Non-utilisation of uplift funds irks CM

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has expressed his dissatisfaction over non-utilisation of development funds.

He told administrative secretaries of all departments that no delay would be acceptable in the completion of the ongoing projects.

He ordered full utilization of released development funds before the completion of current fiscal year.

He further directed them to pay special attention to the planning of development programs for the next fiscal year and ensure their attendance at the meetings of planning and development department.

“Ongoing development projects would be completed as first priority during the next fiscal year” he said, adding that new projects with larger impact would be included in the next ADP.

He was chairing a meeting to review the progress made on the development projects in the province.

Additional Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Amjid Ali Khan, administrative secretaries of provincial departments and other relevant officials attended the meeting.

Expressing his dissatisfaction over the pace of work on certain development projects, the chief minister ordered speedy completion, adding that progress on these projects would be reviewed after 15 days in which secretaries of the departments would have to present detailed reports.

A special meeting would also be held by the end of this month to review the utilization of released funds for development projects and in case of non-utilization or low-utilization of the funds, action would be taken against those responsible.

He also directed the deputy commissioners to immediately start payments to land owners for the acquisition of land so that work on projects could be commenced.

He also directed identification of suitable sites within a week for the establishment of Citizen Facilitation Centres (CFC) at all divisional headquarters.

He directed a feasible plan for shifting of marble factories from Warsak Road to Mohmand Economic Zone in 15 days.

“This should be considered as final deadline in this regard,” he remarked, adding that in case of the non-compliance all factories would be sealed.

He also directed arrangements for the groundbreaking of Patrak-Thall-Kumrat Road and Swat Motorway Phase-II. CM also ordered section-IV on the proposed land for Dir Motorway, adding that required funds would be provided for the purpose on priority.

Briefing about the progress on important projects in the health sector, it was revealed during the meeting that in newly merged districts, so far, six health care facilities had been outsourced which were also providing specialized services.

Moreover, outsourcing of 11 more health care facilities in NMDs would be completed by next week.

The meeting was informed that progress was being made on strengthening and conversion of Basic Health Units (BHUs) and Rural Health Centres (RHCs) into 24/7 health care facilities.

Similarly, 35 per cent physical progress on revamping of non-teaching DHQs across the province has been achieved under the project, revamping of six hospitals in first phase and 12 hospitals in second phase would be completed.

The participants were informed that, civil work on construction of new General Bus Stand Peshawar had been initiated while consultant was hired for New Peshawar City Project.

Besides, contracts had been singed with three universities for the establishment of IT parks in the province.

The meeting was informed that solarization of some 5,000 masajid would be completed by the end of 2023 while upgradation of Hayatabad Sports Complex would be completed by June this year.

The chief minister ordered speedy work on Kalam Cricket Stadium as well as Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium.

Touching upon the higher education sector, it was revealed that a total of 35 colleges would be made functional in the province by the end of current financial and an umbrella PC-I had been approved for establishment of 20 new colleges.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2022.