ISLAMABAD:
The government has slashed the allocation for development projects to be executed under the Cabinet Division to Rs2.69 billion from Rs3.68 billion earmarked for the outgoing year.
Major chunk of the allocation will be spent on ongoing schemes. A few new schemes will be executed under the Cabinet Division, including the longstanding Chirah Dam for which an amount of Rs300 million have been set aside. The project if completed will meet water demand of the twin cities.
An amount of Rs2.32 billion has been allocated for 14 ongoing schemes and Rs369.93 million have been set aside for seven new projects under the Public Sector Development Programme 2011-12 of the division.
Ongoing schemes
According to the budget document presented in the parliament by Fiance Minister Dr Hafeez Sheikh, a whooping Rs1 billion has been allocated for the construction of 106 family suites, another Rs2.5 million on construction of 16 No category Flats for the Accountant general of Pakistan Revenue (AGPR) in sector G-9/2.
Rs37.7 million will be spent on construction of residential accommodation and non-residential buildings for police at Aiwan-i-Saddar; Rs1.8 million has been set aside for the construction of official residence of National Assembly Speaker; Rs26 million will be spent on rehabilitation and replacement of 32 lifts at Pak Secretariat building. Moreover, installation of airconditioners, fire alarm system, and procurement of spare parts of lifts at Parliament House building is expected to cost Rs18 million.
Addition of 3rd and 4th lane at the Kashmir Highway from Peshawar Mor to Golra Mor will cost Rs300 million; Rs31.746 million have been allocated for the repair ion of IJ Principal Road.
Upgradation and renovation of public addresses and automatic vote casting system is going to be installed in the Senate hall for which an amount of Rs17.346 million has been set aside. Security arrangements at the Parliament House are expected to cost Rs75 million and construction of second hangar pre-engineering steel structure at heliport of Islamabad has been planned to be carried out at a cost of Rs200 million under the PSDP 2011-12. Prime Minister’s special initiative for Hunarmand Pakistan Programme (NAVTEC) is expected to consume Rs300 million. An addition to the Pak-China Friendship Centre is expected to cost Rs45.27 million.
New schemes
Of the new schemes the most important and longstanding project is Chirah Dam for which an amount of Rs300 milion have been allocated. On the other hand, new schemes include installation of security system in and around Faisal Mosque at an estimated cost of Rs7 million, installation of professional CCTV system in the Senate hall for Rs5 million, renovation of National Archive of Pakistan (NAP) building at Rs32.4 million, conservation and restoration of rare manuscripts and collection of NAP for Rs6 million and improvement of centre security system phase-II will take up Rs5.27 million from the budget of Cabinet Division.
The replacement of carpet in main prayer hall of Faisal Mosque is expected to cost Rs14 million.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 4th, 2011.
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