Covid project in doldrums

It seems the widening gulf between the provinces and the Centre may have swallowed a critical health project. Just as the country starts to face a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, the federal government has withdrawn its Rs70 billion Covid-19 Responsive and other Natural Calamities Control Programme at the eleventh hour over a lack of consensus. The project had been designed to provide support to the provinces in mitigating the impact of the deadly respiratory disease. It was twice presented before the Central Development Working Party, and while its umbrella project was approved, the final, revised project concept paper could not be passed. The provinces demanded that the federal government bear the full cost of the initiative.

The government has, however, not completely axed the programme. Instead, it was decided that sub-projects will be prepared for priority areas and that the National Finance Commission will be approached for funds. The government, though, reversed its previous decision of allocating projects on a first-come-first-served basis while provinces will have a brief window to prepare and submit projects. The Centre and a couple of provinces have been at odds with each other over the issue of autonomy and funds as guaranteed under the 18^th Amendment. On the surface, it appears that a health project at this critical stage where the fatal virus is witnessing a resurge across the country is falling to such a discord. The federation needs to do more to include the provinces while the provinces would do well to cooperate with the federation. Creating a cordial atmosphere to work together is the responsibility of both.

All sides must realise that this pandemic is perhaps the only semblance of an equal opportunity organism. That dealing with it through a united and cohesive front perhaps presents the best chance for everyone to survive and it is hoped that this unity translates to the common man over implementing SOPs.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2020.

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