‘Women participation vital for development of education sector’

Govt spokesperson says province’s small farmers will get 1,000 tractors

QUETTA: Spokesman to Balochistan government Liaquat Shahwani has said without women’s participation, educational development in the province is not possible, stressing upon girls education for a progressive and prosperous society.

He shared these views while addressing Women Promote Talent Award ceremony held at Government Girls High School Satellite Town in Quetta, adding that education was the basic right of every individual of society.

“Without encouraging our youth, particularly women, on pursuing the education track we cannot fulfil the dream of a developed Balochistan,” said Shahwani, affirming that the provincial government is taking all measures to uplift the education sector.

He informed that the provincial government has allocated Rs 77 billion for education department which would also ensure quality facilities in Balochistan.

“The incumbent government has increased 99% funds for education,” Shahwani added.

Talking about easing transportation for students in Balochistan, the spokesman said the government has imparted 32 buses to numerous colleges in order to ensure quality transportation facilities to students while 200 new government schools will also be established in Balochistan.

Shahwani distributed shields and prizes among students who participated in the ceremony on the occasion.

The provincial government has also approved the Balochistan Green Tractor Programme to distribute 1,000 locally produced tractors among the small farmers of the province.

In the first phase, 1,000 tractors would be awarded to the small farmers of the province on subsidised rate and the programme would be expanded to 3,000 tractors, Shahwani said while talking to APP.

The government spokesperson said the Balochistan government has expanded the allocation for the project from Rs 500 million to Rs 1 billion to flourish the agriculture sector and facilitate farmers.          The recovery will be made in a period of seven years as every beneficiary will have to pay monthly installment of nine thousand rupees, the spokesperson informed.

He further said that latest technologies would be introduced to enhance the productivity of agriculture in the province.              The Balochistan government has allocated Rs 9.098 billion for the development of irrigation system in the province to increase the agricultural production which would ultimately benefit the farmers.

Shahwani added that the provincial government has decided to construct small dams sprawling over a large area of the province to resolve the water scarcity issue of the province.

He said, "The government has allocated Rs 500 million for the construction of small dams to preserve rain water as the entire province was dependent on ground water."

Shahwani said the government has also planned to build dam in Shaghzai, Gwadar to resolve water issue in the area. The plan to build dam on Bolan River was also under consideration to conserve water being dumped aimlessly with a cost of Rs 1.5 billion, he added.  (with additional input from APP)

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th, 2019.