of Rs80 million when the district had eight talukas. Of total allocations, Rs60 million were earmarked for medicines besides Rs60 million in salary expenditure, Rs30 million for equipment, and Rs10 million for repair and renovation of about 60 buildings.

Rural health facilities lack stretcher, blood pressure apparatus and other necessary items to treat patients who ultimately approach urban-based institutions said sources and added: “Diabetic welfare centres are planned for each taluka and two ambulances will be procured for rural areas. The district government also plans launching blood screening campaign for Hepatitis-B and C and treatment of such patients,” said sources.

Establishment of water purification plants in some hospitals was also in the pipeline under budget allocations, they said.

Improved maternity services and setting up of hospital management committees (HMCs), comprising local and elected representatives to keep check and balance on fund utilisation were also under consideration.

Education will get a raise of Rs20 million and institutions will get funds to clear their power liabilities for smooth functioning of computer and science laboratories. Cash grants and scholarships were also being earmarked.

The volume of district's ADP will likely get additional Rs90 million as compared to Rs386 million for construction of roads/streets and boundary walls of drains. Allocation of Rs30 million will be allowed for the Citizen Community Board (CCB) schemes. A Senior Citizen Welfare Centre with one million rupees will be part of the agenda.

A rural area uplift programme was also on the cards wherein installation of street lights, electrification, provision of Sui gas, setting up of hand pumps were likely to be ensured. The district government would be giving fire fighter and garbage lifting vehicle to Hyderabad rural taluka although, sources said it was the exclusive job of any Taluka Municipal Administration (TMA).

A water supply scheme will be launched in Tandojam at a cost of Rs20 million besides initial allocation of Rs2 million for livestock and poultry farming and for the bird flu issue. Around Rs10 million were being given to Qasimabad and Hyderabad (rural) taluka in addition to Hyderabad Development Package (HDP) schemes.

Around Rs80 million will be allocated for three talukas of city to ensure inter-connection of water supply schemes that had already been taken up in the HDP.

The DDMA plans setting up the schedule of new expenditure (SNE) to combat emergencies like earthquake, fire incident, drowning of people, etc. Provision of boats, life saving jackets, respirators, a snorkel, vehicles etc., was on the agenda. The working of Civil Defence Department will also be improved.