Development package: ‘Govt committed to welfare of Cholistan’s people’

Special attention should be given to the quality of work, says chief secretary.

BAHAWALPUR:

Chief Secretary Naveed Akram Cheema said on Friday the provincial government was committed to welfare of Cholistan’s people.

Addressing a public gathering in Moj Garh, he said the chief minister and the prime minister were concerned about Cholistan’s development.

He said provision of water would be ensured through the Cholistan Development Package. “New roads will be constructed in the region under the project,” he said.

Earlier, the chief secretary visited Kala Pahaar and Basti Kher Sar. He also inspected the condition of tobas [ponds] and water pipelines in the area. Cheema directed the officials concerned to ensure that the tobas were clean to store water.



The chief secretary also visited a primary school in Kher Sar and the Cholistan Community School in Jhok Kamil Parhaar in Fort Abbas.

Later, addressing the steering committee of the Cholistan Development Package in Bahawalpur, he directed the provincial secretaries to implement the package on priority basis.

“Special attention should be given to the quality of work and transparency.”

Bahawalpur Commissioner Asadullah Khan informed the chief secretary about the progress of the work.He said the Rs2.5 billion package announced by the chief minister would bring a social and economic revolution in Cholistan. He said elected representatives should be included in the monitoring process. The commissioner said 1,100 tobas in Cholistan would be cleaned next week. “Trees should be planted along these tobas,” he said.

He directed that for the allotment of agricultural land be transparent and Chak boundary markings be completed by June 15.

He said an extension project for provision of drinking water to Cholistan would be completed in six months. “New schemes will also be completed during this time,” he said.Chief Secretary Cheema directed the officials to ensure missing facilities were provided at all schools in Cholistan in two months. “A new high school for girls should be established in Rahim Yar Khan,” he said.



He said the projects scheduled under the Cholistan Developmental Package should be completed through public-private partnership.

“Strict action will be taken against officials concerned if the quality of work is not up to the mark.”

“Expansion and maintenance of the 230-kilometre road from Tailwala to Mithda will be completed in six months.”

He said a healthcare project to vaccinate livestock and distribute medicines among the people was underway.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5^th, 2014.