MANSEHRA: The district council of Mansehra approved the Rs8.353 billion budget for financial year 201718 without debate here on Tuesday.

The budget, which shows a deficit of Rs587 million, was presented by district nazim Sardar Said Ghulam with convener Ghulam Murtaza Tanoli in the chair and was approved by majority of votes.

`I am glad to present the third budget of my government in the council and assure you that the development of education and healthcare sectors is my priorities. We brought over 39,000 out-of-school children to public educational institutions during the last financial year,` the nazim said.

Deputy commissioner Shahrukh Khan and district finance officer Dr Qasim Ali Khan were also present in the session.

The nazim told the house that Rs6.984 billion would be spent on the payment of salary to government employees, Rs616 million on the repairs to offices, payment of utility bills, construction or repairs of roads,and purchase of graveyard`s land.

He said Rs711 million would be spent on development schemes to be identiñed by district councillors and Rs23 million for the payment of honorarium of district councillors, on daily expenses and payment of salary to employees of district secretariats.

The nazim mentioned the income generated by the district through the Provincial Finance Commission Award and said his government could levy taxes to generate income for the people`s welfare. `We`re seriously considering imposing tax on mineral transportation,` he said.

The nazim said under the PFC Award, the district government would receive Rs7.766 million for the ongoing financial year 2017-18.

He also presented the revised budget of the previous financial year 2016-17 and said the volume of the revised budget was Rs8.719 billion and that of the amount, Rs7.959 billion would be spent on the payment of salary to the employees of 15 devolved departments and the rest on the purchase of land for graveyard, payment of honorarium to councillors, and development.The nazim said during the last financial year, 573 teachers, including 342 women teachers, were appointed to the education department.

STRIKE AGAINST OUTAGES: Traders observed a shutdown strike and took to the streets to protest the prolonged and unscheduled power cuts in Oghi on Tuesday.

Shops and business centres remained closed in protest against power outages and low voltage in Oghi and its suburbs.

The protesters assembled at the Milad Chowk and blocked the roads to traffic for two hours demanding an immediate end to power outages in Oghi and its suburbs.

Galli Badral village council nazim Mohammad Ishaq, who led the protest, complained that the people of Oghi and Galli Badral areas had been subjected to over 15 hours power outages especially when it was really hot. `If Wapda doesn`t address power outages, we will block the Mansehra-Oghi Road for the indefinite period,` he said.

The protesters dispersed peacefully after assistant commissioner Nowsherwan showed up and assured them of early resolution of the problem.